Scott McManus

Scott is originally from Nyack, New York. He graduated with his Masters from Lehman College in the Bronx and majored in Education and did his undergraduate at Brooklyn College, where he majored in Psychology. He is a lifelong skater and discovered snowboarding when he moved to Vermont. He fell in love with it and has never looked back. Scott lives in Springfield Vermont with his partner and dog, Batman, who they also call Bruce. He loves to beat the lift lines by blowing his own snow in his backyard where he hand shapes all of his own jibs and features. Scott is looking to pivot careers one day and be a mental health counselor for those in extreme sports. 

Years at OMS: First year

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Mariel Meringolo

Head of School

Mariel has been a member of the OMS staff since 2004.  She has served in the following roles at OMS: mathematics department head, development coordinator, special programs coordinator, and admissions assistant. She currently coaches the U10s at Okemo Mountain. Mariel loves winter sports and travel. She lives in Ludlow, VT with her husband, Mike.

Years at OMS: 21

- Brandeis University: Bachelor of Arts: Economics

Contact Mariel
mmeringolo@okemomountainschool.org
802-228-1513

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KatieAdministrative
Ashley Belcher

Dean of Academics
Assistant to the Head of School
Admissions & Alumni Engagement Coordinator

Ashley was born and raised right here in Ludlow, Vermont. She started ski racing for Okemo Mountain at the age of 6 and attended OMS for a few years throughout middle school. During college she worked as a substitute teacher and Varsity Softball Coach, which lead her to pursuing her Master's Degree in Elementary Education. She also holds a teaching license in the states of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Ashley lives in Rockingham with her husband and 2 kids. She spends most of her free time going for motorcycle rides, traveling, hiking with her dogs, spending time on the water in the summer, and skiing in the winter.

Years at OMS: 8

- Castleton University: Bachelor of Arts: Sports Administration
- Franklin Pierce University: Master of Elementary Education

Contact Ashley
abelcher@okemomountainschool.org
802-228-1514

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KatieAdministrative
Frank Knaack

Development Coordinator
Assistant Snowboard Coach
Teacher

Frank began snowboarding in the late 1980s and grew up competing in the Green Mountain Series (now called the Southern Vermont Series) and USASA nationals, where he won multiple events. He was part of the first class of snowboarders admitted to the Stratton Mountain School and after graduating from SMS he spent four years competing on the ISF World Cup and other professional snowboard tours throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is also a former member of the U.S. Junior World Snowboard Team. 

Since returning to Vermont in 2021, Frank has coached the weekend snowboard competition team at Okemo. He is excited to transition to OMS, where his daughter is a student and snowboarder

Prior to joining OMS, Frank spent 20 years as a human rights advocate across the U.S. and in the Middle East, including serving as the executive director of the ACLU of South Carolina, the Montana Innocence Project, the Housing and Homelessness Alliance of Vermont, and the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. As part of this work, Frank oversaw multiple development programs that achieved substantial revenue growth for the organization.

Frank is a graduate of the University of Vermont (BA in History and Political Science) and The American University in Cairo (MA in International Human Rights Law).

Frank lives with his wife and two children in Landgrove, VT.

Years at OMS: First year

Contact Frank
fknaack@okemomountainschool.org

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Heather Tucker

Heather taught science, coached snowboarding  and workeBopd in administration at Okemo Mountain School for five years before taking time away to raise her two children, now in 10th and 12th grade. She is excited to return to OMS, bringing both classroom experience and a renewed perspective shaped by parenthood. She teaches science and enjoys connecting learning to the outdoors and real life experiences . Heather lives in Ludlow with her husband and children, along with their dog, two cats, a flock of chickens, and a small herd of sheep. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys watching her children play their sports, snowboarding, getting her hands dirty in the garden, spending time at the ocean, and savoring a good cup of coffee.

Years at OMS: 5 + 1

University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
BS- Biology; Concentration in Animal Science

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Carinthia Grayson

Carinthia has been teaching middle school students for the last 21 years in public schools in Vermont. The first ten years were in the Northeast Kingdom and the last 11 years locally at Flood Brook School in Londonderry.  She has taught science and math but also worked extensively doing project based, integrated studies and community building. Before making a career shift to teaching she worked as a soil scientist for the USDA in the Northeast Kingdom. She has two grown children and lives with her 94 year old Mom in Landgrove.  She loves to spend time outside:backcountry and Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, running, biking, hiking, swimming, paddle boarding and vegetable gardening.

