Farewell to our 2026 leavers

As the academic year draws to a close, we want to express our deepest gratitude to ASL’s departing employees. This list honors those who moved on to next chapters earlier in the 2025–26 school year, as well as those leaving us this month. Each of these individuals has made a wonderful impact on our community, and the School is far better for it. Thank you, 2026 leavers, for your years of dedicated service to the ASL community!

Sue Moffat (ASL 1992–2026), administrative assistant to the lower school principal

“Sue has been the heartbeat of the Lower School for 34 extraordinary years. Through four lower school principals, six assistant principals, and six heads of school—and a jaw-dropping 100-plus-mile round trip commute—Sue has been the steady, brilliant presence that keeps everything running. Need an answer to an impossible question? Sue had it. Need a laugh on a tough day? Sue delivered, often from her desk, where her infectious humor brightened everyone’s spirits. And then there are the cards—those beautiful, hand-crafted birthday cards that Sue created with such care. Colleagues from across ASL would make the pilgrimage to the Lower School Office not just for a card, but for the personal touch and love Sue poured into each one. Sue has been the anchor we could always rely on, the colleague who knows everyone, the friend who made us smile, and the irreplaceable voice of the lower school community. We’re already missing her, and we’ll continue to miss her deeply. But Sue’s legacy at ASL—especially in the Lower School—is permanent. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle!”

– Sarah Ong (ASL 1994–present), Sacha McVean (ASL 2017–present), and Patrick Lee (ASL 1995–98, 2002–present)

Helen Jackson ’79 P ’23 (ASL 1994–2026), psychologist

“Helen’s combination of brilliance and humility is exactly why she is the heart and soul of ASL. Her history here goes all the way back to her own days as an ASL student, and has continued far beyond for the last 31 years. When our SLD program was in its infancy, Helen was there to lay the building blocks we still use today. Helen knew the ‘before,’ and for more than three decades, she shaped the ‘after.’ From creating our database to drafting handbooks whose structures still guide us today, Helen has been an irreplaceable pillar of our student support ecosystem. She will be surely missed by all!”

– Leah Duggan P ’36 ’38 (ASL 2012–present), Jo Shearer P ’30 ’32 (ASL 2020–present), Yanna Jackson (ASL 2023–present), and Heather Statz P ’36 (ASL 2017–present)

 

Frank Sousa (ASL 2006–26), high school math teacher

“Frank will be missed dearly in the high school math department. In addition to being a dedicated teacher, he is the brainpower behind all logistics in our department. That’s part of who Frank is. He is a problem-solver. He's the dry wit that makes you laugh when you least expect it. He is the colleague who is warm without being overly sentimental. He is witty without being unkind, and he is present without ever demanding attention.

Frank’s superpower is his ability to create connections. He has built professional friendships that span six countries and four continents. Wherever Frank goes, he finds his people. More importantly, he keeps them—and every single one of them would tell you the exact same thing: Frank has this gift for making you feel like you belong in his life. Permanently.” 

— Peggy Stetsko (ASL 2017–present), Jenny Wexler (ASL 2015–17, 2019–present), and Patrick Lee (ASL 1995–98, 2002–present)

Ania Driscoll-Lind P ’10 ’13 (ASL 2007–present), lower school environmental education teacher

“Ania brings her passion for science and the natural world to all of her interactions with lower school children. She has a wonderful ability to nurture curiosity, encouraging pupils to ask questions, investigate, and discover through hands-on experiences. Whether she is walking the hedgerow at Canons Park, or looking under logs or in the willow tunnels, she shows the children how to look closely and connect with the cycles of growth, rest, and renewal. Ania encouraged us to slow down, to notice, to ask questions, and to wonder. She is a collaborative colleague who worked with lower school teachers to provide the best opportunities for all students to engage meaningfully in science, the natural world, and the art of traditional willow making. Her creativity, patience, and genuine love of teaching help every child to feel valued and excited about learning, leaving a lasting impression on both her pupils and those fortunate enough to work alongside her.”

– Melanie O’Leary P ’11 (ASL 1997–99, 2003–present)

Sean Ross P ’20 (ASL 2009–26), middle school community action integrationist

“Sean is an incredible educator and person, and he embodies the ASL community action motto of ’heads, heart, and hands.’ He has a rare gift for helping students engage with complex social justice issues, and creating spaces where every voice is valued and heard. Whether leading the Global Issues & Community Action class, supporting community partners, packing food parcels, or shepherding grandfriends, Sean consistently turns values into action. He is a great thinker and strategist, but above all, he is driven by a deep care for people. His kindness, empathy, and unwavering commitment to others have strengthened countless relationships across ASL and beyond. Sean leaves a lasting legacy of compassion, service, and connection, and our community is richer for having learned alongside him.”

— Brandon Block P ’29 (ASL 2014–present)

Whitney Nuchereno (ASL 2012–26), high school world languages and cultures teacher

“I have known Whitney for a long time—since 2009, to be precise, when we were studying for our master’s degrees at Middlebury’s School of French in Paris. Whitney’s passion for languages and for helping others learn was palpable, so it was no surprise that we ended up as department colleagues at ASL just three years later. Whether it was dreaming up exciting activities for our students, leading training workshops for other professionals here at ASL and at the national ACTFL convention, coaching tennis, advising the National Honor Society, or creating engaging cultural itineraries for students on Alternatives, Whitney has given her heart and soul to ASL. We will miss her very much and wish her all the best in her new career in wine back in the United States, where her enthusiasm for teaching and learning will surely take her far!”

