Skip To Main Content
The Gordon School

Landing Nav

Breadcrumb

Meet the Board of Trustees

The governing body of the school

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the school. The Head of School reports directly to the trustees. This structure, with the trustees at the top of the school’s organizational chart, is typical of independent schools.

Gordon has twenty-four trustees. Some are alumni, but most are parents of Gordon students or of a graduate. They meet monthly during the school year.

The Board has three obligations:

  1. Maintaining and supporting the school’s mission
  2. Overseeing the financial health of the school
  3. Selecting, evaluating, and supporting the Head of School

The trustees’ work is primarily long term planning, with decisions that are implemented over periods ranging from eighteen months to five, ten and even twenty years. The day-to-day work of running the school is left in the hands of the staff, teachers and administrators.

An expanded set of frequently asked questions is at www.gordonschool.org/governancefaqs
 

Meet the Board

Damian Ewens, '90, Board Chair

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I am an alumni of Gordon, the husband of Stephanie Alvarez Ewens, and parent of an eighth grader and a seventh grader. I serve on the Trusteeship committee.
 

What do you like best about Gordon?
What I appreciate the most about Gordon School is its founding principle of nurturing heart and mind with equal care and our belief that an inclusive, diverse community engaging with a curriculum rooted in multicultural practice builds the skills and community needed in the world today.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
My favorite thing to do is to go surfing which is an exhilarating and frustrating sport where one patiently waits to join a packet of energy that has traveled hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles and will exist for only a few seconds.
ffff

Rachel Caldwell, Vice Chair

What is your connection to Gordon? 
I am the proud mom of spirited twins in sixth grade and a rambunctious second grader. This is my seventh school year as a Gordon parent. I have enjoyed working with the Gordon Giving committee, as well as volunteering at the Book Fair and Carnival. 

What do you like best about Gordon?
Gordon meets my children where they are and, with clear intention and purpose, helps them grow and stretch. The teachers inspire thoughtful, compassionate and brave learning. I tell my three girls everyday how extraordinarily lucky we are to be part of the Gordon community.

Tell us something about you or your family.
Our children were born adventurers (despite Mom’s fear of heights). We are often found following their lead down ski slopes, the latest surfing adventure, cheering them on at swim meets, and traveling to new places.

fff

Besenia Rodriguez, Vice Chair

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I am a parent to a seventh grader and a third grader. At Gordon, I have served on the Design Team for the 2018-19 Strategic Planning Process and co-chaired the affinity group for Parents of Students of Color from 2019-2023. I currently co-chair the Board’s Education Committee.

What do you like best about Gordon?
What I like best about Gordon is that, through the multicultural curriculum as well as the inclusive community of care that permeates all interactions, my children and I can each bring our full selves to Gordon spaces. We love to be among Gordon folks!

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
Although at heart, I may always be a city person, one of our family's favorite places in R.I. is the Fantastic Umbrella Factory in Charlestown (plot twist: it is not an umbrella factory). We fell in love with this place while living in South County. With emu, goats, and chickens and a stunning bamboo forest, it was a wonderful rediscovery during the challenging months of social distancing.

ffff

Alexis Thompson, Vice Chair

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
My partner Sarah and I have two kids at Gordon, a seventh grader and a fifth grader. Both have been here since Nursery!

Share a fond Gordon memory.
My family has been lifted up by the community at Gordon many times in many ways.

Fond memories include watching the whole school cheer on Damon Ray playing the school song on piano at the all school assembly- one of many times I’ve cried on the bleachers at those events!

Another, that will stay with me always, was the enveloping hug and reassurance from Julie Parsons the day after the 2016 election  with the quiet words “we’ve got this, and WE’VE got your kids.”

What do you like best about Gordon?
The people!

Share a fun fact about yourself.
I REALLY do not like crumbs, and would do well to have a go-go-gadget dustbuster attachment on my right arm. 
ffff

Sean Zierak, Treasurer

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I am the proud father of a fourth grader and a first grader. My wife is also an alum of Gordon.

