Faculty & Staff

Co-Head of School, Math

Mark Norwood

I’ve been working in independent schools for more than 30 years, 15 of them at Crossroads. I live in St. Louis City in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, now often called The Grove. I studied philosophy and theology at Saint Louis University and went on to get a Master’s degree in Education at Washington University. I am married to Beth Obertino, and our two children are Crossroads graduates. Hannah (class of 2009) is getting her PhD in social work at the University of Chicago and is interested in immigration, youth, and education. Josh (class of 2011) is a weekend woodworker and a weekday mechanical engineer at Ford Motor Company in Detroit. I love tea and will happily make a cup for you if you stop by my room or office.

Co-Head of School, English

Sarah Pierson Wolff

I’ve been at Crossroads for almost 30 years and have served in a number of administrative and teaching positions allowing me to serve the students and their families from in a range of ways, all relationship-based. I earned my BA in English and Education from Colgate University and my MA in English Education from New York University (valedictorian in 1990). My first love is the classroom and anything to do with kids, books, writing, and ideas (though time spent on the coast of Maine is a close second). I chose to settle with my family right around the corner from Crossroads, making this community more than just my workplace.

At Crossroads, I know my students well, and when they know I see them and believe in them, I can push, support, challenge, and engage them most meaningfully. I also love that humor and humility are center stage for all of us at Crossroads.

Athletic Director

Bob Beatrice

I have been at Crossroads for more than 20 years and am the parent of three Crossroads alums. My teams have won five conference championships and have been the runner-up in a number of District Championship games. The teams that I put on the court and field have a reputation for being aggressive and fast-paced, and play with a great deal of passion and energy. I played college baseball at The Catholic University of America. I also served as the Assistant General Manager of the New York Yankees Class A affiliate in Virginia and coached college baseball at East Stroudsburg University. I spent nine years at the prestigious Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC, where I served as a football, basketball, and baseball coach. I am currently the Commissioner of the South Central Athletic Association.

Director of Business and Operations

Michelle Chlebowski

I support the school as the Director of Business and Operations. My career started in public accounting, but my passion was always to serve a not-for-profit. I hold a CPA license, as well as a Masters in International Accounting from City University in London. Seeing the world and experiencing different cultures is a true passion, but St. Louis will always be my home! I live just a few blocks from Crossroads with my husband, two children, and two dogs. Exploring the neighborhood, walking in Forest Park, and finding the best places to eat help keep my family busy!

Guidance Counselor

Celeste Chappuis

I have been joyfully and gratefully working with students and their families for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, and counselor. While attending a small liberal arts college in West Virginia called Davis & Elkins, it became clear that working with children and adolescents would be her life’s work. It was later at Washington University’s Brown School of Social Work that I learned the skills to support their needs.  I am a cook, baker, and avid pickleball player. I love to play and watch all sports, and I am a certified yoga instructor. I live with my partner and our rescue cavalier spaniel named Gracie.

Business Manager

Sara Chrisler

I have been at Crossroads for more than 34 years and have seen many transformations of the school, including working for every Head of School since the founder, Arthur H. Lieber. I received my BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. I love to spend her free time with my nieces and nephews (my “babies”), go to movies, and listen to books. I spend every summer vacation in Rhode Island, the most beautiful place on earth.

World Languages

Diana Corey

I teach Mandarin, and have a passion for people, language, and music. I am a former member of the KU Symphony Orchestra and chamber ensemble, have studied, worked, and traveled throughout China, and have taught full immersion Chinese at the Middlebury-Monterey Language Academy summer program. I live in North St. Louis with my husband, Michael, and three children. I get excited about world travel, theme parties, hors d’oeuvres, karaoke, board games, and cello covers of popular music.

Fine Art

Christa Denney

I have 25 years of experience as an art educator. I earned my BFA in photography and Printmaking from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, and my MFA in Photography and Ceramics at Rochester Institute of Technology. I have served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and Maryville University. I have also taught at Craft Alliance and at COCA, working with a wide range of students from kindergarteners to adults. I have received a number of awards and grants for her artistic endeavors and my work has been included in various exhibitions regionally and nationally.

