Faculty & Staff Directory

Heather Hunt was appointed Academic Dean in June, 2019. Heather returns to Marvelwood having recently earned a Doctoral degree in Education (Ed.D), with a focus on curriculum and instruction, from Capella University. Some of her research for the degree included an in-depth study of the Strategies Program at Marvelwood. Heather also holds a post-Master's Certificate in Leadership and Accountability from Capella University, a Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Marist College.

Heather’s previous responsibilities at Marvelwood have included Registrar, Associate College Counselor, Weekend Head, science and ESL teacher, Star Dorm faculty, advisor, and involvement in student activities. In addition to her role as Academic Dean, she also teaches freshman science, Anatomy, ESL Biology, and Capstone. Heather and her husband, Brian, who is the Safety Consultant for Marvelwood, have one son, Brian Jr. '25. They love cruising, camping in their travel trailer, and spending time with family and friends.

At Marvelwood Since: 2007

Lauren Janecek ‘16 joins the Marvelwood faculty in 2022 as an alumni and will be a Mathematics Teacher. Lauren is a 2018 graduate of State University of New York in Delhi, NY with a degree in Liberal Arts and a graduate of Western State University of Connecticut in Danbury CT with a Bachelors in Mathematics.

Lauren was passionate in sports during her time at Marvelwood. She played a number of sports including Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, Lacrosse, and managed Wrestling. She can't wait to help mentor and coach the students during the sport seasons.

Lauren resides in Summit dorm for this school year. In her free time, Lauren loves to go on hikes with her two German Shepherds, reading, and hanging out with family.

At Marvelwood Since: 2022

At Marvelwood Since: 2001

Before coming to Marvelwood, Misty worked on Broadway and in regional theatre. She also taught in the public school system in Maine and New York City. She loves teaching and is extraordinarily thankful for independent schools both personally and professionally as she sees everyday the difference it makes in a child's life. Misty is a voracious reader and loves hiking in Acadia National Park where she grew up. Of course, her greatest joy is being the wife of fellow teacher, Dennis White, and the mother to their daughters, Isla and Everleigh. The four of them live on campus with their rescue dog, Franki and their rescue cat, Lola.

"Being a residential faculty member means the world to me. I used to teach in public school and didn't realize until I came to Marvelwood that I never really knew my students. Living in a boarding school allows me to understand and know my students in a personal way.

"I'm most proud of being a mom and I hope that I can bring some of that patience and joy of that to my students. I'm also pretty proud of my work in the theatre. My students are amazing, and I hope they know how much they all mean to me and how proud they make me every day."

At Marvelwood Since: 2006
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Theater, Round Square

At Marvelwood Since: 2020

At Marvelwood Since: 2016

Dr. Lin joined Marvelwood in September, 2011. Though she had a BS degree in physics from Nankai University of China and a Ph. D in physics from Purdue University, her major was actually biophysics as she had always been interested in life science. She did postdoctoral research at University of Pennsylvania, and then her career moved to business for a few years.

Dr. Lin teaches in both the math and science departments. Passionate about helping her students reach their full academic potential, she has taught math and physics at various levels including AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, Calculus, AP Physics, and Physics. As the only faculty at Marvelwood who speaks Chinese, Dr. Lin also serves as the liaison between the School and our Chinese families. She greatly appreciates the opportunity to help bridge cultural differences and expectations within the School community. Her son, David Ma, is a Marvelwood alumni, Class of 2020!

At Marvelwood Since: 2011

Kathleen is a Fellow of the Orton-Gillingham Academy and Director of Kildonan Teacher Training Institute. Kathleen began her Orton-Gillingham odyssey at Massachusetts General Hospital. She served as Fellow in Residence for the Norwalk Public Schools from 2019- 2021. She holds an MA and MAT in English and holds teaching certification in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. She has extensive experience training teachers in the Orton-Gillingham approach at the Classroom Educator, Associate, and Certified levels. She is thrilled to be working jointly for Marvelwood and Kildonan bringing 1:1 Orton-Gillingham language training to students and teachers at Marvelwood.

