Our Faculty

6th - 7th Grade Boys

Gabriel teaches Hawthorn's upper school boys and is a native of West Hartford where he graduated first in his high school class. He previously taught Latin, Biology, Computer Science, and Physics to high school boys at Cathedral Preparatory School in Queens. Gabriel has served as a summer camp counselor in Silverado, California and taught religious education in Princeton, Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Gabriel worked for several years as a software engineer in New York City. He earned his B.A. in computer science from Princeton University, and an M.A. in philosophy from St. Joseph's Seminary and College in New York.

2nd Grade Boys

Mark comes to Hawthorn after years of teaching and tutoring both middle and high school students. Most recently he taught Math at the Montfort Academy in Mount Vernon. Mark also has a background in business consulting, having worked with Deloitte Consulting as an actuarial analyst, and independently as an investment advisor and financial education instructor. He graduated summa cum laude from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he studied in the Great Books Honors Program, while majoring in mathematics with a minor in finance. He was awarded the Mathematics Award and the Fr. Dan Egan Award as Outstanding Senior in the Bachelor of Science Program. He enjoys giving his time in service to the Church as a religious education instructor at his local parish.

Spanish & Religion - Girls
Art - Lower School

Andrea was born in England, raised in Chile, and has lived in the United States for many years.  Culturally multifaceted and fluent in English and Spanish, Andrea studied Fashion Design at Incacea (Santiago, Chile), and Fine Arts at the School of Visual Arts (New York). She worked in a variety of commercial roles before marrying and dedicating herself to the raising of her five children. More recently, she worked as a Catechist and Parish Secretary at "St. Michael the Archangel" in Greenwich, CT. Andrea started at Hawthorn in the Spring as an Assistant in the Kindergarten class. She loves cooking, gardening, and arts and crafts.

Latin, Spanish & Math - Boys

Matthew is a native of England and a graduate of Cambridge University, where he studied Modern and Medieval Languages at Trinity Hall College. After spending many years on Wall Street as an Equity Analyst and Portfolio Manager, Mr. Hickman recently began a second career teaching languages to high school students. An enthusiastic supporter of Hawthorn's mission, Matthew teaches Spanish, Latin, and Math to boys in Grades 3-9, and serves as Hawthorn’s Director of Admissions helping to introduce families to the school. Matthew lives in Stamford, CT with his wife and their 5 children.

Math & Religion - Girls

Monika was born in Czechoslovakia and graduated from Comenius University with a degree in Translation Studies. She began her career at a news agency translating news articles.  Monika later pursued studies in education, earning both a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Elementary Education, graduating with honors in both programs. For over six years, she homeschooled her nonverbal autistic child, who, under her guidance, successfully learned to speak. In the United States, she worked for a non-profit organization in New York City, supporting at-risk youth and tutoring students in math. She now lives in Bedford with her husband and four children.

Kindergarten Lead

Gabrielle received her M.A from NYU Steinhardt and her B.A. from William Smith College. Her NYS Teacher Certifications include: Childhood & Special Education 1-6, and Dance PreK-12. She has been a teacher at Hawthorn since the school’s founding, with 12 years of full-time teaching experience in grades K-8 as a special education teacher, lead classroom teacher, and dance educator in NYC and Westchester public schools. With expertise integrating literacy, movement, and sensory learning into the arts and sciences, her previous experiences include designing dance curriculum, choreographing school musicals and producing student dance concerts. She lives in White Plains with her husband and children.

4th - 5th Grade Boys

Samuel joins Hawthorn with experience in middle school teaching and student formation at the collegiate level. Most recently, he served at Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia, first as Rome Coordinator and later as Male Residence Director, where he developed programs to support the holistic formation of young men. Prior to his work at Christendom, Mr. Morales spent two years in the South Bronx as a Seton Teaching Fellow, teaching English and catechism to elementary and middle school students while assisting with school operations. In addition to his professional work, he is the co-editor of the blog 100 Movies Every Catholic Should See and brings to Hawthorn a passion for literature and film. Mr. Morales holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from Christendom College.

Art - Middle School Boys

Patrick teaches art classes for Hawthorn’s boys. In high school and college, he was able to supplement his income by selling paintings and receiving commissions. As a keen sailor, he began by painting clipper ships, but after studying art and art history in college, he started to copy masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Titian. He also concentrated in economics and pursued a career in finance, running quantitative strategy teams in interest rate and currency markets for banks in London and New York. Over the years he has continued to expand his knowledge of art as a painter and collector. He believes that beauty, along with goodness and truth, is key to a full human life.  In his retirement he is dedicated to passing on his knowledge of classical painting so that others can acquire the habit of creating beautiful art. Patrick holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an M.B.A. from Boston College.

3rd - 5th Grade Girls

Christine joins Hawthorn as both a seasoned teacher and an experienced clinician. She previously served as the Mathematics Department Chair at P.S. 71 Rose E. Scala School in the Bronx, where she taught Math to students in Grades 6-8 for many years. After that, Christine spent a few years teaching for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, where she worked with children from Pre-K to Grade 3. She went on later to train in Mental Health counseling, and has worked as a therapist with both adolescents and adults. Christine is eager and excited to return now to working with young people in the classroom. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University Maryland, as well as two Masters Degrees, both an M.S. in Teaching from Pace University, and an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York.

Latin

Maryel comes to Hawthorn from an extensive career teaching Latin to a range of students in the New York metropolitan area. Previous assignments include teaching classics at the Hackley School, The Masters School, New Canaan Country School, and the Marymount School of New York. Mrs. Schneider earned a B.A. cum laude in Latin and Greek from Tufts University and is active in the American Classical League. When not teaching, she pursues her interests in gardening and architecture. She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Bedford, NY.

1st Grade

Kateri joins The Hawthorn School from Brilla Charter Schools in the Bronx, where she taught Kindergarteners in phonics, math, reading and writing skills, as well as leading the first grade catechism classes. As a Seton Teaching Fellow, she spent time focused on the intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation of children facing adversity. She also spent three years serving high school kids with the Faith Acts Camp in New Orleans. Kateri is fluent in Spanish, having completed a high school exchange program in Santiago, Chile at Colegio Juanita de los Andes. Kateri is also an elite soccer player; she has competed internationally for the U.S. Virgin Islands National Team. She is passionate about nature study and getting kids outside, and hails originally from Gorham, Maine. Kateri holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Loyola University New Orleans.

3rd Grade Boys

Peter has taught elementary and middle school Math, History, Language Arts, Science, Religion, and Latin, at schools in Westchester and Fairfield County. He has also coached soccer, tennis, and basketball and has worked at several summer camps. He earned a B.A. in History with a minor in Medieval and Renaissance studies from Marist College. Peter holds an M.S. in education from Franciscan University of Steubenville, with distinction. When not in the classroom, he enjoys playing basketball and ice hockey, reading about history and theology, and spending time with his family. Mr. Simonetti lives in Stamford with his wife and two young children.

Preschool Lead

Lauren is the lead teacher for Hawthorn's Montessori Preschool. She is completing her Montessori diplomate studies at the Casa dei Bambini level (Children’s House, Ages 3-6) with the Association Montessori International, the recognized gold standard in Montessori teacher education. Lauren comes to Hawthorn with prior experience at the Villa Maria School in Stamford, Greenwich Country Day School, St. Mary’s Academy in Somers, and Archbishop Stepinac in Mamaroneck. She earned her B.A. in English and M.S. in education from Fordham University, with distinction. Outside the classroom, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, playing sports, and practicing piano and flute.

Preschool Assistant
Art - Upper School Girls 

Lexi works with Hawthorn's youngest students in the Montessori Preschool classroom, and teaches Studio Art to girls in Grades 2-5 and Grades 6-9.  She previously worked as an assistant in Hawthorn's Kindergarten class, has lifeguarded for Yorktown Parks and Recreation, and taught swimming lessons to toddlers and younger children.  Lexi was an honors graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design where she received her B.F.A, with a Major in Animation and a Minor in Themed Entertainment Design.  Lexi brings an enthusiasm for creativity and the arts and when she's not teaching, she enjoys reading, sketching, and participating in family game nights.  

Music - Lower School & Girls

Alexis teaches music at Hawthorn and also works on marketing and events with the admissions office. A conservatory-trained violinist and music educator with 20 years of experience, her general music classes are informed by ongoing professional development in the Suzuki method and the Orff Schulwerk approach. She has worked in fundraising and events for Lincoln Center, and as Director of Cultural Programs for the World Youth Alliance, an international nonprofit based in Manhattan. Alexis studied violin performance at The Juilliard School and Peabody Conservatory, received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University, and a masters in arts administration from New York University. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and family. Her oldest son is a student at Hawthorn.

2nd Grade Girls

Tonianne is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she completed her B.A. in Theology. While at university, she studied abroad in Austria and traveled to over ten countries. A native of Rockland County, New York, Ms. Zottoli is returning to her love of teaching after spending several years working in the digital marketing industry for various non-profits on the East and West coast. As a university resident-assistant, summer camp counselor, and catechist at her local parish, Tonianne has always enjoyed teaching and mentoring young people. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.