Faculty + Staff | Junior Program

Exploration has one of the finest faculty and staff of any program in the country, comprised of college students, graduate students, and professional educators. Each fall, Exploration interviews hundreds of individuals from the nation’s leading colleges and universities, and carefully selects a diverse team of college and graduate students who are exceptionally talented, passionate, and creative. This dedicated staff is supported by experienced educators who work with them year-round on curriculum and program development.


Our staff have all the qualities you would want in a mentor for your child: dedication, enthusiasm, responsibility, creativity, and an open mind. As scientists, athletes, artists, writers, actors, historians, musicians, and scholars, our faculty have expertise in a variety of different disciplines and love sharing their interests with students. We consider every moment at Exploration an opportunity to teach and learn. For that reason, we hire people who are passionate and talented in their pursuits to bring a true love of learning to the Program.
 

David Torcoletti began his career at Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH) where he taught photography, lived in a dormitory, and coached. He went on to become a House Director, Campus Dean, and eventually, School Dean. David then moved to Milton Academy where he was a teacher and Dean of Students. In addition to leading the Junior Program, David consults and advises independent schools and presents at professional conferences on student life issues. David is a summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University and earned his M.F.A. at Bard College as a Milton Avery Scholar. Each summer, David moves to the St. Mark's campus as the Head of Program, bringing with him his family and two dogs, Sophie and Kirby.



Allie Holmes is a graduate of Colby College with a degree in mathematics and education. Currently, she works for City Year, a national organization that employs young adults for service in schools. Allie works with middle schoolers at Seabrook Middle School and helps City Year New Hampshire with fundraising and development. She returns to the Junior Program as Assistant Dean for the Day Program.

Andrew Smith graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a degree in English and adolescent education. While in college, Andrew spent a semester teaching elementary students in Ghana, and worked as a substitute teacher for a local high school. He now teaches eighth grade English and reading in upstate New York. He is excited to return to the Junior Program as the Director of Programming.

Bre McKenna is a graduate of Bowdoin College where she majored in Spanish. Post graduation, she studied at Le Universidad de Costa Rica and worked at a bilingual summer camp in Chile. After a stint with John Hancock Insurance where she ran informational sessions in both English and Spanish, Bre is now a faculty member at Governor’s Academy, a boarding and day school in Massachusetts. She teaches Spanish and is the Director of Student Activities. She returns to the Junior Program as Dean of Students.

Cynthia Zwicky is a Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, graduate of Williams College with a degree in psychology. She earned a masters degree with distinction in comparative education from the University of London. Cynthia was a teacher and coach at Greenwich Country Day School. She has designed experiential ESOL curricula and taught ESOL in China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, and France. During the academic year, she works full time for Exploration as the New Program Development Coordinator and she returns to the Junior Program as Director of Curriculum.

Lisa Summergrad is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Haverford College where she earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in creative writing. At Haverford, Lisa co-founded a student-run musical theater group and was the editor of the literary magazine. She also selected and trained student advisors for first-year orientation, and worked as a residential advisor for first-year students. Lisa has been with Exploration for seven summers and works during the academic year as the Assistant to the Head of the Junior Program.

Molly Klane is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Carleton College, where she majored in American Studies. At Carleton, Molly was the Program Director of Kids for Conservation, an organization that teaches principles of conservation to students, as well as a tutor and a Campus Campaign Manager for Teach for America. Since graduating, she taught at Crosswinds Middle School, and now runs Extended Learning Opportunities at Partnership Academy. Molly returns to Exploration as Assistant Director of Curriculum.

Tim Watson graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in government and legal studies and a minor in education. While at Bowdoin, Tim played football and intramural softball, student taught fifth grade at the Longfellow School, and studied political science in Florence, Italy. Currently, Tim works year round as an Admissions Officer for Explo and chairs an admissions committee for Bowdoin College alumni interviewers. Tim is returning to the Junior Program and is looking forward to heading up the new Focus programs.



Masha Kuznetsova is currently studying psychology and anthropology at Macalester College. A native of Russia, Masha attended the United World College in Norway. She has volunteered at a childrens’ hospital in Russia and worked at a refugee camp in Norway, teaching English.

Becky Craig graduated from Carleton College with a degree in psychology, and later earned her masters in elementary education at the University of Missouri St. Louis. While working for Teach for America in St. Louis, she was the runner up for Teacher of the Year two years in a row. Currently, she teaches at the Imagine Environmental Charter School. She is returning to the Junior Program as a Curriculum Advisor.

Jonathan Beck is a graduate of Ithaca College, where he majored in political science. As an undergraduate, he studied in London, held a position as a study abroad ambassador, and was a teaching assistant at the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. He is an avid lacrosse player. Prior to joining Exploration year round as an admissions officer, Jon was a corps member for City Year. Jon will be returning to the Junior Program as a Residence Director.

Tyler Plourde graduated from Colby College with a degree in English and education. While at Colby, he played soccer and has coached at various soccer camps and recreational programs. Currently, he works as a teacher and dorm parent at the Hyde School, a boarding and day school in Maine. Tyler returns to the Junior Program as a Day Director.

Divine Miho is majoring in economics and applied mathematics at Macalester College. A native of Tanzania, he was among the top twenty students in his country and thus received a scholarship to the United World College in New Mexico. At Macalester, he is the treasurer of Afrika!, and is active in gospel choir, soccer, and orientation for new students. He is also fluent in Swahili.

Timothy Carroll graduated from Carleton College with a degree in American Studies. In college, Tim was the director of his sketch comedy troupe and a DJ for the college radio station. Additionally, he led orientation backpacking trips. During his junior year Tim studied abroad in Spain and has now returned there on a Fulbright Scholarship to teach English. Tim returns to the Junior Program as the entertaining assembly coordinator.

Angela Hasler is a student at Carleton College where she is majoring in biology and preparing for medical school. She was awarded a Fulbright Memorial Scholarship to study marine biodiversity in Japan, and continued her studies on the New England coastline. At Carleton, she plays field hockey, helps organize the Special Olympics, and is a part of the EMT club. Additionally, she has worked as a camp counselor, a lifeguard, and as a climbing wall supervisor.

Eugene Prymak is currently an undergraduate at Swarthmore College, where he is majoring in engineering. At Swarthmore, he plays varsity basketball, a sport that he has taught as a camp counselor at Blue Star and Jack McCloskey’s Basketball Camps. He is also a native of Poland, and fluent in Russian.

Alexis Kramer is an undergraduate at Colby College, majoring in English and minoring in education. On campus, she is the captain of the Colby Mock Trial team and sings in the chorale. A certified EMT, she was the captain of Student Rescue (EMS) in her high school. Alexis has been a camp counselor for the past five summers at both day and residential camps.

Shavonne Lord is an undergraduate at Bowdoin College. A talented athlete, she has been the captain of the field hockey and softball teams, and continues to play both sports at the college level. This fall, she helped her field hockey team take the lead in a championship game so they could win the NCAA Division 3 title. Additionally, she is the co-leader of the Native American Students Association at Bowdoin. Shavonne is thrilled to once again return to the Junior Program.

Rudisang Motshubi is an undergraduate at Wesleyan University where he is majoring in mathematics and economics. He is a residential advisor and an orientation intern for international first-year students. In his spare time he is the captain of his soccer team and performs in the theater group, The Company. Originally from Botswana, Rudisang received a scholarship to study in Switzerland before coming to the United States.

Maura Schiefer is an English major at Haverford College, where she is also a captain of the women’s varsity soccer team. She has worked at an overnight soccer camp, living with young girls and coaching during the day. At school, she is a tour guide for the admissions office, the co-head of the Special Events Committee, and an intern in the Student Activities Office.

Kristina Vlahovicova is a psychology major at Macalester College. On campus, she is the co-chair of the EUROPA Cultural Student Organization and is often found performing in Macalester’s theater and dance productions. Raised in Spain, Kristina attended the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales. She is fluent in French, Spanish, and Slovak.

Deja Williams is an undergraduate at Bowdoin College, where she is double majoring in biology and the visual arts. An avid athlete, Deja has played varsity soccer, basketball, and softball. Additionally, she is certified in lifeguarding and wilderness first aid. Deja has worked for the Maine Upward Bound program and Camp Exclamation Point.