Five fast questions for the eight educators starting at Brooks this fall!  

(Clockwise from back left) Allison Wilner '01, Amo Weld, Library Coordinator and now also Self In Community Teacher Allison Beauchesne, Kelly Moroco, Ulises Alaniz, Maia Peele, Jenny Carroll and John Slefinger (Matt Carroll '05 not pictured).

Ulises Alaniz

Spanish Teacher

León, Nicaragua native Ulises Alaniz has been a language teacher for 17 years teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language, Spanish, American Sign Language and Nicaraguan Sign Language including seven years at the English Access Program, a micro-scholarship program funded by the U.S. Department of State. When he’s not teaching, writing poetry or doing literary translation, Alaniz, who lives off-campus, enjoys dancing and working out.

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “I’d like to teach a course on Nicaraguan Sign Language. I’ve interacted with the Nicaraguan Deaf community since I was very young and Sign Language/the Deaf community are an integral part of who I am. As a linguist, it is fascinating to talk about one of the youngest languages in the world since NSL has existed for 40 years, and as a Hearing person, I believe it is my responsibility to advocate for the Deaf community.”
 
If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “I’d be curious to experience life, and time, as the narrator of Proust’s In Search of Lost Time. I would enjoy closely studying the characters of the French nobility and artists who appear in the novel and whose lives seem from far away to be very remote and somewhat mythical.”

What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “In my Master’s program, I took a challenging phonology course. I had to spend many hours studying for the quizzes and figuring out phonology problem sets. I breathed and existed for that class. At the end, I felt proud when I encountered phonology-related content and things made sense.”

If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “I Will Not Be Able to Read All the Books I Love – A Tragedy,’ because I will never completely catch up with my reading list.”

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “As a language teacher, I know that my students initially struggle with processing and using a new linguistic system. I would love the power to help learn a language overnight. How cool would that be?!”

Jenny Carroll

Mathematics Teacher

Jennifer "Jenny" Carroll comes to Brooks following 15 years of working at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware where she taught, served as a form dean, dorm parent and girls cross country and lacrosse team coach. Named Delaware Coach of the Year for cross country in 2015 and in 2022, she led the program to its first state championship. Carroll was also named the Delaware Coach of the Year for lacrosse in 2012. A student-athlete herself, she ran cross country and played lacrosse at Hamilton College. During her senior year, she captained the 2008 NCAA National Champion lacrosse team and earned All-American honors. Carroll went on to earn a master’s degree from Dartmouth College. At Brooks, she lives on campus with her husband Matt Carroll, their children Finnegan, Teagan and Jack — and two dogs, Mick and Maggie.

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “Practical Wisdom. I took a great course in graduate school on this topic and it seemed to apply to every profession.”
 
If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “Law and Order: SVU’s Olivia Benson. We would spend the day investigating crimes, following leads and saving lives.” 
 
What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “In my third year teaching at St. Andrew's, in the spring of 2011, a senior in my precalculus class raised his hand and addressed me as Mrs. Carroll. This doesn't sound strange now, but at the time I was Ms. McGowan and I had just started dating my colleague, Matt Carroll. I can still remember my shock at the student's brazenness!” 
 
If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “’High-Functioning Chaos: Life with Four Children,’ featuring my three kids and husband.”
 
If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “Mind reading, so that I could address questions from students who are too nervous to ask them and could adjust the lesson plan on days when everyone is thinking, ‘Thanksgiving break can't get here fast enough!’” 

Matt Carroll '05

Associate Director of Admission, Alumni Relations Officer and Boys 1st Soccer Coach

A 2005 graduate of Brooks, Matt Carroll returned to campus after 15 years at St. Andrew’s School. At St. Andrew’s he worked in admission, as a director of athletics, director of residential life, history teacher and dean of students as well as academics. The Dartmouth College graduate — and soccer player, who was named an All-Ivy selection and captain — also earned his Master’s degree from Dartmouth.  

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “Sports Management or Criminal Law, as I have always thought it would be neat to pursue a career as a sports agent.” 
 
If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “Ted Lasso. We would eat tremendous homemade biscuits, share witty banter with Rebecca and Roy, and discuss soccer (futbol) tactics.”
 
What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “In my first season of coaching girls athletics (serving as an assistant coach to my wife [Jenny Carroll], for the girls lacrosse team) unbeknownst to me one April 1, a few girls and my wife decided to prank me. Jenny had asked me to take the girls through some sprints early in practice. After the fourth sprint, one had an absolute meltdown, bursting into tears. She exclaimed that she couldn't run another step and that she was quitting. I stood paralyzed at center field, looking at my wife for help as to how I should handle the moment but she offered no support. Eventually the whole team began laughing and shouting, ‘April Fools!’”

