New Faculty Join Cardigan Community

One of the best things about working through the summer is being the first to welcome the new faculty when they arrive on campus in mid-August. Their orientation days mark the start of a new school year, and the energy they bring to campus ignites the excitement that builds slowly at first but barrels full force ahead as returning faculty decorate their classrooms and new students arrive to fill the dorms. 

This year’s posse of new faculty is particularly engaging. Several of them speak multiple languages, and many were collegiate athletes. No less than three are alumni of Cardigan, one is a parent to two current students, and many have already spent a summer on campus, working during Cardigan’s Summer Session. Our new faculty come from as far away as Texas, Florida, and Missouri and are passionate about music, running marathons, the Bruins, and sewing. We are excited to get to know them and look forward to introducing them to you!

Auguste Bayramgeldiyev

It goes without saying that Mr. Bayramgeldiyev is a lifelong learner. He believes that “Language learning not only strengthens cognitive abilities but also broadens students’ worldviews, fostering empathy and a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures.” His favorite language to speak––aside from his native tongue––is Portuguese. “I love its melodic tones,” he says. Russian, French, and English, meanwhile, make his mouth tired. In the language classroom, Mr. Bayramgeldiyev says he is very aware that students don’t like to speak unless they think they can pronounce everything perfectly the first time. “I want my students to know it’s okay to make mistakes and that they can learn from each other,” he says. “From what I have seen so far, Cardigan is the perfect place to become a better version of oneself.”

• Noteworthy: Mr. Bayramgeldiyev speaks seven different languages––Turkmen, Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Korean.
• Teaching: Spanish and French
• Coaching: Soccer and Tennis
• Dormitory Residence: Hinman
• Hometown: Mary, Turkmenistan
• Education:
  • Missouri State University, BA in Global Studies and French Language
  • Missouri State University, Master of Science in Project Management
• Previous experience:
  • Ozarks Technical College, Success Coach, Graduate Assistant, and French and Spanish Tutor
  • Choate Summer Programs, Student Life and Teaching Intern

Adonis Williams ’14

When Mr. Williams was a Cardigan student in 2014, the Commons was still under construction, and he and his classmates had the opportunity to sign their names inside its walls. The building continues to be one of Mr. Williams’ favorite places on campus because of the sustenance it provides both in terms of food and time with friends.

Mr. Williams says has returned to Cardigan because he wants “to give back to the community that poured so much into me. And I value meeting new people. I want the people of this community to know I am here for them and can be someone they lean on, especially the students of color.”

• Noteworthy: Mr. Williams’ favorite quote is “Negativity is a thief that steals happiness.”
• Teaching: Math
• Coaching: Basketball and Lacrosse 
• Dormitory Residence: Brewster
• Hometown: Spring Valley, NY
• Education:
  • Pace University, MBA
  • Adelphi University, BS in Exercise Science
• Previous Experience:
  • Rectory School, Math and Computer Science Teacher, Dorm Parent, Varsity Basketball Coach, and S.H.I.E.D. Liaison
  • Pace University, Camp Counselor
  • Inspiring Young Minds, Mentor
  • Boys Club of New York, Mentor

Chris Duffy

In addition to his love of Latin and linguistics, Mr. Duffy is also passionate about tennis and music. He holds Level 1 USPTA certification in tennis instruction, and if given the chance to meet a famous person, he’d travel back in time to meet tennis legend Arthur Ashe. On the music side, Mr. Duffy plays six instruments––saxophone, guitar, bass, percussion, piano, and ukulele. When asked to name his favorite instrument, he considers his options carefully: “Not gonna lie, that’s a tough one. I’d have to say guitar and bass; they’re two very unique sounds.” 

• Teaching: Latin
• Coaching: Tennis and Recreational Skiing
• Dormitory Residence: Brewster
• Hometown: Hamden, Connecticut
• Education:
  • Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain), Master’s in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics
  • Connecticut College, BA with a major in Classics and minors in Linguistics and Hispanic Studies
• Previous Experience:
  • Cardigan Summer Session, Music and Latin Teacher
  • Kelly Educational Staffing (Troy, Michigan), Substitute Teacher
  • High Lane Club (North Haven, Connecticut), Assistant Tennis Pro

Ethan Warren

Mr. Warren can read Ancient Greek as well as Italian, German, Latin, and French. He was also a dig participant at the San Martino Archaeological Field School in Torano di Borgorose, Italy in 2016. 

As a child, Mr. Warren had a plaque on the wall of his room that quoted Winnie the Pooh: “Always remember, you’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” At Cardigan, Mr. Warren hopes to have an extensive library in his classroom that will be sure to include A Wrinkle in Time, a book he remembers liking when he was in middle school.

• Noteworthy: Mr. Warren has a dog––a labrador/border collie mix who goes by the name of Kobe!
• Teaching: Latin
• Coaching: Cross Country Running
• Dormitory Residence: Hinman
• Hometown: Austin, Texas
• Education:
  • University of Texas at Austin, MA in Classical Literature; he is also working on his PhD and plans to finish in 2026
  • University of Rochester, BA in Classics
• Previous Experience:
  • Trinity Episcopal School (Austin, Texas), Middle School Latin Teacher
  • University of Texas at Austin, Assistant Instructor

Michael Templeton

As Mr. Templeton embarks on a new career at Cardigan, he compares teaching to his previous career in radio: “All the things that drew me to radio are also part of teaching––the performative aspect, the sharing of information and knowledge, and the collaboration.” 

