King School New Faculty and Staff
Welcome to the new members of the King School community who join us for the 2025-26 academic year!
Click below to learn more about the new members of our community.
| Lower School New Faculty and Staff |
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Sofia AlanoKindergarten Faculty Sofia Alano joins King as a kindergarten teacher. She comes to us from Waterside School in Stamford, Connecticut, where she taught first grade. Her experience also includes teaching third and fourth grades. Sofia holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from The Catholic University of America and a master’s degree in literacy education from Sacred Heart University. Daryl HulmeEarly Childhood Associate Teacher Daryl Hulme joins King as a prekindergarten associate teacher. She brings twelve years of volunteer experience at Whitby School in Greenwich, Connecticut. With her three sons now in college, Daryl is excited to become an active part of King’s learning community. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. James HuntonFourth Grade Faculty James Hunton joins King as a fourth-grade teacher. He previously taught fifth grade at Fairfield Country Day School and spent thirteen years at Léman Manhattan Preparatory School in New York City. He also taught in his home country, the UK. James holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the American College of Education and a postgraduate certificate in primary education from Anglia Ruskin University in England. Asha McDermottEarly Childhood Associate Teacher Asha McDermott joins King as an associate teacher in the Lower School. Since 2023, she has served as a substitute teacher in Danbury Public Schools, supporting various elementary classrooms. A certified life coach, she brings experience in mentoring through cognitive behavioral techniques. Asha has also supported executive teams at Columbia University, Acorda Therapeutics, PepsiCo, and Investopedia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Penn State and a master’s degree in communications and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Adrienne PeddyEarly Childhood Faculty Adrienne Peddy joins King as a prekindergarten teacher. She most recently taught at the Saw Mill Club Preschool in Mt. Kisco, New York, and previously at the Episcopal School in New York City. Adrienne also taught kindergarten through fourth grade at Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, New York. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Salve Regina University and has completed graduate-level work at Teachers College, Columbia University, in gifted and talented education. Anne SkibitckyFifth Grade Language Arts Maternity Leave Faculty Anne Skibitcky joins King as the fifth-grade language arts maternity leave replacement. She brings thirteen years of teaching experience, most recently in preschool classrooms in New Canaan, Connecticut. She has also taught fifth grade at Marymount School (NYC) and Meadowcreek Elementary School (GA), and third grade at Newell Elementary School (NC). Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and economics from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in social studies education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Allison SparksLibrary Technologist, PreK–Grade 5 Allison Sparks joins King as the Lower School library technologist. Most recently, she served as the librarian and technology teacher at Sacred Heart Greenwich. Allison also taught at the Mirman School for the Gifted and the Village School in California, and internationally in Germany and Switzerland. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees in English literature/writing and French from Fairfield University and completed postgraduate coursework at the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied at Stendhal University in Grenoble, France, and is a graduate of The Groundlings Writing Lab in Los Angeles. |
| Middle School New Faculty and Staff |
Jeffrey DesirMiddle School Leave Replacement Intern Teacher Jeffrey Desir joins the Middle School team as a leave replacement intern teacher, having previously served in King’s athletics program as an assistant coach for both Middle and Upper School teams. Since 2014, Jeff has worked as a coach and educator in various programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College. Robert (Robby) HerbstMiddle School Adjunct Art Teacher Robby Herbst joins the Middle School as an adjunct art teacher. He brings over 15 years of experience, including teaching at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Los Angeles and as a visiting professor for the Bard Prison Initiative in New York. Robby earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and sculpture from Hampshire College and an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts. Gray TaylorMiddle School Spanish Faculty Gray Taylor joins King as a Middle School Spanish teacher. He has taught Spanish to a broad range of age groups, including middle school through adult learners, most recently in the Fairfield and Greenwich public school districts. A certified Spanish teacher, Gray holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Southern Connecticut State University, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Connecticut, and a master’s degree in Spanish literature from Central Connecticut State University. He is also an FAA-licensed airplane pilot. Karen VissicchioMiddle School Assistant Karen is a mother of three. Her youngest, Drew, will be a junior in our Upper School this coming year. Recently, Karen has served as Strategic Advisor and Program Development Lead at Rock the Walls in Westport, CT, and as an Administrative Assistant at Fairlead Strategies in Greenwich, CT. She also has experience as a paralegal and has completed coursework in family counseling. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from SUNY Albany and a Diploma in Paralegal Studies from NYU. |
| Upper School New Faculty and Staff |
Rebecca BeatonScience Faculty Rebecca Beaton joins the Upper School Science Department, where she will teach biology and chemistry. She comes to us from Fieldston School in New York City, where she designed and taught project-based curricula across multiple science domains. Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in microbiology from the University of New Hampshire, and a master’s degree in secondary science education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Isabella HarrisHistory Faculty Isabella Harris joins the History Department. A graduate of Greens Farms Academy, she most recently served there as a teaching fellow in Upper School History and Global Studies, designing curriculum for ninth- and tenth-grade programs. Isabella holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in psychology from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in history from Southern Connecticut State University. Scott HarrisonMathematics Faculty Scott Harrison joins the Mathematics Department. He previously taught at Byram Hills High School and Port Chester High School, where he taught courses from Algebra to Pre-Calculus and led field trips to the National Museum of Mathematics. Earlier in his career, he worked as a portfolio manager and quantitative developer. Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in mathematics of finance from Columbia University, and an advanced certificate in mathematics education from Manhattanville College. Meghan NealisHistory and Social Science Faculty; Chair, Social Science Department Megan Nealis joins the History and Social Science Departments and will chair the Social Science Department. She comes to us from Virginia Episcopal School, where she taught AP Comparative Government and a range of global history courses. She also advised in the Advanced Studies Program and has coached field hockey. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree in international politics and Asian studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, a master’s degree in theory and history of international relations from the London School of Economics, and a PhD in history from the University of Cambridge. Olivia NeeWorld Languages Faculty Olivia Nee joins the World Languages Department to teach French. She previously taught at I.E.S. Parque de Lisboa in Spain, preparing students for advanced Cambridge exam levels. Olivia has also taught French and Spanish at several New York City schools and programs, including the French Institute Alliance Française and the Bank Street School. She is a graduate of the French-American School of New York. Olivia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and romance studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in teaching world languages (French) and TESOL from NYU. Drew Wildman FosterTheater Faculty Drew Wildman Foster joins King as our new theater teacher and director. He most recently served at The Juilliard School as a director and curriculum developer for mainstage productions and the Summer Performing Arts program. He also taught theater at Success Academy, New York City’s largest charter network. Drew brings professional experience in theater, television, and music, including Broadway and regional roles. He holds a BFA in drama from The Juilliard School and an MA in educational psychology from Ball State University. |
| All-School Staff |
Nicole CrookDirector of Annual Giving Nicole Crook joins King as Director of Annual Giving. She comes to us from the Stamford Public Education Foundation (SPEF), where she led annual fundraising campaigns, cultivated donor relationships, and strengthened community engagement to advance philanthropic support. Nicole has also held development roles at Future 5 and the New Canaan Community Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from The Catholic University of America. |
| Returning Faculty and Staff with New Titles |
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Lower School
Middle School
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