Faculty & Staff Directory

Andrew (AJ) Helmin became a member of the Marvelwood family in 2021 as the Outdoor Educational Coordinator. Originally from Manchester, CT, Andrew has been all things outdoors since the age of six when he joined the scouting movement. He has participated in various expeditions, both personal and professional including mountaineering expeditions in Colorado and river canoe excursions in New Hampshire and Vermont. Andrew attended Norwich University / Military College of Vermont as a Cadet within the cadet regiment, holding the title as the Leadership, Equity, Advocacy, Protection and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Officer for both Cadets and Civilian students, including developing a Coast Guard Auxiliary Program for aspiring Coast Guardsmen and women.

After receiving his Bachelors in Environmental Science, Andrew attended the Northwoods Stewardship Center located in Island Pond, VT as a Youth Conservation Corps Crew Leader for the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge where he worked alongside the Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and New Hampshire Fish & Game Department in projects such as building/maintaining floating common loon nests, watershed monitoring, and public land management/trail maintenance. After his temporary season with Northwoods, Andrew came to Marvelwood.

Andrew is passionate about the outdoors and engaging those from a wide variety of backgrounds and differences. He believes that everyone should have equal access to the outdoors and to let everyone know that all who wander aren’t always lost!

Andrew currently resides on campus as a dorm parent in Sterling dorm with his four legged trail and camping partner, Jackson.

At Marvelwood Since: 2021
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Outdoor Adventures

Brian Hunt serves as the School’s Safety Consultant, bringing 10 years of private school safety and security experience to Marvelwood. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management, with Honors distinction and a lifetime member of Epsilon Pi Phi (EPP) Honor Society, he holds many certifications and instructor level designations from FEMA, DHS, AHA, ARC, HSI, ALERRT, TEEX (Texas A&M), and others. He is also the proud owner and principal consultant of Northeast Safety Solutions, LLC.

At Marvelwood Since: 2020

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 Learning Support 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, a Masters of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from University of Phoenix, 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 Dean of Academic Affairs she also teaches freshman biology. Heather and her husband, Brian, who is the Safety Consultant for Marvelwood, have one son, Brian Jr. '25. They live on campus with their dog, Sandy, and two Guinea Pigs, Wilbur and Peanut.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys reading, diamond painting, and treasure hunting (aka metal detecting) with her 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
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Girl's Volleyball, Softball

At Marvelwood Since: 2001

Sunan joined Marvelwood in 2023, bringing over two decades of experience in independent schools and educational non-profit organizations. She has worked in enrollment management at all grade levels in urban and suburban schools, co-educational and single-sex schools, and schools for traditional learners and those with robust academic support programs for students with learning disabilities.

Before her current role, Sunan served as Director of Enrollment at The Pinnacle School in Stamford, CT. Before her work in Connecticut, she was employed in California as Director of Admissions, Financial Assistance, and High School Placement at Presidio Hill School in San Francisco and as Assistant Director of Admissions at Castilleja School in Palo Alto. Sunan also served on numerous Boards of Directors in her community for over ten years to support nonprofit management and strategic planning.

Throughout her career, Sunan has remained dedicated to providing all children with access to a quality education and the opportunities it affords. She admires Marvelwood's commitment to supporting learning and discovery through an individualized high school program. She is excited to contribute meaningfully to Marvelwood’s mission and vision for its students.

In her free time Sunan enjoys relaxing at home with her two golden retrievers at her feet, enjoying good food with good friends and her husband, and traveling when possible. She especially enjoys when her three grown children come home or join her somewhere fun.

Joined Marvelwood in: 2023

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

Shelly grew up in nearby Millerton, NY, and attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where she pursued studies in English and Education. During her time at Vassar, she completed field work in both elementary and high schools and interned with the foster care department of DCFS. With over 20 years in independent and boarding schools, Shelly has held a variety of roles including Learning Specialist, English, ESL, and Health teacher, Department Chair, dorm director, Grade Dean, and Dean of Students. Her career and experience also reflects her deep commitment to character education, Social Emotional Learning, Diversity, Equity, inclusion, social justice, and service, which she integrates into all of her work with joy, empathy, passion, and humor.

In her free time, Shelly enjoys writing, reading, baking, and boxing. She loves exploring the local landscape with her husband Chris, their two children Abby and Gavin, and their dogs, Justice and Keira. Shelly is also active in community service with her family and has recently developed interests in gardening and home renovating.

At Marvelwood Since: 2024

Amy was born in NYC and grew up in West Orange, NJ. Before joining our Marvelwood faculty in 2023 she was living on Long Beach Island, NJ. Amy teaches both Strategy 1 and 2 classes. This year she is living on campus in Sterling dorm with her 3 cats. In her spare time Amy enjoys swimming, skiing, and reading.

At Marvelwood Since: 2023
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Outdoor Adventures

Kate received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Keene State College in May of 2015 and completed her master's at the University of St. Joseph in 2015 with a focus on clinical mental health counseling. Kate was licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2017.

Kate has been working in the counseling field since 2011, doing individual and group work in both residential and outpatient settings. She has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults, counseling them to address a variety of mental health challenges. Kate uses a gentle approach, combining both motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients increase self-esteem, build, and utilize coping skills and form connection with others.

In her spare time, Kate enjoys traveling, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

At Marvelwood Since: 2024

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