Mark Acton, 11th and 12th Grade Science

B.A., Physics, Williams College; M.S. and Ph.D., Physics, The University of Michigan. Mr. Acton has seven years of teaching experience, first in the Peace Corps in West Africa, then at Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring Maryland, and since 2007, at Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA. He joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Ryan Ambuter, 9th and 10th Grade English

B.A. American Studies, Smith College; M.Ed., Social Justice Education, University of Massachusetts. Ryan has taught at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School and at Franklin Career Academy. Ryan joined Four Rivers in 2007.

Rebecca Arnold, Spanish Teacher

B.A. Spanish Language and Literature/Education, Guilford College. Ms. Arnold is a graduate of the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, MA and after leading inter-cultural educational programs in Central and South America, she completed the Parker School’s teacher certification program and taught Spanish there for two years. She joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Elizabeth Beardslee, Spanish

BA, Biology, Brown University ; MA, Spanish Literature, Middlebury College . Eliza established an interdisciplinary ESL curriculum at the Monteverde Friends School , a middle/high school in Costa Rica and has taught Spanish and led school innovation at The Field School in Washington , DC . She joined Four Rivers in 2009.

Donna Carpenter, Art (Part Time)

B.A. in Fine Arts, Westfield State College; M.Ed. University of Massachusetts . Ms. Carpenter is an Academic Program Manager at UMass overseeing The Lively Arts general education courses and has eleven years’ experience teaching art at both the elementary and secondary levels and horticulture at the Chicopee Public Schools, creating and supporting new and innovative programs. She joined Four Rivers in 2008.

Kate Conant, Special Education Director

B.A., English and Community Service, Univ. of Massachusetts; M. Ed. In Special Education, Univ. of Massachusetts. Mrs. Conant's experience includes fourteen years special learning needs experience at Great Falls Middle School in the Gill-Montague District and five years at the Guilford, VT. Central Middle School. She is certified in Special Needs and joined Four Rivers in 2006.

Elizabeth Dimick, 7th and 8th Grade Learning Specialist

B.S. in Elementary Education, University of Vermont; M.S. in Special Education, State University of New York at New Paltz. Mrs. Dimick has ten years teaching and case management experience in Special Education in various schools in the Northeast, most recently at both Carver High School, Carver, MA and Brattleboro Area Middle School, Brattleboro, VT. She joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Susan Durkee, Assistant Principal and Co-founder

B.F.A. in Sculpture; M.F.A. in English, University of Massachusetts/Amherst. Ms. Durkee has experience teaching Art in grades K-6 and teaching writing at the college level, and was a member of the Friends and Faculty Network at UMass, an organization to which one is nominated for outstanding service to students with learning disabilities. She joined Four Rivers in 2002.

Robert Etzweiler, Nature (Part Time)

B.A., Psychology, Penn State University. Mr. Etzweiler has over 15 years experience as a Naturalist, Camp Director, Canoe and Wilderness Skill Leader and more recently instructing in a number of southern Vermont wilderness and outdoor skills programs. He joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Doug Finn, Technology Assistant

AA, Greenfield Community College, additional coursework in Information Systems, Film and Theater Arts. Doug has 24 years experience including public school tech support, video production, Public Access Television, video/audio engineering and computer hardware and operating systems. He joined Four Rivers in 2010.

Dr. William Fogel, School Psychologist and Counselor (Part Time)

Ph.D., Child Clinical Psychology, St. John’s University; B.A., Psychology and Education, Hampshire College. Certified as a school psychologist. Dr. Fogel has worked in clinical and school settings for 10 years and most recently served as school psychologist in the Greenfield Public Schools. He joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Anita Falco, Teacher Assistant

Anita has earned Highly Qualified Status as a paraprofessional and certifications through the MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Federation for Children with Special Needs. Anita was a Special Education Instructional Assistant in the Worcester Public Schools from 1997 to 2004 and for the Greenfield Public Schools until 2008, most recently coordinating an after school Community Learning Center through the Hampshire Educational Collaborative. She has extensive related volunteer and workshop experience and joined Four Rivers in 2009.