Years at OMS: First Year

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Nora Anderson

Nora grew up ski racing at Okemo, and returns now to OMS as an English + Social Studies teacher. Nora has built a career in education + the non-profit sector, working in Vermont, Connecticut, New York, and abroad in the United Kingdom and Zambia. She enjoys skiing, horseback riding, reading + writing, and fashion design. She lives in Ludlow with her Labrador pup, Henry. 

Years at OMS: First Year

University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Arts, English Literature

King's College London, Master of Arts, Comparative Literature

Yale University, Master of Arts, Comparative Literature

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Claire Needell Hollander

English & History

Claire has taught English Language Arts for over twenty years, both in New York City and as a tutor in Westchester County.  She is an essayist, young adult fiction writer and poet.  She has three adult daughters and currently lives in Manchester, VT.  In the warmer months, she enjoys spending time outdoors in her garden and on foraging walks.  She has been skiing in Vermont since the early seventies.  

Years at OMS: 2

- Brown University: MFA, Creative Writing

- NYU: Master’s of Secondary Education

- University of Colorado: BA, English and Creative Writing

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Guest UserArts & Humanities
Carol Roe

English & History

Carol has lectured at Suffolk School of Law and conferences for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She’s been a sole practitioner of immigration law for over 7 years. She is a previous OMS parent and has lived in Ludlow semi-permanently for 6 years. Carol is an ultrarunner who also loves skiing and cooking vegan food. 

Years at OMS: 2

- Susquehanna University, Bachelor of Art: Political Science

- Temple University School of Law, Juris Doctor

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Guest UserArts & Humanities
Toby Milne

Math
Math Department Head

Mr. Milne has been teaching math for more than four decades in both public and private schools. His goal is to help students find their way in Maths through innovative teaching and an inclusive environment. When not teaching classes or mentoring teachers, he herds cats, designs websites, and enjoys medieval reenactments.

“Mathematics is endlessly fascinating. There are things we notice and things we question, there are insights we discover and insights we stumble over. Most important of all, there is beauty. Beauty in the patterns, beauty in the simplicity and beauty in the questions.”

Years at OMS: 3

- Norwich University, Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering, Tau Beta Pi

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Guest UserMath & Science
Michael Bond

Math & Science

Michael Bond brings his excitement for math and problem solving to his fifth year at OMS. He began his career working for engineering companies primarily in the energy industry. Prior to joining OMS, Mike served the needs of families in Denver, Colorado teaching 8th grade math. While teaching he completed a concurrent teaching program to become a licensed teacher in Colorado and now holds a Vermont teaching license for secondary mathematics.

Mike lives in Halifax, Vermont with his partner Nina and two boys, Dominic and Bear. When not at work, you might find Michael enjoying most forms of motorsport (particularly WRC), hiking in the forest, watching his kids play team sports, or possibly fishing. He also loves to spend some quiet time at home with his family.

Years at OMS: 4

- University of Colorado/Boulder, Bachelor of Science: Mechanical Engineering

- University of Colorado / Denver: ASPIRE teaching program

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Sabrina Easton

History & English
History Department Head

Sabrina grew up ski racing in the mountains of New York, but Vermont has become her new home. She graduated from Castleton University in 2018 with a BS in Secondary Education and History, and has acquired her teaching license for the state of Vermont. Sabrina was a part of Castleton University’s Alpine Ski Team for all four years of college, and coached for a high school ski team this past year in New York, where she gained experience substitute teaching as well. Sabrina will also be the assistant U14 coach at OMS this winter season. 

Outside of the classroom she enjoys hiking, reading, skiing (of course), and petting dogs.

Years at OMS: 6

- Castleton University, Bachelor of Science: Secondary Education and History 

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Leslie Cassano

Registrar

After graduating with a Master’s degree, Leslie concentrated on Alternative education, working at The East Hill School in Andover, Vermont, and The Mount Ascutney School in Brownsville, Vermont. She spent two summers as co-director at the Killington Music Festival for young musicians. Leslie took part in developing an interactive web site, hosted through Harvard University, bringing “live” Antarctic research into the classroom. She has written curriculum in a variety of subject areas, which has been approved by the Vermont Department of Education, and implemented in the classroom. In 2006, she began teaching at OMS, before accepting her Administration position as Dean of Academics in 2011. Leslie loves to run, snowboard, cross country ski, and surf.