If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “’Living the Dream: The TV Show’ would follow me as I return to my high school to coach a sport and team I love with a family that means the world to me. There'd also be some irony to the title as the show would follow me getting woken up at 5 a.m. by my son asking me to wipe his bottom only three hours after my nine-year-old dog woke me up barking to go out.” 

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “Like ‘Jack Jack’ in the Incredibles, I would multiply myself so that I can be involved with multiple drills at once and scout other teams.”

Kelly Moroco

Mathematics Teacher, Learning Center Specialist

For the past decade, Kelly Moroco has taught in the Boston Area and in New York City, focusing on mathematics and special education, including in positions at Boston Prep, KIPP Freedom Middle School and Phillips Academy-Andover. Her educational journey began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied Chinese and East Asian Studies before joining Teach for America. Moroco earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Boston University. She lives on campus with her son Michael Angelo and husband Mike and enjoys coaching basketball and crew.

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “I would say something to do with Chinese literature and/or Beijing opera/model opera because I studied them in college and found model opera to be fascinating.”
 
If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “Sophia Petrillo of The Golden Girls. The show is a favorite show of mine and she always gets into interesting situations. I'd spend the day hanging around the lanai, making an amazing Italian meal and eating cheesecake!”
 
What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “It is really difficult to pick, but a particularly funny moment was when one of my students changed the HTML of a math IXL table of contents to appear as a menu for a hamburger restaurant (as opposed to math standards).”
 
If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “’Kelly Moroco: Adventures in Math Teaching.’ I think teaching is always an adventure and learning process.”

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “I’m not sure if this is a super power, but I would love to have a photographic memory. The applications of this are endless, but it would be helpful in even little things like replicating a diagram or problem from memory.”

Maia Peele

DEIB Field Education Fellow  

Currently a Master’s degree candidate at Harvard University, Maia Peele earned her B.A., in anthropology and sociology from Ursinus College last year. During her time at Ursinus she gained experience in education as a teaching and learning consultant. At Brooks, Peele, who lives off campus, will work as the diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging education fellow and collaborate with the DEIB office, affinity groups, Self and Community courses and with Brooks’ Race and Literacy class.

Peele with her best friend at their first Philadelphia Eagles game!

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “I would teach an Afro-futurism course because it combines history, creative arts, liberation and futuristic imagination. This course would allow students to incorporate their unique perspectives in re-imaging the future.”

If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “As a child, I loved the show That’s So Raven. If I was Raven Baxter, I would spend my day dressing up and hanging out with Chelsea and Eddie. Also, I love Grey’s Anatomy and I would love to switch lives with Christina Yang or Miranda Bailey so I could spend the day with the other characters tackling complex medical cases.”

What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “In undergrad, during late-night study sessions, my friends and I would explore different parts of the campus as part of our study break.”
 
If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “The title of my reality TV show would be "MVP: Manifesting Vision & Purpose." The show would highlight my journey as an African-American woman and Harvard graduate student, showcasing my experiences and lessons learned. Also, the title reflects my initials, Maia Victoria Peele.”

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “The ability to teleport any historical or contemporary figure into the classroom. This superpower would give students the opportunity to hear people's stories firsthand and ask their questions.”

John Slefinger

English Teacher

John Slefinger has taught English and history for 15 years. Before joining Brooks, he earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and taught at the Derryfield School in New Hampshire. When he's not teaching or nerding out on Chaucer, Slefinger spends his time off campus drawing with his young son, playing rugby and hunting for new board games.

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “I'd probably teach a film/history class on the politics of war films, or an interdisciplinary class on the Crusades.”
 
If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “I love Amos from The Expanse, and it would be pretty fun to work on a spaceship.”
 
What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “I remember, during a big simulation of the Democratic Convention of 1968 in history class, a kid playing a journalist made a video in a nightly-newscast sort of style in which he resigned from his post at CBS because the treatment of the protesters was so abominable. It was just so creative and righteous.” 

If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “This is a tough one. I think it would have to be framed around my 3-year-old son Zia, because he's pretty much my life. Maybe it could be called ‘Eat at the Table, Please.’” 

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “I’ve always loved Nightcrawler from X-Men, so I guess I'd use my teleporting powers to bring kids to important historical locations … and just be pretty rad!”

Amo Weld

Learning Center Specialist, Self in Community Teacher

A New Jersey native and graduate of Blair Academy, Amo Weld earned his B.S. at Elon University and his master’s at Gonzaga University. He spent six years working at boarding schools, including Hebron Academy in Maine, where he served as assistant athletic director, academic guidance teacher and coach. His proudest accomplishment as a coach is resurrecting the Hebron Boys Basketball program, taking the team from a winless record in 2023 to a NEPSAC tournament appearance in 2024. Weld lives on campus with his girlfriend, girls 1st field hockey coach Hannah Southard, and their dogs Alfie and Mia.

