Home Community Blog Welcoming New Faculty and Staff for the 2026-2027 School Year
ENTERING FACULTY & STAFF 2026-27
LARA EMRE
Class IV Teacher

Best book you read this summer?
My favorite book I read this summer was Ina Garten’s memoir, Be Ready When the Luck Happens. I’ve loved Ina and her recipes for years, and reading her story inspired me to spend more time baking some delicious treats over the summer. I also enjoyed learning about her unique life path, the risks she took, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. 

Do you have a pet?
Yes. My family has a rescue yellow Lab named Loki. Every August, we celebrate her birthday with a full day of festivities, including new toys, dog friendly ice cream, a long hike, and even a backyard photoshoot. I share so many stories about her with my students that she usually becomes a bit of a class celebrity by the end of the year!

How did you spend your summer vacation?
This summer, I relocated from New York City to Salt Lake City. To make the move extra memorable, my dad and I turned it into a cross-country road trip. We spent our days exploring small towns, trying delicious local food, and admiring the beautiful scenery along the way. Once I was settled in Salt Lake City, I spent time enjoying the outdoors through hiking, reading lots of books, and searching for the best ice cream shop in my new neighborhood.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Outside of work, I love cozy hobbies like reading, baking, and puzzles. This year, I was inspired by the Artemis II mission and have been spending some of my free time doing a self-study of astronomy. My cross-country road trip also sparked a new interest in photography, and I’ve loved taking my camera out to capture the beautiful scenery around Salt Lake City.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I am most looking forward to becoming part of the Waterford community and getting to know my students and their families. From my first interactions with Waterford, I was struck by the warmth, curiosity, and sense of connection that people have for the school. As someone who is new to Salt Lake City, I am excited to build relationships and become involved in the traditions and experiences that make Waterford such a special place.


KENDALL MYERS
Class III Teacher

Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Cherry Hill, NJ. I moved to Utah about five years ago and have loved every minute of the hiking, skiing, and exploring the state’s incredible national parks! 

Best book you read this summer?
The best book I read this summer is The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Its insights have been incredibly relevant to both my work as an educator and my experience as a new parent.

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I spent my summer vacation enjoying time with my baby girl, June. Since she was born in December, it has been wonderful to get outside hiking and exploring with her and my husband.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
I love exploring national parks whenever I get the chance. I also enjoy reading, skiing, hiking, and baking sweet treats.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I am most looking forward to being part of an amazing community of people who are passionate about liberal arts education.


VALLI DANDAMUDI
PreK-4 Teacher

Where is your hometown?
My hometown is Hyderabad, India 

Do you have a pet?
I have a pet dog named Zero—he is a Labrador Retriever.

How did you spend your summer vacation?
Summer was spent traveling. Locally, we hiked and took our dog to the lakes in Utah.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My hobbies include exploring new places, learning Indian Classical dance (have been learning Kathak for seven years) and making floral arrangements. 

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I am looking forward to experiencing this wonderful school from a new perspective. Having been part of the Waterford community as a parent, I have observed the caring and supportive environment that makes this school special. I am excited to learn from my colleagues and help create meaningful learning experiences for my students through teaching, mindfulness, creativity. I want to foster a positive environment that will help children grow academically and emotionally.


ZACHARY SUTTON
Helpdesk/AV Specialist

What is your favorite song or album?
Swimming by Mac Miller

Where is your hometown?
Murrieta, CA

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I spent my Summer freshly graduated, which gave me the ability to explore Utah (hiking, camping, concerts), catch up on some shows I was behind on, and work on music/film projects.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My favorite hobbies are reading, media archival/restoration, gym/hiking, and video games (Counter Strike).

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m most looking forward to being part of a community that values curiosity, academic excellence, and meaningful relationships. I also look forward to contributing to the school community with my A/V experience and continuing to develop it!


LAUREN KIDD WOLF ’08
Math Department Chair

Best book you read this summer?
Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Do you have a pet?
We have a tiny, long haired rescue cat named Luna

How did you spend your summer vacation?
We visited family in beautiful locations! Every year we spend a couple weeks in Alaska with my in-laws, spending time between Anchorage and their cabin on Big Lake. We also visited my sister in Flagstaff Arizona.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My favorite hobby is skiing! I also love to hike, do yoga, road bike and travel when we can! Lately, a lot of my time is spent chasing my toddler around pools, parks, and splash pads with baby brother in tow. 

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I am deeply looking forward to returning to the Waterford community. I am excited to contribute to the community that has shaped me as a learner.  Oh, and that gorgeous mountain view too!


ETHAN WARREN
Latin Teacher

Do you have a pet?
I’ve got a 6 year old Lab/Border collie mix! His name is Kobe and he loves playing fetch and swimming. 

What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is New York Cheesecake (with a strawberry on top!)

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I’ve spent my summer vacation mostly writing my dissertation and training for my upcoming races! 

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My favorite hobby is running and I try to do a few marathons a year.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m most looking forward to joining the strong community at Waterford.


JACK HYER
US Spanish

What is your favorite song or album?
Currently my “All-Time Top Songs” playlist on Spotify has Sweet Child O’ Mine as #1 with 137 listens. Can’t get enough of Slash’s KILLER guitar solo. One of my favorite albums is TEN by Pearl Jam. Gold. 

