Faculty & Staff

Rob earned a B.A. and M.Ed. in English from Plymouth State University. He started teaching English at Mount Prospect Academy in Plymouth, NH in 2004, and was an adjunct faculty member at Plymouth State University and Lakes Region Community College until 2012. He also worked in college admissions and worked as an Academic Counselor at UNH before coming to Next.

Rob enjoys being outdoors, preferably barefoot, and especially likes hiking and competing in obstacle course races. His favorite activity, however, is helping his dog chase squirrels. Rob believes that learning is an active process, that knowledge is an achievement, and that once people begin learning new things, they will never want to stop.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Cassandra earned a B.S. in Youth Development and Education with a minor in Psychology from Plymouth State University. She comes to Next with well-defined experiences working with youth and families throughout New Hampshire. Cassandra is passionate about helping students reach their educational, professional, and personal goals- every person deserves the opportunity to be happy and successful in life wherever they would like to be.

In her free time, Cassandra enjoys exploring all parts of nature, playing and coaching volleyball, volunteering, and spending time with family. Cassandra is excited to be part of the community at Next and hopes to empower students so they are prepared for their next step.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Andy earned a B.S. in Management, a B.A. in Economics and a M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Keene State College. He began his career teaching mathematics at Gilbert H. Hood Middle School in 2001. In 2007, Andy moved to Walpole and worked in the Fall Mountain School District as a 7th and 8th grade math teacher. Two years later, he moved back to the area and back to Gilbert H. Hood, teaching 6th grade math. Andy ran cross-country and track & field at Keene State and enjoys running to this day.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Michelle is a mother of 4, who moved to Derry in 1992, working as the head of mailing operations for Hadco where she worked for 11 years. She took several years off to pursue her career as a full time mom after the birth of her twins. In 2004, wanting to stay close to the children she worked in the Derry school system in the food service area. Her passion for children led her to working before and after care at EDMES where she is still employed. Realizing her passion to help children she embarked on a new endeavor with Next Charter School in 2018 as a paraprofessional. She has been volunteering with The Community Caregivers since 2009. She enjoys the outdoors, all sports and spending time with family.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Will Gowen comes to Next Charter School with extensive experience in education, earning his B.A. in Anthropology from Hamilton College and his M.A.T. in Secondary Social Studies Education from Brown University. Will has served in various educational roles, including Social Studies Teacher and Sociocracy Coordinator at Morey Flextech High School, Director of Programs at School Around Us, and Director of LEAF Charter School. Throughout these experiences, he has focused on implementing collaborative decision-making processes and fostering student-centered learning environments. He loves witnessing ‘aha’ moments of learning and believes deeply in the potential of project-based educational experiences.

When he’s not at school, you can find him hiking, cooking, traveling, spending time with family + friends, reading sci-fi, playing D&D, or enjoying some basketball (watching or playing). He’s a big fan of high fives, so feel free to greet him that way when you see him around campus!

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Kristie is a mother of two grown boys and step-mom to three great kids, that have blessed her with four amazing grandkids. Before getting married and moving to Hampstead in 2018 she lived in Derry, graduating from Grinnell, Hood, and Pinkerton. She graduated Manchester Community College with an Associate in Early Childhood Education. Before starting at NEXT she worked at a local childcare center for 17 years. She has also worked with special needs preschool children. She looks forward to helping students become successful in both school and life after high school. 

In the summers you are likely to find her next to a swimming pool but not getting to enjoy it. She’ll be working on it for with her family owned pool business. Outside of work she enjoys camping, racing their Jeeps in the mud and on the obstacle course, working on cars with her husband, crafting, and sewing. An interesting fact is that some people call her a crazy chicken lady.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Andrew grew up on the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, earning a B.S. in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism from Radford University. Andrew served as an AmeriCorps intern working with the National Park Service before working as an Interpretive Park Ranger at parks such as Carlsbad Caverns and Yellowstone National Park. While working for the parks, he discovered his passion for environmental education and lifelong learning and decided to pursue his M.S. in Environmental Studies/Environmental Education from Antioch University New England in Keene, NH. 

Since graduating from Antioch, Andrew has worked for Mass Audubon as a teacher naturalist, Quarrybrook Outdoor Education Center as a science instructor, Windham Woods School as a middle school science teacher, and now here at Next as the life science teacher. Outside of teaching, he enjoys cycling, hiking, gardening, fantasy football, and hanging with his friends and family.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Mike earned his teaching degree at Plymouth State University.  He has a strong background in reading, writing, history, and geography.  He has been teaching for over 30 years; in fact, he started his career at Grinnell Elementary School in Derry, New Hampshire.  He is a proponent for students to be actively engaged in their learning and believes ALL students have the potential to be successful both as a learner and a productive citizen of the United States.  Mike stands by the “Four F’s:”  Family, faith, football, and food! In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and four boys, attending sporting events, walking in the woods, visiting New England beaches, studying, and working in the yard.  He is eager to continue his teaching career at Next Charter School, where he builds a strong rapport with students. It is his goal to enable all students to be well rounded, educated citizens.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Rachel is a STEAM teaching artist, nature writer, and lifelong learner. Her passion is to inspire observation, experimentation, and creativity in students of all ages through her visual art, writing, and teaching. Originally trained in biology and chemistry at the University of Vermont, after years working in research labs, she earned a Master’s in museum studies, and has since taught art and science at museums across the country, from the California Academy of Sciences and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. She actively practices the skills of learning by pursuing hobbies she’s bad at, including Celtic harp, rock climbing, and belly dance.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Amy earned her Master’s in Social Work from Arizona State University and worked with children, youth and families in need of behavioral health support for 8 years before coming to Next. Amy enjoys working with students and helping them on their journey to success. In her free time Amy enjoys taking care of her senior cat, and staying active by practicing Jiu-Jitsu, yoga, and going for walks and hikes. Amy enjoys cooking and trying new recipes. Amy grew up in rural Vermont and moved to Arizona when she was 18 to pursue her education and career, working with students at ASU as a wellness supervisor she implemented programs to assist students with learning life skills. Hoping to reconnect with her roots, she moved to New Hampshire and is excited to start her journey with the wonderful Next community.

Ms. Morale is also the Homeless Liaison Coordinator and School Suicide Prevention Coordinator, if you have any questions or concerns about suicide prevention or homelessness please reach out. 

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Jen graduated from Granite State College with an Associates in Early Childhood Education. She comes from a background of being a Lead Preschool Teacher, in a daycare setting. Jen has worked with infants all the way up to fourth grade in before and after school programs as well.  In her spare time she enjoys off-roading in her jeep, playing with her dogs and spending time with her family and friends. Jen believes we are always learning and can evolve with time. She is happy to be a part of the Next Community.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

AJ holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Education from Shawnee State University. He began his teaching career at Lighthouse Community School in Cincinnati, where he was a special education teacher for years before becoming Assistant Principal. Upon moving to New Hampshire in 2018, AJ first  taught special education at Hudson Memorial School before moving to Broad Street Elementary School in Nashua.

Emily grew up on a small farm in upstate New York. After earning a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University, she spent several years working on tall ships, where she taught everything from oceanography to maritime lore.

She eventually moved to New Hampshire to pursue a Masters’ degree in Environmental Studies at Antioch University New England and a science teaching certificate. She then spent three years teaching middle school science at Pelham Memorial School, where she also coached cross country and was the advisor to the hiking club, science club and winter running club.

Emily believes that kids who are active and engaged in their environment will grow up into adults who feel compelled to take care of it.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Allison moved to New Hampshire from Massachusetts in 2020 to focus on her education and follow her dream of becoming a teacher. Allison has years of experience working in special education and a passion for working with kids.  She is currently pursuing her associates in English with the ultimate goal of receiving her masters in education.

In her free time, Allison loves to read, write and hang out with her pets. She is extremely excited to begin her journey at Next! 

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398

Karen Woodes is a longtime resident of Derry.  She and her husband Gregg have 2 grown daughters and a cat named Red.  Her favorite thing to do is to spend time with her extended family. A perfect day for Karen is a day at the beach.

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 603-437-6398