Introducing our New Faculty & Staff for the 2024–2025 School Year
Amy Alfriend '80, WIN Coordinator
Amy grew up in Towson and is a 1980 graduate of the NDP 12-Year Club. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University and a Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Amy worked at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as the Assistant Director of the Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. She then transitioned to General Electric Corporation in their Corporate Medical Department working with their Chief Medical Officer. Amy will be the part time WIN Coordinator here at NDP. She is married and has two daughters, both of whom recently graduated from NDP. In her spare time, she enjoys taking long walks, reading, listening to podcasts and spending time at the beach.
Lauren Benjamin, Director of Alumnae Relations
Lauren is a Baltimore County native and a former litigation attorney. She made a career transition to Advancement work back in 2016 and loves building relationships and connecting with people. She is a former college athlete, having played Women’s Basketball at Franklin & Marshall College for four years. She lives in Lutherville with her husband, James, and seven-year-old daughter, Gracie. She is a proud aunt to her twin niece and nephew, Bridget and Samuel, and she enjoys live music, shopping for deals, and spending time with family and friends.Tom Curry, Religion Department Chairperson
Tom will teach Upper School Religion and serve as Religion Department Chairperson. He grew up in Los Angeles and Northern Virginia. After graduating with a B.A. in Religion from La Salle University, he studied a year in Kyoto as a Midorikai Fellow at Urasenke College, where he earned a Certificate in Chanoyu Studies. He holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Systematic Theology from Boston College and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Marymount University's School of Business. Tom has taught theology and administered at schools including St. John's College High School and Bishop Ireton. He is thrilled to team with new colleagues in advancing NDP's liberating mission. He has instant respect for anyone who can play an instrument and always welcomes a good movie tip.Becky Forsythe, Controller
Our new Controller in the Business Office, Becky comes to us with extensive experience in both public and private industry accounting. She has worked in various industries such as education, construction, and healthcare in addition to auditing in public accounting for over 10 years. Becky is also a mom of two current NDP students.Tera Kazmierski, Upper Level Social Studies Teacher
Tera was born and raised in Maryland and received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from College of Notre Dame of Maryland (now Notre Dame of Maryland University). After working for a few years, she decided to go back to school and received her Master of Arts in Philosophy/Ethics from George Mason University and then a Master of Arts in Law from George Washington University. Since then, she's taught English at Carver Vocational Technical High School in Baltimore City. She will continue her teaching career here at NDP and can't wait to be working with SSNDs again. In her spare time, she loves to hang out with her husband and young daughter and watch cooking competition shows. She also loves to read and do research when she can find the time. Tera will be a member of the social studies department.Marie Laporte, Middle Level Language Teacher
Marie grew up in Paris, France, and developed her love for sciences, arts, and creativity through her degree in architecture. She then began her second life in Canada where she worked as an architect and realtor and discovered her passion for teaching. She began teaching as a hobby, and soon enough, she went back to school and obtained her teaching degree. Her dynamism and love for new horizons paid for the double life she enjoys having, until a third life pathway crossed her destiny and brought her to American soil, where she is blessed to be able continue growing her teaching career. She is excited to be teaching Latin and French to the Middle Level students at NDP.Michael Manning, Upper Level Science Teacher
Michael grew up in Maryland and received a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Stevenson University. After Stevenson University, he worked in the business-to-business sales before heeding his call to the classroom. He returned to the Johns Hopkins University School of Education to earn a Master of Science in Education. Since then, he's taught various sciences in grades 6–12 at Baltimore County Public Schools, Morgan State University, and most recently at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School. He will continue his teaching career here at NDP. In his spare time, he enjoys various activities such as martial arts, obstacle racing, and digital art. He is also the proud dad to a four-year-old and three-month-old.Wendy Mundis, Middle Level Learning Resource Specialist
Wendy grew up in Pennsylvania and earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. After working for a Japanese Electric Power Company in Washington, DC, and teaching English in Japan, she returned to school to obtain her teaching certification and her Master of Arts in Special Education. Wendy taught in North Carolina then in Howard County, Maryland, for multiple years before serving as a Learning Specialist at Roland Park Country School. During her free time, she volunteers at the Baltimore County Animals Services shelter, fosters dogs in her home, cares for her dog-walking clients, travels, enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, family, and friends, and dotes on her two rescue pups. She is looking forward to working closely with the staff at NDP to teach and support Middle Level students with learning differences.
Bob Nowaskey, Middle Level Mathematics Teacher
Vance Nannini, Upper Level Science Teacher
Vance was born in Detroit, MI, and raised in Redford (right next to Detroit). He is a product of 12 years of Catholic school (Saint Agatha) and graduated from Western Michigan University. Immediately after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army for three years, and he retired 25 years later. Following retirement, he completed a traditional teacher certification and is now about to begin his 14th year of high school teaching—eight of which have been in Catholic schools. He recently completed a master's degree in physics teaching from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and he's keen to apply that experience as part of the Notre Dame Prep science team.
