District Leadership Team

	Angela F. Allen, Ph.D., Head of School/CEO 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, Director of Student Services 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, Chief Advancement Officer 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, Director of Curriculum & Instruction 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, High School, & Collegiate Institute Principal 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, Director of K-12 Computer Science 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.
	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.
	Amy O'Connell, Upper Elementary Principal Prior to coming to PHA, Amy worked in various roles across the education sector. She spent the first decade of her career in New Orleans public schools where she had the opportunity to teach various elementary grades before moving on to serve as a school leader. She came to Boston to study technology and innovation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While working on her master's degree, Amy served as the data analyst and assessment designer for a network of schools in Liberia. Most recently, Amy worked at LearnLaunch, an education non-profit in Boston, where she was the founder and director of their Innovative School Leaders Network. When the coronavirus pandemic hit, she helped lead the organization's pivot as co-author of the Building Blocks of Equitable Remote Learning. She is thrilled to be a part of the Prospect Hill Academy community and learn from the amazing students, families, and educators.
	Michael O'Donnell, Chief Financial Officer 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.”
	Ben Spencer, Middle School Principal Ben Spencer has worked at Prospect Hill Academy since 2006, first as a high school English teacher, then 7-12 Humanities Coordinator, and Middle School Assistant Principal and Director. Ben has grown as an educator at PHA through the many talented and dedicated students, educators, and families he has worked with and learned from. He believes deeply in collaboration among these groups to create a school in which middle schoolers can consistently find and use their brilliance to empower themselves and bring positive change to their communities. Ben earned his BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from Emerson College and a Master's of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. He was also a member of the inaugural cohort of the Transformative Leaders of Massachusetts fellowship.