Create a welcoming, diverse school community in which learners are:
INSPIRED to strive for excellence and contribute positively to their communities.
CHALLENGED to explore big ideas independently and collaboratively.
EMPOWERED to pursue their goals with confidence, persistence, and integrity.
"Your future is whatever you make it."
-Doc Emmett Brown, Back to the Future
Wellan zoomed into the 2024-2025 school year in a DeLorean! Using Back to the Future as our theme, we spent the year celebrating past milestones in the school's history while simultaneously transforming our school facilities for the future.
Identified as a strategic priority by school leaders and trustees, Wellan's Accessibility and Expansion project constituted phase 1 of an ambitious plan to create a campus design aligned with our goals for inclusion and community-building. Construction began in June 2024. By August, the foundation was in and a huge crane was lifting steel beams over the building. Once the exterior envelope was erected, interior work continued throughout the winter months. Students enjoyed monitoring progress from special vantage points on top of playground equipment and through peepholes cut in interior walls just for that purpose. By April, we were working through the punch list with the contractor and ordering furniture for summer installation. We are extremely grateful to all of you who have already contributed to the ongoing Elevate Wellan campaign, which helped us move the project forward quickly. As we transition into the second year of the campaign, we ask for your continued support, which will allow us to start phase 2 (making the playground accessible), fund an endowment, offer professional development to faculty, and maintain operational excellence.
It was an exciting and busy year of learning and growth for students and staff alike. We hope you enjoy looking back at last year! Our future together is bright!
Officers
Cara Candal, Chair
Sabeena Chacko Raskin, Vice Chair
Brian Alfermann, Treasurer
Jill Dumas, Clerk
Trustees
Brittany Borders
Tom Carter
Sree Chaguturu
Erica DeRosa
Nicki Eastburn
Davina Harris
Noelle Hutchins Kelso
Bob Kane
Dana Lau
Nina Mathur
Ashwin Rajendra
Ruben Rodrigues
Charles Rudnick
Jon Schaffrath
Avi Spier
FRESH
Wellan's Board welcomed three new trustees for the 2024 - 2025 school year.
Nicki Eastburn is a seasoned clinical social worker with nearly 20 years of experience. For the past decade, she's been supporting students as a school social worker at Burr Elementary in Newton. Outside of work, Nikki enjoys coaching youth sports and spending time with her family.
Brittany Borders is an Education Administrator with nearly 10 years of experience in private education. At Cathedral High School, she champions admissions and student life initiatives while bringing her theater background to school productions. She is a proud wife and mom, who is also active in the Boston theater scene.
Dana Lau , originally from Mexico City, boasts a decade of experience in liver disease research. She holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics and has worked in both academic and industry settings. Passionate about science communication, Dana strives to make complex scientific d iscoveries understandable to everyone.
Officers
Pontaah Arbtan, President
Committee Chairs
Jessica Alfermann
Chair, Snow Tubing Event
Pontaah Arbtan
Chair, MLK Day of Service
Peter Bowring
Co-chair, Thanksgiving Feast
Kacie Winsor Carlson
Chair, Wellan Serves
Jane Epstein
Co-Chair, Book Fair
Vanessa Ho, Vice President Anna Turkova-Khan, Treasurer
Megan Feinberg
Co-chair, Staff Appreciation Week
Co-chair, Book Fair
Minori Ishii
Chair, Halloween Costume Swap
Joey Jiang
Chair, Service Saturday
Elizabeth Kane
Co-chair, Staff Appreciation Week
Library Volunteer Liason
Sachié Karmacharya
Chair, Boston Pride Parade
Karina Ku
Co-chair, Paddy's Road Race
Dana Lau
Co-chair, Thanksgiving Feast
Co-chair, Paddy's Road Race
Wellan’s long-anticipated Accessibility and Expansion Project broke ground last summer! With foundations poured and steel beams rising, the transformation of our campus was officially underway. The 5,000-square-foot addition brought a new elevator tower, innovative learning spaces, and a welcoming community gathering area. Be sure to check out our new library!
Step right up Under the Big Top! Wellan summer campers had a blast exploring various Counselorin-Training-designed booths, getting faces painted, and coloring unique circus-themed sheets. Our talented in-house balloon artist created delightful hats and adorable animals that added to the vibrant atmosphere. Of course, no circus is complete without yummy treats – popcorn and cotton candy were a hit with everyone!
The first week of Wellan's summer program, "Passport to Adventure," was filled with exciting trips, tours, and activities. Upper Elementary students kicked off the summer with our new specialty Field Trip Week, exploring Boston's finest attractions, including Franklin Park Zoo, ICA Boston, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, USS Constitution, Freedom Trail, New England Aquarium, Duck Boat Tour, and Museum of Science.
“The assistants I sent to the Wellan Institute's training program last week cannot stop talking about how transformational it was. They came back incredibly inspired and motivated.”
— Katherine Bowen, Head of School, Quest Montessori
“Each fall, teachers eagerly wait for the moment they get to welcome students and parents to the new school year. The joy is palpable!”