Felix Lufkin, Nature Asistant

B.A., plant medicine at Hampshire College. Felix works with K-12 and college students at a number of programs in the Valley teaching nature awareness and homestead skills. He joined Four Rivers in 2008, working with the nature program and helping to nurture the Blatchford Garden.

Nikole Gilbert, 8th grade Mathematics and Science

B.S. Biology, University of Kentucky; M.S. Environmental Studies, Antioch New England Graduate School; Graduate Certificate of Environmental Education, University of Minnesota-Duluth. Ms. Gilbert has done research and taught environmental science and ecology in many settings around the United States with students from middle school through college ages. She joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Peter Garbus, Principal and Head of School

B.A. in History/Writing/Education, Brown University ; M.Ed. in Teaching, Harvard University . Mr. Garbus has been the founder and director of the North Central Charter Essential School in Fitchburg , a grade 7 – 12 school somewhat larger than Four Rivers. He is certified as a principal in Massachusetts . He previously taught for many years at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Devens , MA and was part of the inaugural faculty of an innovative public high school in Arizona . He joined Four Rivers in 2007.

Amanda Griffith, Wellness (Health and Physical Education);

B.A. Sociology and Anthropology, Wells College; M.A Social Work, Smith College. Ms. Griffith has had dual interests and experience in counseling adolescents at the Academy at Swift River, and an early college major in Physical Education, including as co-captain of her Wells College soccer team. She joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Joshua Hornick, 11 th and 12 th Grade Math

B.A., Politics and Peace Studies, University of California at Santa Cruz; J.D., University of Chicago Law School; M.A., Science Education, City College of New York. Mr. Hornick has taught math as well as physics, science, and robotics for many years locally at Amherst Regional Junior High School, Mariamante Academy and Holyoke Community College, in addition to self-employment as an executive coach. He joined Four Rivers in 2009.

Cheryl Howard, 9th and 10th Grade Math

B.A. Mathematics, University of Massachusetts; M.A. in Education, Antioch New England Graduate School. Ms. Howard has worked at the Hampshire Educational Collaborative and earlier taught math at Turners Falls High School and the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School. She joined Four Rivers in 2007.

Matthew Leaf, Dean of Students

B.A. Anthropology with a minor in Religion, Kenyon College. Mr. Leaf has 8 years of middle school classroom experience, and is also trained to teach Nature Studies and Outdoor Education. He joined Four Rivers in 2003.

Daniel Lederer, Technology Coordinator (Part Time)

Mr. Lederer attended New Hampshire Vocational Technical College, Berklee College of Music ( Boston), and City College of San Francisco and has had complex web design and systems administration positions in private industry. He has had technology and teaching roles at area schools, including nine years at Hilltown Cooperative Charter School in Haydenville to which he has added Four Rivers in a dual position, supported at Four Rivers by Technology Assistants. He joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Amanda Locke, 7th Grade Science and Math

B.A. Communication Studies with a minor in Environmental Studies, Hamilton College; M.S. Environmental Education with Middle School General Science Certification, Antioch New England Graduate School. She has experience as an Outdoor Educator and as a Life Skills teacher in youth groups, and completed a year-long internship teaching high school Science prior to joining Four Rivers in 2003.

Melinda McCall, Teacher Assistant

B.S. Environmental Design, Univ. of Massachusetts; M.S. Forestry, Univ. of Massachusetts. Ms. McCall has experience in all aspects of forestry, recycling programs, and as a child care provider. She joined Four Rivers in 2004.

Jeanne Milton, Nurse (Part Time)

RN, St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, Providence , RI . Jeanne is experienced in all aspects of nursing and knows the local community health resources well. Her 27 years of practice in the local community includes 12 years as an emergency room and ICU nurse. She joined Four Rivers in 2007.

Leah Plath, 11th and 12th Grade English

B.A. English, University of Massachusetts. Leah has teaching experience at New Leadership Charter School in Springfield and is College Board trained in Advanced Placement Instruction for English. She joined Four Rivers in 2007.

