Faculty and Staff Directory

Always looking to capture that authentic "Northwood Moment" on camera, Michael brings the Northwood Experience to life. Prior to joining Northwood, Michael worked as a freelance photographer / graphic designer. His client list included: Hilton Resorts, Miller Sports Group, IMG, SBC Media, Aruba Publications, Golf Digest, P3 Vodka, Olympic Regional Development Authority, Crowne Plaza Resorts, and New York ByWays. Capturing all aspects of the Northwood family through images and video remains as challenging and fun today as it was when he joined Northwood in 2002. 

Sandy Baker brings over thirty years of administrative office experience to her position as Administrative Assistant to College Counseling, and Registrar.  She is a native Adirondacker, born and raised in Saranac Lake, where she lives with her husband, Bruce, and Willow and Bob, their Jack Russell and Rat Terrier/Pomeranian dogs.  

Biesemeyer joins Northwood after a storied racing career and 15 years of alpine racing, training, and coaching experience. A resident of Keene, New York, and known within the ski community as "B.Z.," Biesemeyer began skiing at the age of three and had his first race at age seven when he joined the New York Ski Education Foundation (NYSEF) program at Whiteface Mountain. At 12, Biesemeyer competed in J3 and J4 races but always had sights set on the U.S. Ski Team. A victory at the '03 Junior Olympics started him down that path, and he then made his World Cup debut in 2010 and the Olympic Team in 2018. 

Jody has held positions as a Medical/Surgical floor nurse, a nurse in an Ambulatory Surgical Unit, and at St Joseph's Addiction Treatment Center. She has been a volunteer EMT in NY and Colorado, a certified massage therapist, and an ESL instructor. She is happy to be back in her hometown and especially in her home neighborhood, having grown up around the corner from Northwood School. She enjoys the Adirondacks and all the great outdoors.

Teresa became a full-time resident of Lake Placid in 2013 after 20 years of experience in bank regulation. Teresa worked in Boston, Washington D.C. and Manhattan before settling in the area. Teresa, her husband Kevin, and three children love what Lake Placid has to offer. They are avid skiers, hikers, and enjoy the arts.

Associate Head of Shool, Thomas (Brody) Broderick has been in the school business for almost thirty years, all at Northwood School. Educated at Hamilton College, he received a bachelor's of arts degree in political science that focused on American Democracy. Mr. Broderick is instrumental in the continued development of the Northwood on Main project. He is married to Nicole, and they have two children, Morgan '19 and Kate '22. The Brodericks love Lake Placid and enjoy spending their time skiing, skating, swimming, hiking and biking.

Kelly Carter joins Northwood as a full-time coach in the Learning Center. She will also be working with the students and faculty on sustainability issues at the school. Kelly is a Lake Placid resident who has worked as the Youth Climate Program Coordinator for the Wild Center from 2017-19. Prior to this she worked as the Sustainability Coordinator for SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton for four years and as a Science Faculty and Assistant Coordinator for the Learning Center at National Sports Academy for eight years. 

Born and raised in New Hampshire, Andy attended the University of New Hampshire in Durham where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology with a specialization of Athletic Training.  He received his masters from Indiana State University in Athletic Training. Andy worked at Lake Placid Sports Medicine for two years before coming to Northwood School in 1997. Andy is the  Athletic Trainer, and Health teacher.  He resides in Lake Placid with his wife Carrie, daughters Sara ‘18 & Haley ‘21 & son Drew ’23. He loves all outdoor activities with golf, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing being his among his favorites.

Durocher joins Northwood as an assistant hockey coach, strength and conditioning coach, and oversight of the fitness center. He has a long hockey career spanning from Junior “A”, collegiate, and playing professionally. Durocher attended SUNY Oswego where he majored in health and wellness management and minored in coaching. In his free time, Durocher enjoys golfing, spending time with family and friends, and experiencing all the ADKs has to offer.

Bob is a new faculty member and will teach upper-level math classes. He is a Bates College graduate who holds a Master’s in Teaching degree from SUNY Cortland. He is a New York State certified math teacher who has been teaching at Mountain Lake Academy since 2012. In his role there, he has taught many levels of math from Algebra to AP Calculus and he utilizes a number of different online platforms in his teaching. Bob is also a Suzuki guitar instructor and has worked as an outdoor field instructor at the National Outdoor Leadership School and at Adirondack Leadership Expeditions. He lives in Ray Brook with his wife, Whitney, and their 3 children.

