Brewster Recognizes 2024 Employee Milestones

On Monday, May 20, Brewster Head of School Kristy Kerin recognized 27 employees who are celebrating milestones this year, plus two retirees who will be sorely missed on campus. The recognition is part of Brewster’s Moving Up Day ceremony (lovingly called “MUD”) during which students receive end-of-year awards and the entire community celebrates the announcement of next year’s student leaders. “I’m pleased that we’re able to recognize a number of our longstanding employees today, together, with students, faculty, and staff all in attendance,” Ms. Kerin said.

The longest-serving employee of the day was Team Leader Byron Martin. Ms. Kerin lauded the many titles he has held at Brewster, including dean of community life, community living parent, founder of the Brewster Anglers and Outdoor clubs, Instructional Support teacher, and Bobcat Golf coach. “The last two seasons, his golf team won back-to-back MAISAD Championships and had an undefeated season last fall,” Ms. Kerin shared. “Mr. Martin coaches the person first, not just the golfer. His players exhibit great sportsmanship and high moral character.” Mr. Martin is parent to two Brewster graduates, Chris ’19 and Katherine ’21, and current student, Charlie ’27. 

Lauren Hammond is retiring after 22 years with Brewster, but as Ms. Kerin noted, she is really the ultimate Brewster Lifer. “The daughter of distinguished faculty members Bob and Shirley Richardson, who literally wrote the book on Brewster, Ms. Hammond was raised on campus,” she said. “Richardson House is named in her parents’ honor, as is the Richardson Award. Ms. Hammond and her siblings attended the Academy as students and she graduated in 1977. She is even the mom of two Brewster graduates: Kelsey, Class of 2010 and Sean, Class of 2009.” Ms. Hammond began work at Brewster in 2004 after a 15-year career as a graphic designer. She has served as a dedicated IS teacher and arts instructor and regularly found ways to incorporate creativity and artistry into her lessons. An early adopter of lessons around mindfulness, resilience, and grit, Ms. Hammond has taught almost every grade level—9th, 11th, 12th, and post-graduate. 

The second retiree noted at the ceremony was Mrs. Laura Cooper, who has been an integral part of the Brewster community for a quarter of a century. “For the past 17 years, Mrs. Cooper has served as our 9th-grade team leader, guiding and inspiring students and faculty alike,” Ms. Kerin said. She has played a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of countless ninth graders, welcoming them into the Brewster family with warmth and enthusiasm.” In addition to her role as a teacher and team leader, Mrs. Cooper has been a long-time assistant coach for both Girls’ Soccer and Girls’ Lacrosse. She has led Brewster’s 9th-grade trip to Cadiz, Spain, and the five-week study abroad experience in Santiago de Compostela, enriching the cultural experiences of students. She has selflessly served on numerous committees and strategy teams, drawing upon her 40 years of expertise in boarding schools, and introduced several meaningful traditions to Brewster’s community. 

“This very ceremony, Moving Up Day, was inspired by Laura Cooper,” Ms. Kerin said. “And this year, she introduced a tea party for our 9th grade girls, a tradition her colleagues have vowed to continue.”

Ms. Kerin then made a surprise announcement. In honor of Mrs. Cooper’s longtime support of Brewster’s Lifer program, the Academy will begin bestowing The Laura Cooper Lifer Award on a deserving student next school year. “Her colleagues felt this was an appropriate way to recognize Mrs. Cooper’s deep dedication to her students,” Ms. Kerin concluded.

EMPLOYEE MILESTONES:

5 Years of Service:
DREW BRIDGEMAN: Athletics Operations Coordinator
CAROLINE CHARTIER: Front Office Manager
ANITA ELLIOTT: Dining Services - Front of House
MEAGEN FAHEY: Human Resources/Business Office Specialist
JASON HANSCOM: Buildings and Grounds Staff 
SUSAN HARRINGTON: Chief Financial Officer and Girls' Varsity Field Hockey Coach
ALICE MANN: Senior Associate Director of Admission/Girls’ JV Lacrosse Coach
MELODY MARTEL: Dining Services Chef
SUZANNE MORRISSEY: Director of Communications
OLGA PABON-GARCIA: Housekeeping Staff
YIOTA PRINEA: Dining Services Staff- Front of House
RALIN RIPPETT: Housekeeping
JAMIE SMITH: Assistant Director of Admission and Girls’ Ice Hockey Assistant Coach
JASON WANG: Director of International Programs/World Languages Faculty

10 Years of Service:
LESLIE BAUER: Dining Services - Front of House
ALICIA CHILDERS: Team Leader and Fine Arts Faculty
JASON HAYWOOD: Dining Services - Utility/Dishwasher
STACIE POPE: Manager of Data Services
ESTER ROAKES: Payroll and Benefits Administrator

15 Years of Service:
STEVEN BURGESS: Fine Arts Faculty and Live Streaming
MICHELLE DODGE: Science Department Chair and Community Living Parent
KYLE REYNOLDS: English Chair, Snowboarding and Girls' Varsity Lacrosse Coach
MARY ROETGER: Director of Integrated Media and Marketing

20 Years of Service: 
EDITA BUFFINGTON: Housekeeping Supervisor

25 Years of Service: 
MARSHA BROOKS: Admissions Office Manager
LAURA COOPER: Team Leader, English teacher, girls’ soccer coach
LAUREN HUNTER: Instructional Support Faculty and Community Living Parent
BARB THOMAS: Team Leader,  Instructional Support Faculty and Community Living Parent

30 Years of Service: 
BYRON MARTIN: Team Leader, Instructional Support Faculty, and Golf Coach