Born in Portugal, Marco Almeida grew up in Newark, NJ. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College in Physics and Mathematics. He went on to obtain his Master of Science from Boston College in Physics, gaining valuable laboratory and teaching experience. The lure of education was inevitable: Marco went on to teach physics at Longmeadow High School for five years, where he was proud to support students not only academically but in all their endeavors. Marco joined The Academy faculty because he was attracted by the school’s close-knit community and the opportunity to support students’ curiosity about the world around them through authentic scientific inquiry. When not in the classroom, Marco can be found in the kitchen, playing tennis, or with his cats and dog.

Born in Northampton and raised in Williamsburg, Katherine ’16 is an enthusiastic life-long citizen of western Massachusetts. A loyal and loving alumna of The Academy, Katherine completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education & Child Studies at Smith College where she worked in the Office of Admission and swam competitively. During her time at Smith, she also spent a summer studying abroad in Denmark and another summer interning with the Development Office at the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst. Since joining The Academy’s staff in 2020, Katherine has most enjoyed welcoming new families into our community, connecting with alumni, and sharing fun Academy moments far and wide on social media. Katherine spends her free time biking, hiking, cooking, crafting, and skiing with her friends and partner. She is grateful beyond words to have her first “adult” job be at The Academy; it is nothing short of a dream come true. 

Nora Bates Zale ’00 earned a Bachelor of Arts with high honors from Marlboro College in Photography and Art Education, and a Master of Arts from NYU in Art Education, with a focus on using art as a tool for social justice. Nora has taught art and photography at all levels of the K-12 range in locales from New Zealand, to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, to the Museum of Modern Art and all five boroughs of New York City, and finally the hilltowns of western Massachusetts. She takes great joy in facilitating the sorts of encouraging yet challenging community experiences from which she benefited as an Academy student, as well as occupying the office with the most comfortable furniture on campus, perfect for all manner of conversations with Aardvarks and their parents. Nora lives in Conway, MA with her wife Synphany, their children Enzo and Symone, and their fur-children (canine Cleome Roux and feline Timecat), where she enjoys romps in the woods and tending vegetable and flower gardens.

Aethena Enzer-Mahler ’00 earned her Bachelors of Arts from Hampshire College with a focus on Education and Incorporation of Arts into the Classroom, and her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Smith College. Aethena has worked as an educator in early childhood and elementary education supporting the growth and development of young children and worked clinically with children and families in outpatient and school settings. In her clinical practice Aethena brings a playful and grounded approach to her therapy, working primarily with adolescents and young adults. As a mental health consultant for schools Aethena is passionate about collaborating with faculty and caregivers to provide the best possible support to students and the whole school community. She was excited for the opportunity to return to the Academy in 2017 in the role of Psychological Consultant. Aethena is lucky to live on a farm in Northampton with her husband Nate, farm kids Noah and Asher, and lots of vegetables!

Neale Gay has over 20 years of experience as an educator and advocate for his students. He joined The Academy in 2012 as a humanities teacher, the college counselor, and the theater director. Over time, he assumed more leadership responsibilities, and as of 2018, Neale functions as the Co-Head of School for Academics. He began his career as a public school history and English teacher while finishing his M.Ed from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. Previously, he earned a degree in Classics from UMass. Neale was drawn to The Academy because of its holistic approach to education, and because of its commitment to social justice, the arts, and music.  An avid reader and record collector, Neale resides with his family, cats, and dog in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Cassandra Ellis came to the Academy at Charlemont shortly after the start of the 2023/2024 school year, after inquiring about the food program. As her two children, Griffin and Phoenix, became of school age, the daydream of them attending a secondary school that offered unique educational opportunities began to take seed. Upon gathering feedback from former students and their caretakers in the Hilltown community, the Academy at Charlemont quickly moved to the front of the list and so, when the chance to join the staff of AAC presented itself, Cassandra eagerly started preparing the lunch meal once a week. At the turn of the year, one lunch preparation became three, and she began teaching studio blocks for cooking in January 2024.

Andrea is a Western MA native, who grew up in the hills of Colrain.  She graduated from Greenfield Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Management in ’06.  Andrea married her high school sweetheart Devon and they have a wonderful son Deegan.  They live in Buckland with their dog, Luna and their kitty, Willow. She has worked in a variety of offices ranging from a vitamin manufacturer to a construction company to a local stone business.  She has now found her way to The Academy, which holds a special place for her because her grandmother-in-law Lucille Joy was a founder and bookkeeper here.

In her spare time Andrea loves to paint, make jewelry, read (especially about vampires), rock hound and hunt and fish with her family.  She is also a huge Patriots fan and can usually be heard yelling at the TV during games.

Rafael received a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Comparative Religion from Marlboro College as well as a Master of Fine Art in Combined Media from Hunter College in New York. Rafael joined the Academy in 2021 after five years at Phillips Academy Andover; he also previously taught art in various after-school programs and youth workshops in New York and Vermont. Rafael makes in a range of mediums, from sculpture to drawing to video. In teaching, he seeks to help students discover new materials and new strategies for making, looking, and thinking. Rafael currently lives in Northampton with his partner, child, and hound.

A western Massachusetts native, Adam grew up in Russell, a town nestled in a hilltown region a bit south of The Academy. After receiving a BA in English from UMass Amherst, he began figuring out what he wanted to be when he grew up. Some things he’s dabbled with along the way included cosmetology, massage therapy, and EMT. But while those adventures have been fun, his real professional experience over a total of about 15 years focuses on development, marketing, and staffing agency recruitment. These days, he and his husband Frank live in Plainfield, and they continue to explore and get better acquainted with this lovely community they call home.

