Below you will find a list of the talented new faculty and staff who will join our learning community next fall.
This new cohort is well-trained and brings a broad and deep experience to Waterford from around the country and right here in Utah. This large incoming group of faculty and staff is reflective of Waterford’s healthy and growing enrollment—ensuring high levels of teaching expertise and maintaining low student-faculty ratios.We look forward to welcoming these new colleagues to Waterford later this summer and to you meeting them at our Opening Family Brunch on August 29.
LARA EMRE – CLASS IV TEACHEREducation: New York University, B.S., Childhood Education / Special EducationTeachers College, Columbia University, M.A. in Literacy SpecialistRecent Teaching Experience: The Hewitt School, Second Grade Teacher
KENDALL MYERS – CLASS III TEACHER Education: Clemson University, M.Ed. LiteracyRandolph-Macon College, B.A. Elementary Education and PhilosophyRecent Teaching Experience: Stewart Elementary School, Fourth Grade TeacherMadison Elementary School, Fifth Grade Teacher
VALLI DANDAMUDI – PREK-4 TEACHEREducation: Foundation Degree in Fashion Design and Marketing from London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London, UKBachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design and Information Technology, B.Des from National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad, IndiaRecent Teaching Experience: Substitute teacher at Waterford for Elementary school (PreK – Class V)
LAUREN KIDD WOLF ’08 – MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR Education: Utah State University, M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Focus in Math EducationTufts University, B.Sc., Chemistry & Environmental StudiesRecent Teaching Experience: The McGillis School, Math Teacher
ETHAN WARREN – LATIN TEACHEREducation: University of Texas at Austin, M.A. Classics, (PhD anticipated 2027)Recent Teaching Experience: Cardigan Mountain School – Latin TeacherUniversity of Texas at Austin – Graduate InstructorTrinity Episcopal School Austin – Latin Teacher
JACK HYER – US SPANISHEducation: Western Governors University M.A. in English Language LearningBrigham Young University M.Ed in Educational LeadershipWeber State University B.A. in Spanish TeachingEndorsed in Speech, Instructional Coaching, Spanish, & ESLRecent Teaching Experience: Jordan High School – Co-taught Math, Biology, History, Spanish, SPAN1020/2010 (with UVU & WSU), Debate (Head Coach), and Literacy
KATE TAPSCOTT – MS/US ENGLISH & ROWINGEducation: Bowdoin College, B.A., English and Hispanic StudiesRecent Teaching Experience: Steamboat Mountain School, High School Spanish Teacher
BEN WHITE ’12 – MS/US COUNSELOREducation: University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education, Ed.S., School PsychologyUniversity of Puget Sound, B.S, Economics and Mathematics
ALIA ARCHULETA – HR GENERALISTEducation: University of Utah, B.S., Business Administration
ZACHARY SUTTON – HELPDESK/AV SPECIALISTEducation: Utah Valley University, B.I.S., Digital AudioFullerton College, A.A, Film and TV
WHITNEY FITZGERALD – PAYROLL SPECIALIST/ACCOUNTS PAYABLEEducation: Western Governors University, B.S., HR ManagementWestern Governors University, B.S., Accounting
Casey O’Malley – Head of Middle & Upper SchoolMelanie Battistone – Associate Head of SchoolBrandon Bennett – Associate Head of School for Strategic InitiativesHeidi Poole – Assistant Head of Middle & Upper SchoolSkye Smith – World Language Department ChairMercedes Hale – Lower School Dance Teacher
Our faculty and staff are the core of Waterford School, they are the ones who ignite the passion and shape the character of our students, they play an integral part in inspiring our students towards lives filled with meaning and purpose. We are so grateful for the many invaluable and incredible contributions made by those faculty and staff members departing Waterford School—without their immeasurable efforts and devotion to the liberal arts, our school would not be the same wonderful place of inspiration and curiosity that we love so deeply. We thank them for their many years of service.
