Upper School Newsletter – August 6, 2025

Congratulations to the following returning faculty and staff who have taken on new roles this year.

• Stefan Borowski — Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach
• Mia Burton — Assistant Head of School for Community, Equity, and Student Success
• Virginia Cady — Upper School History and Social Sciences Teacher and Sophomore Class Dean
• Howard Chang — Assistant Director of the Upper School and US Academic Dean
• Joan Kade — Upper School English Teacher
• Olivia Landrum — Assistant Director of Engagement
• Ofelia Santos — Upper School Spanish Teacher and Junior Class Dean
• Jeremiah Shepherd — Dean of Students
• Joelle Tam — Dean of Student Life and Community

As we do each year, we have faculty and staff who depart over the summer due to retirement, relocation, or new career or educational opportunities. We are grateful for their service to Flint Hill and wish them well in their future endeavors. 

• Susannah Brown — Upper School Digital Arts Teacher

We are delighted to welcome new Lower School faculty/staff and members of the Senior Leadership Team to the Flint Hill family.

Administration

Kevin Plourde — Director of Security
Kevin retired from the U.S. Secret Service as assistant special agent in charge after 25 years in federal law enforcement. He served as team leader of Special Operations, lead agent on the Presidential Protective Detail, and supervisor at the National Threat Assessment Center. Kevin loves to hunt and golf, and he also coached baseball for eight years. He has a B.A. in psychology from Saint Michael's College and an M.S. in national security strategy from the National War College.

Chris Tennyson — Director of the Upper School
Chris has worked in education for over 25 years. He has served as a teacher in the Math Department as well as the History and Social Science Department, coach (including as head coach for girls’ varsity basketball), dorm head, dean of students, dean of academic affairs, and in the Head of School Office. He loves to spend time watching or coaching his children's athletic games and arts performances. Chris has a B.A. in economics from the College of the Holy Cross and an M.S. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Scranton.

All-School Staff

Stephanie Nicolas — Director of Advancement Systems and Operations
Stephanie has over ten years of experience in operations leadership. She most recently led critical development operations, drove cross-functional alignment, optimized systems, and ensured compliance at Greenpeace. Stephanie has a B.S. in criminology and psychology from Florida State University and an M.A. in global development and social justice from St. John’s University.

Upper School Faculty and Staff

Giovanna Basney — Upper School Math Teacher
Giovanna has 20 years of experience in private, public, and boarding institutions across the United States and abroad, emphasizing her global education. She has taught math to students in grades 6-12 and has coached softball, outdoor education, fitness, and cross country. Most recently, for the last 10 years, she taught math and coached cross country at Stone Ridge School in Maryland. She is a certified Zumba and spin instructor. Giovanna has an Honors B.S. in mathematics and Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture from the University of Toronto; a postgraduate diploma in international marketing from Humber College; an M.B.A. from the University of Santa Maria la Antigua; an M.A. in teaching from the Notre Dame of Maryland University; and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, research, and policy from the University of Colorado. 

Sawsan Beidas — Upper School Math Teacher
Sawsan has worked in education for over 20 years in private schools. She worked at King Abdullah Academy for the last nine years as a Math Department chair/math teacher, IB CAS Coordinator and Student Government Association (SGA) supervisor. Sawsan loves going on long walks while listening to audiobooks — novels are her favorite escape! For six years, she proudly ran the Marine Corps 10K — consistency and challenge keeps her going. She loves to dance, especially Dabkah! It’s her favorite way to connect with culture. Sawsan loves to travel, whether it’s a buzzing city or a peaceful beach. She also plays ping pong and sometimes volleyball. Sawsan has a B.S in Mathematics and Computer Science from Jordan University in Amman, Jordan. 

Genevieve Guibord — Upper School Math Teacher
Genevieve started her career in education as an AmeriCorps tutor before transitioning to a full-time teaching position at Fryeburg Academy in Fryeburg, ME, where she taught high school math for the past four years. She has a B.S. in biology from Saint Michael's College. She loves to cook and is always looking for new recipes to try. 

Liam Kean — Upper School Math Teacher
Liam has worked at private schools in both Florida and Massachusetts. He worked for the past six years at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, FL, teaching AP Statistics, AP Economics, and other upper school math courses. He also has served as the sophomore class dean. He has a B.A. in economics (summa cum laude) from Boston University and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in educational technology from the University of Florida. Liam is an avid runner. 

Kevin Murray — Assistant Director of College Advising
Kevin is from Philadelphia and has worked in education for over 10 years in pre-college programming, leadership development, and, most recently, college admissions. He has a B.S. in sport management and an M.B.A. in talent acquisition and leadership development from Drexel University. He has traveled to over 30 countries and 40 states. 

Emely Ramos — Upper School Digital Arts Teacher
Emely has recently completed student teaching in digital art and animation classes at Chantilly High School. She has an M.A. in teaching from George Mason University. Emely is a gym rat, muralist, and cosplayer! 

Abby Rozmajzl — Middle School and Upper School Theatre Arts Teacher
Abby has worked with theatre students, ages 5-22, for the past seven years as a director, choreographer, fight director, and vocal/acting coach. She has a B.A. in theatre with a musical theatre concentration from Christopher Newport University. Abby used to go horseback riding across the Sahara desert every Friday when she lived in Egypt.

Karim Tamim — Middle School and Upper School Computer Science Teacher
Karim worked at King Abdullah Academy as a computer science teacher. Previously, he was the lead computer science instructor at STEM exCEL. Karim enjoys going to the gym. He has a B.A.S. in cybersecurity from George Mason University.

Alesha Telvick — Upper School English Teacher
Alesha has taught since 2020 in both public and private education. She worked in Loudoun County Public Schools as an English teacher, soccer coach and choreographer for the school musical. She has a B.S. in Integrated Language Arts and English Education from The Ohio State University. Alesha loves to rock climb, backpack, and travel to various national parks. She works as a raft guide in Harpers Ferry, WV, during the summer and has previously been a guide in Alaska.