Heading into the school year, it’s always beneficial to put a name to a face. The Vanguard is highlighting three of the many notable Upper School (US) faculty members whom you might see leading your classes, advising your club or chasing students through the halls for a tag quiz. —Gabe Cooper  ’26

Mr. Fidler

• US Math and Computer Science teacher: Geometry (Honors), Geometry (Advanced) and AP Computer Science A
• Advisor, Bivouac guide, Senior Spring Project (SSP) Scrabble Seminar leader, Scrabble Club advisor, 45 years at US

Which math problems or topics do you love teaching every year?

I love teaching proofs, conic sections, probability and loops and linked lists in coding.

If you challenged a student to a Scrabble showdown, what word would you play first?

That depends on what letters I draw! Likely it would be five letters or longer, with a 50% chance that my opponent would not know the word. I have learned about 40,000 words for Scrabble.

What’s your favorite school tradition or moment of the year?

I love Homecoming (great sports and spirit), One School One World (great food) and graduation. In my math classes, tag quizzes are always a fun tradition.

Ms. Wallace

• US History teacher: AP Macroeconomics and The Making of the Modern Middle East
• Advisor, Bivouac guide, SSP Seminar leader, Women in National Security Club advisor, four years at US

What historical themes or topics do you enjoy exploring in class?

I love it all — that’s why I’m a teacher. But, because I teach both history and economics, I’m probably guilty of blending the two: using historical examples of economic principles in AP Macro and applying economic analysis to historical events in the Middle East course.

What’s an SSP Seminar moment that’s stuck with you?

Last year, I offered an economics board games seminar, and it was a blast. We played Catan, 7 Wonders, Power Grid and more. I loved being able to share one of my own pastimes with the students in a way that was relevant to what they’d learned in macroeconomics.

What do you hope students take away from your class?

Most of all, I hope they get excited about learning and become better critical thinkers.

Ms. McNamara

• US English teacher: English 10, AP English Literature: Dynamic Duos, “Moby-Dick” and “The Short Story”
• Advisor, junior class dean, Varsity Softball coach, 25 years at US

What’s your favorite class or text to teach?

I really appreciate the flexibility we have to teach books that we love, so I’ve got many favorites: “Macbeth,” “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been,” “Beloved,” the Profile, modern authors I learn about each year and, of course, a lot of Melville!

How do you balance your roles at school as a dean, coach and advisor?

Those different roles require many different types of work with students, so the variety and range tend to find their own balance!

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be doing?

Working in a bookstore that has an excellent café? I’ve been a teacher for all of my professional life, so this option is somewhat hard to imagine!