Fresh Perspectives: New Faculty Join SBS
By Mackenzie Vesey and Robert McCarroll
Every year, a new set of faces joins the incredible faculty here at SBS. From PhDs to accountants, NYC to Illinois, meet the new people you’ll be seeing around campus for (at least) the next school year.
Mr. Frank Ayim
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a medical doctor in the army. However, I couldn't get parental consent to join the forces. Over time, I found a deep passion for teaching, which led me to pursue a career in education.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I became a teacher because I discovered a deep passion for education and wanted to influence young minds positively. I also realized that the most rewarding part of teaching is the ability to inspire students and see them grow into critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
Before joining this school, I was teaching Science at Dwight School Dubai. That experience helped me develop a global perspective on education, working with a diverse group of students, and refining my teaching methods.
Dr. Robert Carle
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I have always wanted to teach. I come from a long line of teachers.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I am drawn to SBS because of its excellent academic standards and its emphasis on character formation.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
I taught at The King's College in Manhattan before I started working here.
Mr. Patrick Cesario
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I had several thoughts as a child about my future, though nothing of any lasting ambition. I contemplated becoming a lawyer. I think I admired Abraham Lincoln in that regard. Also, I joked about becoming a taxi cab driver. I think the television sitcom by the same name attracted me. At different times, I thought about professional sports, especially ice hockey. Yet, that became unrealistic by my teen years. Finally, in my teens, I desired to serve the Lord by serving the poor. With that in mind, I applied to the American University to study international affairs ("studies," as it is called at that university).
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I had been a teacher in the public schools for many years. I was in pursuit of a master's degree in theological studies (online) when in my 30th year of teaching, I became eligible to retire. I was considering pastoral work in a church as well as teaching or leadership in a Christian school. I applied to the Stony Brook School. I found the process of speaking with key individuals in the school, coming to campus, and teaching a class, all supported with much prayer and counsel, to be convincing. I knew that God wanted me here. Thus, in a five-month period, I submitted my retirement papers, finished my 30th year, and began a new chapter of my life here.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
See question two.
Mr. Stuart Clay
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I think I wanted to be a lot of things, but mostly a soldier. I was super into war movies and historical fiction. I loved learning about the American Revolution and the Civil War, and European history too. I liked to imagine myself taking part in those events.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I always loved the idea of teaching at a boarding school. I especially like SBS's commitment to Christ and to being intellectually rigorous. SBS is a good place for people who like to think and study, and for teachers who want to experience a great community.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
I was working on my Master of Divinity degree at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. I love studying theology and very much see teaching as a ministry.
Ms. Megan Collins
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an interior designer. However, I realized that I lack the creativity for that.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I started by coaching lacrosse here. I loved the community of Stony Brook and all of the girls on my team. It seemed like an amazing place to work.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
I was an accountant for a firm on Long Island for 2 years before I came to teach here.
Mrs. Bernarda Del Villar
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I am originally from Colombia, I was born in Barranquilla, a city 20 minutes away from the ocean. I used to be outside a lot, I was always playing with friends. I enjoyed this time, it was like summer…always!
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I studied to be a teacher, I like to be with people and see how they learn and have fun while they learn. I also wanted to be a role model for kids in the classroom and outside of it. I believe in education and how people can be transformed through it.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
I was a teacher and department chair at another boarding school in New Hampshire. I enjoy the boarding school lifestyle as I get to know students in different aspects: classroom, dorm, fields. I also was a college professor at Clemson University in South Carolina many years ago.
Mrs. Marisa D’Ulisse
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
As a child, I wanted to be a Fashion Designer and took a High School class at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I had the blessing of being Mrs. Anna MacDonald’s leave replacement in 2017 when she had Winston and I fell in love with the community, the students, and the school. I love working for a faith-based Christian School and a school that has a wonderful reputation and is only a half hour away from my home in Commack.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
In the 90's I worked in the fashion industry and in 2001 I started teaching art and have taught since. Last year I taught in an all-girls Jewish school in Hewlett Bay Harbor.
I have taught K-12th grade, drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, 3D printing, sewing, and fashion design
Mr. Jeremiah Swanson
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Growing up on a small farm, I loved stories about Cowboys and Indians and frontiersmen. As a child, I wanted to be some sort of a frontiersman / pioneer / cowboy.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I was drawn to SB's character-based Christian ethos and academic reputation. I also wanted my young kids to experience the social richness of a boarding school campus. I was intrigued by the Long Island location as well.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
Before SB, I was advising and managing international security for extreme-risk humanitarian operations around the world.
Dr. Harrison Troyano
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
When I was a child, I wanted to be an archaeologist or musician.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I wanted to teach at Stony Brook because of its academic and religious character, but also because it is close to where my wife and I grew up. We wanted to raise our daughter close to her grandparents.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
I finished my PhD in Classics and taught Latin and Greek in NYC!
Dr. Ann Tucker
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
When I was a child I wanted to be a mother and a math teacher. I enjoyed babysitting, reading Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie mysteries, and doing difficult math problems.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I wanted to teach at SBS because of its reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to building the character of young people. In many ways I feel that God called on me to become a teacher and spread my love of math to the students at SBS and I am enjoying doing that very much. I have been made to feel welcome here by all the students, faculty, and staff. SBS is a special place.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
Before I came to SBS I worked in finance as a commodities trader for twenty years. I decided to change my career to teaching high school when my youngest child went to college (he is a Sophomore at Cornell now).
Mr. Daniel Watts
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
When I was a kid growing up in the Bronx, I wanted to be Center Fielder for the New York Yankees, just like my favorite player (and lookalike) Bernie Williams.
Why did you want to become a teacher at the school?
I wanted to come work at Stony Brook because of the opportunities it offers to work with brilliant and high-integrity colleagues and students, mentor students inside and outside the classroom, and hopefully inject a bit of peace into the stressful college application process. I also just got married, and my wife and I found SBS to be a unique opportunity to be part of each other's work and home lives, compared to other jobs where we'd need to commute, spend almost all day apart from each other, and rarely get to meet each other's coworkers/students.
What were you doing before you became a teacher at the school?
Before coming to SBS, I was working at Wheaton College, a Christian liberal arts school outside of Chicago. My roles there included serving on the enrollment and undergraduate admissions senior leadership teams, running a college access and retention program for underrepresented students, helping lead DUB efforts in undergraduate admissions and across campus, and serving as a Title IX investigator/adjudicator.
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, we were unable to include here Ms. Chengmei Han, Mr. Kelly Mukisa, and Ms. McKenzie Taylor.