Years at OMS: 18

- Rosemont College: Bachelor of Science: Sociology
- St. Joseph’s Academy: Master of Education

Contact Leslie
lcassano@okemomountainschool.org
802-228-1510

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KatieAdministrative
Maura Cornish

Art

After 30 years of teaching in New York, Maura brings her many talents to us. She is certified in teaching braille and sign language and has used the arts as a way of communication. Maura also has trained countless guiding eye dogs.  Maura lives in Ludlow for the winter with her husband, Pete, and they reside in Carmel, NY in the summer.

-College of New Rochelle, Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Masters of Special Education

-Dominican College, Teacher of the Visually Impaired

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KatieArts & Humanities
Wendy Hayward

History & English
College Guidance Coordinator

Wendy Hayward started at OMS in 2015. Wendy has served as the Associate Director of Education, Head of School, and served on the admissions staff at Southern Vermont College. She has been an independent educational consultant since 1980. Wendy lives in Chester and is also a landscape artist, writer and traveler.

Years at OMS: 9

- University of Denver: Bachelor of Arts: Social Sciences
- Northern Illinois University: Masters in Education: Secondary Ed, Special Ed, Administration
- University of Geneva: Certificate in French
- Penobscot Language School: TESOL/TEFL certificates

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KatieArts & Humanities
John Rushing

English
English Department Head


John has taught at OMS since 2012. He previously taught English at the Long Trail School; spent twenty-five years as a professional writer in the fields of fiction, journalism and communications; and has been a tutor since 2007. John is married to the author, Ellen Stimson and lives in Dorset. He and Ellen are avid readers, amateur artists; home cooks and travelers with a particular love of France. John is a snowboarder and soccer player who loves spending time with his three adult children and the family dogs; living in VT; and working alongside the dedicated and joyous student-athletes at OMS.

Years at OMS: 12

- lllinois State University: BS Political Science

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KatieArts & Humanities
Steve Severson

Math

Steve came to OMS in 2015 after working in technology companies and teaching math in Upper Valley schools from 2001-2015. He has taught trigonometry, geometry, algebra 1+2, connected math, business math, consumer math, computer skills, applied math, integrated math, physics, chemistry, economics, financial literacy and statistics.

Steve also coaches ski racing for Quechee and soccer for the Dartmouth women’s club team. He often roller-skis or rides a bike, is married to a psychotherapist and retired NH senator and has three children and seven granddaughters.

Years at OMS: 10

- Dartmouth College: Bachelor of Science: Physics and Engineering
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Masters in Chemical Engineering
- The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania: Master of Business Administration

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KatieMath & Science
Thom Serrani

History

Thom spent the early years after college in the fields of teaching and journalism. He spent 18 years in government service and 14 years in trade association management/lobbying.

Thom is a writer. His interests include research, travel, history, literature, languages, gardening, cooking, and has a longtime interest in Russian history and culture. He lives in Ludlow, VT.

Years at OMS: 13

- Sacred Heart University: BA English
- Fairfield University Graduate School: American Studies and Government

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Horacio Travaglini

Spanish
Language Department Head

Prof. Horacio Travaglini is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina and has lived in Manchester, Vermont since 2016. Since January 2016 Horacio has been teaching Macroeconomics and Microeconomics at Castleton University. His bi-cultural background and focus on community collaboration has led him to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles. He volunteers at chess and soccer clubs every time he can, and loves outdoor activities. 

Years at OMS: 8

-University of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Bachelor of Science: Economics
-Northeastern University: Masters in Commerce and Economic Development

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KatieArts & Humanities
Betsy Johnson

Art

Betsy is married to Eddie Johnson, who coaches the snowboard team at Okemo Mountain School. She has worked at Okemo Mountain since 2007. Originally from New Jersey she moved to Vermont when her son Eric, a snowboarder, started attending Okemo Mountain School. She coaches with the Okemo Mountain Snowboard Team and is head of the GROMS program. She has her degree in Garden and Planting Design and runs a business called Natural Landscape Designs in the summer months.

Betsy is primarily a watercolor artist. She is inspired by the Vermont landscape and will pack up her paints and walk or drive to areas where she can paint en plein air. Winter months are spent in her studio working from photos taken throughout the year.

Betsy lives in Weston Vermont with her husband Eddie and their two dogs. She loves to hike, run, paint and play in her ever expanding gardens.

Years at OMS: 3

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