New Canaan Country School Welcomes New Faculty, Staff, Apprentice Teachers

On Sept. 8, New Canaan Country School will welcome students in Beginners through Grade 9 back to campus for the new school year. In addition, the community will welcome its newest faculty and staff.

“Joining us this year are an immensely talented group who are passionate about educating children and transforming lives,” said Head of School Aaron Cooper.

New faculty and staff members include:

JoAnn Corsillo, Controller, most recently worked at The Allen-Stevenson School in NYC, an independent school with over 400 students, for six years in an identical role. Prior to that, she served for 12 years as the Director of Finance at Preston High School. 

Samantha Gault, Part-time Upper School English Teacher and Advisor. Ms. Gault most recently taught at The Dalton School in Manhattan for five years. Prior to that, she spent eight years teaching at Greenwich Academy. She earned her B.A. in English at Dartmouth College and an M.A. in English from Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English.

 Sara Krusekopf, Upper School Math Teacher, Advisor and Coach. Since 2016, Ms. Krusekopf has taught Upper School mathematics, including Algebra I and Honors Geometry, to Grades 9-12 at the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, TX. Ms. Krusekopf holds a 7-12 Mathematics Educator Certificate for the state of Texas and New York. She earned both her B.A. in Mathematics with a minor in Spanish and her M.A. in Teaching from Austin College. 

 Gaetana Deiso, Athletic Trainer and Health Office Assistant. Ms. Deiso received a B.S. in Athletic Training and a minor in Nutrition from Springfield College and an N.A.T.A certification. She has served as the Head Certified Athletic Trainer at Staples High School for the past 17 years where she provided athletic training for 69 varsity and sub-varsity teams. She is also the owner of a personal training center, Body Blast Sports Performance.

Brian Muller, Associate Music Teacher Grades 3-9. Mr. Muller has served as a long-term substitute  music teacher in the Westport Public Schools. Previously, he was a Minister of Music, organist, and choir director at the Zion Lutheran Church in Stamford. Mr. Muller holds a B.S. in Music Education from Concordia College and a Master of Science in Music Education from Western Connecticut University.

Tom Hogenkamp, Upper School English and History Teacher. Mr. Hogenkamp has served as a Middle School Apprentice and Associate Teacher for the past three years, teaching Grade 6 English, social studies, and mathematics. During recent summers, he has worked as a Lead Teacher for the Northfield Mount Hermon School’s Summer Session.  He earned a B.A. in English and Russian from Wake Forest University in 2018 and an M.A. in the Teaching of English at Columbia University Teachers College.

Fay Venetsanos, Grade 5 Teacher. Since 2010, Ms. Venetsanos has held several positions at Greenwich Academy including: Reading Teacher, Group II Head Teacher, Mentor Teacher and Lower School Community Service Director. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College, an M.S. in Neuroscience and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and an M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College.

Cherie Corchard, Physical Education Teacher, Coach. Since 2016, Ms. Corchard has been a Physical Education Teacher and Coach at the Convent of the Sacred Heart School (NYC). Previously, she had worked on the coaching staff of the softball, volleyball and swimming teams at The Spence School, also in New York. She earned both a B.S. in Physiology and an M.S. in Physical Education Sport Based Youth Development from Adelphi University.

 The school is also pleased to welcome the following new Apprentice Teachers to their one- to three-year teacher training program: Tori Bartlett, Grade 3 Apprentice; Will Bass, Grade 6 Apprentice; Hailey Biagi, Grade 4 Apprentice; Lauren Catalano, Grade 1 Apprentice; Kelly Cattano, Kindergarten Apprentice; Monae Cherry, Grade 2 Apprentice; Kendall Cornine, PE Apprentice; Tate Given, Grade 3 Apprentice; NCCS alumnus Clay Kontulis ’12, Grade 5 Apprentice; NCCS alumna Allison Smith ’98, Grade 3 Apprentice; Jayne Tully, Grade 6 Apprentice; and NCCS alumna Emma Zachary ’13, Grade 2 Apprentice.

The Apprentice Teacher Training Program provides on-the-job training and professional development workshops for individuals interested in becoming elementary and middle school teachers. Founded in 1953, the school’s program is the second-oldest in the country and will host a total of 22 new and returning Apprentice Teachers for the 2021-22 academic year.

New Canaan Country School is a co-ed, independent day school for students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through Grade 9 living in Westchester and Fairfield counties. Our graduates excel at top day, boarding and public secondary schools and go on to lead lives of impact and purpose. For more information, please visit countryschool.net.

Thomas McClure
Noble House Media
(203) 903-1225