Math

Erin Duvall

I began teaching in 2007. Prior to joining Crossroads, I taught in Chicago, Kathmandu, Nepal, and Champaign, IL. Mistakes are my favorite part of the problem-solving process in math class. I encourage my students to appreciate the beauty and the struggle of learning something new. I am passionate about finding excuses for me and my students to leave their comfort zones. Whether that is volunteering to share in class, camping in bear country, or navigating a crowded overnight bus in rural Asia. International travel, yoga, and spending time outdoors feed my soul. I live with my partner, Mimi, and a handful of semi-thriving houseplants.

Science

Howard Granok

I have been teaching biology at Crossroads for more than 20 years. Before that, I taught at Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin, Missouri. I earned a BS in biology from Emory University in 1988, and a PhD in molecular genetics from Washington University in 1996. In addition to chairing the science department, I also coach our state- and nationally-ranked chess team. I love to share my passion for the sciences with my students, many of whom have gone on to careers in STEM fields (the greatest reward for a career science teacher). I also love to fly fish, and tie my own flies. I am married to Jodi Granok, a professional organizer and Saint Louis native.

Innovation Strategist

Ken King

I joined Crossroads after a long career in business, most recently as a principal at a large, national financial services organization. I have taught a variety of subjects at Crossroads, including Leadership, Personal Finance, and Sociology. I coach Girls Varsity Tennis, Boys Varsity Baseball, and Boys Varsity and JV Basketball. I have recently taken on an expanded role in Middle School athletics, with an eye toward introducing new activities, such as fencing, and building for the future. As the parent of three Crossroads alums, I have had a lifelong passion for and connection to education. I have served as Executive-in-Residence at Eastern Illinois University, Adjunct Instructor at Maryville University, Advisory Board Member at Baylor University MBA Program, and frequent lecturer at Saint Louis University, WashU, and Mizzou. A Navy veteran, I live with my wife and best friend Linda, and pups Beau and Juno.

Math

Ethan Lightfoot

I teach math at Crossroads and am also the 5th Day co-chair. I’ve taught in the public sector and have written content for high stakes standardized tests. I earned my Master’s degree in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale along with two Bachelor’s degrees from Southeast Missouri State University in Secondary Education and Applied Mathematics. I am a hobbyist and spend my free time developing games, losing at chess, and tinkering with new dinner recipes. The majority of my time is spent with my beautiful daughter, Valerie, my wife, Mariah, and two dogs Ramsey and Teddy.

Registrar

Ashley Long

World Languages

Kristen McCullough

I graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. I taught Spanish at Crossroads from 2008 to 2017 and then returned during the 2018-2019 school year. I enjoy international travel. In addition to teaching, she also serves as a volunteer minister as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

World Languages

Jad McDaniel

I followed in my wonderful mother’s footsteps by becoming a teacher and have more than 21 years of experience teaching Spanish. I have a passion for traveling the world, learning about different cultures, and speaking Spanish and French. I majored in Spanish at Washington University in St. Louis, studied for a year at the University of Salamanca in Spain, and later took Masters courses in Madrid. I enjoy volunteering and visiting family and friends in other countries. I am very interested in learning traditional dishes from around the world to cook with my students and for friends. I often teach a life skills class to assist high school students learn the art of independent living by infusing together real-life activities, such as cooking, organic gardening, budgeting, and meditation. I enjoy supporting the city of St. Louis, helping to organize fun events at our school, eating at new restaurants, listening to music, walking, film, art, animals, collecting unusual objects, campfires, and admiring Stephen Colbert.

Director of Enrollment

Cyrus Nichols

Hi, my name is Cyrus, and I am so excited to be a part of the Crossroads community as the Director of Enrollment, for which I oversee all aspects of admission and recruitment at Crossroads. When I am not working, I enjoy working out, watching my favorite shows, golfing, listening to music, and hanging out with family and friends. Some of my favorite things to do in STL are attending sporting events, going to Six Flags, trying new restaurants, attending comedy shows/concerts, and going to Forest Park. If you ever want to help recruit some prospective students to Crossroads, let me know.