Weld with Caddy Brooks, head coach of Hebron Academy's boys soccer team, with whom he coached.

If you could teach any subject in the world that isn't on the current curriculum, what would it be? “I would teach a winter term course or spring break trip called Acadia 101. I’ve spent every summer of my life exploring Acadia National Park and have hiked every trail. This summer I did a cross-island hike that took 14 hours and spanned 22 miles across 10 peaks. Acadia 101 would be built around three big hikes over the span of a week. We’d plan the routes to capitalize on the views, swim spots, galleries, shops and restaurants strewn across the island. I would be thrilled to share one of the most beautiful places in the world with students and it would make for a fun combination of history, art, food and nature.”

If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “I would pick Fred from ‘Scooby Doo, Where Are You?’ which was my favorite show growing up. Most people would pick Shaggy but I relate to Fred’s task-oriented approach to solving mysteries; plus, he gets to drive the van. Switching places with Fred checks a lot of boxes for me. I’d get to go on a road trip in an old Volkswagen van, hang out with Scooby Doo, travel to a remote destination, solve a mystery and have a big meal at the end of it all. It doesn’t get much better than that!”

What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “A graduation requirement at my previous school was that every student had to give a speech during a morning meeting of their senior year. It’s called the “Last Word” program. As the date of his speech was approaching, a postgrad I was working with in academic guidance asked for help with his. We spent weeks preparing to make sure he delivered his message exactly how he wanted to. When it finally came time for his speech, he gave the most thoughtful and compelling Last Word speech I had heard. His final line has always stuck with me. He compared his passion for Legos to the challenges he faced in his life and said, ‘Life is like Legos, you can get knocked down, but you can always build yourself back up.’”

If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “’Mia’s Maine Adventures.’ Mia is my dog, a three-year-old lab. She’s lived her entire life in Maine and has been by my side as I’ve explored the past few years. The show would mostly be her swimming, hiking and sleeping, so I doubt it would be a ratings hit, but maybe that will change once it goes to streaming!”

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “I think the superpower that would be best applied to my role at Brooks is teleportation. Working in academic support, it would be an incredible tool to jump to any part of the world to discuss a problem with the leading thinkers of today. Forget the internet, with teleportation you would be able to do a deep dive on every topic imaginable and get the information straight from the source. It would also be incredible for professional development, getting to sit in on any lecture around the world, not to mention the international soccer and basketball games I could travel to!”

Allison Wilner '01

English Teacher, Latin Teacher

Allison Wilner graduated from Brooks in 2001 and Davidson College in 2005, after which she founded an arts and writing program for high school students in Brooklyn and discovered her love for teaching. Wilner went on to teach English in New York City public schools, earn a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College and serve as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at a college access nonprofit. Following several years of working as a coach, she is excited to return to her roots as a teacher at Brooks. Wilner lives on campus and enjoys yoga, meditation, writing, photography, painting and spending time in nature.

If you could switch lives with any fictional character for a day, who would it be? “I took a fiction writing workshop with Karen Russell, who wrote the brilliant and highly imaginative novel Swamplandia! Russell walked us through how she creates characters and having the insider details made me appreciate them even more. Swamplandia! follows the lives of a family that is intertwined with a park featuring alligators in the Ten Thousand Islands off the coast of Florida. I’d love to follow the main character Ava and her adventures for a day!”

What's the most memorable (or funniest) moment you've had while teaching or studying in the past? “As part of a study abroad trip at Davidson College, I traveled to most of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, visiting ancient Roman and Greek temples and archaeological sites. One very humid, 90-degree day, we got completely lost while driving around in vans on our way to a site in Sicily. If my memory is correct (truth be told, this might just be my cinematic imagination), I believe that U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” played on the radio just as we turned a corner and discovered the ridge with the temples. The sunset illuminated the temple in a spectacular display of light and shadow that made the past truly come alive in the present moment. It’s a memory I’ll never forget and it inspired me to create those moments of awe and wonder as much as I can as a teacher.”

If your life were a reality TV show, what would the title be? “I don’t know how entertaining it would be but I would call it, Practicing Wonder and Curiosity. I try to see life as a practice and laboratory for learning. I love to ask questions, listen deeply and follow my curiosity. I find so much beauty in the mundane when I set the intention to be open to wonder.”

If you could magically gain any one superpower to help with your teaching, what would it be? “There is often a moment during class discussions where students hold back a creative idea because they’re not sure it’s ‘right.’ When they do choose to share, it often deepens and broadens everyone’s perspective. While I do my best to support student sharing, I’d love to be able to supercharge my ability to create conditions for students to share more of their creative ideas and ways of seeing the world.”