— Jen Cardy, Primary Division Leader
In the first month of school, students get to know their peers and teachers, their classroom environment, and their routine. Elementary and Middle School students reflect on their goals for their classroom community and the expectations that need to be in place to achieve them. Then, they draft collaborative "Classroom Agreements." These agreements provide students with clear and actionable ways to contribute positively to their classroom throughout the school year.
Our first-ever Back to School Night After Parties, hosted by Wellan's Parent Association, were a resounding success! Parents enjoyed meaningful conversations and made valuable connections, fostering a strong sense of community.
These fun events generated a positive energy that fueled the PA's community building efforts for the remainder of the year.
Every year, during the first few weeks of school, students everywhere are re-building their stamina for concentrated work after a more relaxed summer schedule. Montessori education supports these efforts with the morning work cycle — a long, uninterrupted period of time during which students make independent choices and complete the work they find most motivating. Over time, with teacher guidance, they transition to meeting expectations across all disciplines and finding joy in a variety of learning pursuits.
The Wellan Owls showed up strong for the annual Paddy’s Road Race, running in support of Newton Athletes Unlimited! With 42 students, parents, teachers, and alumni on the team and a Wellan tent cheering from the sidelines, our community brought energy, spirit, and heart to the Newton streets. Complete with cowbells and Irish music, it was a day of fun, connection, and impact. Go Owls, and go NAU!
In October, Wellan’s art teachers invited the community to take on Inktober, a global drawing challenge. Using daily prompts like “backpack” and “expedition,” students, staff, and parents joined in with ink drawings made during class, at home, and in the Community Room during lunch. Artwork filled the Inktober wall in the Art Room, and some families shared their creations on Instagram.
Each year for Halloween, Wellan students in our Primary and Elementary divisions take on a range of different personalities as they parade around the block. Elementary students transform into historical figures and heroes, while Primary students can be anything from a princess to a frog. The Halloween parade is a long standing favorite— for students, teachers, and parents alike!
“At Red Gate Farm, students take on outdoor chores like caring for animals, harvesting crops, and sawing logs. The chance to try new skills and test their abilities helps them discover just how capable they really are.”
Dr. Ryan Burden, Middle School Humanities Teacher
"The annual Family Cardboard Challenge brings out the 'maker imagination' in both students and parents. It's touching to see the collaboration and problem-solving that happens among family members."
— Merav Rosen, Makerspace Coordinator & Design Lab Specialist
More than 100 guests joined us for our Primary Division's Grandparents & Special Friends Day! After a special program that included a Montessori overview and a panel of sixth-grade students, Primary students proudly welcomed their loved ones into their classrooms. The morning strengthened bonds between families and deepened our shared commitment to student growth and discovery.
In November, Wellan was aglow with Diwali spirit thanks to the efforts of teachers, families, and a faculty-staff Affinity Group. Students learned about the Festival of Lights through vibrant presentations, colorful sarees, rangoli art, and hands-on activities like candle tray painting. In the main hallway, a festive display welcomed all, and faculty gathered to enjoy traditional Indian delicacies together.
The Thanksgiving Feast is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions at our school. Held in the MacKenzie Center, the event brought together students, faculty, and staff for a shared meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie, all made possible by the generosity of our families and parent volunteers. We’re thankful for the warmth, care, and community that make this tradition so meaningful year after year.
In the winter, more than 100 students, families, faculty, and staff came together for our first service event of the year. In partnership with Horizons for Homeless Children, volunteers assembled 300 care packages and crafted over 200 fleece items, including scarves, hats, and blankets, for children experiencing homelessness. The event was a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we come together in service.
Every December, the Festival of Lights brings our community together to express a unified wish for peace through music by candlelight. This popular midyear tradition features performances by all Primary, Elementary, and Middle School students. Musical selections showcase the symbolic significance of light in diverse winter holiday celebrations.
At our annual Students as Teachers event, Wellan students confidently stepped into the role of instructor as they guided families through lessons and shared what they'd been learning in class. Rooted in Montessori philosophy, the act of teaching helps deepen understanding, build confidence, and strengthen communication skills. Events like this offer a unique window into the classroom, as well as a reminder of how much our students grow each year.
“Recess is such an important time of the day. Outdoor play time is not only good for students' growing bodies, but also strengthens social-emotional learning."
— Kayla Stiffler, Lower Elementary Division Leader
“When you build a model of a biome, you learn more than you would just reading about the climate.”
— Wellan Lower Elementary Student
On January 20th, the Wellan community honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through a Day of Service in partnership with Service Stars. Students, families, and staff created sleeping mats from plastic bags and braided dog toys from old t-shirts. Volunteers also assembled self-care kits for families in need and donated inclusive books to local Little Free Libraries. Each project reflected the power of compassion, community, and action.
In January, the Wellan community celebrated the start of the Year of the Wood Snake. Teachers and parents shared how their cultures honor Lunar New Year, while students created lanterns, paper dragons, and painted wooden snakes. Our Beginners led the way with a lively school parade, and faculty and staff set up a beautiful display to share Chinese and Korean customs.
Did you have a job in third grade? Wellan students do! Each year, all Wellan third graders start an internship, practicing responsibility and learning new skills by working in another classroom or with a school administrator. Pictured left, a third grade intern in the marketing department paints turkey aprons for parent volunteers at the annual Thanksgiving Feast.
Wellan Middle School students engaged in a partnership with Adelaide Memory Care Center, connecting with residents living with dementia. Through weekly visits and shared activities, students applied Montessori principles to foster empathy and genuine intergenerational relationships. This experience deepened their understanding of community, service, and compassion.
A delicious annual tradition, Pizza Fridays give our sixth graders a real-world opportunity to apply classroom skills toward a shared goal: funding their spring adventure to the White Mountains. Students split into Finance and Communications teams to plan, promote, and deliver pizza lunches across campus. With teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of pizza, they brought joy to the school community, and got one step closer to the mountains.
Upper Elementary students took part in Wellan’s first-ever Spelling Bee! Inspired by their growing interest in language and etymology, the event encouraged students to study new vocabulary and challenge themselves. More than half of the division chose to compete, spelling their way through grade-level word lists and beyond. Every participant earned a ribbon, and one champion emerged per grade.
“We LOVE Wellan! Can you tell?”
Primary Students on Spirit Day
“I
look forward to the Gala every year. It's more than just a fun social event for the Wellan adult community. It's a chance for community members to show their support for the school.”
— Erica DeRosa, Wellan Board of Trustees Development Chair
In March, Wellan Institute hosted "Heart and Hand," a Montessori-inspired conference for parents, educators, and caregivers. Attendees participated in sessions focused on art, literacy, math, social-emotional learning, and more. The event received enthusiastic feedback and provided valuable tools for supporting children at home and at school. We thank all presenters and participants for making this gathering a success, and we look forward to future conferences.
The Community Room buzzed with excitement during our annual Book Fair, hosted by the Wellan Parent Association. Students explored a wide range of books, choosing titles that sparked their personal interests and their love for reading. This event fosters student autonomy in selecting books, which has led to greater engagement and enthusiasm for reading. Many thanks to the Parent Association and volunteers for making this wonderful celebration of literacy possible!
Wellan educators Mara Weitzman and Kathi Martuza led a thoughtful and well-attended community workshop focused on guiding pre-teens through the ever-evolving world of smartphones and social media. This session explored how parents and caregivers can support their children in using technology responsibly and safely, while keeping communication open and ongoing.
Wellan families came together to celebrate our hardworking teachers and staff during Staff Appreciation Week. Families donated meals, snacks, and gift cards, and filled the hallways with colorful decorations, heartfelt notes, and beautifully designed postcards from students. A big thank you to the Parent Association and all the parent volunteers who made the week so meaningful!
1st–5th grade students took center stage at the annual Elementary Expo, sharing creative, curiosity-driven projects with families and friends. Topics ranged from catapults and blood cells to Tetris and Titanic survival strategies—each one a reflection of student interests. Each year, the Expo serves as a celebration of research, discovery, and the joy of learning.
In the spring, students in Grades 1 to 8 laced up for the annual Lap Challenge, running a total of 10,904 laps, 419 miles, and 546 minutes. Each week, they pushed their endurance by setting goals, tracking progress, and supporting one another through longer run times. The competition was close, but Fifth Grade Group A claimed the trophy. Congratulations to all participants for their determination, teamwork, and strong finish!
“We often analyze primary sources in History class using facsimiles. Seeing well-preserved artifacts in person at the Smithsonian reinforced students' learning, helping them to see that historical events are often closer to us than we realize.”
Jeffrey Bigman, Middle School Humanities Teacher
“I
think of the White Mountains trip as a culmination of students' Upper Elementary experience. The trip connects to classroom curriculum, builds independence and resilience, sharpens executive functioning skills, and strengthens the sixth graders' group identity as they prepare to move into middle school.”
— Caitlin Bowring, Director of Curriculum and Instruction & UE/MS Division Leader
For our final service event of the year, students from every division teamed up with families and staff to care for Weeks Park, a beloved green space in our community. Together, volunteers spread mulch, cleared debris, filled in dog-dug holes, and even caught the appreciation of passersby mid-soccer game! New this year: art and science stations invited students to explore the environment with all five senses, blending service with creativity and connection to nature.
Covering a wide range of topics from Edwardian fashion to autonomous cars, each of our sixth graders' 2025 Capstone projects exemplified thorough research, creative interpretation, and confident public speaking. The Capstone is a key Upper Elementary milestone, celebrating growth in independence, critical thinking, and communication. We’re proud of all the students and grateful to the families and teachers who helped bring their projects to life!
Wellan’s Kindergarten students proudly shared their original stories during the annual Me Book Launch, an end-of-year celebration of their growth as writers. Through weekly Writer’s Workshop sessions, students learned to put thoughts into words, illustrate their ideas, and embrace the writing process with courage and creativity. From first letters to full stories, each Me Book reflected the unique voice of its author. It was a joyful milestone and a powerful reminder that every child has a story worth telling.
At Wellan, we mark key milestones with a meaningful tradition: when students complete Kindergarten, 3rd grade, 6th grade, and 8th grade, they receive a rock engraved with a word representing their personal and academic growth—Caring, Curious, Confident, and finally, Courageous. Our End of Year Ceremonies present an annual opportunity for the community to come together in celebration of our students' effort and accomplishments over the course of the year.
School's out for summer!
The all-school family picnic on the last day of school is marked by games, cupcakes, and outdoor fun... plus a few teary goodbyes.
The 2025 picnic was particularly exciting for the fantastic weather. For the first time in three years, there wasn't a rain cloud in sight.
Wellan returned to the Boston Pride For The People Parade this June, louder, prouder, and stronger in numbers for our second year marching! Rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as students, families, staff, and friends came together to celebrate love, inclusion, and the power of community. With rainbow signs and joyful cheers, the Wellan community proudly stood for a world where everyone is seen, supported, and celebrated.
“Wellan families are the Greatest Of All Time ! As a thank you for record-setting participation in our 2025 parent survey, students were treated to an interactive visit with baby goats. Families shared their feedback, fueled our progress, and gave the whole community reason to celebrate.”
— Azurae Chambers Hood, Director of Marketing and Enrollment
Olivia Mulliken, the alumni speaker at Wellan's 2025 Primary Division End of Year Ceremony, attended Wellan for 9 years. Olivia is now a 9th grade boarding student at Phillips Exeter Academy.
"It is an honor to be back here celebrating with the Wellan community! I started at Wellan Montessori the same year as Ms. Black — in 2013.
One of my most prominent memories at Wellan is the ‘peace-rose.’ Whenever there was a disagreement with a friend or classmate, we used the peace-rose to have a respectful conversation. We would take turns holding it, sharing our thoughts, and listening to each other. This simple exercise taught me so much about empathy, and about truly putting yourself in another person’s shoes.
When I first moved to a new school, I quickly realized how other schools focus on different things. What stood out to me about Wellan was not just what we were learning, but how we were learning. That is a big difference. At Wellan, I learned how to embrace a growth mindset.
"I LEARNED THAT IT WAS OKAY TO STRUGGLE, AND THAT CHALLENGES WERE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW."
I learned that it was okay to struggle, and that challenges were opportunities to grow. I discovered how to stay open and flexible even when things got hard, and most importantly, I learned how to believe in myself. Even though I am now at a new school, I often think back to the amazing memories I made here at Wellan, and what lessons I carry with me today.
Wellan shaped the way I learn and the type of person I strive to be. I am grateful for all the lessons I have learned at Wellan, and I am so excited for you all to continue your journey here as you venture into elementary school! Congratulations!"
An excerpt from JJ's June 2025 address
"To the sixth graders, congratulations! You’re done with elementary school and moving up to middle school.
The truth is, Voyager is a step up from UE. Your workload increases, and I don’t want you to be caught off guard by it. I can’t tell you the number of times I handed in an assignment late at the start of my 7th-grade year.
However, as the year progressed, I learned valuable executive functioning skills. This year, when I had a play rehearsal until 9 pm, or an away tennis match I got home from at 10 pm, those skills were challenged. And they held up.
One of Voyager’s strengths is that it offers you the unique ability to connect with adults. Lots of kids have a mentality that separates the teachers from the students; however, that stereotype is flipped on its head here. Last year, when I went on my final Voyager overnight to Cape Cod to learn about marine life, I shared a cabin with my classmates, but also two teachers, the wonderfully tolerant Jeffrey and Ryan. We were all cramped up in a cabin, and they had to put up with the shenanigans of around eight middle school boys for days.
"TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IN FRONT OF YOU. LEARN. GROW. FAIL. SUCCEED."
Voyager, and really Wellan as a whole, gives you these amazing opportunities to interact with adults, which sets you up for success later in life. This year, I was able to build positive relationships with my new high school teachers. Not because I was just a ‘good student,’ but because I was used to interacting with adults. I wasn't scared to ask for help or an extension, and my openness with my new teachers created a reliable relationship that I could lean on if I was overwhelmed by my workload.
Now it’s my turn to impart some wisdom to you
Take full advantage of the opportunities in front of you. Learn, grow, fail, succeed. Don’t be scared to take risks, and definitely don’t be afraid to reach out when you need it. You’re all gonna go far."
JJ Peyton, the alumni speaker at Wellan's 2025 End of Year Ceremony for Grades 1 - 8, attended Wellan for 8 years and graduated from the Voyager program in 2024. In addition to excelling academically, JJ is an avid tennis player, actor, and writer. JJ is now a sophomore at Beaver Country Day School.
Adeline Philbin, class of 2025, spoke on behalf of the graduating class at Wellan's 2025 End of Year Ceremony for Grades 1 - 8.
An excerpt from Adeline's June 2025 address
"Many adults remember middle school as a time when they were miserable — mostly because classes were boring and social dynamics were awkward and painful. My Voyager classmates and I will remember our middle school years differently.
Our lessons were challenging, but never boring. The learning opportunities in Voyager put a necessary emphasis on executive functioning and growth mindset. Each student is empowered to reflect on their personal growth and goals, and this process helps us feel confident and well-prepared for high school by the time we graduate.
For example, in history, we learned about slavery, the civil war, and radical reconstruction throughout our first semester. There were no dull lectures. You might not expect middle schoolers to be watching movies in history class as a part of the curriculum. But the movie was Gone With the Wind, and we used it to critically examine how reconstruction is often misrepresented.
The movie played on the big screen in the classroom as we all sat on the carpet, pausing it along the way to talk about scenes in the movie that were historically inaccurate in their portrayal of reconstruction.
After watching the movie, we each wrote analytical essays about reconstruction and the Civil War, and reflected on whether Gone With the Wind was an accurate depiction of what we had studied. Comparing the film’s version of events to historical sources was interesting. It allowed for deeper reflection and analysis than a traditional test would have.
One aspect I love about Voyager is that our learning throughout the year revolves around 'deep dives,' which are week-long explorations of a single topic that allow us to develop a deep and thorough understanding. Deep dives in Voyager can cover a wide range of topics from cell biology to drumming, and most recently, rollercoasters.
In the physics unit leading up to our roller coaster deep dive, we learned about momentum, impulse, potential energy, and kinetic energy, which are key physics formulas. To apply our understanding, we worked in groups of three to design and build 3D roller coasters using Styrofoam tubes and cardboard.
The challenge was to make a rollercoaster that could successfully carry a marble through loops and turns from start to finish. We had to apply the math and physics concepts we had studied to achieve this.
During the final presentation of our roller coasters, students from other grades came into the Voyager space to see everything we’d been doing in the past week and hear our pitches. The primary students seemed especially captivated by our projects.
We later learned that the younger students were actually so inspired that when they went back to their classrooms, they began building roller coasters of their own—using empty paper towel tubes and materials they found around the room.
"VOYAGER
In the Voyager program, we learned everything you’re supposed to learn in middle school, but we also learned how to create positive relationships with other people —and that’s a really important skill to have. Two aspects of the program that helped us learn to manage social dynamics are the mentorship program, and the overnight trip to Red Gate Farm.
The mentorship program pairs each student with a Wellan teacher or staff member. Once a week, mentees meet with their mentors for a thirty-minute session. These meetings might be a walk, a conversation, a quick game, or something creative—but they often end up meaning more than expected.
Mentorship meetings provide a break from the usual day to day routine, a chance to step away from regular classes and talk to an adult who isn’t a parent or teacher.
Mentors are there to listen and offer advice when needed.
Many middle schoolers struggle to find the words to ask for help, speak up, or share what they’re really feeling. Having a mentor creates a space where those things can happen more naturally. It isn’t always about big advice or serious talks—it’s about building trust and feeling supported.
As we get ready to move on from Wellan, these small moments remind us that connection and support can show up in quiet, meaningful ways.
In some ways, the most meaningful support we all received in Voyager was from each other.
Each October at the start of the school year, all of the Voyager students would pile into vans and head to Red Gate Farm in Franklin County, Massachusetts. During the day, we kept busy with farm chores like gardening, caring for animals, building shelters, cooking, and a variety of other hands-on, team-building activities.
As we worked, we talked and laughed, picking fresh blueberries and raspberries from the garden. Slowly, we began to support each other on a deeper level, and new friendships started to form. There was something about being away from home for a couple of nights, something about the quiet of the farm, that changed how we connected.
After spending a couple months together in school, we all knew each other on a surface level, but those two days at Red Gate Farm helped us see each other in a new light. Even though we always wished the trip could last longer, we returned feeling closer, more connected, and ready to take on the academic challenges ahead. In many ways, the trip truly bonded the Voyagers not just as classmates, but as a family, and the connection we built will stay with us forever.
None of us will ever forget the enthusiasm Dziko brought to Voyager in the past couple of years, or how Autumn was always there to talk to. How Ashwin is insanely good at basically every sport there is, I don’t know how he does it. And how Juliet was so kind and helpful to everyone, no matter who they were or how she was feeling.
And it will be impossible to forget the Voyager and specials faculty who guided us through our middle school years. How helpful they were, and how much they adapted to each student’s individual learning needs.
The connections between us and Wellan will exist forever. And I know this is true because alumni from previous years keep coming back to visit, and most of them are still in touch with Voyager peers and teachers.
Voyager wasn't just where we learned. It was where we became ourselves.
And that’s something we’ll truly never forget."
High school: Watertown High School
Favorite Wellan project: A lesson about the wealth gap where everyone had a different amount of money.
Favorite Wellan tradition: Week o’ Fun. It’s a relaxing week where you get to have fun.
Favorite Wellan memory: Playing sports during recess.
Advice for current Wellan students: Work hard and pay attention.