— Mario Rojas Acosta (ASL 2011–21; 2021–present)

John Farmer ’97 P ’29 ’31 (ASL 2012–26), director of athletics

“John’s passion for ASL and our athletics program has left an indelible mark on our students, staff, and the entire community. It is no exaggeration to say that John bleeds orange and black. On any given day, he was every student-athlete’s biggest cheerleader and fiercest advocate, both on and off the court. 

What truly defined John was his heart. He was the kind of leader who always wanted to hear about you first, whether it was a quick update on how you were doing, or eagerly asking, ’How did Arsenal, Duke, or the 49ers do?’ Looking back, those everyday conversations are what I will miss the most. 

John, thank you for your unwavering dedication, support, and the deep care you showed to everyone around you. You leave behind a legacy that will inspire us all.”
 

— Ryan Erickson (ASL 2020–present)

Steve Reed (ASL 2012–26), library administrative assistant

“Steve was the heart and soul of the Mellon Library for 14 years. When I started working in the library five years ago, he welcomed me with warmth, as if we had known each other for ages. Despite his humility, he possessed an incredible breadth of knowledge about books. He rarely let any student or adult leave without saying, ’Oh, wait! What about this one?’ He would then recommend an obscure book with a terrible cover that the reader would end up devouring. Steve is already sorely missed, and the library is better for having had him as a strong presence during all those years.”

— Staci Fox P ’35 ’38 (ASL 2021–present)

 

Patricia Elsea (ASL 2016–26), middle school english as an additional language (EAL) teacher

“Patricia is passionate about teaching multilingual students and acting as a tireless advocate for maintaining home languages—and she always delights in opportunities to converse in Spanish. Beyond the classroom, she is never one to shy away from a variety of responsibilities; she models genuine interest and enthusiasm for every task she takes on. Her approach to education is grounded in a deep sense of justice, as she consistently strives to meet the unique needs of all her students. We will miss her many passions—from Model UN to gardening; from travel to theater—not to mention her stylish outfits. We wish her all the best in her future adventures.

– Nanette Pakula P ’12 ’15 ’16 ’20 ASL (2007–present) and Darryl Phelps (ASL 1998–2025)

Shrita Gajendragadkar (ASL 2016–26), high school social studies teacher 

“To me, Shrita has been the best colleague I could ever wish for. She has been a model teacher who always puts student learning at the center of her work; an authentic intellect who challenges me to think more carefully, without preconceived ideas; and above all, a true friend with whom I can share the joys, sorrows, and everything in between. I will miss her dearly.”

— Lanting Xu (ASL 2011–present)

 

Anne Richardson (ASL 2017–26), director of the office of student advising; university advisor

“Anne has served ASL extraordinarily well during her time at ASL. Her portfolio of responsibilities is wide and seemed to grow every year—yet she always centered students in every decision she made. She is a servant leader, anticipating the needs of her team, supporting them every step along the way, and providing homemade baked goods at critical moments in the school year. Anne has provided sage wisdom, critical insight, and loving care to hundreds of ASL students and families as they navigated the post-ASL planning and application process, helping them to focus on finding the ‘just right’ fit for them. The consummate team player, Anne does it all, and with healthy doses of wit, good humor, and infectious laughter. We will miss her terribly, but the legacy of her loving presence will live on in the halls of ASL for years to come.”

– Catherine Ezzo P ’28 (ASL 2025–present)

Grace Kasangila P ’26 ’26 (ASL 2016–26), registrar

“To say Grace will be missed is an understatement. To say we’ll be okay next year without her is a lie. Grace is the kind of person that brings levity to your day when you’re down, she stands in your corner helping you navigate life’s ups and downs, and she’ll pull you up when you’re doing wrong. She brings warmth, laughter, and a welcoming presence to OSA, making it feel less like an office and more like a family. 

When I started at ASL seven years ago, I never imagined I would find one of my closest friends. I’m going to miss our morning meetings, our constant interruptions while trying to work, our laughs, our tears, and all the moments that have become such an important part of my daily routine. ASL won’t be the same without her.”

– Terri Okpoyo P ’23 ’23 ’33 (ASL 2019–present)

Sandrine Wright (ASL 2020–26), grade 3 teacher

“Sandrine swept into ASL as a substitute ready for anything. A modern-day Mary Poppins, with her bag of tricks and a supercalifragilistic personality. Her infectious laughter soon filled our hallways, and her ’can-do’ attitude led to her current role as a lead teacher in Grade 3. We will be forever grateful to have worked alongside Sandrine, and we will always miss her spark of energy, her natural ability to face challenges with diplomacy, her passion for literacy, and her absolute love of being a teacher and spending her days surrounded by children.”

— Sacha McVean (ASL 2017–present)

 

Wendy Robinson (ASL 1992–2026), director of publications & copywriting

“We have so much to thank Wendy for—her unfailing positivity and kindness always made working alongside her a delight. We also appreciate her scrupulous approach to written communication, as well as her meticulous editing. Wendy has made many contributions to ASL over the years—in college counselling, admissions, communications and advancement. She is eager to help and is beloved among the ASL community. We remark on her integrity, her extraordinary professionalism, warmed with her friendship, and the generous spirit she brought to everything she did. Wendy draws people in, and she had an enormous impact on those lucky enough to know her—students, parents, employees and alumni. Incredibly funny, quick-witted, perceptive and trusted, she has epitomized the best of ASL. Her sense of humor is legendary and so is her kind and benevolent heart. For so many, her guidance, knowledge and hilarious commentary will be sorely missed. Wendy should be bursting with pride from all she has contributed to ASL.” 

—Compiled by Katherine Precht P ’08 ’15 (ASL 1993-2012) and Jodi Warren (ASL 1988-2023)