Thacher Welcomes New Faculty and Staff

Here is a quick introduction to this year's winning lineup of new (and returning) talent.

Jennifer Finley
Our library director, Jennifer enjoys helping students research topics, particularly challenging ones, as she finds that throughout the process she is learning as well.  She most recently worked as the librarian at the Crossroads School. Prior to that, she worked as head librarian at Crespi High School in LA and spent two years as a library assistant at the J. Paul Getty Museum in LA. She also worked for two years at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.  Jennifer lives on campus and advises freshman girls.

Heather Grant
Heather teaches chemistry and honors biology and advises sophomore girls. She is also head coach of Girls Varsity Lacrosse and Girls JV Soccer, making use of her intercollegiate experience at Mount Holyoke College as a letter winner in both sports. Before coming to Thacher, Heather worked at Groton and also at the Louisville Collegiate School in Kentucky. She lives on campus with her cat, Little Punk.

Claire Kendrick CdeP 1999
Claire returned to Thacher in the winter of 2006 to help launch the inaugural production in the new Performing Arts Center—launch is indeed the operative word, as she helped students fly in Peter Pan and well as introducing students to all aspects of technical theatre.  She has stayed on to work in the Horse Program and continue her work with students and theater.  She advises freshman girls and lives on campus.

John Lin
After a hiatus of nine years, John has returned to Thacher to teach English, advise freshman boys, coach Girls Varsity Tennis, and assist in coaching Varsity Baseball. During his initial stint at Thacher from 1993 to 1997, John taught English, served as dean of students, and coached boys and girls tennis and baseball. John has taught English and coached at various schools including The Taft School, Phillips Academy, Middlesex School, and School Year Abroad in Rennes. Outside of the classroom, John is an avid photographer, fly fisherman, violinist, and guitarist. He lives off campus with his wife Marilee and their two sons. 

Marilee Lin
Marilee teaches English and advises freshman girls. Marilee worked at Thacher from 1993 to 1997 as the associate director of admission, taught English and coached girls lacrosse. Prior to coming to Thacher she taught English at Phillips Academy, School Year Abroad in Rennes, and The Pike School in Andover, MA. When not in the classroom or spending time with her family, Marilee enjoys walking and hiking, and she works to find time for yoga, her personal passion. She and her husband John live off campus with their two sons.

Wei-Ying Lin
Wei-Ying came to Thacher in the fall of 2004.  After returning home to spend a year with her family in Taiwan, Wei-Ying returned to Thacher in 2006 to teach all levels of Chinese, advise sophomore girls, and advise production of the yearbook. Wei-Ying was not new to boarding schools when she arrived at Thacher; she spent three years at the Dana Hall School before attending Wellesley College. In addition to speaking English, Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, and maintaining conversational skills in Korean, Wei-Ying enjoys writing short stories and poetry, painting, playing squash, and traveling.

Suzie Nixon Bohnett
As of mid-May, Thacher’s new Director of Alumni Relations is Suzie Nixon Bohnett; in this role, she works towards assisting alumni in making meaningful connections to each other and with the School throughout the year. Prior to Thacher, Suzie worked as both Development and Program Directors with community-based non-profits in the area including Girls Incorporated in Carpinteria and the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. She also consulted with various regional and international organizations to support strategic planning, program and fund development. Suzie and her husband Anthony have two children (Brianna, who is very excited to be a part of Thacher's freshman class this year and Noah, who is 10).

R. Keith Norman, Jr.
Keith comes to Thacher this year as the School’s first E.E. Ford Fellow. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in music (with a concentration in popular music) from Florida Memorial University. He spent last year working with elementary and junior high school-aged students in planning and organizing events in El Cerrito, CA. Keith will help in Thacher’s music program and will be an intern in the English Department. He lives in the Los Padres dorm and will coach sports.

Bill Omansiek
Bill lives on campus, advises freshman boys, and serves as assistant coach of Varsity Football.  He enjoys spending time outdoors on Thacher’s Extra-Day Trips and appreciates the commitment of the students he works with in athletics.  Bill has been involved with independent schools for nine years, first at Cranbrook in Michigan, then at Louisville Collegiate School for seven years, and finally at Groton for a year. He has taught history and is fluent in German. 

David Oxley CdeP 1979
A Thacher graduate, David left his Ranch in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to work in the horse department, where he helps students and faculty learn to horse-pack and camp. He also instructs a group of riders each afternoon. He enjoys leading Extra-Day Trips, where he finds himself crossing over terrain that he enjoyed as a Thacher student.  David lives off campus with his wife, Marganne (also a Thacher grad) and their two children, one a recent graduate and one a current sophomore.

Marie-Helene Samson
Marie teaches all levels of French, advises junior girls, and assists in the Outdoor Program.  She enjoys working with motivated students who like learning, and thus finds herself at home in the Thacher classroom.  She also appreciates the Extra-Day Trip program, as students learn about the natural world and enjoy camaraderie outside the classroom.  A French Canadian and native speaker, she has traveled extensively throughout Australia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.  She lives on campus with her husband.