High school: Boston Arts Academy
Favorite Wellan project: The Roller Coaster Physics Deep Dive.
Favorite Wellan tradition: The Festival of Lights, because I play drums for it.
Favorite Wellan memory: I loved watching the sunset on Cape Cod, and when Vikram fell asleep on my lap on the car ride home.
Advice for current Wellan students: It ALWAYS gets better.
High school: Brookline High School
Favorite Wellan project: I liked the roller coasters we made this year and the Painting Deep Dive last year.
Favorite Wellan tradition: AutoCamp.
Favorite Wellan memory: Going to the beach last year in Cape Cod.
Advice for current Wellan students: Get to know students from other grades!
High school: Beaver Country Day
Favorite Wellan project: The Art History Deep Dive in 7th grade.
Favorite Wellan tradition: End-of-Year Ceremony and End-of-Year Picnic — I love the sense of community and the feeling of the year coming to an end.
Favorite Wellan memory: The Cape Cod trip in 7th Grade, specifically the night we watched the sunset on the beach.
Advice for current Wellan students: It’s okay to ask for help even before you start really struggling, as long as you try first.
High school: Cambridge School of Weston
Favorite Wellan project: Our cell deep dive and model presentation in 8th grade.
Favorite Wellan tradition: The Festival of Lights. We were all together as a class and it was really fun and nice.
Favorite Wellan memory: Mini-golfing together in 7th grade during our overnight Cape Cod trip.
Advice for current Wellan students: Do your work and if you need help ask a teacher or a friend.
Throughout the year, alumni return to campus to give back in small but meaningful ways—and to reconnect with the teachers, staff, and families who were an important part of their time at Wellan.
Whether they’re mentoring students, helping out at events, or just dropping in for a visit, our alumni continue to be a valued part of the Wellan community.
This past December, we had the pleasure of hosting Wellan alum Caroline Fai, now a Cognitive Science major at Yale University and the Boston Tour Manager for the prestigious Yale Whiffenpoofs, the world’s oldest collegiate a cappella group.
Caroline and the Whiffenpoofs delivered a dynamic vocal performance, blending talent with humor, showcasing not only artistry but also the skills of collaboration and self-confidence. Following the performance, Caroline revisited her old Primary 4 classroom, reminisced with
faculty about Newton Montessori School (Wellan's former name), and shared stories with current students about her time in the classroom.
Caroline’s journey from Wellan to Yale is a shining example of how our school sets students up for success. We are so proud of her achievements and grateful for the inspiration she and the Whiffenpoofs shared with our community. Their visit sparked joy and curiosity, reminding our students to dream big and embrace their unique talents.
The Whiffenpoofs will return to Wellan next school year for another live performance. Their visit gives students a chance to experience live performance, hear from accomplished alumni, and see real-world examples of where curiosity and commitment can lead.
This year, we launched Elevate Wellan , our first-ever comprehensive capital campaign. With the bold goal of raising $1.4 million, this effort supports four priorities: funding our newly opened Main Building expansion, enhancing our academic programming, seeding our Endowment, and strengthening the Annual Fund— strategic investments to ensure Wellan thrives for generations to come.
At the heart of Elevate Wellan is the Accessibility and Expansion Project, a renovation of our Main Building that added 5,000 square feet of new space, including an elevator to ensure full access for all students, families, faculty, and visitors. In addition, the Expansion continues our efforts to introduce specialized, purpose-built learning spaces to campus, including dedicated classrooms for our world language program, a new ceramics program, gross-motor development, and more. Finally, our first-floor Community Room and second-floor Library serve as flexible gathering areas that enhance learning, strengthen student connections, and provide welcoming settings for school-wide events. Already, more than 300 students, nearly 100 faculty and staff, and generations of future learners are benefiting from this transformation.
To date, Wellan has raised over $825,000 in donations and pledges for the Elevate Wellan campaign— bringing us nearly 60% toward our $1.4 million goal. With the expansion complete, the campaign is now focused on its next priorities: renovating the Wellan playground, advancing accessibility projects across campus, enhancing academic programs, and seeding the school’s first endowment.
We are deeply grateful to the community members who have stepped forward early to make this progress possible. Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, we’ll share updates and opportunities to connect with Elevate Wellan. We hope you will join us in celebrating this defining moment—one that will shape the Wellan experience for generations to come.