Fachin is a quantitative researcher and developer with extensive experience in the finance industry working at Citadel LLC, JP Morgan, and Credit Suisse First Boston. He holds a Ph. D. in Mathematical Physics from New York University and Math Certificate in Financial Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, whereby he received numerous fellowship honors.

Marcy Fagan graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.S. in Biology and then completed a M.A.T. at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Marcy is the Science Department Chair and Director of Northwood's LEAP Program. She teaches Biology and Geology and enjoys exploring the outdoors. You'll see her on her mountain bike in warmer months and on the ski slopes in the winter.

Justin is a  proud Northwood alum (Class of 2014) from Pembroke, Ontario and will be teaching English and coaching hockey.  After playing junior hockey for three years with the Pembroke Lumber Kings in the CCHL, he attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY (Class of 2021).  Justin received a B.A. in English Literature and served as a captain of the Men's Hockey Team during his time at Hamilton. Away from the classroom and the rink, he spends his free time playing guitar, golfing, and hiking with friends.  

Raychel is joining Northwood as the Director of Ski Operations. At the age of 14, Raychel began traveling from her hometown of Roswell, GA, to Lake Placid, NY, to train and compete in the sport of Luge. She competed internationally for the United States Luge team for eight years. After becoming Junior National Champion in 2014, Germaine was named to the National Team, where she later competed at the World Cup/World Championship level. After retiring from Luge, she proceeded to obtain her BS in Nutrition from Arizona State University. Raychel loves to cook and enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and miniature dachshund Ziggy.  

Trevor Gilligan '03, a North Country native, led the Northwood Girls to a 46-14-6 record in his first season.  Some memorable moments included winning the Fall Foliage Tournament, reaching the finals in the Detroit Two Nations Cup, Nashville Country Classic, and the New York State Championship. Before taking over the girls' program, Gilligan spent two seasons alongside Chadd Cassidy as the Associate Head Coach of the Boys' Junior Hockey team. Previous to Northwood, Gilligan was the Head Coach at SUNY Canton, leading the men's hockey team's transition to the NCAA Division III level. He started his coaching career here at Northwood from 2008-2013.  Gilligan has extensive experience at Northwood School as a dorm parent, coach, advisor, and a member of the Class of 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree at SUNY Oswego and was a member of the Lakers 2007 National Championship hockey team. Gilligan and his wife Katie live on campus.

Ben is a North Country native from Saranac Lake and will be teaching physics and math classes. He received his B.S in Mathematics and Physics from St. Lawrence University and a B.S in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University as part of a 3+2 combined plan program. He then went on to receive his Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Vermont where he focused on monitoring fatigue in structural and biomechanical systems. In his free time, Ben trail runs or gravel bikes everything in the adirondacks.

Lee holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education and is a graduate of Florida State University where she received her Bachelor’s of Arts in English and Education. Lee has spent the past 15 years teaching high school students literature, reading, English, and social studies. She was most recently the MS and HS English Department Chair, Literature Teacher for Grades 9-12 at Pioneer Academy in New Jersey. She has received many accolades for her curricular leadership and design projects and has been heavily involved in school leadership activities throughout her tenure.  

Katherine is a north country native, born and raised in Massena, NY.  She played three years of junior hockey for the Northern Cyclones in Hudson, NH, then continued playing hockey at Holy Cross for four years. Katherine graduated this past May with a bachelors degree in political science. She enjoys playing soccer, being on the river, and hanging out with family and friends. 

 Michael Maher’s career in boarding schools began at the Taft School in Watertown, CT where he served as a history teacher, dorm parent, advisor, and Dean of Students. After eighteen years at Taft, Mr. Maher was appointed Head of Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA in 2004, a role he held until 2013.

Since arriving at Northwood in July 2015, Mr. Maher and his administrative team have added several new signature academic programs such as Innovation and Design, Entrepreneurship, the L.E.A.P. Program and the Learning Center.  Additionally, Mr. Maher has spearheaded efforts to expand performing arts opportunities, co-curricular and athletic options and improve and grow Northwood’s physical plant.

Mr. Maher, an accomplished musician who is highly proficient on several instruments, performs regularly in the local community as well as in the school’s living room.  He is also a successful entrepreneur, having created and owned several companies most notably The Kerry Cup, an elite education and golf program for high school students from around the world that is held annually in Waterville, Ireland.  Mr. Maher has a BA from the University of Vermont in Political Science and Russian Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Studies (MALS) from Wesleyan University.

