St. Mark’s Welcomes New Faculty for 2026–2027

September 3, 2026

As St. Mark’s begins the 2026–2027 academic year, the School is pleased to welcome a talented group of new faculty members. They arrive from independent schools, colleges, and universities, and other educational settings across the country, bringing a wide range of experiences and expertise to St. Mark’s.

Our newest colleagues will contribute throughout School life, from the classroom and residential community to athletics, the arts, academic support, student life, and library and digital learning. Together, they share a commitment to knowing and valuing students, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and lead.

Shelley Brown

Associate Dean of Students, Director of Community & Equity, VI Form Dean, and English Faculty

Shelley Brown joins St. Mark’s from Ravenscroft School, where she served as Director of Student Culture and Programming. Her work has focused on creating student-centered communities that foster belonging, leadership, and engagement, along with supporting faculty development and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. A seasoned English educator, Brown holds an MBA from California Lutheran University and teaching credentials in English and Theatre from California State University, Northridge. At St. Mark’s, she will contribute across student life, community and equity, and the English classroom while serving as VI Form Dean.

Alex Cramer

English Faculty

Alex Cramer joins the St. Mark’s English Department following his student teaching at William Fremd High School in Illinois. A graduate of St. George’s School, Cramer brings firsthand experience with boarding school life and a passion for working with students both in and beyond the classroom. In addition to his work as an English educator, he has extensive experience coaching lacrosse at the collegiate and youth levels and has operated his own goalie academy. His interests in literary analysis, teaching, and athletic mentorship will allow him to contribute to multiple areas of the St. Mark’s community.

Dr. Christopher Cruz

English Faculty

Christopher Cruz joins St. Mark’s from the University of North Georgia, where he served as Assistant Professor of Social Foundations of Education. His academic work has centered on curriculum studies and teacher preparation, building upon earlier experience teaching at The Paideia School and Gulliver Prep. Cruz holds a Ph.D. from Florida International University and brings an interdisciplinary approach to the classroom, with particular interest in the connections between literature, history, and culture. His return to secondary education brings both classroom experience and a scholar’s perspective to the St. Mark’s English Department.

Christopher “Topher” Davis

Classics Faculty

Christopher “Topher” Davis joins St. Mark’s from The Cambridge School of Weston, where he taught English following an extensive career in higher education. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in French and Italian at Northwestern University and held teaching appointments at Princeton University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France. Davis earned his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Michigan and his B.A. in Classics from McGill University. He brings deep expertise in language, literature, and culture to the St. Mark’s Classics program.

Adrian Diaz Guerrero

Spanish Faculty and Head Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach

Adrian Diaz Guerrero joins St. Mark’s from Vermont Academy, where his roles included Dean of Students and Interim Athletic Director. A native of Spain, Diaz Guerrero brings linguistic fluency and an international perspective to his work as a Spanish teacher, along with extensive experience in student life and athletics. As a soccer coach, he has led teams to multiple NEPSAC championships. Diaz Guerrero holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Saint Michael’s College and will contribute to several dimensions of the St. Mark’s experience, including academics, athletics, and residential life.

Ryan Farrington

Director of Library & Digital Learning and English Faculty

Ryan Farrington joins St. Mark’s as Director of Library & Digital Learning and a member of the English Department. Most recently, he served as Director of Educational Technology at TVT Community Day School, where his work included supporting the digital platforms and educational technologies used by faculty and students. Farrington holds an M.A. in Educational Technology from Fairfield University. At St. Mark’s, he will lead the continued evolution of the School’s library and digital learning resources, with a focus on thoughtfully integrating technology in ways that support teaching, learning, and the student experience.

David R. Gammons

Theater Faculty

Award-winning director and educator David R. Gammons joins St. Mark’s as a one-year sabbatical replacement in the Theater Program. Gammons previously led the Theatre Program at Concord Academy for 15 years and has taught at Harvard University, MIT, and The Boston Conservatory. His professional directing work has earned him multiple Elliot Norton and Independent Reviewers of New England Awards. Drawing upon his extensive experience as both an educator and professional artist, Gammons will work with St. Mark’s students across acting, directing, script analysis, and theatrical production throughout the academic year.

Anne Gardiner

History & Social Sciences Faculty

Anne Gardiner joins St. Mark’s following more than two decades at Tabor Academy, where she served as a classroom teacher, History Department chair, and academic leader. Her work at Tabor also included leadership in strategic planning, academic integrity, residential life, faculty hiring and development, and learning support. Gardiner received numerous honors during her tenure, including Tabor’s Rudolph W. Driscoll Chair in History and inaugural Seawolf Faculty Award. She holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.S. from Tufts University.

Monsie Muñoz

Assistant Dean of Students, III Form Dean, and History & Social Sciences Faculty

Monsie Muñoz joins St. Mark’s after serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Greenhill School. Her career in independent schools has spanned student leadership, equity and inclusion, academics, athletics, and community life. A multidisciplinary educator, Muñoz has taught English, history, and Spanish and has coached cross country and field hockey. She holds an M.A. in Independent School Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. As III Form Dean, Muñoz will play an important role in supporting students as they begin their St. Mark’s experience while also contributing to the History & Social Sciences Department.

Michelle Plunkett

Computer Science Faculty

Michelle Plunkett joins St. Mark’s from UWC-USA in New Mexico, bringing more than a decade of experience teaching physics, STEM, and computer science. A former department head and robotics coach, she has taught students across rigorous Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate curricula. Plunkett studied physics at Georgia Tech and has pursued doctoral work in instructional design, combining a strong analytical background with expertise in teaching and learning. At St. Mark’s, she will bring that interdisciplinary perspective to Computer Science while helping students develop skills in coding, computational thinking, problem-solving, and digital logic.

Avery Tyler

Choir Teacher, Chapel Music Coordinator, and Library Assistant

Avery Tyler joins St. Mark’s from Phillips Academy Andover, where she served as Associate Director and Choral Conductor of the William Thomas Gospel Choir, as well as a house counselor and library assistant in the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library. A specialist in music composition and choral conducting, Tyler’s background also includes work in music for new media and other forms of artistic expression. She earned her B.A. from the University of Redlands and studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. At St. Mark’s, Tyler will contribute to music, Chapel, and library life.

Jasmine Williams ’16

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Jasmine Williams ’16 returns to St. Mark’s a decade after graduating, bringing her experience as both an educator and alumna to the Academic Support team. Following St. Mark’s, Williams attended Dartmouth College, where she competed as a coxswain for the varsity women’s rowing team. She has since built a career as a lead history teacher and instructional leader, developing a student-centered and data-informed approach to teaching and learning. As Assistant Director of Academic Support, Williams will help St. Mark’s students strengthen executive functioning, study habits, and other academic skills while supporting their growth as confident, independent learners.

John Zall

Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach

John Zall joins St. Mark’s from Vermont Academy, where he led the boys’ basketball program while also serving as a college counselor. Under his leadership, Vermont Academy captured NEPSAC AAA and Lakes Region championships, earned national rankings, and helped student-athletes continue their careers at the collegiate level. Zall previously coached at Trinity College and Franklin Pierce University and worked with the Dallas Mavericks player development staff, giving him experience at the NCAA Division III, Division II, and NBA levels. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a master’s degree from Trinity College.

As the 2026–2027 school year gets underway, these new colleagues join a community committed to preparing students for lives of purpose, courage, and integrity. We look forward to the many ways their experiences, perspectives, and talents will enrich life at St. Mark’s, and we are pleased to welcome each of them to the Lion community.