New Faculty 2026-27
Welcome, New Faculty!August 12, 2026
Each year, Ashley Hall continues to grow and evolve, strengthening our academic program through exceptional educators who bring fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and a shared commitment to inspiring our students. As we begin the 2026–27 school year, we are excited to welcome a remarkable group of new faculty members whose expertise and enthusiasm will enrich learning across every division. As part of Ashley Hall's new faculty orientation, the group visited the Gibbes Museum of Art with Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning Naa-Adei Kotey and Community Partnerships and Global Education Coordinator Tyler Moseley, exploring the museum's collections while getting to know one another and building community before the start of the school year. We invite you to meet the newest members of our community and discover the passion, talent, and dedication they bring to our classrooms and our school.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Pictured above (left to right): Betty Rowe, Vaiana Brown, Mia Moran, Katy Gilmore, Katie Bell, Sallie Gray Clayton, Haley Gilmore, and Maureen Grant at a new faculty event at the Gibbes Museum of Art.
Katie Bell | Grades 5, 7, and 8 Science
We are excited to welcome Katie Bell back this year as a full-time teacher after acting as a long-term substitute last year.
Vaiana Brown | Grades 6, 7, and 8 French
Vaiana Brown joins Ashley Hall after five years teaching French at James Island Charter, bringing additional experience in speech-language services that enriches her work with students. She is excited to help students become confident, curious French learners while fostering an appreciation for francophone cultures and encouraging them to take risks as communicators.
Sallie Gray Clayton | Grades 6, 7, and 8 Mathematics
Sallie Gray Clayton brings 15 years of middle and high school mathematics teaching experience, including a decade at Atlanta Girls' School, where she emphasized differentiated, student-centered learning. As a graduate of an all-girls school herself, she is passionate about helping students build confidence in mathematics while discovering that perseverance, practice, and a little fun can make even the most challenging concepts approachable.
Sherry Donoho | Middle School Physical and Health Education: Yoga
Sherry Donoho has been part of the Ashley Hall community since 2018, sharing her passion for yoga and wellness through the Upper School and after-school program. This year, she joins the Middle School faculty, bringing more than 30 years of teaching experience and a commitment to helping students develop lifelong wellness practices that support their learning and overall well-being.
Haley Gilmore | Middle School Physical and Health Education: Individual and Team Sports & Flexibility, Mobility, and Performance Training
Haley Gilmore joins Ashley Hall with 22 years of teaching experience from St. George's Independent School in Memphis, where she developed a student-choice-driven wellness curriculum. She looks forward to empowering students to take ownership of their health and wellness through choice, collaboration, and active engagement while building habits that will serve them throughout their lives.
Katy Gilmore | Grades 7 and 8 English
Katy Gilmore brings 14 years of middle school English teaching experience to Ashley Hall, most recently serving at St. George's Independent School in Tennessee. She is passionate about helping students grow as confident writers and critical thinkers while creating a classroom where every voice is valued, and every student knows their ideas matter.
Maureen Grant | Grades 7 and 8 History
Maureen Grant joins Ashley Hall from Northfield Mount Hermon in Massachusetts, where she taught history and social sciences, bringing an interdisciplinary background in political science, public policy, and education. As a graduate of an all-girls school, she is excited to inspire thoughtful discussion, intellectual curiosity, and a deeper understanding of history while empowering students to become independent thinkers.
Mia Moran | Middle School Physical and Health Education: Dance
Mia Moran joins Ashley Hall from SOS Care in North Charleston, where she provided ABA therapy for learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With a bachelor's degree in psychology and dance from the College of Charleston, she is excited to foster creativity, movement, and confidence while helping students experience the joy of learning through dance.
Betty Rowe | Long-Term Substitute, English
Betty Rowe will act as Christina Trimarco’s long-term substitute during the first semester beginning at the end of August. She brings a wealth of experience teaching Middle School English.
LOWER SCHOOL
Pictured above (left to right): Savannah Beach, Jane Gilbert, Sarah Hensley, Frederica McGannon, and Lauren Hake at a new faculty gathering at the Gibbes Museum of Art.
Savannah Beach | Kindergarten Associate Teacher
Savannah Beach joins Ashley Hall from Knoxville, Tennessee, bringing a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Tennessee with a focus on literacy and communication. She looks forward to partnering with Ms. Dolan to create a supportive classroom where students build foundational skills, develop confidence and independence, and experience a true sense of belonging.
Jane Gilbert | Lower School World Languages
Jane Gilbert brings five years of experience teaching and researching French at Indiana University and is passionate about helping students build confidence in communicating in French while developing a strong foundation in language and culture.