Originally from Germany where she earned a Master’s degree in teaching French and English, Sabine has spent the last 20 years teaching both languages in the US. After a 12-year stint at Deerfield Academy teaching and running girls’ dormitories, Sabine has taught French at all levels at The Academy at Charlemont for the past eight years. Sabine’s responsibilities also include leading occasional trips to French-speaking countries, advising the Cultural Exchange Council, and administering the domestic exchange program, The Network of Complementary Schools.  Sabine serves as International Student Coordinator at The Academy, taking care of all aspects of the international students’ experience at school and with their host families. Sabine has two cute daughters and a tolerable husband. She travels through the local universe in a vehicle known as “Cosmic Blue.”

Holly grew up in Western Mass and has happily returned to the area to raise her family and embrace the Hilltown life. She graduated from Greenfield Community College with a Liberal Arts degree and continued her education at Salem State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations. After five years of living in New Jersey and working as an event manager, she decided to go back to school for nursing. She moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In 2013, she moved home to the hills of Western Mass and has since been working in an emergency department at a local hospital. She is excited to be back “in school” as The Academy’s school nurse and looks forward to connecting with the community and its students. When she isn’t at work or taking care of her four kids, she enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, hiking the hills, and a wicked good cup of coffee with her husband.

Kimberly came to The Academy as a 16-year teacher, mostly in independent schools. She earned a Mathematics degree from Bryn Mawr College and a Masters in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. Having grown up in Texas, Kimberly moved to the Pioneer Valley in 2005 and as an Academy faculty member, she teaches mathematics and directs our theater program. She has taught math courses ranging from Inquiry-Based Algebra to Advanced Calculus and sees math as a universal language that is accessible to all. She was the Director of Theater Programs at The Ethel Walker School for 11 years, is founder of local theater company, Ghost Light Theater, and is actively involved in local community theater in Northampton where she now calls home.

John grew up in eastern Massachusetts, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Environmental Studies from Bucknell University, and later earned a Master of Arts in Private School Leadership from Teachers’ College at Columbia University. He has taught math and science at Beaver Country Day School, The Academy at Charlemont, and Four Rivers Public Charter School, and he was a teacher and Head of School at The Island School, a high school semester study abroad program. As an avid runner, biker, and outdoors person, John has coached a range of sports and led cycling, backpacking, and wilderness sea kayaking trips for students.

Eric joined the Academy in 2018 teaching all levels of ceramics as part of the Studio Block program. He has created a vibrant and supportive space for countless students to express themselves through clay over the last five years. While he will continue to teach, Eric expanded his role in our community in 2023, assuming the position of Facilities Manager. Along with running a successful wood fired pottery business over the last 20 years, he has constructed new buildings and torn old ones down; renovated, expanded and reimagined spaces; and worked for and managed contractors as well. He is excited and optimistic to help support the Academy as it continues to move forward.

Fabiola Solis earned her Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, where she developed a special interest in the use of technology in education. Originally from Mexico City, she is a professionally trained and experienced flutist with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico. Fabiola also has a degree in Law from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and she participated in their exchange law program at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Her international background and experiences are reflected in her graduate research projects at UMass, especially in the area of multiculturalism (Harmonizing Cultures: Exploring Villancicos Across Continents: A general music curriculum for fifth and sixth grade students and Mexica influence on the Baroque Villancico of the Viceroyalty of New Spain). She is enthusiastic about sharing her international background and perspectives with her students at the Academy at Charlemont through Spanish language classes and music. She lives with her husband and two sons in the beautiful hills of Western Massachusetts, and whenever possible visits with her extended family in Mexico City and Paris. Fabiola enjoys swimming, walking, practicing yoga, cooking, visiting museums, reading, and playing classical flute.

Korey grew up on the seacoast of NH, and after visiting Shelburne Falls with her now-husband Matthew, she fell in love with western Massachusetts and settled her permanently. She’s worked in hospitality since she was a teenager, including restaurant positions ranging from bussing and dishwashing, to cooking, to bookkeeping and payroll. Most recently, Korey worked at Hearty Eats in Shelburne Falls starting in 2016. Korey enjoys spending time with her husband, son (14), daughter (16), stepdaughter (15), and cat Seymour at their home in Charlemont, making home-cooked meals, tackling crafts and DIY projects, and reading (Stephen King is her favorite!). Korey’s first introduction to The Academy was assisting Chef Cassandra (longtime friend and former coworker) on Grandparents & Family Friends Day, and knew she wanted to work at The Academy ever since.

Adam was born and raised in Western MA, and grew up on his family farm in Historic Deerfield. He became a great lover of the outdoors during his time as a student at Deerfield Academy and went on to study English and Geology at Colorado College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. With a strong desire to impart a love of the outdoors to others, Adam began teaching Earth Science at Eaglebrook School in 1996 and went on to head up the school’s Outdoor Education program, as well as coaching ultimate frisbee, ice hockey, mountain biking, coordinating the recreational ski program, and teaching fly tying/fishing and stained glass during his 14 year tenure. Adam lives in north Heath with his wife Erin and his two children, Charlotte (class of 2027) and Sage (class of 2030). He is a graduate of the Boulder Outdoor Survival School and continues to be an avid outdoorsman with a love of our New England forest.