$10,000+
Anonymous (3)
The Bowie Scott Family
Sree Chaguturu and Megan Hardin
The DeDomenico Family
The Dumas Family
The Klevens Sinaiko Family
The Mohan Family
The Raskin Family
$5,000 – $9,999
Brian and Jessica Alfermann
Kerry and Jay Burden
Cara and Eugenio Candal
The Carter Family
Mayer and Elena Cohen
Rose and Giancarlo Micozzi
Pamela and Nino Micozzi
Brian and Sunita Pereira
The Rodrigues Family
Siddharth Shenai and Teresa Kim
$2,500 – $4,999
Beth Black and Keith Gillette
Erica DeRosa and Andrew Teman
The Eastburn Family
Martin Galese and Lorrie Edwards
Muhammed Fatih and Ozden Bulut
The Feinberg Family
Anna and Durlov Khan
Joanna and Tyler Kirtley
Shane McMahon and Dorian
Thompson
The Jason and Katie Ng Family
Rene Ruiz
Susan Ruiz
Katka and Palo Smovik
Jeff Tsao and Sandra Teixeira
$1,000 – $2,499
A nonymous
Dennis and Barb Alfermann
Pontaah Arbtan
Abhishek Chauhan and Saheba Sahni
The Cohen Lau Family
The Crystal-Park Family
Brian and Erin Ferraro
Christian Gradlmuller and Maria Agustina Benedetti
Ann Bevan Hollos and Marin Smith
Joseph Jolly and Susan Rivers
Yuval Kashtan and Hodaya Slutsky
The Krupp Family
Jayden Liu and Family
The Meza-Bettivia Family
The O'Brien Family
Patrick O'Donnell and Christine O'Donnell
Ivo Parashkevov and Helen Drislane
Stephanie and Jason Penninger
The Peyton Family
The Ray Jay Family
Charles Rudnick and Ilyse Greenberg
The Schaffrath Family
The Shen Family
Deep Arjun Singh and Nina Mathur
The Taschereau Family
Meredith Wang and Neo Zhao
Aileen Waters
Masataka and Yurika Yoshida
$500 – $999
Anonymous (4)
Ahsan Alam and Elena Koumna
The Alford-Hoover Family
The Anguilla Family
The Baccini Family
The Bowring Family
James and Kathleen Castracane
The Epstein Family
Owen and Shannon Footer
The Forte Family
Dr. Rena Xu and Mr. Patrick Furlong
The Gabarro-Marban Family
The Gionfriddo Family
Florencia Halperin and Giovanni Traverso
Sascha Haverfield-Gross and Eden
Haverfield
Eliza Kamenetsky and Max Grinberg
Bob and Elizabeth Kane
David and Lauren Kayserman
The Kher Family
Karina Ku and Scott Schmitt
The Lessard Family
The Yum Family
Junjun and Mei Li
The Li Family
The Niland Family
The O'Connor Family
Shrestha Padhy and Aditya Panda
Geeta and Suryakany Parikh
The Pike Family
Chintan Shah and Pallavi Kar
Ilyoon Kim and Gheeeun Song
The Spier / Van Welie Family
The Stone Family
The Sud Family
Jimmy and Lamia Sun
The Wang Family
Heather and Wei Zhao
$250 – $499
Anonymous (2)
Ankur and Purvi Agarwal
Becky Alukonis and Ken Condon
The Fann Family
Tom and Emily Gangi
Azurae Hood
Elisabeth and Hyrum Gomez
Cheng Ma and Michael Jacobs
The Jolly Seligman Family
The Karmacharya Family
The Kelso Family
Parents of Teddy and Emma Schwartz
Jamie Kurtz and Matthew Walter
Lynne and Larry Nelson
The Nelson-Hawks Family
The Prial Sidhu Family
Beth and TJ Schuch
Tiffany and Peter Smith
Sinan Stark and Yin Jiang
The Stiffler Family
Karen Teoh and Joseph Liu
Hannah Thomas
Jim and Anne Van Dyk
Russell and Deborah Waldman
Megan Wan and David Urman
The Wan Family
Ying Wang and Tao Zeng
Dinghuan Zhu and Lingling Xu
Faculty and Staff
Board Members
Grandparents Alumni
Up to $249
Anonymous (29)
Stacey Alstrom
Gopi Aragam
Ilya Baran and Anna Sher
The Bados Family
Kaylee and Noah Bond
Kevin and Mollie Bowring
Amalie Brandvold
Jess Brennan
Barbara Brousal-Glaser and Lorenz Glaser
Ryan and Leslie Burden
Danni Capalbo
Breton Caplan
Caroline Chizek
The Cianfrone Family
The Clifford Family
Joao d'Almeida and Carla Vanessa
Chang Ho
James Davie
Sean Dolan and Caridad Ponce
Meredith and Daniel Dourian
The Donnelly Family
Anne Dupiton
David and Melanie Dyer
Bette Ehrenberg
The Elworthy Family
Anny Espiritu and Irvans Cyprien
Sandra Fernandes and Dorian Mehrotra
Dan Ferreira
Kris Ferreira
The Fredrickson-Niemi Family
The Friedman Family
Thomas Gage and Binna Lee
Ursula Gage
The Gallagher Family
Stephen and Kelly Gay
The Gohery Family
The Griffiths Family
Alexander and Polina Grinberg
Tashi Haig
Conor and Cristina Harris
The Hemberg Mierau Family
Andree Hernandez
Jack and Sherrie Holder
Tom and Chelsea Hough
Jessica Hoyt
Emma Imamovic
Vanessa Irzyk
Ryan Jean-Louis
Chun Jiang and Ping He
Selena Joe and Jonathan Nguyen
The Kalins Family
Deniz Karakoyunlu and Sarah Groves
Kayla Keeling
Beth Kilgallon
Hannah Kiziltug and Tom Wright
Emma Mahony
Lauretta Maynard
The McCarthy Family
Erika McKeon
Edwin Mendez and Audrey
Aquino-Mendez
Lauren Moon
Lydia Morrison
Idin Motedayen-Aval and Nahal Dabestani
The Nene Family
The Ng Family
Amy Norrod
Dan O'Connor and Maren
Coniglione
Tessa and Samuel Palmisano
Jenny Pan
Amy Perrault
The Philbin Family
