District Leadership Team

Dr. Angela Allen became the Head of School at Prospect Hill Academy in 2015. Dr. Allen has 25 years of experience in education that spans from Kindergarten through college. She started her career as a math teacher in Atlanta, GA and has since worked at Shady Hill School, the Boston Public Schools, and most recently the Brookline Public Schools where she served the past ten years as the K-8 Math Curriculum Coordinator and then as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources. Dr. Allen attended the University of Georgia (BBA) and Emory University (M.ED), and also holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Indiana University.

 

Alison Bradley started at Prospect Hill in September of 2017. Prior to her position as the Director of Special Education, Alison worked as the Special Education Team Chair at the Upper Elementary Campus. She has a Master's Degree in Special Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Virginia. Prior to working at Prospect Hill, she worked with students with complex and significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs at both a therapeutic, residential setting and in a public school district. As a special educator at heart, Alison firmly believes that all students can meet high expectations and achieve their goals when given the supports they need.

Anja Rauh Bresler joined Prospect Hill Academy in 2003 (when it was still the Somerville Charter School) as Director of Development and External Relations. She enjoys working with a team of dedicated and passionate educators and community members and is proud of PHA’s many accomplishments. Prior to working at PHA, she was a marketing communications manager and marketing consultant in the software industry. She obtained a BA from the University of California at San Diego, an MA in art history from Boston University, and an MBA also from Boston University.

 

 

Anne Carothers joined Prospect Hill Academy in 2019. Anne brings a wealth of diverse experiences and skills to the PHA community. For the past three years, Anne served as Principal of the Lilja Elementary School in Natick Public Schools. Prior to that, she served as the Principal of the William Diamond Middle School for six years and two years as Vice-Principal at the K-8 Michael Driscoll School in the Public Schools of Brookline. Anne also brings six years of expansive coaching experiences in Literacy and Whole-School Change in Boston Public Schools. Anne holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College, a Master’s Degree in Education from Lesley University as well as a Principal Certification for PreK-8, a School Counselor Certification for PreK-9 and Elementary Certification.

 

 

 

 

Christine Douglas has worked at Prospect Hill Academy since 2000, first as a Spanish Teacher, then Spanish Coordinator, Upper School Assistant Principal, and Principal of the Collegiate Institute. She is passionate about supporting students’ social emotional growth as well as providing equity and access through education. She is inspired by the tenets in PHA’s mission and excited to work with PHA’s oldest students and think differently about what preparing each student for success in college can look like in our unique model. Chris earned her BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from Union College, an EdM in School Leadership at Harvard University and her Massachusetts Principal License through the Principal Residency Network at Northeastern University.

 

Dr. Ruth Farmery joined PHA in 2016 as Teacher of Computer Science and Engineering in the High School. Prior to starting at PHA, Ruth taught at North Shore Community College in Lynn and before moving to the US, taught Computer Science and ICT in Wiltshire, England for 9 years. Ruth holds an MEng in Computer Science from University of Bristol, UK; a Postgraduate Certificate of Education in Secondary Education from University of Bath, UK and and EdD in Education from Cardiff University, UK. Ruth is dedicated to Computer Science for All and providing authentic learning opportunities within and beyond the CS curriculum.

 

 

Sarah Ferguson joined the Prospect Hill team in 2014 as our Human Capital Director. In this capacity, she oversees employee relations, recruitment, retention, and other human resource initiatives. She is honored to have the opportunity to support the amazing educators at PHA, and to see the impact our faculty have on students every day. Prior to this role, she worked as Assistant Director of Recruitment for Mastery Charter Schools, ran an internship program for high school students, and taught 7th grade humanities. She earned her BA at Tufts University and her MEd at the University of Pennsylvania.

 

 

Osiris Gonzalez is an experienced IT professional.  He started at Prospect Hill Academy in August 2022.  Prior to working at PHA, he worked as a director of technology for over 12 years in various other school districts, most recently in Randolph Public Schools.  Before embarking into the public education space, Osiris worked as a network administrator for Brown University in their Computing & Information Technology department. Osiris holds a bachelor's of science degree from Rhode Island College in Marketing/MIS and a master’s degree in Information Technology from New England Institute of Technology. His goals include workflow automation and bringing more innovation to PHA.  In his free time, Osiris enjoys a good AUDIBLE book, working on his grass, and keeping up with his 2 adult sons.

 

 

 

T. Johnson, Early Childhood Principal

Mrs. Johnson joined Prospect Hill Academy in 2008 as the Out-of-School Time Director. Following six years of service in that role, she then moved into the Assistant Principal role, where she served for the past seven years. Mrs. Johnson has over ten years of experience in leadership, management, coaching, training, and development of teacher leaders, students, and families in youth development, out-of-school time, and early childhood education. It is her belief that students learn best and have the most chance of success in a smoothly managed atmosphere, where they are inspired, respected, and pushed to do their utmost best. Mrs. Johnson received a degree in leadership from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island, and has also earned several certifications for management, school, and organizational leadership at the University of Massachusetts, Boston College, and Boston University. During her free time, Mrs. Johnson enjoys reading, learning about different cultures, becoming a runner, and spending time with family.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Tia Lites, Upper Elementary Principal

Dr. Lites is a visionary and equity-minded instructional leader who comes to Prospect Hill Academy with over fifteen years of deep experience in educational leadership. In her previous role as Principal at Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy, a 6th-8th grade Middle School in Boston, Dr. Lites led critical school transformation efforts in support of improving both academic and school culture outcomes. To achieve these results, Dr. Lites creates authentic learning experiences for her students, builds rigorous and diverse community partnerships, and cultivates teacher efficacy through advancing evidence-based practices in teaching and learning. Dr. Lites earned her Master’s in Education from Lesley University and her Doctoral Degree from Northeastern University with a dissertation on The Influences of Black School Leadership on Supporting Positive Outcomes for Black Students in Urban Schools. Additionally, she regularly shares her professional learning at national conferences and workshops and as an Adjunct Professor at Lesley University.

 

 

Amy O'Connell, Director of Data, Evaluation, & Impact

Michael O’Donnell joined Prospect Hill as the CFO to put business experience in banking, manufacturing, travel, and consulting to work in a public educational setting. He earned a BA degree at Trinity College, an MA at Georgetown University, and an MBA at Boston University. During his time outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family particularly doing activities that involve being outdoors or on the road. Mike recently commented that “While I could never have predicted that my early interest in teaching or later experience in business would have brought me to Prospect Hill Academy, I can think of no place I’d rather be than working at a successful school where students learn, teachers thrive, and the business office supports the school’s mission.”