Beth graduated from Colby College in 1984 with a BA in biology. She and her husband Tom have been homeschooling their two daughters (14 and 16 yrs. old) for the last 9 years. Beth is also an assistant manager at a small, urban organic farm in New Britain, CT. The self-directed learning philosophy of Sudbury together with the idea of a democratically based school community are what attracted her to this school model.
Christine graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1989 with a degree in education. She has since been teaching students in public schools from the grades of Kindergarten through college. Christine has 2 daughters, ages 3 and 2. Her passions include spending time with her family, education, playing anything, and reading.
Louise Thiessen is a graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. For over 12 years she worked in various agencies in Connecticut counseling adolescents to senior citizens with a specialty in substance abuse and couples therapy. Her previous experience also includes working as a day care provider here in Connecticut and Vermont. She retired last November and this past spring she started her own gardening business. Her interest in student-directed education began in the 70’s when she became aware of the Summerhill school in the U.K. Her personal and professional experience supports her belief in the innate curiosity of children to learn.
Marie earned her BS at SCSU in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1965 and her Masters in Special Education at SCSU in 1969. Taught Health and Physical Education for 35 years, now retired. Advisor to Peer Advocacy Program at Swift Middle School since 1992. Chairman of the Board and Community Leader for The Education Network since 1993. Has led various programs through that organization which empower teachers and others wanting to impact education.
Melissa has been involved in alternative education since she attended a public alternative high school in the greater Boston area in the late seventies. She graduated from Hampshire College in 1983 where she concentrated in disability studies. She graduated from the University of Connecticut Law School in 1986. She provides training and technical assistance in disability rights law and is a writer. Melissa lives with her husband and two sons ages three and twelve.
Nick Marshall-ButlerNick Marshall-Butler is a student member of the founders' group and was one of the first enrollees at our school . He is excited about attending Mountain Laurel Sudbury School and hopes to learn about mathematics and computer programming.
Tami graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 1995 with a B.S. in Physical Education and Health Studies. After teaching 3 years in New Britain Public Schools, she resigned to stay home with her two daughters ages 3 and 2. Tami became interested in the Sudbury model during her teaching career and then became impassioned after her children were born. She looks forward to the "Freedom to Learn" environment of Mountain Laurel Sudbury.
Walt is a 1980 graduate of Colgate University (BA, Political Science) and is owner and operator of DLD2000.com, LLC. He discovered Sudbury Valley School in the early 1990s through his involvement in the Libertarian movement and hopes to help establish many Sudbury-style schools, including Mountain Laurel.