What do you like best about Gordon?
The community and the passion of the faculty. Every day the Gordon community is engaged and looking to grow together.


ffff

Joshua Wynn, Secretary

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I am parent to a fifth grader and a second grader. I also had the pleasure of co-chairing the 2019 Gordon Carnival and participating on the 2019 Gordon Design Committee. I am coming up on my sixth year on the Diversity Committee and I served one year as the Grade Rep when my oldest was in Preschool.

Share a fond Gordon memory.
My oldest coming home with a book from the Gordon library on "How to be a big sister and what to expect." It showed how engaged and invested all of the Gordon teachers were in her as an individual.

What do you like best about Gordon?
I really like how the Commons space brings parents and Gordon staff together thereby intentionally building community and forging new friendships.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
I am New Yorker first and foremost but I secretly love Rhode Island.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
There isn't a beach I won't travel to!

fff

Nicole Archibald

What is your connection to Gordon? 
I am the proud mom of two current Gordon students: a fifth grader and a Kindergartener, as well as a two-year-old "future Gator". I have served on the Family Engagement Committee for the past two years and am excited to chair that committee for the upcoming school year. 

What do you like best about Gordon?
We moved to Rhode Island from Georgia during the pandemic, with a rising third grader who we were worried about transitioning to a new school and a new preschooler, and feel so incredibly lucky to have found Gordon during a period of such intense transition for our family. Our sons immediately connected with their classmates and teachers, and we felt so comfortable from day one. The sense of community and belonging here is so special, and the focus on social and emotional learning and diversity, equity and inclusion makes Gordon a truly welcoming environment.

Share a Gordon memory.
Our whole family loved attending the evening "moon party" as the culmination of fourth grade's month-long moon study in science class - the fourth graders shared so many things that they had learned throughout the unit, we made homemade Galileo telescopes, and even the younger siblings got to take turns looking through the big telescope. It was such a fun example of how Gordon brings learning to life for our kids and was a great way for the parents and families to gain deeper insight into some of their schoolwork.

fff

Anna Bliss

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
Eons ago, my three older siblings and I all attended Gordon for a number of years (during preschool and kindergarten for me). Now I am in my sixth year as a Gordon parent, with kids in the third and fifth grades. I have served as a GCA grade rep and this is my second year as co-president of the GCA.

What do you like best about Gordon?
My kids look forward to school each day and relish their roles as valued members of the community. The faculty and staff are passionately invested in the social and emotional well-being and intellectual growth of the students, and every child is seen and celebrated for their uniqueness. The Gordon community shares my family’s deepest values and fosters a sense of genuine care and belonging.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
I was adopted from South Korea into a New England family, as were my two children. My husband is not Korean by any stretch of the imagination, but thanks to some language lessons we took together before flying to Seoul to bring home our first child, he speaks as much Korean as I do!

fff

Harmony Conti Bodurtha

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
My daughter is a Class of 2023 Gordon alumna and my son is a current Gordon sixth grader. I have served as a volunteer at Gordon since we joined this community in the fall of 2016. I am currently a co-chair of the Gordon Giving Committee. 

What do you like best about Gordon? 
The Gordon community. I immediately feel the warmth of Gordon's welcoming atmosphere every time I step foot on campus. And, I know my children feel that way too. 

Share a Gordon memory.
There are so many to choose from, but perhaps my favorite thus far was the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony. 

Share a fun fact about yourself. 
My daughter and I share a birthday. Best gift ever!

fff

Sarah Chace Cotter

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I am a Gordon "lifer", nursery through eighth grade, and I have three children currently at the school, in sixth grade, fourth grade and and first grade.
 
What do you like best about Gordon?
Definitely the teachers and staff. The consistent thread through the Gordon I remember in the 1980s and 1990s and the current Gordon are the thoughtful, kind and nurturing adults. 
 
Share a Gordon memory.
Memory Maps with Mrs Whinery in the seventh grade! I wonder if I can still remember every country?

fff

Robert Fine ‘68

What is your connection to Gordon?
I started here when I was two and a half, so it goes back a ways. Our house was across the street from Gordon. I was class of 1968, daughter Hannah was class of 2004 and son Ben was class of 2007.