Facilities Manager

Greg Noble

Here at Crossroads I am the facilities manager! I’m a father of three kids and enjoy hanging out with them and my wife. My main hobbies are being with the family and watching sports with my two sons. I enjoy camping, just chilling by a fire, and hanging out by the water!

English

Bryan Pannill

I joined Crossroads to teach English and serve as the 5th Day co-chair after teaching at a new charter school in Dutchtown called Kairos Academies. Before that, I taught English at Salisbury School in Connecticut and at Sherborne School in the UK. I am passionate about the transformative power of reading and writing, social-emotional learning, and design thinking. I am an active writer and artist, and also spend my free time playing board games, meditating, and doing anything outside, especially camping, biking, and canoeing.

English

Brian Parsons

I joined Crossroads in 2018 after bouncing around the Midwest. After spending a year in the public affairs department at Monsanto, I relocated to Cincinnati where I earned my Master’s degree in Secondary Education. I taught high school English and coached golf and tennis for almost six years. Following another move to Grand Rapids, MI, I spent the next seven years working as an advisor for the TRiO program, a Federal outreach program to provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and teaching first-year writing seminars at Aquinas College. Now back in St. Louis, my family and I have settled in Webster Groves. I am married to my college sweetheart, Jillian, and have two wonderful kids, Megan and Colin. When not teaching, I’m reading non-fiction and try to play as much golf and tennis as my family’s schedule allows. I dream of one day playing in Scotland and Ireland.

Director of Curriculum, Social Studies

Shadi Peterman

I began teaching social studies at Crossroads in 2010 and have served as the department’s chair since 2013. I have always lived in St. Louis, including during my time attending Washington University for undergraduate and graduate school, but I have family across the country and globe and enjoy traveling to visit them and to explore other cultures. My other hobbies include calligraphy, cooking, and trivia, and I was a two-time Jeopardy! champion in 2017.

Social Studies

Mike Pomatto

I’m in my ninth year at Crossroads and my 30th year as an educator. I have taught many subjects, but primarily World History, Economics, and subjects related to political and economic ideas and philosophy. I also teach two courses in our Makerspace. I earned a Bachelor’s in History and Economics from Knox College where I also lettered in football and baseball. I earned a Master’s from the University of Missouri–St. Louis in History. Part of my graduate work was completed at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, where I studied the Polish language and history. I am currently a PhD student in Historical Studies researching Race, Ethnicity, and Ideology at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. My wife, DeAnn, is also an educator and we have two children, Nicole and Ella (class of 2018). When not at school, I am reading, in my home shop building something, or enjoying a middle-aged hipster life in the Cherokee neighborhood of the city.

Middle School, Humanities

Gretchen Roberts

I rejoined Crossroads after a year away in Colorado. This year is my 25th year working with middle school students. As the Middle School Coordinator, I am grateful and proud to be a part of educating our youngest students. I hold a Master’s degree in Instructional Strategies, as well as an administrative certificate. My undergraduate work includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and another in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Middle School. Outside of school, I love to cook, read, and be in close proximity to water.

Learning Specialist

Mimi Ruthaivilavan

I began teaching in 2003 in Chicago and have enjoyed wearing many hats throughout my educational journey. As an endorsed Learning Behavior Specialist, I love working with students to develop new ways to think outside the box. I grew up overseas and enjoy international travel, engaging conversation, and a good sense of humor.

Director of Development

Dana Salony

Dana’s passion for philanthropy and education has put her in fundraising for over 20 years. She holds a BS in Business Management from Drury University. Originally from Springfield, MO she has proudly called St. Louis home for over 15 years. In her spare time Dana enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and their daughter Charlotte. Their favorite family hobbies are attending as many Cardinals and Blues games as possible, watching all the ones they cannot attend on television, cooking, music, and traveling whenever they can.