Mandi has over 30 years of dancing and teaching experience. She started her training at the Minnesota School of Ballet at the age of 3 and became a junior company member at the age of 11. She attended the University of Memphis where she toured, performed and competed all over the United States and furthered her training and choreography development in ballet, jazz, hip hop, and stepping dance styles. She transferred to the University of Iowa to complete her BS in Nursing, and fell in love with modern dance in the Iowa Dance Department, and then went on to teach and choreograph for many students in Maine, on Martha's Vineyard, as well as in the Atlanta area. Mandi has lived in the Adirondacks for the past seven years with her husband Dan, and five children.

Stephen is a 2006 graduate of Northwood School. He was the team captain on the first team to reach 40 wins under current coach Mark Morris. Stephen has had an extensive coaching career following a successful collegiate career at Oswego State University and minor pro career. He began coaching at Manhattanville College, earning a master’s degree in Sport Business Management. He then joined the College at Brockport for two seasons before being hired at King’s College as the first head coach in program history. Most recently, Stephen was the head coach at the Albany Academy Prep School.

Born in Puerto Rico, as a military dependent, Elenor grew up enjoying the travel that is part of a military family’s life. She graduated from high school in Germany and attended OLVA in Plattsburgh, NY.

Elenor's work experience is as varied as her outside interests from having owned a children's clothing store while her children were young to working in accounting and also selling real estate part time. Elenor joined Northwood School in 2001 and has been part of the admission office since then. Three of Elenor's children attended Northwood School, Jerica Young '05, Fergie Young '09 and Richele Young. Elenor lives in the scenic town of Jay, NY with her son, Jaron.

Jeff Martin received his M.S. from Alfred University and has been a teacher, coach and dorm parent at Northwood School since 1995.  Jeff has taught physical science, chemistry, geology, astronomy, algebra II and algebra III and coached tennis, soccer, hockey and wilderness skills during his time at Northwood.  He serves as chair of the Innovation, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship department and coaches Northwood's Robotics Team.  Jeff, his wife Sytske and their daughter Anja enjoy the many outdoor activities of the Lake Placid area and spending quiet time at their home in Wilmington.

Sytske Martin has been a part of the Northwood Community for close to two decades.  Educated at Alfred University, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 and later received a degree in Massage Therapy from NCCC.  Sytske currently works as a Northwood Library Services Coordinator.  She is married to Jeff Martin, the school's Innovation, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship director. They live in nearby Wilmington, NY with their daughter Anja.  Sytske enjoys being outdoors in the Adirondacks and staying active with her family and pets.

Kelvin Martinez joined Northwood from the Fay School in Southborough, MA.  Mr. Martinez serves as Northwood's Dean of Multicultural Affairs and Recruitment. He is also a Spanish instructor and head coach of the boys’ soccer team. He is currently working on his Ph.D. at the University of Albany in the Department of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.  Mr. Martinez lives on campus with his wife Nora and their three children.

As the Director of College Counseling David provides college-related guidance and support for students and their parents, maintains professional relationships with college admission officers, and oversees the programs for students regarding the college search process. Previous to Northwood School, David was the Director of College Counseling at Berkshire School. Prior to this, he spent four years as Director of College Counseling and Assistant Registrar at Beijing High School No. 4 and Beijing National Day School in China. He has also worked as an admissions officer at Creighton University, Siena College, Hamilton College, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a graduate of Colby College with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, and St. Lawrence University with a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and is active in numerous professional associations. David, his wife Marleny, and their son Sean live in Lake Placid.

Born and raised in the Boston area, Jeff attended Reading Memorial High School before embarking on a post graduate year at Phillips Andover Academy.   Jeff went on to attend Dartmouth College, where he was a four-year letterman and assistant captain of the ice hockey team. Jeff graduated in 1990 with a B.A. in History.

After playing professional hockey in Europe, Jeff pursued a career in finance where he worked for JPMorgan, FBR Capital Markets, and Guggenheim Partners.  Jeff also coached hockey as the assistant coach for Reading High School and as a head coach in the New England Fall Prep School League. Jeff joined the Northwood School's faculty in 2018 and assumed the Director of Financial Aid responsibilities in 2020. In addition to his work in the admission office, Mr. Miller is a teacher in the Math Department and coaches the Boys' Prep Hockey team

Prior to joining Northwood, Jon served as founder and CEO of Black Rock Football Club. Before that, he served as the head soccer coach at Berkshire School for 11 years, where the won three National Prep Championships. While at Berkshire, Jon was also an Associate Director of Admission and member of the English faculty.  Jon brings over 20 years of experience in coaching and education to Northwood School.   Jon is married to Martina Moodey, a former member of the Spanish faculty at Berkshire School.  They have two children and reside on campus.