Share a Gordon memory.
When the school moved to East Providence from Angell Street in January, 1963, I saw my tile, along with tiles of all the other students, on the wall outside the front entrance. Part of the genius of Gordon is letting the students feel empowered and proud of being Gordon students. That feeling remains.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
I have tried and failed to be on Jeopardy! more than once. I have passed initial quizzes but think the screen test was my downfall.

ffff

 

Eugene Johnson, '87

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I am a Gordon alum and current parent with a daughter who is a member of the Class of ’21 and a daughter in fourth grade.

Share a fond Gordon memory.
One of my fondest memories was doing science experiments outside. I remember building small wooden boats to race down a creek that ran along the side of the middle school. I also remember learning basic programming languages. Of course, even then, the school had plenty space to run and play.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
My favorite book is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I love watching films even though I don’t get to watch as many as I once did. Besides spending time with my family, my favorite place to go and recharge are places that have a lot of sun and a roaring ocean.

ffff

Christopher W. Kahler

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
My wife Maitrayee Bhattacharyya and I are the proud parents of two Gordon grads, Kailas Kahler, '16 and Ishan Kahler, '22. I have served on the Education Committee at Gordon for over ten years, including chairing or co-chairing the committee. I have served on the Head's Evaluation Committee, the Advancement Task Force, and as Vice Chair of the Board. 

Share a fond Gordon memory.
My fondest memories of Gordon are seeing my sons on the stage in their respective 4th grade musicals.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
Our family loves to go to Vermont for skiing, tennis, relaxing, and playing intense strategy games.

fff

Amy Lupica

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I am the parent of two Gordon graduates from the Classes of 2007 and 2010. After being a happy parent, in 2013 I joined the Gordon faculty as a first grade teacher. I was thrilled to find out that Gordon was as good on the inside as it had been for our family on the outside!

What do you like best about Gordon?
I love the community! I love seeing the influence of a Gordon education in the lives of our adult graduates. I love working with colleagues that are always striving to learn more and do better. 

Share a fun fact about yourself.
Growing up, I was a competitive synchronized swimmer.

ffff

Sylvia Mburu

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I have a two alumni children; a daughter who graduated from Gordon in 2020, and a son who graduated in 2023. I have served on the giving committee, the finance committee and the diversity committee. I also co-chaired the Parents of Students of Color affinity group for three years.

What do you like best about Gordon?
I love that my children are surrounded by educators who encourage and empower them to be authentic, curious and kind.

Tell us something about yourself or your family. 
I am from Uganda and I lived in and went to school in six countries. This experience shaped my view of the world and how I relate to people.

fff

Ryan J. Mitchner

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
My wife Natasha Mitchner-Soares and I have a first grader who has attended Gordon since Young Kindergarten.
 
What do you like best about Gordon?
The architectural design stood out when we visited Gordon years ago to begin our daughter's education journey. The height of the welcome desk is set for a child or young person, adults must adjust to it. As an educator, the attention to detail, the fact that we adults must adjust to where the kids are at and not the opposite was a powerful first impression.

The safe and inclusive environment promoted by the school is in alignment with efforts and actions, which has been nice to experience and observe since becoming a member of the Gordon community. This was something very important to my wife and I, as we removed the benefit of an independent school education in our decision and focused on our daughter's social emotional well-being.

Finally, our daughter had an immediate connection and at three years of age began telling everyone about her school with the gator. We had to tell her not yet, but let's be positive that it will be your school.
 
Share a fun fact about yourself.
I am a serious person who does not take himself seriously, all the time. Also, I enjoy cooking, baking, and working in my yard.

fff

Prema O’Brien

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
I’m fortunate to have two kids at Gordon. They’re in Preschool and Middle School, straddling both ends of the Gordon experience.
 
What do you like best about Gordon?
How Gordon embodies its value of joyful learning while upholding academic excellence. The warm, friendly, inclusive community. The focus on the environment – through fostering love of nature with outdoor classrooms and enabling our kids to make changes in the world that they can see.
 
Share a Gordon memory.
I love walking my kids into school in the morning - the music’s going, school leaders and staff are greeting everyone, maybe bubbles are floating by. Sara, doing crossing guard duty in the morning, usually does something silly with my daughter; Clare, Assistant to the Head of School, has a dance move she does with my son. Such joy!

ffff

Isaiah Osofisan ’00

ffffffffff

Jennifer Sherer

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I am the parent of an eighth grader and the chair of the Education Committee.