College Counselor

Barbara Sams

I provide college counseling to Crossroads juniors and seniors and their families as a partner at McNeal Sams College Consulting. I have an extensive career in university admission and high school college counseling prior to partnering with Cornelia McNeal to form McNeal Sams College Consulting. I have expertise in advising on admission to universities worldwide, advising future college athletes, advising international students seeking a US education, the US military academy process, and advising students with learning differences. Throughout my career, I have earned local, regional, and national praise for my professionalism and commitment, and in 2019 the Princeton Review recognized me as one of the “20 School Counselors Who Make a Difference.”

Science

Cliff Sodergren

I first discovered a love for physics as a high school student at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy. I enjoy hands-on activities, whether assisting others with car maintenance or attempting repairs on our well-aged house in south St. Louis, where I live with my beautiful wife, Jen, my adorable daughter, Lizie, and our two dogs. I also enjoy working with teenagers and have spent most of my career working with students in various capacities, including at Crossroads, since 2009. When I have spare time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, watching good movies, and helping with my church’s youth group. I attribute growing up as a Cubs fan for giving him the ability to hope against all odds, and he says he is still in blissful shock that the Cubs actually won the 2016 World Series.

Science

Sarah Tolch

I began teaching while in graduate school and quickly realized that I loved sharing science with my students. So I decided to go into the classroom rather than the research lab. I moved to St Louis in 2002 to teach 7th-12th grade at Thomas Jefferson School. After six years at Thomas Jefferson, I moved to MICDS. While at MICDS, I taught Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in the Upper School and was the Director of the Summer Academy. I realized that she missed the energy of a middle school classroom, so I was excited when the position opened at Crossroads and I could join such an active and energetic community. I am married and have a daughter and three dogs. As a St. Louis transplant, I love the zoo and the many restaurants the region has to offer. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. In fact, my macaroni and cheese has won awards at competitions!

Technology Coordinator, Computer Science

Tom Walsh

I have more than 35 years of classroom experience, much of it at Crossroads. I currently serve as Technology Coordinator and Network Administrator for the school as well as teaching AP Computer Science Principles and Computer Programming. I began my career at Crossroads teaching in the History Department, and taught many courses including AP US History, Modern World History, United States History, and US Government and Politics. My wife Tammy and I have three grown children – an intensive-care nurse, a gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, a preschool teacher, and two grandchildren.

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Zoe Conner

Hi, my name is Zoe, and I am so excited to tell the unique stories of Crossroads as Marketing and Communications Coordinator! I love curling up with my cats and a good book of poetry, dancing in the rain, and exploring the outdoors to look for cool flora and fauna. My favorite spots in STL include the Art Museum, the Botanical Gardens, and Seoul Taco. If your special interests include social media, film, and photography, please reach out to collaborate with me!

Theatre

Lizi Watt

LIZI WATT is a performer, director and theatre educator. Since earning her MFA in Theatre: Contemporary Performance from Naropa University, she has taught acting at New York University’s Experimental Theater Wing, Naropa University, Rhodes College, Acrobatics of the Heart at Earthdance, the National Alliance of Acting Teachers: Teacher Development Program, Marlborough School (LA) and COCA, and has regional directing credits across the country. Some performance credits include Gloria: A Life with New Jewish Theatre, Digging Up Dessa with Metro Theatre and Fiction at St. Louis Actors Studio, Alarm at Blue Roof Studios (LA), Daedalus’ Daughter at REDCAT (LA), Hamlet with Prison Performing Arts (featured on This American Life), Weetzie Bat at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2.5 years touring with Metro Theatre Company (US and Taiwan), The Lysistrata Project (part of the Global Peace Initiative) and Big Love and Midsummer Night’s Dream with Boulder/Denver-based theatre, Band of Toughs. She is the author of House of Daughters, It’s a Girl and mama, a solo performance piece. She has also contributed to many devised works, including Saltwater, with the International Theatre Collective, The Blind Watchmaker, at the Bug Theatre (Denver), and (Re)Production, at Fools FURY (SF). She is the mother of Oliver, Inez and Sabine and is ever-grateful for her roots as a St. Louisan, and as a member of the Wyandot Nation. Lizi is thrilled to be working with the incredible youth who come through Crossroads.