New Faculty and Staff, 2023-24

Burroughs welcomed 11 new faculty and staff members for the 2023-24 school year! Pictured above are (standing, from left) Scott Hessel, Darren Wang, John Colbert, and Bobby Bloch, and (seated from left) Maddi Hicks Bridenbeck '12, Ben Roberts, Anne Deken and Jordan Haeusser.

Bobby Bloch joins the English Department and will teach English 7 and English I. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Kenyon College and a master’s degree at Tufts University, both in English. With nearly 15 years classroom experience, he has worked in a variety of school settings and with a broad range of students, including non-traditional learners. Most recently, he taught English language arts, science, and math to students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the Ritenour School District’s alternative program.

Maddi Hicks Bridenbeck ’12 returns to Burroughs as the school's new Family & Community Engagement Manager. She earned her bachelor’s degree (with concentrations in sociology, economics, and psychology) from Hamilton College before pursuing her MBA at The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Most recently, she worked as a senior account manager at Cision, a global software company.

John Colbert joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Math Department, where he will teach Algebra I and Geometry Accelerated. He studied at Brown University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Most recently, he worked at The College School in Webster Groves, where he designed and taught a wide variety of middle school courses, including an introduction to computer science and an experience-based adventure class. 

Andrew Davis, PhD joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Math Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physics (with an emphasis in astronomy) at Brigham Young University, and his master’s degrees and doctorate in astronomy at Yale University. Most recently, he taught upper-school math courses including a variety of AP-level courses in addition to astronomy electives at Saint Louis Priory School. In 2022, he was a finalist for the Saint Louis Science Center’s Loeb Prize for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics. He will teach Geometry, Algebra II Accelerated, and Precalculus Honors.

Anne Deken joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Science Department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in elementary education at Truman State University. For the past 15 years, she taught life science at Forsyth School, and has also spent many summers developing science curriculum at Washington University in St. Louis. She will teach Science 7 and Biology.

Jocelyn Giles joins Burroughs as an associate director of college counseling. Before joining the Burroughs faculty, Giles was senior assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, she served as a founding college counselor, and career and financial aid advisor for several high schools and CBOs on the East Coast, demonstrating her strong commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their postsecondary goals. Giles earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology at Princeton University, and her master’s degree in education policy and management at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Jordan Haeusser is a recent graduate of Missouri Baptist University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She will join the Athletic Department, where she will teach P.E. and coach girls tennis, basketball, and lacrosse.

Scott Hessel joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the English Department, where he will teach English 8 and English II. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English and theological studies from Saint Louis University, as well as a master’s degree in English (also at SLU). Most recently, he taught theology at Saint Louis Priory School; prior to that, he taught English in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, as part of the U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Program. 

Ben Roberts joins the Burroughs faculty as a fellow in the History Department. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and comparative literature from Harvard University last spring, and spent the summer teaching at The Taft School, his alma mater. At Burroughs, he will teach Social Studies 8 and World Civilizations I. He will be teaching Social Studies 8 and World Civilizations I.

Angelia Rougeau, MeD joins the Burroughs faculty as a member of the Science Department and will teach Science 7 and Biology. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at SIU Carbondale and her master’s degree in aeronautical operations and management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; she also holds a master’s degree in secondary education and is currently working on her PhD in teaching and learning processes at UMSL. Previously, she worked as a science curriculum specialist within St. Louis Public Schools, developing and implementing the secondary science curriculum for 20 schools. Most recently, she served as principal at Clyde C. Miller Career Academy.

Darren Wang is a recent graduate of Williams College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He joins the Burroughs faculty as a fellow in the Science Department and will be teaching Science 8. Given his background and training, he is especially excited to support students engaging in field work at Bio Drey Land.

*Burroughs Teaching Fellows are recent college graduates or young professionals who are interested in beginning careers in independent school education. They join the JBS faculty full-time for a two-year program that includes on-campus housing, mentoring, and professional development. In 2022, Burroughs became a member of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education’s Independent School Teaching Residency Program (ISTR), which is comprised of some of the most prestigious boarding and day schools in the country.