Thacher English Department

In their study of English at Thacher, students build the deep critical thinking skills they need to listen, speak, write, learn—and to explore the human experience through literature.

Their teachers are both guides and participants as all work together to take on challenging texts from a variety of genres and a diversity of voices. In small classes, students engage in rigorous discussion, regular essay writing, and creative analytical explorations. These skills and more prepare them to succeed in demanding college courses in any discipline.

Real World Context

Our faculty knows that stories powerfully reflect and influence the wider culture and social thought and that the critical thinking tools Thacher students sharpen in their English classes can help them build a community of understanding and empathy wherever they are. It’s why our English classes regularly focus on mapping the assigned texts to current and historical events in the real world.

Course of Study

Thacher students take English classes every year. Freshmen read, discuss, and write about a wide range of texts, including poetry, short stories, plays, novels, and essays. Sophomore year builds on that foundation, broadening the variety of voices and increasing fluency in an expanded list of literary terms, poetic devices, and elements of narrative. Juniors take a deep dive into American Studies, honing their powers of analysis and strengthening their understanding of writing genres on topics that correspond to their U.S. History coursework. Seniors explore a variety of seminars in specialized areas, from personal narrative and short fiction writing to classes focusing on a particular theme, author, or genre.

At all levels, students work both independently and collaboratively, write analytically and creatively, come to understand their role in creating a productive classroom environment, and grow to embrace intellectual curiosity and risk-taking.

- Isabel

“My experience writing at Thacher has proven invaluable at Williams. Beyond giving me the practical skills I needed, teachers like Mr. Robinson and Ms. Halsey instilled in me a deep love for writing. Because of Thacher, I write with joy. This makes all the difference.”

Evanston, Illinois

Academics at Thacher

English Department Faculty

List of 8 members.

Dr. Seth Boyd

Chair of the English Department, English Teacher

805-646-4377

University of New Hampshire - BA, MA
University of Nevada - PhD

Bio
Seth developed a love of the West while living in Nevada as a graduate student. His passion for boarding school education, kindled by his work with the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program, sent him back to the East Coast, where he taught at The Hill School in Pennsylvania. At Thacher, Seth teaches sophomore and junior English classes, coaches the JV boys’ basketball and varsity boys’ tennis teams, and spends as much time as possible riding bikes on the roads and trails surrounding campus. He lives in Upper School with his wife, Melanie Berner, and son, Arlo.
Ms. Melanie Berner

English Department, Mindfulness Instructor

Bio
Melanie is the head of mindfulness programming, teaches English, coaches rock climbing, and advises sophomore girls. A northern Nevada native, she loves spending time in the mountains, especially the Sierras. As a graduate student, Melanie taught in the University of Nevada's English department, as well as putting her BFA to use in teaching photography classes. She also taught at the St. Paul's School summer program, and after seven years at the Hill School in Pennsylvania, Melanie is happy to be back in the West here at Thacher. She lives in Upper School with her husband, Seth Boyd, and their six-year-old son, Arlo.
Ms. Katherine Halsey

French and English Teacher and Riding Instructor

Stanford University - BA

Bio
A teacher of French and English, Katherine had never ridden horses before coming to Thacher, but she soon discovered the challenges and rewards of working in the equine world. Now she not only instructs students in riding but also leads horse-packing trips. A graduate of Stanford University, Katherine taught at Belmont Hill School and Phillips Academy, Andover prior to Thacher. She likes to say that she followed her daughter, then a boarding student, to Thacher. Katherine enjoys reading, writing, singing, and spending time with her grown children and their families. She plays the guitar and has recently taken up the mandolin. Katherine’s passion for language study and international travel took her to France on School Year Abroad as a senior in high school, the first of eight years total spent living there. Striking out in a whole new direction, Katherine spent her sabbatical year, 2006-2007, in South Africa, where she volunteered for mothers2mothers, an organization that works in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. She worked in curriculum development for m2m and had the chance to travel extensively throughout sub-Saharan Africa, serving as a spokesperson and liaison for the group.
Dr. Tracy Miller

Assistant Head of School, Director of Studies

805-640-3201 x213

Mount Holyoke College - AB
New York University - MA, PhD

Bio
Tracy is from north of Boston, Massachusetts and graduated from Mount Holyoke College, moving to New York City immediately following to pursue a PhD in English at NYU. While in graduate school Tracy taught for NYU’s English dept. She also worked in the summer programs at The Northfield Mount Hermon School and Phillips Academy, which solidified her interest in teaching at the secondary level. Tracy began teaching at The Webb Schools in 2010, where she held a variety of roles, including most recently director of studies. In her free time Tracy loves the outdoors and spending time with her son Joseph, and husband, Jay.
Dr. Ali Rahman

English Department

Drexel University - BA
Sarah Lawrence College - MFA
University of California, Santa Barbara - PhD

Bio
A native of Philadelphia, Dr. Ali Rahman rejoined Thacher after spending two years teaching in the writing program at The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rahman was a Fisher Fellow previously, where he taught English, History, and coached several sports, including tennis and basketball. He also holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College where he worked on a novel about the second generation Muslim American experience. He graduated with a B.A. from Drexel University in 2011 and has taught in a variety of contexts since that time, including a large research university, independent K-12 schools, community centers, a prison in New York, and a university in the Middle East. He loves to learn, teach, and talk about literature, history, art, culture, and technology’s impact on society. Dr. Rahman will be living next to Casa with his family, including Ms. Mohsenian-Rahman, our new director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Mr. Cameron Spaulding

Thacher Wilderness Program Director and Golden Trout Program Director

Bio
Cam Spaulding CdeP 1992 first returned to Thacher in 2002 to work in the Horse and Outdoor Programs. During his time at the School, he has come to oversee the operations at Golden Trout Camp, where he lives and works during the summers. He is back on campus for the winter and spring terms this year to teach several elective courses, lead weekend camping trips, and coach both soccer and lacrosse.
Mr. Tim Sullivan

Dean of Faculty, English Teacher, Upper School Dorm Head

Princeton University - AB
Middlebury College - MA

Bio
As a member of the English department faculty, Tim fully embraces Thacher's essential spirit of adventure; for him, sharing that spirit takes place in all facets of Thacher life. Tim arrived at Thacher in 2013 after eight years teaching, coaching, and working in development at his high school alma mater, Loyola Blakefield, an all-boys Jesuit day school just outside Baltimore, Maryland. After graduating from Princeton in 2005, Tim continued his studies (and met his wife, Courtney) at Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English, from which he graduated in 2010 with a master's degree. In addition to working in the English department at Thacher, Tim coaches varsity boys' lacrosse, is the dorm head for Upper School, and serves as an advisor to senior boys. He and Courtney live on campus with their two boys, Cooper and Beckett.
Ms. Johanna Valdez