Lauren Hake | Grade 4
Lauren Hake joins Ashley Hall after teaching fourth and fifth grade at Saint Andrew's School in Boca Raton. She brings a strong background in inquiry-based learning and is excited to help students become confident, independent learners who take ownership of their education and make meaningful connections to the world around them.
Sarah Hensley | Library (Early School–Grade 1)
Sarah Hensley joins Ashley Hall as the Early School and Lower School librarian, bringing experience as a Children's Librarian with the Charleston County Public Library and a passion for early literacy and lifelong learning. She is excited to help students discover the library as a place that sparks curiosity, fosters a love of reading, and encourages independent exploration.
Frederica McGannon | Grade 3
Frederica McGannon joins Ashley Hall after five years of teaching preschool at Sacred Heart Greenwich, Connecticut, along with previous experience teaching third and fifth grade. She brings a passion for inquiry-based learning and literacy and looks forward to helping her students develop confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of reading.
EARLY SCHOOL
Pictured above (left to right): Sofia Skipwith, Sarah Wurzelbacher, Jane Gilbert, Caroline Howell '08, Matt Swope, Sarah Hensley, Mia Moran, Jireh Scott, Katie Fulmer, and Suzanne Brusstar at a gathering for new faculty members at the Gibbes Museum of Art.
Suzanne Brusstar | Associate Teacher
Suzanne Brusstar joins Ashley Hall after teaching in a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool in Philadelphia and previously teaching English at an elementary school in Spain. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from The University of Alabama and is passionate about creating a nurturing environment where young learners feel a strong sense of belonging while growing in confidence and curiosity.
Katie Fulmer | Associate Teacher
Katie Fulmer joins Ashley Hall with a degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston and a special interest in the Reggio Emilia approach, which she explored through study abroad in Reggio Emilia, Italy. She is passionate about creating learning environments that nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence while helping students develop as lifelong learners.
Jane Gilbert | Early School World Languages
Please see Jane's bio in the Lower School section above.
Sarah Hensley | Library (Early School–Grade 1)
Please see Sarah’s bio in the Lower School section above.
Caroline Howell ‘08 | Associate Teacher
Caroline Howell, from the Ashley Hall class of 2008, joins the faculty after serving as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Fort Dorchester Elementary School. She holds a bachelor's degree in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston and brings a special interest in supporting students with diverse learning needs while helping students build confidence and a lifelong love of learning.
Mia Moran | Associate Community Teacher
Mia Moran joins Ashley Hall as an Associate Community Teacher in the Early School, where she will support students across classrooms and in the outdoor learning environment, while also teaching dance in the Middle School. She brings experience providing ABA therapy for learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder, along with a bachelor's degree in psychology and dance from the College of Charleston, and is excited to inspire creativity, movement, and joyful learning throughout the school.
Jireh Scott | Associate Teacher
Jireh Scott joins the Early School faculty after previously serving as an Extended Day teacher at Ashley Hall. She holds a degree in Public Health from the College of Charleston with a special interest in child health education and is excited to help foster curiosity, creativity, and a strong sense of belonging while supporting each child's unique learning journey.
Sofia Skipwith | Associate Teacher
Sofia Skipwith joins Ashley Hall with student teaching experience in New Orleans and a deep appreciation for the impact of an independent school education, having attended one herself. She is excited to support Ashley Hall's youngest learners while fostering creativity, curiosity, and confidence through inquiry- and design-based learning.
Matt Swope | Associate Community Teacher
Matt Swope joins Ashley Hall as a Community Teacher after serving as a long-term substitute and supporting the school's summer programs over the past several years. With experience teaching in a Montessori public school, leading after-school programs, and coaching youth sports, he is passionate about creating engaging, play-based learning experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
Sarah Wurzelbacher | Associate Teacher
Sarah Wurzelbacher brings experience as an early childhood educator, having taught preschool in California and supported reading and mathematics instruction at the elementary level. As the parent of a current Ashley Hall student, she is excited to return to the classroom, combining her professional expertise and personal connection to the school to help create a nurturing, engaging environment where young learners can thrive.
UPPER SCHOOL
Sarah Pfennig | Upper School Chemistry (not pictured)
Sarah Pfennig joins Ashley Hall with experience teaching chemistry and biology in independent schools, as well as a background in neuroscience research at the NYU School of Medicine. Holding a master's degree in teaching and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cellular, and molecular biology, she is passionate about inquiry-based, hands-on science instruction and looks forward to inspiring curiosity while empowering the next generation of women in STEM.