Join us as we welcome our newest members of the Trinity-Pawling community!
Adam Bendon • English Teacher
Before arriving at Trinity-Pawling, Adam served as the Dean of Students at The Albany Academy. He likes to fish, cook, grill, and ride his bike. He will also be coaching football and wrestling for the Pride. Adam and his fiancée, Lily have two English labs, Puck and Freddy.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Teaching English, coaching football, and living in Dutchess County!”
John Christian Ericson • English Teacher
Before joining the Pride, John taught history and English at the Selwyn School in Denton, Texas. He enjoys hiking, biking, reading, writing, playing soccer, and spending time with his family.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Living and working in a close-knit environment that fosters true collaboration and learning among educators and students.”
Carolina Elosua-Portugal • Science Teacher
Carolina Elosua-Portugal is a familiar face in the Trinity-Pawling community! Carolina and her husband, Jesús, live on campus with their daughters Elena and Laura, and dogs, Laika and Lisa. Formerly a STEM teacher at South Kent School, Carolina will be teaching science and math this year in the Pride. She enjoys hiking, getting to know new places, and sharing her free time with friends and family.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “The opportunity of fully belonging to the community.”
Joseph Garguilo • Art Teacher
Joseph joins the Trinity-Pawling Art Department as a graduate of the University of Buffalo, with experience in art, theater and costume design, and teaching. He has also served as an Artist in Residence at Roswell Park, a renowned cancer research hospital, where he provided healing art activities for patients of all ages. In his free time, Joseph enjoys painting in his studio, hiking with his dog, photographing nature, and restoring historical cemeteries.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “The sense of community, emphasis on life-long learning, and the breathtaking landscape.”
Woo Chan Lee • Math Teacher
Woo Chan Lee is a recent graduate of Ohio State University. In his free time, he enjoys dancing, working out, reading, playing games, and spending time with friends.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Being able to assist students achieve their goals in a place with the most opportunities to experience different fields.”
Nathaniel Lynn • English Teacher
Before joining the English Department at Trinity-Pawling, Nathaniel taught English at EF Academy and North Cedar Academy and served as a camp counselor at Odyssey Teen Camp. He has also worked as an adjunct professor at Blackhawk Technical College. In his spare time, he likes to read novels and short stories, and play chess, ultimate frisbee, and video games. Nathaniel and his wife, Lynelle (Mandarin teacher), will live on campus together.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “There is a mountain of things that excite me about working at Trinity-Pawling, but chief of which is the opportunity to become immersed in a community that values student-centered and project-based learning.”
Kyle Miller ’18 • Center for Learning Achievement Teacher
Alumnus Kyle Miller ’18 is joining the Center for Learning Achievement after graduating from Manhattanville College earlier this year. He enjoys watching sports, listening to music, and spending time with his 2-year-old nephew. Kyle will live on campus and looks forward to being back on campus in a new role!
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Excited to be back in the Trinity-Pawling community, working closely with students both in and out of the classroom.”
Elizabeth Moore • English Teacher
Elizabeth is a graduate of St. Anselm College and Clark University, she spent her first two years of teaching at the Nativity School of Worcester. In her spare time, Liz enjoys reading, playing sports with friends, and trying new cafes and restaurants!
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “I’m very excited to join the Trinity-Pawling community! I’m specifically looking forward to forming well-rounded relationships with both my colleagues and my students.”
Gretchen Sancher • Science Department
Gretchen joins Trinity-Pawling with 12 years of teaching experience. Most recently, she taught math at Westchester Community College. Gretchen has also served as an SAT/ACT math and science tutor. She enjoys spending as much time outside as she can. Some of her favorite activities include hiking, camping, and stargazing.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “I am excited about the strong commitment to experiential learning, which is what science is all about.”
Rob Sanders • Math Teacher
Before joining the Trinity-Pawling community, Rob taught math at Stepinac High School in White Plains, NY. He is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas and likes to play hockey, work out, go on walks, and play video games.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Being able to connect with the students through all of the residential life activities.”
Lynelle Wang • Mandarin Teacher
Lynelle joins Trinity-Pawling after teaching Chinese in Janesville, Wisconsin for the last three years. She enjoys traveling, playing video games, and trying different foods. Lynelle and her husband, Nathaniel (English teacher), will live on campus together.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “The opportunity to become involved in a close-knit community and to be a parent for students who are away from home.”
Marc Welch ’18 • Spanish Teacher
Alumnus Marc Welch ’18 is thrilled to be back at his alma mater as a Spanish teacher. He is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he played lacrosse and club hockey. He enjoys golfing, playing word games like Wordle and Semantle, playing fetch with his dogs, and spending time with friends and family.
What about working at Trinity-Pawling excites you the most? “Meeting students, coaching athletes, and being a member of such a tight-knit community which I loved as a student.”