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 Coordinator Consultant, bringing 10 years of private school safety and security experience to Marvelwood. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management and Public Safety Leadership, Brian holds OSHA certification in General Industry and Construction, is an authorized OSHA outreach trainer in General Industry, and an instructor with the American Heart Association (CPR/AED, First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogens). He has several FEMA certifications including incident response and school safety, National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Incident Command System (ICS), and is a certified ALICE instructor (active shooter/violent intruder). A certified EMT and firefighter, Brian has been an active volunteer with local fire and ambulance departments for the past 13 years, and served as the Emergency Management Director for the Town of Kent for five years.

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 fifteen years of experience in enrollment management in independent schools. She has worked at all grade levels in urban and suburban schools, co-educational and single-sex schools, and schools for traditional learners as well as those with robust academic support programs for students with learning disabilities.

Prior to 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. Additionally, Sunan volunteers actively in her community 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 eager to get to know the community and contribute meaningfully to Marvelwood’s mission and vision for its students.

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

Matt joined the Pterodactyl team in Fall 2023 as a teacher and college counselor. Matt earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University, and was published in the 2017 Journal of Undergraduate Psychological Research. Matt earned his master’s degree in secondary education at Sacred Heart University, and has an extensive background teaching students with a plethora of academic, social-emotional, and behavioral backgrounds.

Matt has a dynamic coaching background, and served as the Assistant Track & Field Coach at Greenwich High School during the 2022-2023 school year, serving as the lead coach for the sprinters and distance runners, leading the team to back-to-back team victories at the 2023 FCIAC Indoor T&F and 2023 FCIAC Outdoor T&F Championships.

In addition to his teaching and college counseling roles, Matt will serve as the head coach of the boy’s JV Basketball and boy’s Varsity Tennis teams.

Growing up in Westport, CT, Matt is a Swiss citizen with family around the globe. An avid runner, cyclist, and reader, Matt also enjoys Formula 1, the latest Netflix documentaries, and traveling.

At Marvelwood Since: 2023
Athletics/After-School Activity Assignment: Boys' JV Basketball, Boys' Tennis

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