Mark, a former student-athlete at Northwood, held a fourteen-year tenure at Clarkson University,  won 306 games while losing 156 and tying 42 and was twice ECAC coach of the year. He returned to Northwood in 2004 as a coach, leading the team to Northwood's first 40-win season ever. In 2006, he was appointed head coach of the Manchester Monarchs in the AHL. There he posted a record of 339-223-67. After his time at Northwood from 2004-2006, he also coached with the Florida Panthers, Charlotte Checkers, and Saint Lawrence University.

Jeff teaches history and serves as the 12th grade class dean. He graduated with a BA from Connecticut College and a MS from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Jeff lives on campus with his wife Kelsey and dog Seymour. He enjoys all things Adirondacks and is an avid hockey fan. 

Bobby O’Connor is an avid outdoor professional with expedition and teaching experience in paddling, rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering. He is an NYS licensed guide, wilderness first responder, certified whitewater, kayaking/canoeing, and climbing wall instructor. He has received advanced training in NYS wildland search skills, challenge course technology, and avalanche response. O’Connor received a B.S. (2013) and M.S. (2017) in Expeditionary Studies from SUNY Plattsburgh. Before Northwood, O’Connor was a recreation professor at Paul Smith’s College and the Outdoor/Adventure Education Coordinator overseeing the infrastructure necessary for running the outdoor programs.    

Vanessa has 25 years of dance and teaching experience. She received her training at Impulse Dance Center in Natick, Massachusetts, and was a member of the Connecting Pointe Dance Company at Impulse Dance Center where she studied ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern and hip hop. Vanessa was on staff with Star Power Dance Studio in Rio Grande City, Texas while working as a special education teacher. Vanessa also holds a Masters in Educational Administration and combines her love of education with the art form of dance. She and her husband John are residents of Saranac Lake with their four children.

Prime is an award-winning educational innovator and entrepreneur, visionary STEAM school leader, and school designer. Her work is featured in the New York Times and Today Show.  Before Northwood, Prime was a founding NYC principal where she designed and led an innovative STEAM high school that served 450 students and 65 staff. Her background includes a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and multiple master’s degrees and leadership program certificates, awards, and fellowships in secondary education, leadership, and school design.

After graduating from Bowdoin College in 1969, Mr. Reed joined the staff of Kingsley Hall School in Westbrook, Connecticut where he taught English for two years and served as athletic director and baseball coach.  In 1971 he became a member of the Northwood faculty.  Over the past four decades, he has served Northwood in a variety of capacities:  Chair of the English department, head of college guidance, assistant headmaster, and coach of various sports.  Steve is actively involved in the Lake Placid community, he has been elected a town justice and chairman of the public school board as well as being on the boards of The Adirondack Medical Center, The Deo Coburn Foundation, The Essex County Mental Health Association, The Lake Placid/North Elba Historical Society, and The Adirondack Experience.

A 1992 graduate of the University of Vermont, Gino has been a successful coach, school administrator, and athletic director since becoming an educator in 1998.  In his nine years as Head Boys' Coach at Kimball Union Academy, he recruited and mentored 18 Division I players, four of whom were NHL draft picks. Two of his teams won the NEPSAC Small School Championship. From KUA he returned to his high school alma mater, Rice Memorial in Burlington as Associate Principal for Student Life and Athletic Director. In his three years at Rice, the school won 19 state championship titles. He currently serves as Northwood's  Director of Admissions.

Originally from Clifton Park, New York, Leigh graduated from Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut in 2011. She then played four years on defense for the Connecticut College Camels where she won the Erica M. Vos Award of Valor in the spring of her senior year. After her collegiate career, Leigh spent two years as Canterbury's Associate Head Girls' Hockey coach and as an instructor in history and math. She helped guide the Saints to two New England championship tournament quarterfinal appearances.  In the summers Leigh has worked for USA Hockey at Eastern and New England development camps.  

Matt Roy has taught Physics, Physical Science, and Biology at Northwood School since 2004.  He has also coached various sports including soccer, crew, and whitewater kayaking..  Before life at Northwood, Matt was the Executive Director of the United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation and a member of the 1988 Olympic Bobsled team.  He is a 1982 graduate of St. Lawrence University where he majored in Biology and Environmental Studies.  Matt is married and has four children – Emily ’08, Kate ’06, Chris ’15 and Robbie.

