2024-2025 New Faculty & Staff

Hey everyone! I'm Romeu, or Mr. Romeu if you prefer something a bit more formal. I'm super excited to be joining the Sturgis family!

I'm a Brazilian teacher who's been living the American dream for the past two years, teaching around Central Mass. Now, I'm stoked to be part of the Sturgis community!

I'll be splitting my time between math and the Multi Language Department. I've been teaching math and English to non-native speakers for about 14 years, working in both public and private schools in Brazil and international schools. I even taught the Middle Years Program at an international school. My family and I moved to the US to chase new adventures and for me to get my master's degree.

I'm absolutely thrilled to be teaching at an IB school! As a fun fact, I have a YouTube channel with over 250 videos about math, science, and English. I also have TikTok and Instagram where I post some funny math and English parody songs. And if you're into geeky stuff, I've got a Twitch channel where I play chess, talk about science and math, play RTS games, and even speedrun some classic games like Super Mario World.

I can't wait to dive into math with all of you and maybe even bond over some anime during lunch. Let's make this year awesome! 

Thanks for having me, Sturgis! 

Hello all. I am looking forward to returning to the Sturgis community, this time as a teacher! After graduating from one of the first few classes at West campus, I am returning to teach Biology and Environmental Systems and Societies at East with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies and work experience across the environmental sector. I have spent time as a crew member and educator at sea in the south central pacific onboard a sailing research vessel as well as crewing other tallships in New England. Locally, I have managed a small oyster farm in Barnstable Harbor for a number of years, and still teach classes in regenerative agriculture and mushroom cultivation with a local Permaculture Education non-profit, Resilient Roots. I completed a Permaculture Design Certification myself this past summer. I also have experience in land conservation and open space preservation working with groups across Cape Cod. I am excited to bring my experience, local knowledge and excitement about the environment to the classroom. 

In my free time, I am an overly ambitious gardener and edible mushroom grower. I enjoy growing and preserving food, and if I am not in the garden I’m playing, foraging or working on the water if the winds and tides allow. I love writing, printmaking and painting, and have just recently gotten into natural dying. I am passionate about growing local community and using science knowledge to foster more awe for the world around us. 

Hello everyone! My name is Jackie Trask and I am very excited to be joining the Sturgis team this year, teaching Integrated Math 9 and Algebra 1 at Sturgis West! 

I recently graduated from UMass Amherst where I studied Math and Education, and was also a student teacher of 9th/10th grade Math at Northampton High School. My favorite thing about teaching Math is guiding students to the “aha” moments, and helping them build the skills and confidence to achieve those moments on their own!

Outside of school, I love dance, sports, music, going on adventures, eating yummy food, and watching movies and sunsets. I also enjoy being outdoors/on the water, and spending time with my friends, family, and animals (including my 3 dogs and my cat).

I am so excited to meet my students for this upcoming year, and to become a part of the Sturgis community!

My name is Sebastián Rieckehoff-Strong and this will be my first year teaching. I will be teaching Spanish 2 this year at Sturgis East. I am originally from Puerto Rico, which is where I learned Spanish. I lived there for 12 years before moving to Falmouth. I'm a Sturgis alum. I graduated from Sturgis West and then from UMass Amherst where I studied Math with a concentration in teaching. While in college, I also worked at the Student Collections and University Archives. Outside of school, I like reading, hiking and playing board and video games.

Hello Sturgis community! 

I’m Nosim Zacharia, from Arusha, Tanzania. My educational journey began after graduating from Sinon Teachers College. I started out working in early childhood education at The Learning Space and later gained experience working with students with special needs and the IB curriculum at International School Moshi.

In 2015 I moved to Cape Cod and continued to follow my passion for supporting students with special needs. At Barnstable Intermediate School, I provided one-on-one support, and at Barnstable High School, I worked in the New England Center for Children’s special education program.

When not in the classroom, I enjoy the beauty of Cape Cod through trail running with my dog. I have three amazing daughters and coincidentally my husband was in the first graduating class of Sturgis Charter School in 2002.

I am honored to be able to join this community and continue to learn and grow professionally and personally.

Hi everyone! My name is Madison Curtis or “Miss C” and I am excited to join the history department at Sturgis East. I will be teaching 10th grade US History and 11th grade IB World History. I will also be coaching the Sturgis East JV girls soccer team.

I grew up in Connecticut and spent many childhood summers on Cape Cod. My dad was also a history teacher for 30 years which inspired me to learn more, travel and appreciate other cultures. This passion led me to study abroad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland for my undergraduate degree where I majored in Modern History and Art History. During my time at St Andrews I also played on the women’s football (soccer) team and helped lead them to win the Scottish National Championship in 2022. After returning from Scotland, I worked in Connecticut as a middle school special education paraprofessional for one year then moved to Cambridge, MA to pursue my Masters degree at Harvard. While studying, I also student taught 10th grade US History at Somerville High School.

When I’m not teaching, you can find me spending time outdoors hiking, surfing, skiing, biking or skateboarding.

I am thrilled to join the Sturgis family and look forward to a great year!

Hello to the Sturgis community! I am Terese Dashuta the new school nurse for Sturgis East. I grew up in Sandwich and after graduating from St. Anselm College I started my nursing career in San Diego. I have been a registered nurse for almost 20 years with most of my time in emergency nursing.

Last year I had a great experience as the part time nurse at my daughters school and it brought me to my new role here at Sturgis. 

My goal is to get to know every student at East. I will care for the students with understanding and openness and be there to support everyone with their health and wellness. I am very excited to start this new chapter.

In my free time I take care of my two young girls, Genevieve and Josephine and our cat Birch. My husband Jeff and I love to host friends in the summer and we spend much of our time at the beach. We enjoy visiting my sister and parents in vermont and NH throughout the year. I love to travel anywhere!

I am grateful to be joining Sturgis and I look forward to being your nurse. 

 I have been a health and wellness coach for the past 26 years guiding clients to make positive lifestyle changes.  Helping people set and meet goals with regard to increasing physical activity, managing stress and developing healthier eating habits is a passion of mine.

During Covid, I was shocked by the need for my type of role at the high school level.  I began seeing students in their homes as a way to get them outside and moving.  I am looking forward to extending my knowledge into the classroom.

I am happy to be switching roles here at Sturgis. I have been Sturgis Board of Trustees' Chair for the past three years and have stepped down to take the role as Sturgis' new Finance Director.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Taxation. My work experience has been in starting businesses and working in corporate taxation. When I am not working, I am either studying, researching, taking care of my family or sleeping. I am happily married and quite proud to be a parent to three Sturgis' alums, Sarah '20, Deborah '23, and Isaac '24.