What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is going to be playdough ice cream from Farr’s ice cream in Ogden. It tastes way better than it sounds, it’s like a neopolitan with 3 flavors and it has been my favorite forever. 

How did you spend your summer vacation?
Watching the world cup religiously, visiting family in Arizona and stopping into the Goodyear AZ BUC-EES!! 

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Soccer, fix electronics, video games, snowboarding, guitar (acoustic & electric)

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
Being part of this amazing community of families, students, and staff!


KATE TAPSCOTT
MS/US English & Rowing

What is your favorite song or album?
Maggie Rogers’ debut album Heard it in a Past Life

Best book you read this summer?
The Idiot by Elif Batuman

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I spent my summer vacation working through my Colorado bucket list, visiting friends and family on the East Coast, and cheering for Argentina in the World Cup.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My favorite hobbies are trail running, skiing, gravel biking, yoga, and baking.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
Coming from a much smaller school, I am excited to meet my colleagues and join such a robust school community at Waterford.


BEN WHITE ’12
MS/US Counselor

Best book you read this summer?
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. It is a compelling, big‑picture exploration of how humans evolved culturally and socially. One of my favorite books I have read!

Where is your hometown?
Salt Lake City. I grew up in Utah but have lived across the West in Washington, Colorado, and California. I am glad to be back in Utah as I love the blend of city life and nearby mountains.

How did you spend your summer vacation?
Hiking and exploring with my wife, our newborn, and the dogs. We enjoyed a lot of outdoor adventures and family time.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Hiking, skiing, and anything competitive—I’ll play almost any sport or game if someone’s up for it.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m an alumnus, so I’m excited to return to my old school and reconnect with the community while contributing to the vibrant atmosphere that made my experience special.


WHITNEY FITZGERALD
Payroll Specialist/Accounts Payable

Best book you read this summer?
Shield of Sparrows 

Where is your hometown?
Heber City

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I spent my summer vacation camping with my family. 

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
My favorite hobbies are reading books and buying books.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m most looking forward to working on a great team!


ALIA ARCHULETA
HR Generalist

What is your favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert is fresh warm cookies with Costco vanilla ice cream!

Do you have a pet?
I have a pet named Molly! She is a golden retriever and my best friend.

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I got married on August 8th! And I enjoyed being newlyweds in the Dominican Republic on my honeymoon! 

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
One of my favorite hobbies is thrifting and antique shopping!

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I am most looking forward to always growing, and becoming a better version of myself each year. Just starting my career, and I could not be more excited to start here at Waterford.


RACHEL PETTIT
Director of Major Gifts

What is your favorite dessert?
Traditional French Chocolate Mousse with Viennese Whirls

Do you have a pet?
Peek-A-Poo named Stella

How did you spend your summer vacation?
I spent part of the summer on an extended road trip with my daughter, traveling through Indiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, and many places in between before returning home to Utah. 

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy entertaining, floral design, skiing, traveling to new countries, and spending time with my husband and daughter. 

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
As a Waterford parent for the past three years, I am delighted to deepen my connection with this wonderful community. I am especially looking forward to building meaningful relationships and finding new ways to support the continued growth of programs that benefit all Waterford students.


STEVEN SCHMIDT
Computer Science

Where is your hometown?
Sandy, Utah

Best book(s) you read this summer?
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and Steve Jobs in Exile by Geoffrey Cain

How did you spend your summer vacation?
This summer I finished up my work at my old job at Idaho National Labs, learned a new sport (for me) called Hand Ball, and attended some educational conferences!

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Socialize with friends, travel, play pickleball, frisbee, swimming, or hiking, and work on fun software or vintage-tech projects.

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m looking forward to associating with the bright and creative people at Waterford, both teachers and students, who are willing to join me in “nerding out” about cool technology, learning new concepts, and having fun exploring alternative ways of thinking.  I’m excited to be a part of this community!


JERRY BENSON
Chief Financial Officer/
Assistant Head for Finance

Where is your hometown?
Sycamore, Illinois

What is your favorite song or album?
Johnny by Sarah Jarosz

How did you spend your summer vacation?
Spent my summer visiting family, and enjoying the outdoors.

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Flyfishing and hiking

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I look forward to getting to know the faculty and staff at Waterford.


GABRIELLE ANDERSON
Head of Lower School

Where is your hometown?
Lafayette, CO (front range area in CO)

Do you have a pet?
2 dogs—both border collies—9 year old female named Sonya and 8 year old male named Bertrand. Both love to play ball and lick empty peanut butter jars.

How did you spend your summer vacation?
Moving to and settling into Utah, exploring the Dimple Dell gulley and tackling a few home projects!

Favorite hobbies outside of work?
Reading, sewing, baking, playing cards and board games with my family, road trips!

What are you most looking forward to about being at Waterford School?
I’m most looking forward to getting to know people. I’m a big believer that you can’t lead a community well until you really know the people in it. So I’m excited to get into classrooms, talk with teachers, meet families, and learn our students—their strengths, their quirks, what they love, and what they need. And then I’m excited to take all of that and help us continue to build an incredible Lower School together.

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