Have you ever dreamed of working at Westminster when you grow up? If so, you’re not alone in that respect. Out of the 520 members of Westminster’s faculty and staff, 45 of them are alumni. These alumni faculty have very diverse jobs, and they help to make the school run smoothly.
Nine alumni work in the Lower School: Emily Ashe, Josie Calamari, Sara Chapman, Debbie Cushing, Elizabeth Hogan, Julia Myrick, Stacie Rapson, Annie Salimi, and Whitney Woodward. They may have been your teachers in the Lower School, which as Calamari says, is “where Westminster’s youngest minds begin their learning journey.” Here young Wildcats gain the foundation for the rest of their schooling experience as well as the rest of their lives.
Eleven alumni work in the Middle School: Joseph Allan, Jane Armstrong, Tyree Churchill, Walter DuPreist, Emily Fuqua, Lydia Hansen, DeLancy Hutchinson, Chad Laney, Caroline Stewart, Cynthia Swanson, and Carter Thomas. Middle School is where the Wildcat matures, reading books such as Lord of the Flies and The Odyssey and taking subjects like Algebra, World Cultures, and Biology. Students also get the chance to explore their creative sides, whether that be playing an instrument, singing, creating art, participating in academic teams, or going on trips around the globe.
The Upper School has thirteen alumni within its ranks: Juliet Allan, Tiffany Boozer, Katie Christy, Laura Drewicz-Ewing, Reid Hamilton, Kamille Harless, LB Joel, Adam Koplan, Ellen LaGrone, Kate Morgens, Charlie Ogburn, Chanley Small, and Marguerite Spiotta. The Upper School is where Wildcats receive the opportunity to be taught by some of the best teachers in the country. Upon returning to Westminster to teach, our alumni faculty have found themselves working as colleagues with their former mentors, greats such as Dave Drake, Leigh McKay, Frank Finsthwait (who’s been teaching here for 58 years), Eddie Dupriest, Gwen Cleghorn, Mark Cutbirth, Ellen Fleming, Jack Pickard, Wade Boggs, Gwen Warren, Nedra Roberts, Jack Morgan (who still teaches here), George Yacoubian, and Woodrow Barnes. Now the current generation of students is being taught by these alumni who have stepped into the roles of their predecessors.
Eight work in Westminster administration: Michelle Bibiano, Frank Brown, Deja Clay, Hartley Jeffries, Katie Laney, Marjorie Mitchell, Thad Persons, and Margaret Young. This is where all of the behind-the-scenes work happens to ensure that our school has the best faculty, amazing students, up-to-date facilities, top-tier curriculum, and forward-thinking policies such as DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion).
Two alumni can even be found within our IT department: Michael Carroll and William Turton. When computers, projectors, and software stop working, they get on the job. They ensure that our electronic devices are ready for use and that we have all of the applications and software we need.
Westminster benefits from having all of these alumni on hand for several reasons, such as having questions about what Westminster was like when they went here. They are here if you need their assistance/participation for a project or if you want to make a really cool connection with them. Just by being a Westminster student, you already have something in common with them. For example, if your parents went to Westminster, you could talk to Mrs. Hansen, Nurse LaGrone, Mrs. Laney, or Mr. Hamilton. Their parents also went to Westminster. If you want to pursue a specific major in college and one of the alumni faculty is in that field or took that major with the same previous education you are receiving/have received, talk to them. For example, in Chemistry, talk to Mrs. Allan or Mrs. Harless. A Career in English? Talk to Mr. Hamilton, Ms. Thomas, or Mrs. Churchill. How about Math? Talk to Ms. Fuqua or Mrs. Salimi. There are a lot of people on campus who share similar experiences with you, so communicate with them.
All the alumni within Westminster’s ranks agree that Westminster is a great community, and they feel happy to give back. Small says her greatest joy is working with the students. “Working with our teenagers is endlessly inspiring—they are curious, creative, and full of potential,” she says. “Being part of their growth and helping shape their futures is a privilege. This community gave me so much, and it’s rewarding to contribute to building a new generation of Westminster students.” Katie Laney agrees with Small. “I loved Westminster as a student, and it is even more special getting to work here and support the great work of our students and teachers.” Hamilton says he feels like he’s back “home.” “Part of me has always wanted to come ‘home,’ so there was an interest beyond professional opportunity that drew me back.”
Thomas says she is glad for the education she received and the community at Westminster. “The people at Westminster are what make it the incredible place it is. That was true when I was a student, and it’s still true now.” Mitchell says that how she was taught is what made a difference. “My time at Westminster was transformative. While not every day was easy—some were quite challenging—I truly loved learning how to think critically and solve problems. This approach to learning has stuck with me ever since and problem solving remains one of my favorite things to do.”
Check out the gallery below to find out more about the alumni that are faculty. I asked them all the question “What drew you back to Westminster?”
