Capstone Research Coordinator & Global Pathways Advisor

Rebecca D'Alise - AHS English Teacher & Capstone Coordinator

Rebecca D'Alise is the Program Coordinator of the APS Capstone Program and an educator in the English Department at Andover High School, where she teachers a diverse course load including The Senior Capstone Cohort (CAPS). CAPS is an advanced inquiry-based research seminar. As a cohort, CAPS students pursue an essential question through quantitative and qualitative research methods along with a substantial field-based inquiry project. CAPS offers students a chance to create an independent academic experience with a focus on extensive authentic examination. For seniors, it’s an opportunity to interweave their learning in all these areas and to do so “in real time, in an unpredictable, complex, real-world environment.”

She has been an educator of 7th grade to higher ed. for over 20 years and has spent the last 15 of them at AHS. Beyond the classroom, she spends most of her free time with family, including her two children and two dogs, trying to lead an environmentally sustainable, equitable, ​and judgement-free global path.

Global Pathways Advisor

Dan Brennan - TV Production Teacher, AHS News Director

After graduating from AHS in 2005, Dan studied media production at Quinnipiac University and went on to work at New England Sports Network (NESN) for a few years working with the Boston Bruins and Red Sox. While earning his Masters in Instructional Technology from Lesley University, Dan joined the AHS staff in 2013 as the Multimedia Production teacher, offering film, video, and news production classes, as well as Film Club and AHS News.

As someone who grew up in Andover, Dan saw the value in offering students the opportunity to see the world through a global lens. A teacher who strongly believes in hands-on, real-world learning, Dan wanted to bring his video production background and own travel experiences to the Global Pathways program.

Global Pathways Advisor

Mary Coombs - AHS Librarian

Mary Coombs joined Andover High School in 2019 as a School Librarian with a background in both public and school libraries and museums as well as science classrooms. Talking to students about their reading and supporting research are highlights of her job at AHS. Growing up as a member of a large farm family helps you accumulate an interesting collection of experiences and skills. She loves nature, history, winter sports and reading and is a “maker” in both the physical world,and the digital world . Her travels include Costa Rica, Australia, several European countries as well as camping throughout North America. She has two adult daughters and lives in New Hampshire where she strives to live as sustainably as possible.

Global Pathways Advisor

Jiyoung Song - AHS World Language Teacher

Jiyoung Song is a Latin teacher at AHS. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the US when she was five years old. She studied French, Latin, and Ancient Greek in high school and college, and she had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy, Greece, and Turkey as an undergraduate. She loves being a Latin teacher because she gets to help students see connections between the ancient world and our lives today. She believes that traveling and learning about other cultures help us to understand ourselves better and become empathetic, global citizens. Her favorite part of traveling is learning new languages and tasting different cuisines because food and conversations draw people closer.

Global Pathways Advisor

Claudia Wessner - AHS Design Engineering Teacher

Claudia Wessner joined AHS in 2021 as the Design Engineering Teacher and a Design Education Fellow with Nuvu, an innovation school in Cambridge, MA. Claudia has a background in graphic design, illustration, and all things making-related. Prior to AHS, Claudia was the Makerspace Coordinator at Phillips Academy and spent her time managing a bustling makerspace, mentoring student projects and teaching interdisciplinary classes. At AHS she teaches Innovation Lab, Green Energy Engineering, Robotics, and Exploring Engineering. She has traveled all over Italy, hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, and even explored Alaska. One of her favorite things about experiencing new places is finding inspiration in the art and architecture of different cultures. Claudia is excited to join the Global Pathways Advisory so she can bring her creative mind to the Global experience.

Aixa De Kelley - AHS Director of Guidance