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Welcome New Nichols School Faculty and Staff!

At the beginning of this school year, students and their families will meet a number of new faces across campus! Get to know the new faculty and staff members joining the Nichols community.

Kelly Jorgensen - Director of College Counseling




Kelly Jorgensen brings over 20 years of college and independent school experience to Nichols. In her role, she assists students and families with all aspects of the college process, oversees a team of college counselors, develops new programming to assist families with college planning, and serves as a liaison between Nichols and college representatives.
 
Most recently, Ms. Jorgensen was the Director of College Counseling at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, Texas for nine years. She oversaw the school’s college counseling program, advised students and families, administered and coordinated PSAT and AP testing, hosted over 120 college representatives each fall, and presented school programming for families and students.
 
Ms. Jorgensen also oversaw the college counseling program at Trinity School of Midland in Texas from 2010 to 2012, and she was a college counselor at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan from 1998 to 2010. In both roles, she advised students and supported families in the college process, coordinated standardized testing, and collaborated with school leadership in regards to student support and academic advising.
 
Ms. Jorgensen received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Bowling Green State University.


Peter Wickman - Dean of Enrollment Management




Peter Wickman brings 14 years of independent school experience to the new role of Dean of Enrollment Management, where he oversees admissions, financial aid, and enrollment management processes for Nichols’ Admissions Office.
 
Mr. Wickman most recently worked at The White Mountain School in New Hampshire from 2017 to 2021, where he oversaw a 17 percent increase in the school’s enrollment. Mr. Wickman led enrollment-focused marketing projects including an award-winning viewbook, digital marketing assets and distribution strategies. He also created a Parent and Guardian Ambassador Network and managed virtual events such as meetings, webinars, and videos. He is a frequent presenter at national conferences on admission work in independent schools.
 
Mr. Wickman worked in admission offices of boarding schools in Pennsylvania and Ohio prior to his tenure at White Mountain. He developed and implemented expansion into new domestic and international markets to drive increases in applications, enrollment, and tuition revenue while also expanding the distribution of financial aid and increasing the diversity of the student body.
 
Prior to his work in admissions, Mr. Wickman was an Upper School Spanish teacher at Tatnall School in Delaware. Throughout his independent school career, he has also coached varsity baseball, cross country, and track teams. He has been a dorm parent and advisor, and has worked extensively with finance committees to prepare for long-term financial sustainability.
 
Mr. Wickman earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Gettysburg College and a Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies from Villanova University. He is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.


Lisa Caywood - Registrar and College Counseling Administrative Assistant




Lisa Caywood will be supporting our families and students throughout this year. She joins Nichols School as the Registrar and College Counseling Administrative Assistant. 

Since 2007, Ms. Caywood has worked as the bookkeeper for Lockport Pediatric Associates. Her previous experience also includes positions in accounts receivable at Niagara University and in guest services and special events for the Darwin Martin Restoration Corporation. 

Ms. Caywood earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Writing at Edinboro University, and she also received a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from Canisius College.


Victoria Chatfield - Middle School English Faculty




Victoria Chatfield joins the Nichols Middle School faculty as a fifth grade English teacher. 
 
As an English and theatre teacher at Williamsburg Collegiate Charter School in Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Chatfield designed curriculum for both whole-class reading lessons and small-group guided reading blocks and book clubs. She also led the creation of the school’s literacy-based theatre arts program for grades 5-8. Additionally, she coached a group of students who competed at the New York State Thespian Festival, the first middle school team in the state to compete in technical theatre. Ms. Chatfield has also taught as a 7th and 8th grade English teacher at PS/MS 212 in Bronx, New York, and she worked as an Executive Director at Brooklyn’s National Theatre for Student Artists.
 
In 2016, Ms. Chatfield won a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching, which led to a year-long research post at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. There, she studied youth theaters and cultural pluralism.
 
Ms. Chatfield earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Barnard College and a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University, focusing on adolescent English.


Emma Eddy - Middle School English Faculty



Emma Eddy joins the Nichols Middle School faculty and is teaching sixth grade English this year. 
 
Most recently, Miss Eddy taught English at Nardin Academy in Buffalo for 12 years. Her curriculum for ninth, 10th, and 11th grade English spanned topics including British and European literature, film, writing, Shakespeare, Vera Brittain and the film Testament of Youth, research units on World War I, World War II, and the Holocaust, mythology, the Hero/Heroine’s Journey, and fairy tales. She also served as the high school’s English Department chair and the freshman class dean from 2019 to 2021. She previously taught English at Holy Angels Academy during the 2008-09 school year. Miss Eddy’s work also includes extensive research and numerous publications, presentations, and seminars. Her areas of professional focus include the works and legacies of Jane Austen and Shakespeare with emphasized pedagogical approaches of new literacies and differentiated instruction, Vera Brittain, the Holocaust, and British and European history.
 
Miss Eddy graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canisius College with a Bachelor of Arts in Adolescent Education, concentrating in English. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude from Canisius, receiving a Master’s in Differentiated Instruction.