Giovanna Pritsoulis
Hema Rao
Emily Richardson and Michail Vlysidis
The Rivers Family
The Robinson Family
Merav Rosen
June Sass
Laura and Ryan Satterfield
Sonia Deng Serbarinova and Dmitri Serbarinov
Naomi Shmueli
Michael Silverstone
The Souza Family
Wei Stanten
Debra and Gary Stiffler
Evan Strouse
Ashley Jones-Pierce and Zachary Sullivan
Yu Biu Tam and Oi Sam Shin
Anneliese Tanner
Betsy Teller
Sean Tinsley and Kathryn O’Brien
Robert Tufo and Jessica Cooney
Jonathan Ullman and Hilary Dobel
Will Velasco and Danielle Ain
Miriam Valenzuela
The Venkateswaran Nyayapati Family
Zamile Vilakazi and David Robbins
Sabah Vitale
Concetta Vitale
Qi Wang
Rebecca Wangh
Becki Warshow
Katelyn White
Bobbi and Craig Wilson
Sarina Wilson
Kacie Winsor Carlson and Shawn Carlson
Donald Zhang and Soo Jeong Youn
Amir Young and Hannah Chasse
Xiaodan Zhuang and Zhenghan Qi
Corporate Donors
A MD Apple
Bank of America
CVS Health Charity Program
Matthes Construction
Marsh & McLennan Agency
MFS Investment Management
Microsoft Moderna
McKinsey & Company
Novartis Institutes of Biomedica Research
Olympus Red Hat, Inc.
Salesforce
Sanofi
STA Design
Takeda Pharmaceuticals
UnitedHealth Group
Wayfair
Wellington Management Company
A nonymous
Boston Red Sox
Christine's Day Spa
Coffee Pond Photography
Crystal-Park Family
Discovery Museum
Farmstead Table
Diego Gonzalez-Faria
ICA Boston
Johnny's Luncheonette
Lash L'Amour
Level 99
Museum of Science Boston
New England Revolution
Newton Center Day Spa
Sweet Tomatoes
The Cork & Board
Treat Cupcake Bar
Yoshida Family
With more than 220 parents, caregivers, faculty, and staff in attendance, Elevate! —this year’s Spring Gala—was the perfect moment to unveil Wellan’s first-ever capital campaign: Elevate Wellan . As one of our few adults-only gatherings, the Gala offers a rare opportunity for our community to come together in celebration and support of our school. This year, guests enjoyed a casino-themed night, complete with classic games, exciting raffle prizes, delicious food, and wonderful company. The evening brought families, faculty, and supporters together in the spirit of connection and school pride. Thanks to the generosity of our attendees, we raised over $25,000 in a single night! All funds raised were used to help equip and furnish the exciting new expansion in the Main Building, a key element of the campaign.
DIRECTOR PRIYA VENKATESWARAN EARNS IACET ACCREDITATION FOR
Wellan Institute has achieved another milestone, successfully achieving accreditation from International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). The institute was previously accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and became an affiliate of the American Montessori Society (AMS), which has allowed us to prepare adult students for certification as Montessori teachers and offer professional development hours recognized by AMS.
IACET accreditation means that Wellan Institute can now offer CEUs to non-Montessori educators who satisfactorily complete our professional development courses. This new status broadens the potential impact of our school’s adult learning division.
At Wellan, our mission calls us to create a welcoming, diverse school community—one where every individual feels they truly belong. Building that kind of community takes more than open doors; it means ensuring that when people arrive, they feel seen, supported, and empowered to stay.
Our faculty and staff affinity groups help make that possible. These voluntary gatherings—currently for People of Color, LGBTQIA+ employees, and those who identify as Neurodivergent or Disabled— provide space for reflection, connection, and shared experience. They help colleagues celebrate identity, navigate challenges, and strengthen understanding across the school.
Recognizing that deep conversations can surface strong emotions, the educators who facilitate these groups completed professional development focused on guiding such discussions with care and compassion, helping ensure that Wellan remains a place where all members of our community can show up fully and belong.
Wellan graduates, we know you'll succeed wherever you're headed next! As Linda Woodard, professional educational consultant and former Wellan Board Chair, notes: "Montessori students have a huge advantage over students who are more traditionally prepared."
We invite you to stay in touch! If you are active on social media, follow us! If you would like to schedule a visit, volunteer during your school vacation, update us on your latest success, or just say hello, scan the QR code (left) or email us at alumni@wellan.org
