Taj Cannon '14, Jacqueline Curry '16, Mike McNulty '09, Betsy Spear '97, and Taylor Wright '11 have joined the EA faculty and staff for the 2020-2021 school year. This brings the total alumni faculty and staff members to 19.
In anticipation of potential teacher absences due to sickness or the need to quarantine, EA decided to invest in several adjunct faculty members who could assist now in various classrooms and jump in to fill any absences to help reduce the impact on learning continuity. EA is thrilled that a few of the adjunct teachers have decided to return to their alma mater.
Taj Cannon '14 - Adjunct Visual Arts Teacher
Taj will bring his artistic talents back to the Visual Arts Department. Taj is a graduate of EA and earned his bachelor of arts degree in painting at Temple University. He has run an arts program with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Education and discovered his passion for connecting with students through art. Taj most recently worked for Taylor Communications in Newtown Square and as a recreational specialty instructor in Philadelphia. Taj is also a fellow with the Philly Mural Arts Program and you can see some of his work here.
Taj was grateful to join the faculty alongside he favorite teachers. "David Sigel and Hilary Hutchison have been some of the most influential since my time as a student and even after I graduated EA," he shared. "It has been an amazing experience so far working side-by-side with them. They have been helping me gain teaching experience, take on challenges in the classroom, and use my artistic talents to lead students along the path of creative thinking."
Jacqueline Curry '16 - IT Support Specialist
Jacqueline is excited to join the IT team as a support specialist. She interned at EA over the last three summers, configuring new computers for students, faculty, and staff and writing and running software download commands. Jacqueline graduated in May, with honors, from Franklin & Marshall College.
On joining EA as a staff member, Jacqueline shared, "When given the opportunity to come back and work at EA full-time, I knew I would be welcomed with open arms while given the chance to grow and explore, not only as a professional, but as a person. I chose to come back to EA to re-immerse myself in the amazing, supportive community I value so deeply, but, more so, to take advantage of the opportunity to give back to the school and the people who have given me so much."
Mike McNulty '09 - Adjunct Math Teacher
Mike returns to EA to teach Middle School math as an adjunct teacher. He most recently taught and coached baseball at Camden Catholic High School. Mike spent two years teaching at Visitation Blessed Virgin Mary, upon graduating from Catholic University. He conducted his student teaching in Washington D.C.'s largest public high school. Mike earned a graduate degree in education at St. Joseph's University.
"I've worked in 3 different states, and I have yet to find a place like Episcopal," he said. "I have yet to find a school with the same academic rigor, commitment to athletics, and such a great sense of community. When I came back here, it didn't feel like I was coming to new a job, it felt like I was coming home."
Betsy Spear '97 - Adjunct Classics Teacher
Betsy discovered her love for the Classics as a student at EA. During the past school year, Betsy was a long-term substitute, teaching Latin at Bala Cynwyd Middle School. She spent several years teaching Middle and Upper School at The Shipley School. Over the years, Betsy has also worked as a substitute teacher at EA in both Latin and English. Betsy is a graduate of Williams College and earned her graduate degree from Bryn Mawr College. You may also remember Betsy's father, Phil Spear, Hon., who taught English at EA and served as chair of the Upper School English Department, Director of Admission, and Acting Head of the Upper School during his 26 years at EA.
Betsy is thrilled to be back at EA. Although much has changed, from the technology (she recalls playing Oregon Trail on an Apple 2GS), to the campus location, Betsy said, the traditions and the commitment to excellence remain the same. "EA's commitment to Classics also remains," she said, "and that's super important, since my love of Classics and my desire to teach originated at EA."
Taylor joined the Upper School as an adjunct faculty member in the Upper School this year. Before teaching, Taylor played professional baseball and worked as a trader at Stevens Capital Management in Philadelphia. As a student, Taylor was a three-sport varsity athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Brown University, where he played varsity baseball and majored in Public Policy and American Institutions. Most recently, he earned his master's of business administration degree at Villanova University.
Taylor made the switch to education because he wants to help the next generation of EA students find and follow their passions. "I wanted to come back to EA because it is an excellent opportunity to learn from the best teachers and work with brightest young minds. I loved my time at EA as a student and wanted to be a part of furthering its academic and athletic legacy," he shared. He will also be coaching basketball this winter.