Meet Our New Faculty

Front row, from left: Casey Lyons '12, Jessica Holdredge '06, Oliver Tingling. Second row: Nick Pohl, David Dahari, Jessica Tingling. Third row: Ashok Pillai, Susana Valverde, Chris Rokous, Julia Kennard. Fourth row: Justin Torre '07, Chenxi Li, Michael Cohen, Regal Sealy.

MICHAEL COHEN

ECONOMICS TEACHER

Michael is a part-time faculty member teaching a section of Economics & Philanthropy. Before returning to teaching, he worked in marketing and co-founded The Pass in Sheffield. His teaching experience includes creating and teaching a class at Tufts University while earning his Bachelor of Arts in English. He also worked at The William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia as a member of the English faculty.

DAVID DAHARI

PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY TEACHER

David was the faculty advisor for the Berkshire Astronomy Club last year, and this year he will teach physics and astronomy as well. A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, David completed a master’s in both astrophysics and science education at the University of Florida. His career in education has spanned the globe, from an adjunct professor of astronomy in Gifu, Japan to an AP and honors physics and chemistry teacher at the Wahconah Regional High School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

JULIA KENNARD

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Julia was drawn to boarding school life after spending three summers at Brewster Academy working with their Royal Thai Scholars program. After graduating from Trinity College in 2020 with a bachelor’s in English and art history, she moved to Boston and spent two years teaching at the Chestnut Hill School. Most recently, Julia was the Communications Manager and a volleyball coach at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School. In addition to working in the Communications and Marketing Department, she is a house parent and coach.

CHENXI (CHECIE) LI

ENGINEERING TEACHER

Checie earned her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she was also a teaching assistant in physics and a research assistant in the biophysics lab. She completed her Master of Engineering from McGill University in the spring of 2024 and was a Project Engineering Intern for Pratt & Whitney Canada. At McGill, she tutored students in physics and was a Mental Health Ambassador for their Peer Support Center. At Berkshire, Checie also coaches and serves as a house parent.

CASEY LYONS '12

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS

After graduating from Berkshire in 2012, Casey attended the University of Delaware and, on the lacrosse field, led the Division I Blue Hens in points each year of her career. While completing her Master in Sports Administration at Canisius College, she also was the graduate assistant for their women’s Division I lacrosse team and engaged in player recruitment analysis. Casey spent her last three years at Canterbury School, both coaching and working in their Admissions Office. At Berkshire, she will also work in the Admission Office, coach girls lacrosse, and serve as an adjunct house parent.

ASHOK PILLAI

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT CHAIR

Ashok graduated from Williams College and went on to earn a Master of Science for Teachers of Mathematics at the University of New Hampshire before beginning his teaching career at St. Sebastian’s School. In 2007, he moved to Middlesex School and taught computer programming and mathematics. During his time at Middlesex, Ashok had many roles including Computer Science Department Chair, AP Reader, Director of STEM, Chair of the Schedule and Calendar Review Task Force, House Head, Head Volleyball Coach, and Volleyball NEPSAC President. At Berkshire he coaches volleyball and lives on campus.

NICK POHL

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

A resident of Great Barrington, Nick was the Executive Director of Housatonic Youth Service Bureau for nearly a decade before working as the Director of Instructional Support and Student Experience at his alma mater, Concordia College. After earning his M.S.W. at Fordham University, Nick returned to the Berkshires to work as the Dean of Students and Primary Clinician at John Dewey Academy. Most recently, he was an Assistant Program Director at the Austen Riggs Center. At Berkshire, Nick works with students as both a counselor and coach.

CHRIS ROKOUS

ENGLISH TEACHER

A graduate of Boston College with a master’s degree from Middlebury, Chris first entered the field of education as a volunteer math and English instructor in the United States Peace Corps in Botswana. When he returned to New England, Chris began a boarding school career of over 30 years, where he has served as an English teacher and department chair, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Development, coach, and dorm parent. Most recently, Chris worked at Governor’s Academy and Kent School. At Berkshire, he also coaches squash and lacrosse and lives on campus.

REGAL SEALY

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, HISTORY TEACHER

After earning his degree at Williams College, Regal worked as the Assistant Men's Lacrosse coach at Lasell University as the defensive and recruiting coordinator. His teaching career began at the Meadowbrook School of Weston where he was the Multicultural Affairs Teaching Intern and History Associate Teacher. Recently, he was the Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs and Community Development at St. John’s Preparatory School where he also taught honors level courses on African American studies and Race, Class, and Gender. At Berkshire, Regal serves as the Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, teaches two sections of history, coaches soccer and lacrosse, and lives on campus.

JESSICA TINGLING

LIBRARY DIRECTOR

A graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Jessica also earned a master’s degree in history at Millersville University and a Master of Library and Information Science at Drexel University. In addition to her experience in libraries at the secondary and collegiate level, Jessica has been involved in classroom instruction at all grade levels and contributed to archival projects in both public and private collections. Most recently, she was the Upper School Teacher Librarian at The Baldwin School in Philadelphia and is the founder of J&B Press LLC. At Berkshire, she joins the fall Ritt Kellogg Mountain Program (RKMP) staff and lives on campus.

OLIVER TINGLING

MATHEMATICS TEACHER

Oliver is a part-time faculty member teaching a section of mathematics. Most recently, he worked remotely as a Teaching and Learning Manager with Kami, an online education platform based in Auckland, New Zealand. Prior to his time in education sales, Oliver taught mathematics at Doane Academy in New Jersey, where he was also the cross-country head coach, Dean of the 10th Grade Class, and member of the Upper School Discipline Committee and Middle School Admissions Selection Committee.

JUSTIN TORRE '07

SPANISH TEACHER

A member of the Class of 2007, Justin graduated from Hamilton College and played professional ice hockey in Spain, where he was a team captain and, at one point, the interim head coach of his team. Upon returning to the United States, Justin began his career at Columbia Prep and Grammar and Friends Seminary in New York City. For the last five years, he worked at the Taft School as a Spanish teacher, ice hockey and football coach, dorm parent, and advisor. At Berkshire, Justin will teach, coach, and serve as a house parent.

SUSANA (SUSIE) VALVERDE

BIOLOGY & CHEMISTRY TEACHER

A graduate of Scripps College with a degree in biology and international relations, Susie joined Americorps, Community Healthcorps at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and went on to earn an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. She then worked in the field of health tech and product development with Optum-Unitedhealth group as a Director of Product before returning to her alma mater Governor’s Academy, where she began a new phase in her career as a science teacher, soccer coach, and dorm parent. At Berkshire, she teaches, coaches and lives in the dorm.