Terry Plotkin, Physical Education (Part Time)

B.A. Economics, University of Massachusetts/Amherst. Mr. Plotkin has worked for several years as a coach of Ultimate Frisbee, and has also run after school programs in Greenfield schools. He joined Four Rivers in 2003 and serves as our Athletic Director.

Harlan Smith, Director of Operations

B.A. Sociology, Tufts University; Master of Hospital Administration, University of Minnesota/Minneapolis. Mr. Smith has over 30 years of experience in financial management, including 13 years as President and CEO of Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Greenfield Community College and on the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. He joined Four Rivers in 2003.

Laura Stamas, 9th Grade Environmental Science and 10th Grade Biology

B. A Biology, Bard College; M.A. Environmental Studies and Teaching High School Biology, Antioch New England Graduate School. Ms. Stamas has been a Science and Math Teacher at Eagle Mountain School, and a High School Biology Student Teacher at Northampton High School. She joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Andrew Stenson, High School Learning Specialist, 11th and 12th Grades

B.A. Leeds University ; Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Bristol Polytechnic , England ; M.A., Education, Smith College . Mr. Stenson has extensive teaching experience in technology and special education, and he has also worked as an Outward Bound instructor. He joined Four Rivers in 2004.

Laura Tabachnick, 7th and 8th Grade English and Social Studies

B.G. S. Creative Arts and Philosophy, Ohio University; B.S. Education, Ohio University. Ms. Tabachnick has experience in student peer mediation and 15 years teaching experience, initially in Ohio and since 2004, in positions in southern Vermont. Most recently she has taught at the Brattleboro Area Middle School. She joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Leslie Taylor, Administrative Coordinator

B.A. American Studies and English, Colby College. Ms. Taylor has worked for many years in non-profit and educational settings in Franklin County, including high school and college admissions, as Executive Assistant at a regional history museum, and as leader an area performing arts center. She joined Four Rivers in 2003.

Anne Tumblin-Haxo, Learning Specialist 9th and 10th Grades

B.A. Education/Special Needs, Elms College. Ms. Haxo has three years experience in Special Education at the elementary and middle school levels prior to joining the Four Rivers faculty in 2003. She is certified in Special Needs (K-9). She joined Four Rivers in 2003.

Heather Viens, Teacher Assistant

B.A., Business Studies and Finance, Anglia University, Cambridge, England. In addition to parenting and a diversified background in sales and marketing, Mrs. Viens has been a substitute teacher in Franklin County and serves on public and private education boards and councils. She joined Four Rivers in 2006.

Andrew Wallace, 10 th and 11 th Grade Social Studies

B.A. English, State Univ. of New York at Geneseo; M.A in Education, Tufts University; Mr. Wallace completed Naturalist Training at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and earned a Certificate in Environmental Education at the Univ. of Minnesota- Duluth. He has eight years of teaching experience, including 6 years of 7 th and 8 th grade Humanities at The Gordon School, East Providence, R. I. He joined Four Rivers in 2005.

Alex Wilson, 11th and 12th Grade English and History

B.A., Political Science, Bates College; M.A. in Teaching, Lewis and Clark College. Mr. Wilson has five years teaching experience, most recently at Conard High School, West Hartford, CT. He also has had some years’ experience playing basketball, coaching, and managing basketball teams and clubs in secondary schools, colleges, summer camps and overseas with an emphasis on athletics as a means for character development. He joined Four Rivers in 2011.

Robin Wilson, 8th Grade English and Social Studies

B.A., History, University of Montana; M.A. in Teaching, Lewis and Clark College. Robin has had roles working with youth in outdoor and experiential education programs and has taught 7th - 12th grade U.S. History at the Pacific Crest Community School in Portland, Oregon, where she also served as Social Studies Department Head. She has taught 7th grade Social Studies and Language Arts at Jackson Middle School in Portland since 2006. She joined Four Rivers in 2009.

Carolyn Wood, School Secretary

B.A, English, Boston College; Carolyn has many years experience in office management and advertising research and teaching at Full Circle School in Bernardston. She joined Four Rivers in 2004 and subsequently developed the SPED Secretary role. She assumed the role of School Secretary in 2009.