Kristen holds a BS in Psychology and an MA in Literature from Old Dominion University as well as a PhD in English from West Virginia University. She has taught writing, literature, and interdisciplinary courses since 2004, most recently at the University of Maine, Orono. A native Mainer, she is excited to reside near the mountain she skied and hiked in her youth. Outside of class, she especially enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, nature photography, dogs, and spending time with family.
Mel Graham
Teacher-Humanities/College Counseling/ ASP/Boys Dorm Head
Mel earned Master's degree in Writing and English from DePaul University and Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English, respectively. He began teaching over 25 years ago in his home city of Chicago. Mel has worked in private schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Korea and has raised three children. He enjoys spending time outside, especially kayaking and skiing.
Beth holds a BA in French from the University of Georgia and has pursued graduate studies at Plymouth State University. Beth's son, Chad, graduated from CVA in 2018 and her younger son, Adam, is a member of CVA’s Class of 2024. Beth enjoys skiing and during the summer she returns to her native New Hampshire where she teaches young children to swim.
Dave teaches Pre-Calculus and Calculus. Dave is also the Dean of Students. Graduating from the University of Idaho, Dave earned a BS Degree in Geology in 1999 and joined CVA in 2000. Outside of class, Dave enjoys telemark skiing, biking, and time with family.
Shelley has taught Chemistry and Earth Science at CVA since 2000. She is also the Director of Student Planning. A graduate of Hamilton College, Shelley went on to earn a Master’s in Geochemistry-Petrology from the University of Idaho in 1999. She is a native Mainer who loves skiing and has been competing in Adventure Racing since 2010.
Karen graduated from the University of Vermont with a BS in Zoology and then earned a Master’s Degree in Biology from Utah State University. She teaches Biology I, Honors Biology II, and Physics and is the Director of Academic Programs. In 2010 Karen was nominated for the Williams College Olmstead Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Karen is an avid skier, mountain biker, and equestrian. She is very pleased that her son is now attending CVA.
As Director of CVA’s Academic Success Program (ASP), Kristin will bring her educational expertise and passion for supporting individual students to help all students find success in their classes. Prior to coming to CVA Kristin earned a BA in English Teaching from UNH and worked in the Special Education Department in the Yarmouth School Department as a Level III Ed Tech. She has experience analyzing IEPs and will work directly with classroom teachers to address different learning styles. Kristin also teaches English and The Fundamentals of Study course.
Christine Newell holds a BA in Mathematics with minors in Education and Social Studies from the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine. She has more than 30 years of experience in education. Chris is also active in her community, volunteering for academic programs, sporting events, and the Girl Scouts of Maine.
Jessie grew up in Maine and skiing at Sugarloaf. She received her BS in Mathematics from Simmons College in Boston and went on to receive her Masters Degree from James Cook University in Australia. For 13 years she lived and worked in Australia in the field of marine research, specifically ichthyology with a specialty in tropical reef fish ecology and shark fisheries. She enjoys SCUBA diving, fishing and skiing.
After graduating from CVA, Courtney took her freestyle talents and determination to the US Freestyle Ski Team where she represented the US on the World Cup Tour until 1998. She then went on to earn a BA in History from the University of Colorado Boulder. Courtney continued her education receiving a Secondary Education Certificate from Black Hills State University and a Masters in American History from the University Of South Dakota where she is currently a Doctor of Education Candidate in Curriculum And Instruction. Between 2005 and 2018 Courtney taught at Stevens High School in Rapid City, SD. She has experience teaching Government, Economics, Sociology, and English. She served as Economics club advisor, Social Studies Department Head, AP certified instructor & exam administrator, and Debate coach.
Jennifer holds a B.A in Spanish from the University of Maine at Orono with continuing education credits in both Spanish and German. She is state certified in Spanish and brings ten years of teaching experience to CVA.
Sierra graduated from Whitman College with a BA in English and Minors in History and Spanish. She has loved learning her entire life and started working in schools at fifteen years old. In the summer, Sierra sea kayaks and raft guides while reading as much as possible.
Peter, a native of both Maine and California, earned his AS in Ecology while living in Maine. He then moved to Italy where he obtained a BS and MS in Tourism Science. He is a certified English assessment specialist through Cambridge University. Over the past 15 years, he has worked as an English teacher in various degrees ranging from volunteering in the Amazon to holding a Head Expert in English Language position with the Italian Ministry of Education. Peter is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys both conquering a mountain and letting it conquer him. He allows a sense of wonder to guide him personally and professionally.
Owen graduated from University of Maine Orono with a BS in Ecology and Environmental Science and a BA in Economics, with a concentration in sustainability, natural resource management and environmental policy. Owen has worked on the Narraguagus and Machias rivers on Atlantic Salmon restoration projects, where he raised and stocked fish, took daily measurements of the rivers, and implemented post assisted log structures to adjust stream geomorphology. His interest in education stems from a research project that he worked on aimed towards enhancing rural forest-located economic vitality through k-12 schooling. In his free time, Owen loves playing music and fishing throughout the summer while he waits for the snow to fly.
Jenny is a graduate of the University of Maine, Orono with a degree in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, as well as continuing education credits through Montana State University in education, curriculum development, astronomy, environmental chemistry, and meteorology. Jenny brings her 10 years of experience in public school science education to CVA, having taught at Madison Area Memorial High School and Stearns High School in Millinocket, Maine. Jenny is a long-time Carrabassett Valley resident and grew up skiing at Sugarloaf.
Science Teacher and Athletic Trainer. Tristy earned her Bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University in Athletic Training and Fitness and Rehabilitation with a minor in Health. She holds a Master's degree in Holistic Health Studies from Georgian Court University and has several years of teaching experience.
Waylon teaches Intro to Art, Studio Art I & II, Middle School Art, Photography I & II, Videography, and Tool Making. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Plymouth State University and has over 10 years of experience as a professional artist. Waylon lives on campus with his wife and two children and enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, snowboarding and taking photographs.