What do you like best about Gordon?
I like that Gordon teaches children to think, to consider other perspectives, and to build their own individual identities.

Share a fond Gordon memory.
I love watching the children run, skip, and smile their way into Gordon each morning. What would the world be like if every school was able to elicit that much love and magnetism each day from so many children?

Tell us something about your family.
I have four amazing children, three of whom have flown the coop and are making a life for themselves. Jeremy, McKenzie, and I like to be outside with our dog, watching the osprey hunt and the hummingbirds drink.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
My favorite place to be is on the Salmon River in Idaho-you are surrounded by astounding beauty and movement, and all that matters is the present moment.

fff

Katie Sklar

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
My daughter DiDi is an eighth grader. She’s been at Gordon since Nursery, including Young Kindrgarten. I am also Co-Chair of the Gordon Giving Committee.

Share a fond Gordon memory.
DiDi being embraced by Maryjane Heymann on the first day of Nursery. She remains a beloved teacher.

What do you like best about Gordon?
Community of parents and kids; open door policy of administration.

Tell us something about yourself or your family.
Our family's favorite spot is Tappan's Beach in Little Compton. You'll find us there most weekends in August. 

Share a fun fact about yourself.
The top of my bucket list is to visit all fifty states. And actually visit - airport pass-through does not count!

ffff

Krystle Tadesse

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I am a current parent of a second grader. This is my fourth year as a Gordon parent. I also serve as the co-chair of the Trusteeship Committee.

What do you like best about Gordon?
I love the community at Gordon. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and goes out of their way to make you feel included. I also love that Gordon “walks the walk.” It is easy for institutions to claim commitment to diversity and multiculturalism. Gordon has truly made that commitment and it is reflected in every facet of the school.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska. My parents moved there from Texas when I two years old and I lived there until I left for college. Most of my immediate family still lives there, so we try to visit at least once a year.

ffff

Karan Takhar ’05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ffff

Ted Trafton '94

Tell us about your connection to Gordon.
I first learned about Gordon as a student when I was four years old (Class of '94) but my wife, Courtney, and I are now the parents of a second grader and a Nursery student. I also serve as the chair of the Investment Committee.
 
What do you like best about Gordon?
What I like best about Gordon is the commitment to encouraging curiosity. Don't just seek an answer but explore it and see if there are competing or better ways to answer the question. I also really value the school's multicultural curriculum - it was a deciding factor in our choice of Gordon.

What do you like best about Gordon?
What I like best about Gordon is the commitment to encouraging curiosity. Don't just seek an answer but explore it and see if there are competing or better ways to answer the question. I also really value the school's multicultural curriculum - it was a deciding factor in our choice of Gordon.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
I once spent a summer living on a glacier in British Columbia learning how to ice climb. I don't get to do such adventurous things anymore but, someday, I hope to climb a big mountain or two with my boys (my wife too if I can talk her into it!)

ffff

Sarah Verardo

Tell us about your connection to Gordon?
This is my seventh year as a Gordon parent. My sons are in fifth grade and second grade. I’ve been on the Marketing and Enrollment Committee for the past two years.

Share a fond Gordon memory.
When I think of fond memories the first that come to mind are the many drop offs we’ve done over the past five years. From the first days in Nursery, to my son running into the classroom to tell his teacher a story, or our daily greetings from Ms. Pieri. It means so much to see my kids so joyful every morning.

Share a fun fact about yourself.
My profession is in digital marketing, but in my spare time I love to paint. 

Damian Ewens, '90, Chair

Rachel Caldwell, Vice Chair

Besenia Rodriguez, Vice Chair

Alexis Thompson, Vice Chair 

Sean Zierak, Treasurer

Joshua Wynn, Secretary

Board Committees

Executive Committee

Buildings and Grounds Committee

Diversity and Education Committee

Family Engagement Committee

Finance Committee

Gordon Giving Committee

Head's Evaluation Committee

Investment Committee

Marketing and Enrollment Committee

Trusteeship Committee