Rice opened its doors for the 2013-14 academic year with 401 students, its largest student body in 8 years. Growth in enrollment and the shifting of teaching personnel prompted the hiring of several new employees at Rice:
Katherine Rachek joined Rice this winter as Development Analyst. Rachek manages the day-to-day organization of Rice’s fundraising efforts. She comes to Rice by way of Christ the King School in Burlington, where she was a para-educator for several years. Prior to that work, Rachek worked as a loan officer and credit analyst. She has also worked closely with the Friends of the Essex Free Library as their Treasurer.
Anthony Galle has been hired to be Rice’s Director of Educational Technology. Galle earned a B.S. in Art Education and later a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a Minor in Education Technology, both from UVM. For the past several years he has taught at St. Albans City School, where he was also the Virtual Learning Coordinator. Galle will focus on the use of technology in the classrooms and labs in this newly created position at Rice.
Simeon Lewis ‘ has signed on to teach Religion and offer assistance in Rice’s Campus Ministry Office. A Rice graduate, Lewis earned a B.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, both from UVM. For many years, Lewis taught at St. Francis Xavier School in Winooski, later becoming its Associate Principal. He most recently spent several years with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.
Brian Lynam will assume all of the teaching and directing of Rice’s music and drama offerings. Lynam comes to Rice with extensive training in all areas of music, most notably with a B.M. in Music Education and Voice from the prestigious Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He has performed in many venues, and will be in an opera this Fall in a lead role.
Thomas McGrath has been hired to teach History. A familiar face to Rice students, McGrath has been a substitute teacher at Rice for several years and assisted in coaching Rice’s Softball team. A graduate of St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Mr. McGrath’s resume includes a B.A. from UVM in Philosophy and an M.A. from the same school in History. Over the years, McGrath has been heavily involved in the UVM Canadian Studies Program.
Jacqueline Stacey is coming to Rice to fill the new position of Assistant Director of Enrollment. Stacey graduated from St. Michael’s College in 2012 with a B.A. in American Studies and Elementary Education. She worked for the Office of Admissions of St. Michael’s College where she directed tours, information sessions, and produced videos for prospective and incoming students.
Rice students come from 47 towns across Vermont and 12 countries. The school boasts a 13:1 student/teacher ratio and offers an aggressive college preparatory curriculum. Over ninety percent of graduating seniors are accepted and attend four-year colleges and universities. Founded in 1959, Rice Memorial High School’s mission is to guide its students to discover their God-given potential by learning how to recognize and develop their gifts, love learning, serve others, and seek God.