Faculty — Okemo Mountain School

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.

- lllinois State University: BS Political Science

KatieOctober 11, 2017Arts & 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 six granddaughters.

- 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

KatieOctober 10, 2017Math & Science

Thom Serrani

English, History, Language & Economics

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 script writer and novelist. His interests include research, travel, history, literature, languages, gardening, cooking, and Russian language and culture. He lives in Ludlow, VT.

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

KatieOctober 8, 2017Arts & Humanities

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.

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

KatieOctober 1, 2017Arts & 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.

Ashley BillingsSeptember 13, 2017Arts & Humanities

Claire Isherwood

Dean of Campus Life
Science & Math
Science Department Head

The 23/24 school year will be Claire’s fifth year at OMS. Claire is a born-Vermonter and outdoor enthusiast. She received her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and her Masters degree in Experiential Learning. Claire lived out in California to teach outdoor science to fifth and sixth graders, and now incorporates hands-on and experiential learning into her lesson plans at OMS. She loves hiking, skiing, gardening, and has a side business called Wild Canning where she pickles local veggies. Claire is also OMS’ Dean of Campus Life and hopes to create opportunities for camaraderie and personal growth into the school year. She lives in Peru, VT with her husband, Kyle, and their son, Luke and puppy, Kona.

- University of Vermont, Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education
- Plymouth State University: Master of Education: Experiential Learning

Ashley BillingsDecember 7, 2016Math & Science, Administrative

Aude Stengel

French

Aude is a native from Switzerland, and very proud to teach her language and her culture to your child. She has been working in education for teen years. Aude grew up Bilingual in French and German. In her twenties she traveled around the world for 1 year, and fell in love with discovering new cultures and their costumes and traditions. After her trip Ishedecided to move to Hawaii and opened a Youth Hostel for 6 years, where she learned all about running a small establishment and of course, meeting lots of young people from very different backgrounds and countries.

Living in different countries and learning their languages have given Aude a better understanding of the process of teaching a foreign language. She takes advantage of her personal experience in order to implement her teaching methods.

- Kaufmännische Handelschule, Reinach Basellandschaft , Bachelor of Arts: Business

Ashley BillingsFebruary 9, 2016Arts & Humanities