Molly Gasuik - Physical Education Faculty



A familiar face to many in the school community, Molly Gasuik has coached at Nichols since 2019, serving as head coach for varsity volleyball, softball, and girls basketball. Ms. Gasuik joins the faculty this year and will teach physical education in addition to coaching.

Prior to Nichols, Ms. Gasuik worked at Mount Mercy Academy from 2016 to 2018. As the Recruitment Manager, she represented the school at external and internal recruitment events and led programming for prospective students. She was also the head coach for basketball and softball.

Ms. Gasuik is New York State certified in K-12 Physical and Health Education. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Canisius College and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Special Education from SUNY Buffalo State.


Nicoletta Grundtisch - Middle School Learning Support Coordinator



Nicoletta Grundtisch joins Nichols School in the new position of Middle School Learning Support Coordinator.
 
Grundtisch joins Nichols after eight years at The Gateway Academy of Texas in a variety of roles. As the Dean of Student and Family Support from 2019 to 2021, she established and led a team responsible for creating individualized learning and support plans for students. Her role also included implementing a school-wide House System, providing social coaching and behavioral support, organizing a school-wide fitness program and more. Grundtisch previously held the roles of Behavior Specialist from 2016-19 and Learning Specialist from 2013-16 at The Gateway School.
 
Grundtisch graduated from Niagara University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from the University of St. Thomas.


Ira Hancock - Upper School Learning Support Coordinator



Ira Hancock joins Nichols School in the new position of Upper School Learning Support Coordinator.

Mr. Hancock is experienced at implementing student services programs within independent schools. Since 1996, he has directly engaged with families, teachers and students to build and enhance academic service programs. Throughout the past 18 months, the role he served with his private clients provided optimism in his capacity as a Lifebound Academic Coach. Mr. Hancock’s independent school experience includes roles at Bixby School in Colorado, Aspen Country Day School in Colorado, Pingry School in New Jersey, and Cate School in California.

Mr. Hancock is an Attuned Educator and Profile Advisor in the All Kinds of Minds neurodevelopmental constructs model who has post-baccalaureate continuing education in DISC, Gallup Strengths Finder, V.I.A. Character Survey and Quantum Learning. He has had memberships in both the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators and the National Association of Educational Therapists. 

Mr. Hancock received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Education from Mount Saint Mary College, where he was named to the National Dean’s List and earned the Excellence in Psychology Award for his senior thesis titled Grandparent Roles: Dependent on Family Situations.


Noel Lampazzi - Middle School Science Faculty



Noel Lampazzi joins the Middle School faculty and will teach eighth grade science.

Ms. Lampazzi brings a range of practical environmental development experiences to the classroom. As an AmeriCorps member, she has worked with the New York State Parks Corps in Bemus Point, New York, the Procter Center Farm and Conservation Crew in London, Ohio and with the Texas Conservation Corps in Houston, Texas. Her previous experience also includes roles as an environmental intern with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation in Washington, D.C. and as a rehabilitation intern with the Save Lucy Campaign in Virginia, working with a bat rescue and public outreach non-profit.

Ms. Lampazzi earned her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science from The Ohio State University.


Ramón Nicosia - Upper School History Faculty and Assistant Dean of Students



Ramón Nicosia joins the Nichols School faculty as an Upper School history teacher. He will also serve as Assistant Dean of Students for the Upper School.
 
From 2009 to 2021, Nicosia taught history at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Florida. He created dynamic, engaging lessons on topics including world history, United States history, and civics and government and supported an innovative and cross-curricular learning experience for his students. Nicosia also took on the role of Belen Jesuit’s Assistant Principal of High School Academics in 2016. In that role, he directly assisted with the day-to-day operations of the school, coordinated Upper School curriculum and instruction, designed professional development opportunities, and was the College Board contact for the school’s Advanced Placement courses. 
 
Nicosia earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Canisius College. He went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction for Social Sciences from Florida International University. A Western New York native, Nicosia is thrilled to be returning to Buffalo.


Joshua Tanner - Upper School Advanced Spanish Faculty



Joshua Tanner joins the Nichols School faculty in 2021 as an Upper School Advanced Spanish teacher. Mx. Tanner brings more than a decade of Spanish teaching experience to Nichols, having taught both college and high school courses.
 
From 2016 to 2021, Mx. Tanner taught Spanish I through IV, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture at BASIS Chandler Charter School, a charter school for grades five through 12 in Arizona. They also instructed 100-level and 200-level Spanish courses at the University of Arizona from 2012-2016 and Brigham Young University from 2008-2012.
 
For the past 10 years, Mx. Tanner has worked each summer with the College Board and ETS to train and monitor the grading of the AP Spanish exam. They have also presented several publications and papers on topics including Spanish and Portuguese second language phonology and learner autonomy. Outside of the classroom, they enjoy good books and good food, and sharing both with friends and loved ones.
 
Mx. Tanner received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Master of Arts in Hispanic Languages, both from Brigham Young University. 

We are excited for all our new faculty and staff to get to know Nichols, and for our students and families to meet these incredible additions to our community!
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Nichols School is a nationally recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 130-year history.