Bob Nowaskey, Middle Level Mathematics Teacher
Bob is a graduate of Calvert Hall. He and his wonderful wife have four children, Macie, Amy, Scott and Evan. Bob enjoys cooking and playing golf. He is a member and treasurer of the International Plastic Modelers Society of Baltimore. Bob will be teaching mathematics to our Middle Level students.Kristen O’Brien, Upper Level & Middle Level English Teacher
Kristen is a 1999 graduate of Perry Hall High School. After high school, she earned her Bachelor of Science in English and then her Master of Art in Teaching in Secondary Education, English. She taught at Middle River Middle School for 11 years before teaching at Perry Hall High School for seven years. She currently lives in Kingsville with her husband, Shawn, who is a deputy in Harford County and her daughter, Lucy, who is 9. Her family purchased a camper this year, and she enjoys traveling with her family and her dog, Chase. She also has a cat, Poppy, and 6 chickens. Kristen will be teaching 7th grade English in the Middle Level and U.S. History and Humanities in the Upper Level.Cyndell Pickett, Upper Level & Middle Level Mathematics Teacher
Cyndell received her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, Bachelor of Science in Finance, and Master of Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College. After finishing her programs, she taught math at Sacred Heart Academy in Connecticut. She recently moved to Maryland to continue her education at Morgan State University to earn her doctorate in mathematics education. She is happy to be able to continue teaching both Middle Level and Upper Level mathematics here at NDP. In her free time, she enjoys talking on the phone with her friends and family, dancing, and traveling the world.Megan Rutch, Upper Level Computer Science Teacher
Megan Rutch grew up in New Jersey before attending Virginia Tech to receive her degree in Computer Science from the College of Engineering. After college, she worked as a software developer in Nashville, TN. Megan realized she wanted to get into teaching computer science and has been actively working on her master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. Megan is a proud Dog Mom and animal lover, having previously volunteered at the Nashville Zoo. She loves to travel and attend different sporting events and concerts. Megan will be teaching computer science this year.DeLisa Swiger, Donor Services Manager
DeLisa Swiger is a Baltimore local from the Essex/Middle River area and is a 2003 graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University where she majored in art history and minored in history. DeLisa comes to NDP with 20 years of experience in fundraising. Her last role was the Donor Relations Coordinator at the Fuel Fund of Maryland where she managed their Individual Giving program. Before the Fuel Fund of Maryland, she worked in various positions in the Museum Advancement department of the Walters Art Museum for almost 18 years. Her final role at the museum was as the Donor Relations Coordinator. Her role at NDP is with the Advancement team serving as the Donor Services Manager.Leonard Thambirajah, Upper Level Mathematics Teacher
Leonard will be teaching in our mathematics department. He is coming from Poughkeepsie New York where he was part of the math department at Marist College. He has taught higher level math at several high schools in the New York area, including Stuyvesant High School.
Sara Walker, Upper Level & Middle Level Social Studies Teacher
Sara grew up in Delaware and received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Joseph’s University. After college, she joined the Marine Corps and served for seven years. Since then, she's worked as a school librarian and long-term substitute teacher while earning her Master of Education in Secondary Education at West Chester University. She is excited to join the NDP team as social studies teacher and assistant cross country coach this year. In her spare time she enjoys reading, biking, and running. This summer, she went on a three-week bikepacking trip, riding her bicycle to Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Li grew up in Nantong, a city in China known for its blue calico fabric and unique pastries. Her hometown is just across the river from Shanghai. She moved from California to Maryland 12 years ago. She started teaching Chinese to non-native speakers in her spare time right after graduating from college. She has taught Chinese for over 10 years at Fun with Foreign Language in Towson and will continue teaching Chinese at NDP. She loves exploring various languages, food, and different cultures from around the world. She also enjoys playing with her cats and spending time on social media.Kathy Wilder '79, Director of Learning Resource Services
Daughter of an 1956 alumna and mother of a 2009 alumna, Kathy is a sunshine classmate from 1979 who has come home to NDP. As a kindergarten student who came home to her own classroom of dolls and stuffed animals, she was destined to teach. Her circuitous path back to NDP included a year at law school, coursework for teaching certification at Johns Hopkins University, Towson University, and Notre Dame of Maryland University, and eventually a master's degree at Loyola University Maryland. She has taught at all levels K–12+ and supported two student teachers who earned their master's degrees as reading specialists. Her experience as a former educator at Seton High School, The Odyssey School, and Maryvale Preparatory School provided her with wonderful opportunities to learn from and mentor students of many ages, sizes, and learning styles. A mother of three Lopez kids, bonus mom to three more Wilder kids, with a furry pug baby, she enjoys exploring the world through the eyes of the next generation. Her favorite personal learning experiences come from the awe and wonder of young folks whose curiosity challenges her. Kathy will serve as the Director of Learning Resource Services.Notre Dame Preparatory School
An Independent, Catholic Girls School, Grades 6-12, Sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame
