Kendra Rickerby
An accomplished Professor and Educational Leader with more than twenty years of teaching, team leadership, and program management experience. Committed to creating innovative cultures of learning and collaboration for diverse populations of students, staff, and faculty. Creative problem solver managing inclusive teams, dynamic classrooms, and efficient operations with integrity, ingenuity, and perseverance. After a nationwide search, Kendra was announced as the Head of School in spring 2023.

kendra.rickerby@compass-school.org

Gabe Allen-Fahlander
I joined the Compass community in 2012 as a humanities teacher and advisor. I was born and raised in the Boston area, and moved back to Beantown in 2003 after graduating from Colgate University in central NY state. There, I met my wife (a native Vermonter) and put off my teaching career in favor of a 5-year stint as a brewer. In 2011 we moved to Vermont in order to pursue two goals: living in a wonderful quiet setting, and my teaching aspirations.

I gained teacher certification through the Upper Valley Educators Institute while interning at Rivendell Academy High School and The Sharon Academy Middle School. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, jogging, skiing, biking, gardening, playing fetch, and generally being outdoors.

Outdoor enthusiast, endurance athlete, Boston sports fan.

gabe@compass-school.org

Teachers and Staff

Louise Van Order Hodson
What fun! I have been at Compass since 2001 and every year has been so different! I started here right after getting a masters at Antioch and found a dream school. It has been a pleasure to grow as the school has changed from a new community of dreamy-eyed students and educators to a crew searching for excellence.

I have enjoyed so many corners of our community but currently spend my time teaching High School Math, Physics, and art. It is so nice to have this balance of topics in my week and life.

At home, I am a mom. I have two sassy girls and we live in the middle of 100 acres of woods in Putney. Have a goofy labrador, a cat that thinks it’s a dog and two chickens.

Sailor; Artist; Mom.

louise@compass-school.org

Ann Croxson 
After 20 years as a teacher and school leader at a small, progressive high school in Philadelphia, I moved to Vermont and joined the Compass team in 2022. I am thrilled to be teaching Humanities and love working with, and learning from, young people. I’m excited to be teaching in a school that prioritizes a strengths-based, student-centered approach. I have taught language arts for many years to 9th-12th graders, directed an Exhibitions program for seniors, and hold a dual teaching certificate in English & history, as well as an endorsement in Online Teaching. I have also taught Composition and Literature courses to college students. In an earlier career, I worked extensively with clients of community mental health centers, and I believe in the importance of a holistic approach to educating youth.  I’m a hiker, kayaker, pickleball & ping pong enthusiast, reader, dog lover, and meditator.

ann.croxson@compass-school.org

Kellie Crowder
Howdy! I joined the Compass faculty in the Fall of 2015 as Director of Support Services. Since then, I have felt honored to be part of such an enthusiastic and caring academic community.

I grew up along the Hudson River in New York State, and then attended the University of Colorado where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. After graduation, I remained in Colorado where I enjoyed hiking, biking, and skiing in the Rocky Mountains. This is also where I discovered my enthusiasm for teaching through my work in the special education department at a small local high school in Nederland, CO. After several years, I moved back to the east coast where I pursued a Masters Degree in Secondary Special Education. I have worked in high schools from the lower east side of Manhattan, to the suburbs of Westchester County. I have also worked in two private schools, Marvelwood in Kent, CT and Vermont Academy close by in Saxton’s River. In the eight years I have lived in southern Vermont, I have enjoyed the lifestyle and natural beauty that I missed from my time in Colorado, and equally value being close to family for frequent visits.

Vermont Certified Special Educator, dog lover, laughter generator.

kellie.crowder@compass-school.org

Rob Guerrina

I came originally to Compass in 2013 to help Alexandrin in their math class, and returned in 2016 to assist with Student Support Services as a 1:1 provider. I started in Title I in Brattleboro in 1997, but took time off to do carpentry before returning to education at the Putney School. Compass means a lot to me. I believe deeply in Compass’ mission and I’m grateful to be part of a community that strives to be open and loving. I am the proud parent of a Compass alum. I live in Brattleboro.

Carpentry, hiker, kayaker, meditator, napper.

rob.guerrina@compass-school.org

Lyssa Singleton
I have been the bookkeeper since 2014. I love being able to reconcile the accounts with the students, families and teachers that make up this amazing community. My son and daughter attended Compass.

As a staff member I have had the opportunity to work with students and parents bringing the perspectives of each together to make the accounting as transparent and understandable as possible.

At home I can usually be found with my three dogs, my three cats, or my flock of chickens. All of these animals make me laugh with their antics. I love to read, to cook, to garden, to do yoga, to create artwork, and go for hikes.

When away from home I love to travel, particularly abroad. I can often be found seeing live music and traveling to Burlington. Both of my kids attend UVM. For me, spending time with my family is my greatest joy.

lyssa.singleton@compass-school.org

Cara Tyrrell
Cara joined the Compass community first in 2017 as a parent looking for an educational solution for my daughter Caroline. Over the next seven years she watched Caroline blossom into an independent thinker who set big goals and partnered with the staff to chart her own learning trajectory.

Cara’s served public and private school systems for over 20 years as an Early Childhood Educator, teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and professional development consultant. A self-described serial entrepreneur, she’s founded and run small businesses including Little Village Farm, a 30-person CSA on their family farm, Share Southern Vermont, a branch of a National non-profit supporting families through grief and loss, and most recently, Core4Parenting, an online school readiness platform for toddler and preschooler parents.

cara.tyrrell@compass-school.org

Sandra Stromberg
I came to Compass in 2021 with 24 years of teaching experience, first working for a year as a part-time paraeducator in the middle grades, then joining Student Support Services full-time. I love the eclectic student population and creative ways teachers meet the student’s learning needs here. Before Compass, I worked primarily in private or independent schools.

I love to garden, hike, spend time with my two children, and travel. It is a personal goal to travel to as many countries as I am old. So far, a pandemic and having children have gotten in the way of this. I have been to 6 out of 7 continents and 38 countries. My favorite countries visited so far were Laos and Bolivia.  

sandra.stromberg@compass-school.org

Jennifer Weeden-Black
An life-long professional artist specializing in a variety of mediums from illustration and painting to print-making and stained glass. Her studio Raven Hollow Glass s located in Guilford, Vermont. With additional teaching experience in youth and adult arts education, she brings her knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for the creative arts to the school starting fall 2023.

jennifer.black@compass-school.org

Rick Gordon
As a founding Director, my ideas and words are throughout this website and various documents. You can read some more of my perspective on the power of a Compass education in Compass Journals you can find under resources. In short, I believe Compass consistently develops graduates with capabilities that few high school seniors in America can match. Sometimes our program may look “non-traditional,” but every element in the Compass program is purposeful and contributes to student growth. In recent years I have been fascinated by what I have labelled our “Yes, you can” culture and how students are transformed by the wealth of affirming experiences they have through Compass. I have alway been appreciative that Compass is a place where we can bring our best, authentic selves to our shared commitment to help every child find success.

World Traveler, Biker, Skier, Athlete, Soccer Coach

rick@compass-school.org