The John Dewey Academy boasts a highly credentialed faculty, with most faculty members having earned Masters degrees and doctorates. In addition to academic qualifications, the school values maturity and stability in its faculty. Our teachers generally have extensive post-graduate education and years of teaching experience (including college-level). They also bring into their classes varied life experiences that ground their academic passions in real-world challenges. Members of the clinical and administrative staff frequently teach classes in their particular areas of interest and expertise. When necessary, we hire part-time adjunct faculty, and on occasion, qualified parents act as guest lecturers.
Robert Andenmatten
Since 1999. Faculty in Math and Physics.
B.A., Queens College. M.Ed., Lesley College. Previous experience: CEO and consultant in petroleum transport and storage industry, math and science teacher at Monument Mountain High School and Valleyhead School.
Carole Bratter
Since 1985. Vice-president and business manager.
B.A., Newcomb College, Tulane University (Phi Beta Kappa). M.A., Teachers College, Columbia University. Previous experience: internship in guidance and counseling, substitute teacher, travel agent, Vice President, Westchester Region of Hadassah.
Thomas Bratter
Since 1985. Founder-president, primary clinician,
college advisor, psychology faculty.
B.A., Columbia College. M.A. Columbia University. Ed.M., Ed.D. (Counseling Psychology), Teachers College, Columbia University. Previous experience: private practice of psychotherapy, adjunct faculty at Columbia University for twenty years, founder/director of six community-based programs, author of more than 150 articles and four books on the treatment and education of bright, oppositional, self-destructive, and often drug-dependent adolescents.
Jill Leda Brown
Since 2009. House Parent.
B.S. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 2004. Currently working toward Masters in Education (2011) at MCLA. Assistant Aquatics Director, Bard College @ Simon's Rock, Head Coach of the Snapper Swim Team since 2005. Monument Mountain Regional High School Head Varsity Swim Coach since 2005. First Aid, CPR, Lifeguarding Certified & Certified Instructor.
Edgar Chamorro
Since 2005. Faculty in Spanish, Greek, Latin,
and Latin American history.
Licentiate Humanities, Catholic University of Quito, Ecuador. M.Ed. (Counseling) at Marquette University. Specialized study program at Harvard University. International teachers program at Harvard Business School. Previous experience: faculty at Central American High School and University, University of Western Florida, and Simon's Rock of Bard College; Dean and Secretary General of Catholic University of Central America; Senior Fellow of the Commission on United States-Latin American Relations at the International Center for Development Policy in Washington, D.C.; Special Ambassador to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Nancy Coiner
Since 1999. Dean of Academics and Chair,
Humanities and English Departments.
B.A., St. John's College Annapolis. M.Phil. Oxford University. Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Stanford University. Rhodes Scholar. Previous experience:
teacher at Choate Rosemary Hall (Connecticut), faculty
at Stanford University and Middlebury, Smith,
and Mt. Holyoke Colleges.
Andrea Esperat
Since 2007. Dean of Students and primary clinician.
B.S., Old Dominion University. M.Ed. (Educational Psychology of the Gifted), University of Virginia. Ph.D. in progress (Clinical & School Psychology), University of Virginia. Internship at the Behavioral Health Center of Carolinas Medical Center. Previous experience: psychotherapy and psychological assessment, research at the National Research Center for the Gifted and Talented, graduate-level teaching in gifted education and psychology (UVA), teaching at Enrichment Programs for gifted and talented children and adolescents.
Christian Holland
Since 2009. Faculty in French and
Italian Language and Literature.
B.A. Saint John’s College, Annapolis. S.T.B. Gregorian University, Rome. S.S.L. Biblical Institute, Rome. Ph.D. in Comparative Literature, Emory University. Previous experience: faculty at Monastery of Chevetogne, Belgium, Emory University, St. John’s College.
John Schneyer
Since 2007. Director of Building and Grounds.
Previous experience: Maintenance Manager & Project Manager for large yoga facility, H.V.A.C. service technician, Maintenance Mechanic for paper equipment manufacture, Lenox Dept of Public Works, hardware store business, greens keeper on a golf course, volunteer Fire Department. CPR certification.
Lisa Sinsheimer
Since 2005. Parent Liaison/Admissions/Clinical Consultant.
A.B., Princeton University. M.D. University of Texas Medical Branch. Internship and Residency, New York Presbyterian Hospital. Fellowship and Chief Fellowship in Psychiatric Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Certificate in Psychoanalysis, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research. Previous experience: private practice in psychiatry and psychoanalysis in NYC, adjunct faculty at Cornell University Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Numerous publications and presentations. Parent of JDA alumnus, Class of 2005.
Michael Sletcher
Since 2009. Faculty in History, Political Science,
and Classics.
Ph.D. in History, University of Cambridge. Visiting Fellow, Harvard University. Senior Associate Editor of the Yale Indian Papers Project. Lifetime Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust. Recipient of various awards, including Cambridge Historical Prize, Commonwealth Scholarship, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Award, National Endowment for the Humanities. Previous experience: Lecturer, University of Cambridge and Quinnipiac University; historian-editor, Papers of Benjamin Franklin, Yale University; historian-editor, Yale Indian Papers Project, Yale University. Author of numerous articles and books.
Kenneth Steiner
Since 1989. Dean, primary clinician,
and faculty in Philosophy.
B.A., University of Wisconsin. M.A., Graduate Faculty New School for Social Research; Ph.D. in Philosophy, Binghamton University. MSW, Rockefeller College, SUNY Albany. Previous experience: Austen Riggs Psychiatric Center; Unit Coordinator, Berkshire Farm Center for Youth; Teaching Assistant, Binghamton University; adjunct faculty, SUNY Albany (social work field supervisor) and Berkshire Community College (philosophy).
Sherry Steiner
Since 1989. Faculty in Fine Arts and Studio Arts.
B.A., School of Visual Arts. Previous experience: gallery owner, publisher of an arts newsletter, art teacher, practicing artist. www.sherrysteiner.com.
Lisa Buttrey-Thomas
Since 2001. Chair, Math and Science Departments.
B.S. & Ph.D., S.U.N.Y. Buffalo. Previous experience: faculty at University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Numerous presentations and publications in professional chemistry journals.