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

Avon Old Farms School’s tradition of excellence is a result of our faculty, who in addition to their teaching duties are always eager to go above and beyond for their students as coaches, advisors, and mentors. This summer, we welcomed six new educators to our ranks. Below, we introduce you to the new faces to our community: 

Nic Amato, Math and Science

Originally from Canada, Nic Amato and his family moved frequently in his childhood. He attended Staples High School in Westport where he rowed for the Saugatuck Rowing Club. From there, he matriculated to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he studied physics and Earth science. “At MIT I got very involved with the cycling club: riding, racing and fixing bikes! I delivered pizza on my bike around Boston's Back Bay. I could stack up to ten 18" pizzas on my handlebars-no rack required. I'm working with the student bike shop at Avon and hope to ride with the bike club!”

At Avon, Nic is teaching Physics Honors in the Science Department and Differential Equations in the Math Department. “I love how both subjects help us understand the world, from curious moments in daily life to complex natural phenomena. Students can accomplish so much with the right intuition and tools and I hope to help them realize what they are capable of.”

He says he was impressed by the Math and Science departments' commitment to challenge every student here at Avon, but it was actually the student art exhibits around campus that most made him want to work here. “It struck me then that Avon is a place where every aspect of a student's talent and character can develop.”

Tiziana Meneghel-Rozzo, Visual Arts

In 2022, Tiziana Meneghel-Rozzo visited Avon as a guest educator where she exposed photography students to several unique ways of capturing images. Now, she returns to teach our photography classes herself!

Tiziana immigrated from Italy to Boston where she has lived for the past 30 years. She attended Harvard Medical School, the University of Trieste, and Leslie University where she studied first neuroscience and then photography and integrated media.

Her career in the arts has seen her featured in various galleries around the world from Tufts University to Italian galleries. Her work bridges the gap between science and art. “Her photographs explore and mystify the mundane through abstraction,” Visual Arts Department Chair Cristina Pinton says.

Taylor Pirie, Math

This past summer, Taylor Pirie arrived at Avon for his next teaching/coaching gig, having most recently taught at Millbrook School in New York. He grew up in Hamilton, Mass. and attended Governor’s Academy where he played on the soccer and lacrosse teams.

Pirie went on to play lacrosse at Middlebury College where he also studied economics. Here at Avon, he will be passing down his knowledge in economics and business as well as Algebra 2. “I love teaching kids how to be curious and ask questions. Econ teaches the study of how people make decisions which is fascinating to me.”

He will also be passing down his expertise in lacrosse as our new varsity team Head Coach. His recent accolades include being named New England West 2 Division Coach of the Year in 2024.

He resides with his partner, Kaleigh Kelley, and their dogs Ollie and Willow. He loves to fly fish and is excited to now be next to the Farmington River!

Joe Traversa, Learning Center

Joe Traversa joined the Avon Old Farms community last year as an athletic trainer and coach, but this year will be joining our faculty ranks as a tutor in the Bigelow Learning Center. “I wanted to work at Avon because of the strong sense of community, as well as the strong athletic programs. I chose to take on more responsibility in the Learning Center because I enjoy helping students reach their full potential academically, as well as athletically.”

Joe’s hometown is Pittsfield, Mass. He attended Pittsfield High School where he played Baseball, Basketball, and Football. He then went on to attend Springfield College for his Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Master's Degree in Strength and Conditioning.

He lives with his fiancée named Hailey and an Australian Shepard named Rue.

Joel Zavala, World Language

Our newest addition to our World Language department is Joel Zavala. He came to Avon from the Boston area but I was born and grew up in Guanajuato, Mexico. He attended high school in Mexico where he played volleyball. He then went on to study music and music technology at the Universidad de Guanajuato for his Bachelor’s, California State University for his Master’s, and then received another Master’s from the University of Connecticut.

Now at Avon, he teaches his native language of Spanish. “I love to reflect with my students about other people's beliefs, values, and priorities in life and compare them with theirs.” He says he chose to work at Avon because boys who attend are interested in making a difference in their communities and the world.

Joel has a wife and son and loves animals and the outdoors. For a time, he lived in Hawai'i and hiked on all the islands.

Lee Krasnoo, World Language

Lee Krasnoo grew up in Wayland, Mass. He attended Wayland High School where he participated in wrestling, student government, leadership of new student orientation, soccer, and the performing arts.

From there, he matriculated to Bowdoin College and Wesleyan University where he studied classics before attending Tufts University for his Master’s. After teaching in public schools for a number of years, Lee liked what he saw at Avon and joined the team. “The sense of community here and the importance placed on character both really stood out to me.”

Lee has taken over Latin teaching duties, something he is passionate about. “Latin literature contains so many messages that are relevant to our world today and applicable to our own lives. I also really love the way that Latin grammar works and how it can make us understand English and other languages better.”

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