Howard has taught Spanish and English at Northwood, and coached the Crew, since 2005, and currently serves as chair of the Foreign Language Department. He rowed on the varsity lightweight crew at Yale and graduated with a B.A. in philosophy. His master's degree is in film. Before coming to Northwood, he worked as a copy editor and spent four years coaching men's and women's crews at the University of Chicago.

After graduating from Northwood in 1988, John attended Williams College, where he captained the varsity hockey team. He returned to Northwood from 1992-94 to teach English and psychology and coach hockey and lacrosse. Prior to returning to Northwood 2011, John was the Director of College Guidance and Assistant Head of School at National Sports Academy. Prior to being named Assistant Head for School Life, John Spear ’88 was Northwood's Director of College Counseling. He also teaches Journalism and AP Psychology. John lives on campus in Bergamini with his wife Martha and son Yosef.

Adam Stewart is a passionate music educator from central New Hampshire. He grew up on the campus of Tilton School where he graduated with honors in 2002. He earned his BS Music Education (vocal focus) from Elon University in 2006 and has taught in public and private day schools ever since. Adam is excited to return to the private boarding school environment and cannot wait to share his depth of musical knowledge and love of performance with the Northwood community.

Ingrid is a teacher in Northwood's visual arts program. She is an accomplished pastel painter and has shown her work in national shows throughout the country.  Married to Paul, they have two children, Maris ’15 and Andrew '21, and enjoy skiing in the winter and spending summers on Big Moose Lake.

Jill Walker, Northwood's Dean of Faculty and an instructor in the math and science department, has been at Northwood School since 2004. Prior to arriving at Northwood, she taught at the University of South Carolina and at a private all-girls school in Rochester, N.Y.  Mrs. Walker earned her B.A. in Biology at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and her M.S. in Biology at the University of South Carolina.  Her teaching duties include biology, human biology and AP Biology.  She is married to Jim, a managing editor at a small publishing company, and they live with their dog Roscoe in Lake Placid.

Carrie Grady Wardlaw was born and raised in Lake Placid. She is 1988 graduate of the ski racing academy Mountain House School and earned her B.A. in Education at Plattsburgh State University. Mrs. Wardlaw is three time Ironman finisher and a competitive water-skier. This is her second time as part of the Northwood School faculty and staff. From 1997-2005, she was a history teacher, ski and conditioning coach, advisor and dorm parent. After spending seven years and having three children in Park City, Mrs. Wardlaw and her husband Tait, decided to move back to Lake Placid to be closer to family and she began working at Northwood School again in the fall of 2013 as part of the Admissions Team. Mrs. Wardlaw was appointed Senior Associate Director of Admission in 2020 and in addition to her responsibilities in the admission office, Mrs. Wardlaw is also a teacher in the Humanities Department. 

Mrs. Wardlaw and Tait live in Lake Placid with their children, Wyatt, Teegan and Luke.

Tim Weaver has been at Northwood since 1991. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College and his Master's Degree in Education from University of Massachusetts.  Mr. Weaver is also a girls’ lacrosse coach in the spring.  He is married to Katie Weaver, Studio Art Teacher at North Country School, and has two daughters, Amy ’11 and Erin.  He is an avid skate skier in the winter time and enjoys competing in the local mini-tri's in the summer.

After graduation from Nazareth College of Rochester in 1991, Lisa enjoyed a successful 12-year business career.  In 2003 she moved to Lake Placid and joined the boarding school world through the National Sports Academy where she held many positions including Spanish teacher, Winter Program Coordinator, Academic Dean, College Counselor and Head of School.  She joined the Northwood School community in 2015 and loves her roles as an academic coach and the coordinator of the Learning Center. Lisa is also the 10th Grade Class Dean.

Lisa lives in Lake Placid with her husband Randy and their son, Jonathan. They enjoy everything the Adirondacks have to offer.  When not on campus, you can usually find Lisa cross-country skiing, biking, running, paddling, cooking or working in her garden.  

Tara holds a Masters of Science in School Psychology from The College of Saint Rose and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah College. She has worked with families and students in PreK - grade 12, building upon each student’s unique strengths to maximize their learning. Tara joined Northwood School in 2018 to provide counseling services, educational and mental health assessment, and Learning Center Coaching services.  She lives in Lake Placid with her husband, Jacob, and children, Alex, Nate, Jack, and Juliet.