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The Winchendon School

The best college prep school for students with significant unrealized potential

MA Leadership

Kelly A. Jennison

Kelly brings a wealth of experience in fundraising, parent and alumni relations, and event planning to The Winchendon School, having worked in an independent school setting for over 30 years.  She is delighted to be joining our community and has been enjoying meeting our students, alumni, and parents from both the MA and NYC campuses. 

A highlight of her career included being awarded the 2017 CASE (Council for Advancement and Support Education) District 1 Bronze Award for Excellence in the Annual Giving Program, behind silver winner MIT and gold recipient, McGill University.   This honor was especially meaningful because she and one other development team member competed against prestigious colleges with much larger staff members.  They received the award because of their creative fundraising campaign which inspired 100% participation in the Annual Fund by the trustees, parents, faculty, and staff members for three years in a row, which was a remarkable achievement in itself.  Kelly was also able to present at the CASE/NAIS National Conference of Independent Schools in Anaheim, CA, in 2018.

 

On the bucket list:  Traveling to Italy 

Heroine:  My mom, Irene

Go to comfort food:  Chocolate (especially peanut butter M&M’s or Reese’s peanut butter cups)

Which ColLAB or class would you most want to take? ColLAB:  Utah: “Life Elevated” as  Zion National Park was one of her most memorable trips!

John J. Toffey VI

The name John Toffey may be familiar to hockey fans. John was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and played professional hockey for three years. These days, John is known as a New England boarding school admissions professional. At The Winchendon School, in his role as Assistant Head of School for Enrollment, Strategy & Athletics, John heads a team of four admissions representatives and staff. In addition, John, who was selected in the Major League Draft by the Colorado Rockies and played baseball at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is the Head Varsity Baseball coach at The Winchendon School.

“The Winchendon School is poised to attract great students. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was struck by how happy the students, faculty, and staff were. Unique academic programs: Global Dynamics, CoLABs, and Service-Learning coupled with small class sizes are differentiators for The Winchendon School. Beautiful facilities and welcoming faculty are a testament to the culture of the school.”

Laurie Lambert

When not found in Ford Hall, head of school and former drama director, actress, singer, and dog lover (Leonbergers are the family dog of choice) might be found on a run or on the road. Prior to joining The Winchendon School, Laurie worked for several prominent boarding and day schools in the mid-Atlantic region. Laurie, husband Tony (Director of College Counseling), and children Bair ’17 and Abby ’19 love a good explore, whether it’s as close the theaters of NYC or as far away as Kenya. The product of an itinerant Air Force upbringing Laurie knows how to be flexible, how to adapt to the cheerful commotion that is life at a boarding school, and how to keep her sense of humor handy.

  • Hero: Bilbo Baggins, Viola, or Scout
  • Favorite Winchendon tradition: Thanksgiving dinner
  • Thoughts on teaching: “Creativity, spontaneity, and innovation matter, particularly in this high tech global learning environment. Also, honor and integrity are the most important qualities that a person can possess, and independent schools model those characteristics in a myriad of ways.”
  • Superpower of choice: Fly – I could wear a really cool cape and look over the world and the oceans.
  • On the bucket list: Visiting Egypt and Jerusalem
  • Go-to comfort food: Spanish tortilla

Alicia Jordan

Underneath that Dean of Falculty exterior lurks Alicia’s wry sense of humor, an essential ingredient for that job! When school is out Alicia might be found on the golf course, cooking, hiking, or traveling with her spouse, Shannon Stacy (Winchendon’s Residential Life Director). Alicia’s agile mind and wit are ever present in her classroom. From her Alaskan mountain climbing to travels in Borneo, Malaysia, and Thailand it is clear that Alicia is an explorer, but for this New York native home is still the best place to be. Fortunately for Winchendon, her home is here!

  • Go to comfort food: This is terrible – my mom’s meatloaf. (When she makes it, it is the rare occasion where I cheat regarding my vegetarian lifestyle…)
  • Song to start the day: “Empire State of Mind”
  • Superpower of choice: Superhuman strength. I think it means I would be in better shape, physically.
  • Favorite place and books on hand: At my home reading Bossypants, Running With Scissors, The Presidents’ Club, and Destiny of the Republic.
  • Which Winchendon class or ColLAB would you take: The ColLAB that is reviewing restaurants! I love food and cooking.

Kelly Harris

Kelly and her husband, Jon, live on campus in Elkins House with two rather busy young men, Miles and Kyler, and their 2 dogs. A talented baker and cook, she regularly indulges Winchendon’s students and her colleagues with great food. Kelly puts her remarkable educational and organizational skills to the test every day as Assistant Head of School for Program and Learning Experience. She is passionate about unleashing the potential of each student, and she makes sure that the teachers are trained in the best individualization practices and strategies. If all that doesn’t keep her busy enough, she is always pitching in to help organize the next event for the students, whether it is a day at the amusement park, dance, or any of many other fun events.

  • Song to start the day: “One Week” by the Bare Naked Ladies
  • Thoughts on teaching: “I will be your teacher, but you will also be my teachers. Come and let us learn together.” – Unknown
  • Globetrotting adventure: Mahon, Menorca
  • Go to comfort food: Chicken Soup with ginger and garlic, made with my favorite helpers, my two boys!
  • Favorite place and books on hand: The beach with a Kindle, please!
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