QMC Faculty & Staff
Ted Keleher
QMC Principal
Veteran educator Edward “Ted” Keleher leads EASTCONN’s Quinebaug Middle College as its principal. Ted most recently served as a successful and innovative high school principal at Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton. Before that, he was a principal at East Windsor High School and an assistant principal at Bristol Eastern High School. Mr. Keleher, who began his educational career as a math teacher, holds a deep passion for the field of STEM, a background that will serve QMC students well.
Lauri Buffi
First Year Experience/Social Sciences
Lauri teaches humanities and social studies at Quinebaug Middle College. She is best described as a teacher, mentor, lifelong learner, volunteer, entrepreneur, foodie and human generally consumed by wanderlust. Lauri’s diverse educational background includes: a Master’s in Education, University of New Haven; Master’s in Political Science, American Public University; additional graduate work in International Policy and Arabic Language studies, Middlebury Institute of International Studies; and a B.A. in International Relations, Hawai’i Pacific University. Lauri owned a small business in Portland, Maine and was named Business Owner of the Year in 2000. Her volunteer work includes: ESOL instruction in Portland and Honolulu; Small Business Development and ESOL instruction with the Peace Corps in Morocco; development of a library at Stung Meanchey School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and serving as a small business start-up mentor in Portland.
Carol Ann Gray
Physical Education/Health
Carol Ann has taught physical education, health and investigations into health care careers at Quinebaug Middle College for more than a decade. She earned a B.S. from Eastern Connecticut State University and a M.S. from Southern Connecticut State University. An avid gardener, Carol Ann resides in Stonington, Conn. Favorite quote: “Never give up.”
Robyn Incera
Mathematics
Robyn is a Freshman Advisory teacher and teaches mathematics at Quinebaug Middle College. She acts as the manufacturing liaison between QMC and QVCC. She has degrees from Providence College (BS), Babson College (MBA) and Sacred Heart University (MAT) and is certified to teach mathematics, business, and technology classes. As a result, Robyn tries to incorporate real-world problems into her courses, especially Financial Algebra. Prior to starting her teaching career, Robyn worked on financial systems as both a project analyst and project manager. Favorite quote: “Do what you love, love what you do.”
Melissa Jacobs
School Counselor
Melissa Jacobs is a founding member of Quinebaug Middle College and has been the School Counselor since it first opened its doors in the fall of 2008. A lifelong native of northeastern Connecticut, Melissa obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, minoring in Anthropology, from the University of Connecticut. She received her master’s in Counseling from Central Connecticut State University. Melissa has been a school counselor for over 18 years and is passionate about empowering students to pursue their educational goals and post-secondary dreams. Melissa has had specialized training in Choice Theory, Reality Therapy, and Lead-Management through the William Glasser International Institute. Melissa is a member of the Connecticut School Counselors’ Association (CSCA), where she has served as the Middle-level Vice President, and a member of the Connecticut Counselors’ Association (CCA), where she served as the Executive Board Secretary. Outside of school, Melissa enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, playing music, and watching science fiction and Japanese animation. Melissa has been training Shotokan Karate for over 25 years and received official Instructor and Judge certifications from the Japan Karate Association.
Suzy Lefevre
English
Suzette teaches English literature at Quinebaug Middle College. Before arriving at QMC, she taught in Istanbul, Turkey. Suzette has a degree from Rhode Island College and hails from Providence. Favorite quote: “What would it be like if I could accept life—accept this moment--exactly as it is?” -- Tara Brach
Amanda Neal
School Nurse
Katie O'Neil
School Social Worker
Katie O’Neil is the School Social Worker at Quinebaug Middle College. She received a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She enjoys working with students individually and collaboratively to ensure their needs are met.
Taylor Penman
Mathematics
Taylor, a Montville native, teaches mathematics at Quinebaug Middle College. She earned a master’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and most recently taught at the Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston, Massachusetts. She loves sports and cats. Favorite quote: “She believed she could, so she did.”
Stephanie Shabanowitz
Social Sciences
Stephanie teaches social studies and English at Quinebaug Middle College. She holds B.A. degrees in English and history from the University of Connecticut and a M.S. in education from the University of New Haven. A Montville native, Stephanie likes collecting coffee mugs from places she visits on vacation. Favorite quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” -- Walt Disney
Kara Tierney
English/Capstone
Kara teaches English at Quinebaug Middle College. She holds B.A. degrees in English and American Studies and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut and previously taught in Stafford Springs, South Windsor, Norwich and Vernon. Kara grew up in Glastonbury and Southington and has a twin sibling. Favorite quote: “It was the magic of the world: the making and unmaking of the world with paper and ink.” -- Alice Hoffman
Jen E. Wilkosz
Art
Jen teaches art and design at Quinebaug Middle College. Prior to arriving at QMC, she taught in New Ipswitch, New Hampshire and in East Hampton, Conn. Jen earned a B.A. from Franklin Pierce University and hails from Warwick, Rhode Island. She currently resides in Lebanon, Conn. and loves all things Disney. Favorite quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” -- Maya Angelou