At Marvelwood Since: 2020

Wendi has been teaching at The Marvelwood School since the fall of 2006. She teaches ESL to our international students, is the Director of Student Activities, and facilitates Freshman Academy. Wendi LOVES teaching and having fun. Prior to her time at Marvelwood she taught in a public school setting and opened a shelter for battered women and children in the Cayman Islands. Wendi truly appreciates the close-knit community which The Marvelwood School offers. Seeing students at breakfast and enjoying some down time together and getting to know them outside of the classroom is what Wendi loves the most. As Director of Student Activities, she enjoys working with teachers and students to plan FUN events throughout the year. Wendi lives on campus and is lucky to be able to do what she loves with those she loves nearby, her husband, Bobby, and their three children Noah, Nicholas, and Caroline.

At Marvelwood Since: 2006

Liza graduated from the University of Rochester in 2013 with high distinction in Psychology and Spanish, and a minor in Mathematics. She was a member of the Psi Chi honor society and captain of the Varsity Lacrosse team. During her junior year, Liza studied in Barcelona, Spain where she did an internship in social work. Her senior practicum project involved working with students with developmental disabilities.

Liza grew up in New Milford, Connecticut with brothers, Zach ‘04, who also works at Marvelwood, and Charlie, who graduated from New Mexico State University and is currently a golf professional at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. At New Milford High School, where she graduated number six in her class, Liza was captain of the Varsity Soccer and Lacrosse teams, as well as a member of the indoor track and swimming teams.

Liza lives on campus in Summit Dorm, and teaches Math and Spanish and is a member of the Strategies Department. A sports enthusiast, Liza enjoys coaching soccer and lacrosse. She also serves as Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Athletic Director, and Peer Mediation advisor.

I’ve learned a lot about myself, including what standards I want to establish in my classroom from the beginning. I’m also learning how to create more engaging lesson plans, as well as be able to represent the topic I’m trying to teach to various learning styles. One of my students told me that I helped him to believe in himself more. I was so happy when he aced his final!

At Marvelwood Since: 2013
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Girls' Varsity Soccer, Lacrosse

Zach is a 2004 graduate of The Marvelwood School. He was appointed Athletic Director in fall 2015. Zach has been the head wrestling coach since 2009. Since 2013, the Marvelwood wrestling program has produced 19 state place winners, 7 All-New England wrestlers and one Honorable Mention All-American. Zach is also the head coach of Boys Varsity Soccer.

Just like most of our faculty, Zach wears many hats on the Marvelwood campus. He works with the Advancement Department, specializing in Alumni Relations and joined the teaching faculty in 2021 as an electives teacher. Zach will also assume the role of dorm head for Lake dorm in 2021-22.

Prior to Marvelwood, Zach worked at Cumulus Media in Brookfield, CT, where he was the executive producer on "The Carey and Coffey Show," a NASCAR sports talk show on 940/1510 AM. He also worked in the promotions department for 95.1 WRKI (I95) and 105.5 WDBY. Zach is originally from New Milford, CT, where his parents Raymond and Karen Maizel still reside; his father is the veterinarian/owner of Candlewood Animal Hospital. Zach’s sister Liza joined the faculty in 2013, teaching Spanish and Math. They also have a younger brother, Charlie, who graduated from New Mexico State University and is a golf professional at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. Zach enjoys coaching, as well as watching and competing in, lacrosse, soccer and wrestling. In his down time, Zach hangs with his dog, Abbey, who lives with him in Lake Dorm.

At Marvelwood Since: 2009
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Boys' Varsity Soccer, Wrestling

Steve joined Marvelwood in 2014 after six years of being a stay at home dad to his daughters Madelyn '21 and Genevieve. Prior to taking on full time Dad duties, Steve had built his career on the corporate side in business management. Steve has lived in CT since 1999 but still has ties to the Philadelphia area.

At Marvelwood Since: 2014