As the school year commences, look for Mr. Templeton behind the scenes in Humann Theatre where he hopes to continue engaging in his passion for acting that was ignited at Lawrence Academy (During his senior year, Mr. Templeton was a member of the Honors Theater Ensemble and directed his own 10-minute play for a final project.)

• Noteworthy: Mr. Templeton grew up on the campus of Lawrence Academy where his mother works in the Admissions Office with Cardigan’s former Director of Admissions Phil Blood.
• Teaching: Intern
• Coaching: Cross Country Running, Basketball, and Tennis
• Dormitory Residence: Hinman I
• Hometown: Groton, Massachusetts
• Education: Curry College, BA in Communications
• Previous Experience:
  • Cardigan Summer Session, Aspiring Teacher
  • WBZ/iHeartRadio (Medford, Massachusetts), Writer/Show Producer
  • Curry College, Admissions Tour Guide and Director of the News Department at WMLN, the campus radio station 

Jackman Bayreuther ’17

When Mr. Bayreuther graduated from St. Lawrence in 2021, he had plans to start a lacrosse program in China and applied for a visa. While the visa came through, the funding for his program did not. That visa, however, came in handy this summer when he was invited to attend a 10-day hockey camp in Beijing, where he coached and helped recruit athletes for Cardigan.

When asked if he thought he would ever return to the Cardigan campus to teach, Mr. Bayreuther says, “No! At first I really just wanted to get out of Canaan, but now I can’t think of any other place I’d rather start my career in teaching.” His favorite place on the Cardigan campus? Clancy Hill!

• Noteworthy: Mr. Bayreuther likes to sew. “It was the best class I took at St. Lawrence,” he says. “I want to learn to make five-panel hats.” Look for Mr. Bayreuther on the first day of classes sporting a shirt he made that he says will pass the Cardigan dress code.
• Teaching: Math
• Coaching: Hockey and Lacrosse
• Dormitory Residence: Brewster
• Hometown: Canaan, New Hampshire
• Education: St. Lawrence University, BS in Mathematics
• Previous Experience:
  • Adventure Bound, Wilderness Guide 
  • Supersonic Danglers, Hockey Coach

Jack Swarbrick ’16

Mr. Swarbrick says he is excited to again be part of the Cardigan community that shaped him into the person he is today. “I want to be in an environment in which I know people will push me and challenge me,” he says.

When students arrive for registration, Mr. Swarbrick is looking forward to watching his favorite Cardigan tradition: the Sneaker Game. Perhaps there will be a faculty version?

• Noteworthy: Mr. Swarbrick’s favorite quote comes from his time on The Point: “Cougars don’t cut corners.”
• Teaching: Intern
• Coaching: Football, Hockey, and Baseball
• Dormitory Residence: French
• Hometown: Haverhill, Massachusetts
• Education: Emory and Henry College, MBA
• Previous Experience:
  • Summer Session, Aspiring Teacher
  • Emory and Henry College, Division II Baseball Player

Carter Sullivan

When Mr. Sullivan applied to work at Cardigan, he wrote in his cover letter, “I firmly believe that teachers are most impactful when they root their classroom in the beliefs of community, inclusivity, and academic rigor, and I believe that Cardigan is the place that can help me build these into my teaching skills.” As he prepares to take his place at the front of his classroom, he envisions decorating it with things that represent his students’ home states and countries. He also plans to include something Bruins related. And on that note, when asked what’s on his bucket list, Mr. Sullivan didn’t hesitate: “Win the Student vs. Faculty hockey game!”

• Noteworthy: Mr. Sullivan’s favorite quote is “Everyone you meet knows something that you don’t.” Mr. Sullivan first encountered the quote in his high school math classroom. “I was bad at math,” he explains, “and I would always stare at the quote when I was struggling during tests.”
• Teaching: History
• Coaching: Football and Baseball
• Dormitory Residence: Hayward
• Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota
• Education: University of South Florida, majored in social sciences secondary education
• Previous Experience:
  • Alonso High School, Long-Term Substitute History Teacher
  • Wharton High School, Social Sciences Education Intern

Jon Hunt P’26,’28

While Mr. Hunt’s resume may at first appear a bit random––he says he’s had four career changes in his 40s alone––joining the Cardigan faculty for him completes a full circle. Mr. Hunt’s first love is lacrosse, and as a college graduate in 2000 he figured that if he wanted to coach he should probably also learn to teach. His first classroom was with fifth and sixth graders in Connecticut. As he restarts his teaching career here at Cardigan, he is looking forward to connecting with the sixth graders and teaching them about the Cardigan culture: “As a sixth grade teacher, I’ll get to know them from the beginning and will get to watch them grow for the next four years.” 

• Noteworthy: Mr. Hunt has been coaching Cardigan lacrosse for three years. His wife Jessica is a PEAKS coach.
• Teaching: Sixth Grade
• Coaching: Football and Lacrosse
• Dormitory Residence: McCusker
• Hometown: Guilford, Connecticut
• Education: Plymouth State University, BS in Business Management
• Previous Experience:
  • Whaleback Mountain, Executive Director
  • Colby-Sawyer College, Major Gifts Officer
  • Kimball Union Academy, Advancement Officer
  • Colby College, Interim Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse