New Faculty and Staff, 2024-25

Burroughs welcomed 17 new faculty and staff members for the 2024-2025 school year! Pictured above are (standing, from left) Shadi Peterman, Greg Manning, Iska Nardie-Warner '11, Alex Osorio-Hernández, Nathan Peck, Chris Thomas, Lexi Fitzpatrick, and Veronica Anghel, and (seated, from left) Willie Owens, Sarah Clarke, Emily Elhoffer, Matt DiGiulio, Helena Cunningham and Eavan O'Neil. Not pictured: Doug Sept, Tyler Foote '18, and Katie Stookesberry Ralston '08.

Sarah Clarke joins the Burroughs faculty as a Mathematics Fellow, where she will be teaching Math 7 and Calculus. A graduate of Bowdoin College with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and education, Sarah brings a strong academic foundation and a passion for teaching. Prior to joining Burroughs, she taught at Waynflete School in Maine and is currently pursuing a master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Helena Cunningham joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Modern Language Department and will teach French 3. Prior to coming to Burroughs, Cunningham taught French for 34 years at The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French from Middlebury College, a master’s degree from Middlebury College in French Language and Literature, and a master’s of Education in ESL from The College of New Jersey.

Matt DiGiulio joins the Burroughs faculty as special assistant to the head of school. He is in his third decade as an independent school educator and administrator, and he comes to Burroughs by way of MICDS and Whitfield. Matt holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from Colgate and a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology from Purdue.

Emily Elhoffer is a dedicated educator and artist, joining the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Fine Arts Department and Makerspace Coordinator. Mx. Elhoffer will teach Digital Arts, Integrated Arts, and 8th grade 3-D Art. They hold a bachelor's degree in fine art from the Kansas City Art Institute and a master's degree in fine art from Washington University in St. Louis.

Lexi Fitzpatrick joins the Burroughs community as director of academic s. She brings extensive experience from her nine years at Jemicy School, a renowned institution for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences. Ms. Fitzpatrick holds a bachelor's degree in English from Randolph-Macon College, a master's degree in public administration from Virginia Tech, and a master's in clinical psychology. She is passionate about empowering students who learn differently, fostering growth, creativity, and strength.

Tyler Foote '18 returns to Burroughs as a member of the Computer Science and Technology departments, providing technical support for various departments and assisting with faculty IT needs. He also serves as the head coach for the middle school football team. Mr. Foote holds a bachelor's degree in political science and government from Lake Forest and has various cybersecurity certifications.

Greg Manning joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Academic Support Department, and will also help coach the ice hockey team. Mr. Manning moved to St. Louis from Washington, D.C., where he served as the middle school learning specialist at Georgetown Day School for six years. He also worked as a special education co-teacher at Caesar Chavez Public Charter School. Mr. Manning earned a bachelor's degree in history from The Catholic University of America, where he also played ice hockey, and completed a master's degree in special education at The George Washington University. He also coached ice hockey at Catholic University for nine seasons.

Iska Nardie-Warner '11 returns to Burroughs as a member of the Modern Language Department and the library staff. She earned her bachelor's degree in politics from Whitman College in 2016 after taking a gap year to travel and study in Spain. Ms. Nardie-Warner has taught Spanish and humanities in various schools, most recently at Island School in Kaua'i.

Eavan O'Neil joins the Fine Arts Department as a painting and drawing instructor. She holds bachelor's degrees in fine arts (with an emphasis in painting) and psychology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, with a minor in art history. Ms. O'Neil exhibits her work nationally and internationally and has recently taught at the St. Louis Artists' Guild and the Edwardsville Arts Center.

Alex Osorio-Hernández joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Modern Languages Department, teaching French and Spanish. Originally from Spain, he moved to the U.S. in 2012. He holds a bachelor's degree in English language and literature from the University of Salamanca, a master's degree from the University of Mississippi, and has completed PhD coursework (all but dissertation) at Michigan State University. Mr. Osorio-Hernández previously taught at Incarnate Word Academy and Tower Hill School.

Willie Owens is the new athletic director at Burroughs, bringing a wealth of experience from his tenure at Sandia Prep in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There, he oversaw 70 coaches and 56 teams across 23 sports. A decorated coach, Mr. Owens led the boys' basketball team to nearly 400 wins and numerous championships. He was inducted into the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor and received the Coaching for Character Award in 2022. Originally from Kansas City, he played football at the University of New Mexico, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

Nathan Peck joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Science Department, teaching Chemistry. With 41 years of teaching experience, he has taught at Meramec Community College, Mary Institute, MICDS, and the School District of Clayton. Mr. Peck holds an A.B. and A.M. in Earth and Planetary Sciences , an MBA from The Olin School, and a post-A.B. certificate from the education department, all from Washington University in St. Louis.

Shadi Peterman joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the History Department, teaching 7th, 9th, and 10th grade classes. She holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology and a master's degree in teaching from Washington University in St. Louis, and she is currently working on a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis through the University of Missouri. Before joining the Burroughs community, Ms. Peterman taught social studies for 14 years at Crossroads College Preparatory School, where she was also the director of curriculum for three years.

Katie Stookesberry Ralston ‘08 resides in Basalt, Colorado and will work remotely in the Advancement Office. Prior to coming to Burroughs as the Associate Director of Regional Giving and Engagement, she was the senior development manager at Anderson Ranch Arts Center, director of development at Seven Peaks School, and spent many years in development at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Ralston holds a bachelor’s degree in music business from New York University.

Doug Sept joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Mathematics Department, where he will teach Precalculus Accelerated, AP Calculus BC, and Economics. He earned a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a master's degree in secondary education, mathematics emphasis, from the University of Kentucky. He has spent almost 30 years in education, mainly at independent schools, and has filled various roles. Most recently, he was an administrator and mathematics teacher at Elgin Academy in Elgin, Illinois. Before that, he was an administrator and mathematics teacher at Columbia Independent School in Columbia, Missouri.

Chris Thomas joins the Burroughs community as a member of the Performing Arts Department, where he will teach Chorus and Songwriting. Mr. Thomas most recently worked at Forsyth School, where he taught many current JBS students in his elementary music class. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in vocal music and choral conducting, respectively, from Truman State University. Mr. Thomas sings in the a cappella group One Too Many, which can be heard on streaming services and seen performing locally and across the country.