Teachers

Department Chair

Hall, Eugene

I have been teaching mathematics at Newtown High School since 1995. I have taught a variety of math classes here, however, this year I am teaching Multivariable Calculus, AP Computer Science(Java), and two sections of AP Calculus BC. I graduated from Brookfield High School in 1990 and Rutgers University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a Minor in Secondary Education. I earned a Master of Arts in Mathematics from Western Connecticut State University in 2004. I currently reside in Brookfield with my wife Becky and daughters Summer and Noelle. 

Math Teachers

Bremer, Kathleen

I’ve been teaching mathematics for the Newtown School district since 2010.  I graduated from SUNY at Buffalo in the 80’s with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering.  Prior to teaching I worked in the business sector as a management information systems analyst for Accenture.  In 2010, I earned a Master of the Arts in Teaching from WSCU. My course load this year is geometry (Honors, CPA and CPB) and college math topics.  I also coach the NHS Math Team. I’m looking forward to another great year, and I hope you are too. Math is everywhere! Live it! Love it! Learn it! 

Carroll, Megan

In 2014, I graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with 7-12 certification and have been teaching in Newtown ever since!  This will be my fifth year teaching in Newtown and my third year at Newtown High School after teaching at Newtown Middle School for two years. I earned my Masters of Science in Mathematics Education at SCSU.  I love teaching and learning math. I look forward to a having a great year and hope you are too! 

Cavataro, Charlotte

I have been teaching math since 2012, I've been at Newtown High School since 2014. I graduated from Stonehill College with a B.A. in Mathematics and a Minor in Secondary Education. I received a Masters of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from Bridgewater State University in 2014. I have taught a variety of topics here at NHS including Foundations, Algebra I, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus. I love teaching math and I look forward a wonderful year! 

Closs, Joanna

I’ve been teaching math since 2013 and I've been at Newtown High School since 2014.  I am a former graduate of Newtown High School in 2008 and earned my B.S. in Mathematics from CCSU in 2012.  I teach AP Statistics, Statistics, College Math Topics, and Algebra I. I am also the Varsity Softball Coach here at Newtown. 

Holt, Deborah

I've been teaching at Newtown High School since 2019.  Prior to NHS, I taught at Stratford High School for 12 years including Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra II. I have also taught at Sacred Heart University as an adjunct professor teaching Pre-Calculus.  I graduated from Shelton High School in 2001 and Central Connecticut State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. I earned a Masters and 6th year degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of Bridgeport.  I live in Monroe with my husband Dustin who is a Greenwich Fireman. We have two beautiful children Charlie, 5, and Lilly who will turn 1 in December. I have coached competitive cheerleading at both the high school and collegiate level. In my free time I enjoy gardening and spending time with close friends and family. 

Hyman, Paige

I have been teaching Math at Newtown High School since 2012.  I am originally from Massachusetts but moved to Connecticut to attend college.  I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics from Fairfield University in 2009 and my Masters of Arts in Teaching from WCSU in 2010.  I have taught a variety of class at NHS and this year I will be teaching Geometry, AP Calculus AB, and Multivariable Calculus. I live in Trumbull with my husband Mike and my two children, James and Evelyn.  I love teaching and learning mathematics and look forward to sharing my passion for math with my students. 

Murphy, Kelly

Hi have been teaching math at Newtown High School since 2012. I grew up in Newtown, graduating from NHS in 2007. I received my B.S.  from the University at Albany, and my Master’s of Arts in Education from the University of New Haven. I live in Oxford with my husband and tropical fish tank. I have taught a variety of classes, this coming year I am teaching Algebra II, College Math Topics, Intermediate Algebra, and AP Computer Science A. 

Pearson, Christopher

I've been a math teacher at Newtown High School since 2017. After growing up in Norwalk, CT, I studied Economics at the University of Delaware and got a masters at Boston University. I then achieved my teaching certificate at Bridgewater State College.  I taught 9th and 10th grade math for one year at Brockton High School in Brockton, MA, and then have taught three years of Algebra 1 at The Environmental Sciences Magnet School at Mary Hooker in Hartford, CT.  In my spare time I keep my self very busy. I will be coaching the freshman girls volleyball team and working with the Newtown High percussion program. I also run the ultimate Frisbee club.  I am thrilled to be a part of such a great faculty at NHS. Go Nighthawks! 

Pickering, Debra

I have taught math since 2000.  I always wanted to be a teacher!  I used to play school with my siblings back in South Africa growing up.  I moved to America in 1993 with my family and enjoy everyday in this beautiful country!  I have taught a variety of math classes from Algebra II to Geometry and Pre-Calculus. Math can be fun and it can be enjoyed.  I truly find pleasure sharing my <3 of math with students and having them see the beauty themselves.    I live in Newtown with my husband and daughter. I enjoy gardening, playing golf, and just being with family and friends.   

Raccio, Keristen

I graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and completed my Masters in Secondary Mathematics Education in 2013 at the University of Bridgeport.  This is my sixth year teaching at Newtown High School, and I am so excited to be part of such a positive community! Some of my favorite things to do are attend agricultural fairs in the fall and coach gymnastics.  I really enjoy teaching and learning mathematics and am looking forward to a fun and exciting year!

Tierney, Shawn

I have been teaching math since the 90’s.  This year I’ll be teaching Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. I attended college on a golf scholarship at the University of Miami and the University of Hartford.  I have degrees in Mathematics, secondary education, and a masters in U.S. History. I live in New Milford with my wife and our four children, Veronica, Madison, Riley, and Cole.  I’m happy to have been at Newtown High School since 2002 and proud to be a member of the best department in the school. Let’s have a great year!