Meet the New Faculty for 2024 | Avon Old Farms News | About Us | Avon Old Farms

This year, Avon Old Farms welcomed seven newcomers to the front of the class - two of whom are already familiar faces.

Katy Perry – a member of our library staff, director of sustainability efforts, and champion of Avon's Brother 2 Brother thrift store – is now teaching AP Environmental Science. Also returning to the AOF classroom is Dr. Chris Doyle, who is teaching U.S. and AP U.S History courses. Below, we introduce you to the new faces to our community.

Charlie Garcia, Mathematics

Charlie Garcia came to Avon Old Farms in the summer of 2024 with over 25 years of teaching experience, primarily teaching mathematics at competitive independent schools at the university level. I was born in Queens, NY, where I played Little League like every kid in my neighborhood. I also began swimming and studying the arts of judo, Japanese jujitsu, and boxing before moving with my family to Florida to continue high school. During my tenth-grade year, one of my teachers encouraged me to push myself further than math coursework and join the school's math team. There, I found my true passion in exploring anything and everything I could find related to mathematics, sharing what I learned with my teammates, and helping peers with their studies.

I attended college close to home in Tampa, majoring in mathematics. As a rising junior and senior, I was selected to study at the UC Berkeley Math Institute for gifted undergraduates during the summers. Falling in love with California, I began in the doctoral program in Applied Mathematics at UCLA. After earning my MA and qualifying to advance to a thesis, I started working as a teaching assistant for every mathematics and programming course in which I could be placed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. During that time, yet again, a teacher noticed my passion for working with students and allowed me to teach my own class at UCLA. He also found me a teaching position at a small, independent school in Santa Monica, CA, and by the end of a year of teaching and doing research, I realized my calling was to teach students and hopefully be one of those teachers that encourages their students to find a passion and love of this beautiful discipline—as was done for me.

After 11 years of teaching and designing curriculum, I returned to graduate school at USC to earn a second MA in Teaching and Learning. Attending conferences, I found a way back to NYC and started teaching at Horace Mann School in Riverdale, designing curriculum and working with my athletes and mathletes alike. Post-2020, I explored other schools until I found my way to AOF. I love sharing my passion for mathematics, health, fitness, and teamwork here. I teach the full spectrum of courses, including the post-calculus curriculum. It has been exciting to get to coach my students in various sports! My goal is to help them instill the importance and benefits of teamwork and good sportsmanship in addition to celebrating individual achievements. I am thrilled to demonstrate my firm belief that my previous statement can and will be applied to the boys in the classroom and in any field (or court) where I teach and coach!

I still have a passion for my fitness training; I still do math contest problems to focus and relax. When I am not doing all the above, I can be found in my own personal heaven on my couch, next to my spouse and my many pets, as we enjoy watching movies, binge TV shows, anime, gaming, and comic books.

Steven Gooler, Science

Originally from Eastchester, New York, Steven Gooler holds a BS from Quinnipiac University in athletic training and sports medicine, and an MS in exercise science and health promotion with a concentration in sport psychology from California University of Pennsylvania. He spent nine years at Canterbury School as an athletic trainer and science teacher, where he taught anatomy and injury and nutritional science. Prior to Canterbury, he worked at Professional Physical Therapy in Mamaroneck, New York and provided athletic training services for Mamaroneck High School.

After practicing in the field of athletic training, Steven is excited about bringing applied biomedical experience into the classroom to inspire students to explore the field. Outside of the classroom, he is an avid runner and also served as the head cross country coach at Canterbury School.

Steven lives on campus with his wife, Charlotte, their daughter Audrey, and their poodle, Quinn.

Bing Liu, World Language

Bing Liu graduated from Shenyang Teachers’ College in China with a BA in English Language & Literature. Upon graduation, Mr. Liu taught English at Liaoning Teachers’ Institute. In 1988, traveled to the USA and earned his MA in Education at the University of Toledo in Ohio.

After teaching ESL in Toledo Public Schools, Mr. Liu moved to Connecticut in 1998. He served as a State School Teacher for the Connecticut Department of Corrections teaching GED courses for one year, then began teaching Mandarin Chinese at the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy in East Hartford. He has taught Mandarin throughout central Connecticut for the last 25 years, and he is always excited to share his interest in language and intercultural awareness with young people. He has organized and led twelve trips to China for students and adults, including a trip to Tibet in 2008. 

Bing also enjoys music, movies, cooking, and playing volleyball.

Jake Sutterlin, Mathematics

Jake is originally from Queens, New York, but split his time growing up between the Midwest and at a fellow Founders League school where his mother taught math.

"Through attending a boarding middle school and all boys high school and experiencing the positive and influential relationships I developed with my teachers, coaches, and advisors, I knew I wanted to professionally be involved in an independent school system from a young age. I am excited that I am continuing the family tradition at Avon Old Farms!"

"I am grateful for the opportunities I have had that led me to Avon Old Farms as I enter my seventh year of teaching. In my professional experience I have valued the ability to teach an academic discipline while also integrating social and emotional learning into the classroom and in the daily lives of students." Previously, Jake has taught mathematics, science, and history. He most recently served as a Scientific Investigation and Critical Thinking department chair and STEM Coordinator where he developed curriculum and classes focusing on STEM application in real-world settings for all high school grade levels. He values life-long and growth-mindset based learning which he tries to model for students in his words, actions, and lessons every day.

Outside of the classroom, Jake has many passions. The top include tending to his 80+ plants (yes, his house DOES look and feel like a greenhouse), leading a healthy and active lifestyle, spending time outside, and exploring the world. One of his larger goals is to go visit every country in the world, but for now is focusing on going to each country in Europe. So far, he has been to 25 European countries and says the most unique he has visited so far has been Malta! "I have also been fortunate enough to have traveled to Asia, Central and South America, Canada, and 48 of the 50 United States. I will be checking off my 49th state in June 2025!"

In addition to beginning his time at Avon Old Farms, this is also a notable year in his personal life as Jake is in the midst of wedding planning with his fiancé, who you will always be able to spot cheering for AOF in the stands!

Mike Solominsky, Science

Although he attended public school growing up just outside of Denver, Colorado, Mike Solominsky has since become very familiar with preparatory practices and boarding school life. He has spent the last 20+ years teaching, coaching, mentoring, and serving as a dorm parent at a few different prep schools around the country, including New England prep schools like Worcester and Cushing.

Mike played football, basketball, and baseball in high school, earning himself a football scholarship from Ohio University where he majored in pre-med with an ultimate goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. As has been the case for many Avon students, Mike’s passion for science — specifically biology — was sparked in part by an excellent educator. “In high school I had a really good biology teacher. Plus, there’s a lot of overlap with the field of orthopedics and dealing with football injuries.”

During his senior year in college, Mike met his future wife, Somer. The couple moved to Massachusetts together where Somer was hired to serve as a P.E. teacher and athletic trainer at Worcester Academy. They moved onto campus and Mike signed on as a dorm parent. A few years later he was hired to teach biology. Of course, he also took on coaching duties for multiple sports and other boarding school responsibilities.

After close to 15 years at Worcester and a short stint at Cushing Academy, Mike and his family moved to the Pittsburgh area where he took on the head football coach position at the Kiski School, a co-ed prep school. He also continued to teach various science classes. In 2022, he earned his master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration.

With Mike’s oldest son, Mikie, playing junior hockey in New Hampshire and his younger son, Keegan, about to enter his freshman year of high school, the family decided it was time to return to the region and Avon Old Farms ended up being the perfect option. “It’s a really good fit here academically for my son, and we’re closer to my oldest. We’re happy to be here.”

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