Kent Hodson (retiring)Roxine Hodson (retiring)Trey Sayes (retiring)Julie Smart (retiring)
Sandee BrownAddison JohnsonGreg MilesKimi MiyashimaTim Sebring Tanisha Shedden
TJ SmithAnnie Taylor Colleen Thompson Powell Walker Eliza Zenger
August 21, 2025
April 20, 2026
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Celebrate 5 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2021. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Register for the Class of 2021 Reunion
Celebrate 10 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2016. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Register for the Class of 2016 Reunion
Celebrate 15 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2011. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Register for the Class of 2011 Reunion
Celebrate 20 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2006. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Register for the Class of 2006 Reunion
Celebrate 25 years since graduation with your classmates. Reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy an evening of conversation, shared memories, and celebration with fellow members of the Class of 2001. Hearty appetizers and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Register for the Class of 2001 Reunion
Come together with Waterford alumni from across the entire 1990s for an evening of reconnecting and reminiscing! This combined reunion is a chance to celebrate the friendships, memories, and moments that made your Waterford years so special. Enjoy hearty appetizers and a variety of drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, while catching up with old friends and sharing laughs about your school days.
Register for the 90’s Reunion
Saturday, May 16 | 7:30 – 11:30 AM | Murray Science Center
We’re bringing back birding! Who remembers the Class IX Bird Project? Don’t miss your chance to join this fun, family-friendly event with Mark Bromley, James Harris, Mike Johnson ‘88, and Bekka Joslin. We will meet at Waterford and take a bus together. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars (we will have extras on hand if you don’t have your own).
Register Here!
Friday, May 15 | 6:30 – 7:30 PM | East Field
We’re excited to see Waterford Alumni at our annual Alumni Soccer Game! This Waterford tradition gives former players the chance to return to the field, reconnect with old teammates, and showcase their skills in a friendly atmosphere. Whether you played with us just a few years ago or several decades ago, we look forward to seeing you back on the field. Make sure to bring friends and family to cheer you on!
Friday, May 15 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM | Main Quad | No Registration Required
Join us for a fun BBQ bash at Waterford with current families and Waterford staff and faculty. It’s a great way to connect with your Waterford classmates and enjoy delicious food before the Alumni Soccer Game!
No registration is needed for the Spring BBQ. Please join us!
Friday, May 15 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Haught Visual Arts Gallery at Waterford | No Registration Required
Waterford has always been a place where creativity thrives. Join us for the first-ever Alumni Art Show in the Haught Visual Arts Gallery and reconnect with the creative spirit that shaped your time here. This exhibition features work by 16 Waterford Alumni artists, reflecting a range of disciplines, perspectives, and practices.
Brief Remarks at 4:00 pm will be offered by Gallery Manager and Curator Charlie Tadlock, followed by remarks from some of the Alumni Artists.
Click here for a campus map
Friday, May 15 | 2:15 – 3:30 PM | Miller Student Commons | Registration Highly Recommended
Ever wish you could go back and sit in your favorite class one more time? This Alumni Weekend, you can. We’re bringing you back “Back to Class” where you’ll have the chance to slip into a real, live Upper School classroom and experience Waterford exactly as it exists today. Same teachers, same energy, same magic. Come relive the feeling.
Friday, May 15 | 12:45– 1:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
Don’t leave lunch just yet. Immediately following the Kick-Off, Head of School Andrew Menke will take a few minutes to share what’s been happening at Waterford; the changes, the milestones, and the exciting things on the horizon. It’s a chance to hear straight from the source about the school you helped shape and where it’s headed next. No sign-up needed, just pull up a seat.
Friday, May 15 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
Kick off Alumni Weekend the right way — with good food and even better company. Join us in the new Miller Student Commons for Waterford’s all-inclusive dining experience, and spend the lunch hour reconnecting with the faculty who made your time here unforgettable. Pull up a chair, catch up with old favorites, and let the weekend begin. No registration is required for this event.
Friday, May 15 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Miller Student Commons | No Registration Required
For many of you, Assistant Head of School, Todd Winters, was the first person who ever showed you and your parents around our 41 acre campus. Now he’s back to do it again! Todd will lead you through Waterford’s beautiful newest additions and recent transformations, giving you a firsthand look at what your years here helped build. Whether it’s your first tour with Todd or your second, you won’t want to miss this one.