Welcome, 2020–21 New Faculty and Staff

James Booth, Science Teacher

James previously taught life sciences and math at the Waldorf High School of Massachusetts Bay in Belmont, Mass.; before that, he taught and mentored students in the department of immunology at the University of Toronto. James grew up in a small town in Quebec. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physiology from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University. James conducted postdoctoral research at Brandeis University and at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, then was a principal investigator at Sunnybrook Research Institute, also in Toronto, where his research focused on the cell biology of immune responses. He is excited to bring his love of teaching and of the life sciences to Concord Academy. James lives in Belmont with his wife and two daughters. In addition to his teaching, he is active in a range of efforts to address climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, both at the level of local action in communities and households and through advocating for policy changes at the state and federal level. He is an avid runner and enjoys listening to the blues.

Hannah Dunphy, Annual Fund and Alumnae/i Programs Coordinator

Hannah joined the Advancement and Engagement Office at CA in January. In her role, she focuses on engagement and fundraising efforts for the Concord Academy Young Alumnae/i Community (CAYAC), manages the class secretary program, and works closely with the Alumnae/i Association senior class student representatives. Prior to joining CA, Hannah worked as the administrative assistant for alumni relations and development at the Taft School in Watertown, Conn. She is a native of Western Massachusetts and a graduate of Wilbraham & Monson Academy. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Fairfield University and is currently working towards a master’s in higher education administration from Georgetown University. She enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering for her alma maters, and spending time at the beach. Hannah lives in Woburn, Mass., with her husband, Sean.

Merrill Genoa, Annual Fund and Alumnae/i Programs Officer

Merrill Genoa joins the Advancement and Engagement Office from Brandeis University, where she served in the Alumni and University Relations Department and in the Office of Special Events. At CA, she works on alumnae/i engagement and annual giving, with a particular focus on reunion programming. Merrill received an M.S. in project and program management from Brandeis University and a B.S. from Connecticut College. A graduate of Brooks School in North Andover, Mass., Merrill is excited to be back in the independent school landscape and thrilled to join the CA community. She lives in Bedford, Mass., with her husband, infant daughter, and pet cat. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, biking, and playing tennis.

Maria LeBlanc, Leadership Gift Officer

Maria is originally from Columbus, Ohio, though she’s been planting roots in New England since she moved to Connecticut to attend Trinity College. After graduating, she served as an education Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, teaching second grade. She then settled in the Boston area to begin her career in higher education development at the Harvard College Fund, and was most recently at Harvard Law School, where she was the senior associate director in leadership giving. Maria attended an independent school and is thrilled to be back in this environment and to be working with CA alumnae/i and parents in her new role. She lives in Acton, Mass., with her family and their small (but feisty) dachshund.

Robert Munro, Dean of Academic Program and Equity

Rob holds a newly configured senior administrative position at CA, overseeing the academic program and leading the institution’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice efforts. This work includes the development of personal responsibility in cultural competency institution-wide, and an awareness of thoughtful stewardship of our world and its critical resources. His role is focused on the nexus of academics and equity, with the understanding that a school cannot be academically excellent without equity. Rob came to CA from Middlesex School, where he has taught in the History Department since 2012, and directed the school’s Global Studies program since 2016. He has also coached boys’ squash and tennis and served as a dormitory assistant. Rob continues to live on the Middlesex campus with his wife and two daughters. He earned a B.A. from Bates College and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Rob serves as co-president of The Robbins House, a member of the board of governors at the Concord Museum, and an appointed member and clerk for the Concord Center Cultural District Committee. Read more about Rob here.

Shamime Shaw, Wilcox Fellow in Visual Arts (Film)

Shamime considers herself a “filmmaker-academic.” Her multi-ethnic background gives her the insight necessary to produce films and social media campaigns that connect with the changing and growing demographics of the music and entertainment industry. Her peers and professors deem her a “master with contemporary dialogue, a natural storyteller, and professor who connects with a multitude of backgrounds.”

Zora Vermilya, Wilcox Fellow in English

Zora graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in May 2019 with a concentration in creative writing and literature. Last year she worked at the Woodside Priory School in Palo Alto, Calif., in the residential life program as a dorm parent. Zora has been singing since early elementary school and has been in some form of choral ensemble all the way through college. She has played three instruments (saxophone, cello, and piano) and loves to paint and draw. The literature and philosophy of Afrofuturism jolt her into intrigue and delight. When asked about her aspirations and what energizes her, Zora replies, “One day I want to publish novels where people of color are represented as strong and beautiful and where suffering isn’t the main part of their story. Advocating for people of color where their presence is sparse is something that gets me going.” After a few weeks of knowing Zora as her mentor, CA English teacher Sabrina Sadique says, “I have no doubt we will be teaching her novels soon.”

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