The Ellis School is pleased to announce new faculty members for the 2020–2021 school year. The School is thrilled to add these passionate intellects, scholars, and linguists to our team. Please join us in welcoming these talented educators to our community.
Harry Frazee Lower School Support Teacher Harry Frazee joins Ellis as a Lower School Support Teacher. Mr. Frazee holds a Master’s in Education from Duquesne University and is thrilled to bring his experience from teaching in private schools, coaching girls’ basketball, and directing theatre productions to Ellis. As a parent and teacher, Mr. Frazee is passionate about nurturing and empowering girls and is guided by the old adage “what is learned with pleasure is learned full measure.”
Elizabeth Johnstone Middle School French and Spanish Teacher Elizabeth Johnstone joins Ellis as a Middle School French and Spanish Teacher. Ms. Johnstone holds an M.A. in French Language and Civilization from New York University, and an M.Sc. in Global Migration from University College London. Prior to Ellis, she taught French at Friends Academy in Long Island and spent two years teaching English to elementary and high school students in Paris. Ms. Johnstone has had the chance to visit several Spanish-speaking and French-speaking countries and is excited to share her passion for learning about different cultures and languages with her students. A bientôt! ¡Hasta pronto!
Jori Kennedy Pre-kindergarten Teacher Jori Kennedy joins Ellis as a Pre-kindergarten Teacher. Ms. Kennedy holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Carlow University. Prior to Ellis, she was the Pre-K Lead Teacher at The Goddard School and also spent time teaching in the Pittsburgh-area at Brightside Academy and Sunrise Elementary School. Dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of future leaders at Ellis, Ms. Kennedy firmly believes in the importance of every child feeling valued, loved, and safe in the classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting Lancaster Amish Country, listening to music, and watching throwback movies.
Lynne St. Hilaire Upper School Chemistry Teacher Lynne St. Hilaire joins Ellis as an Upper School Chemistry Teacher and faculty coordinator of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) program. Ms. St. Hillaire holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.Ed. from Notre Dame University. Prior to Ellis, she taught science, chemistry, and biology at Marymount High School, an all-girls school in Los Angeles, California. Beyond teaching, she enjoys road trips, running, snowboarding, and baking. A native Pittsburgher, Ms. St. Hillaire has fond memories of playing lacrosse against Ellis in high school and is thrilled to be back in her hometown to introduce her husband, Bill, and two children, Guerin (5) and Gracie (3) to the city.
Josh Thomas Middle and Upper School Latin Teacher Josh Thomas joins Ellis as a Middle and Upper School Latin Teacher. Mr. Thomas holds a B.A. in Classics and History from The Ohio State University and an M.A. in Latin and Greek from Villanova University. Prior to Ellis, he taught Latin at a private school in the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Thomas discovered his love of ancient languages while studying at Ohio State, and since then has been dedicated to sharing his love of the Latin language and to making it accessible, relevant, and engaging for his students.
If you're interested in exploring Ellis for your daughter, let's connect! Request information about enrollment, attend one of our upcoming events, or hear about Ellis from those who know it best: our students.