Faculty Spotlight

Andee Ryerson, Associate Dean of Students

Andee Ryerson serves as Blair's associate dean of students and teaches Advanced Placement art history and the Freshman Seminar design module. She joined Blair's faculty in 2012 as a ceramics teacher before transitioning to the admission office, where she served as assistant dean of admission until 2015. In her current role in the student life office, she oversees student activities and leadership. Andee is a 2011 graduate of Amherst College, where she double majored in geology and art and the history of art. In addition to working in student life and teaching, Andee enjoys choreographing the winter musical. During her time at Blair, she has also coached JV girls' lacrosse. She lives in Parsonage House with her husband, Mike, who teaches science at Blair; their three sons, James, Teddy, and Charlie; and their dog, Geiger.

Caroline Wilson, Associate Dean of Admission & College Counselor

Caroline Wilson is an associate dean of admission and a counselor in Blair’s college office. She was appointed to Blair's faculty as an admission associate in 2013, after receiving her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Williams College. A member of Williams’ varsity swim team, Caroline was named NCAA Division III swimmer of the year in 2013, and she was a 13-time Division III National Champion and a seven-time Division III NCAA national record holder. In 2018, Caroline earned a master's degree in education policy, organization and leadership studies from Stanford University. She served as Blair's associate dean of students from 2018 until 2020. Caroline is the head coach of Blair’s varsity swim and JV girls’ lacrosse teams and serves as dorm head of Locke Hall.

Evan Thomas, Fine Arts Teacher

A teacher of fine art at Philadelphia-area independent schools from 2009 to 2015, Evan Thomas joined Blair’s faculty in 2015, where he teaches drawing, painting, photography and portfolio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Kutztown University (2009) and a master’s degree in art education from Boston University (2013). An active member of the Art Educators of New Jersey and the National Art Education Association (NAEA), Evan serves as president of the NAEA’s Independent School Art Educators interest group. His interests include STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education, the subject of his graduate research; issues of diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom; and engaging local communities in art. Evan is enrolled in Harvard University’s Certificate for School Management and Leadership program, and he is one of seven art educators in the U.S. piloting NAEA’s Certificate for Cultural Competency in Teaching and Leadership. Outside the classroom, he operates a successful portrait and wedding photography business, and coaches winter and spring track at Blair. Evan and his wife, Ally, Blair’s director of counseling, are parents of a daughter, Kiley.

Mike Ryerson, Science Teacher

Mike Ryerson's astronomy class
Mike Ryerson joined Blair's science department in 2009 after completing his undergraduate work at the State University of New York College at Geneseo in 2009. He earned his masters degree in science education in 2019 through Montana State University. At Blair, Mike teaches physics and astronomy and is a coach of the boys' lacrosse team. He lives on campus in Parsonage House with his wife, Andee, who serves as Blair's associate dean of students, their three sons, James, Teddy, and Charlie; and their dog, Geiger.

Erika Clavel, Admission Associate

Erika Clavel is an associate in Blair's admission office, a LEADS teacher and an academic tutor. A graduate of Old Dominion University, she holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and a master's degree in elementary and middle school education. Erika was a middle school teacher in Virginia and a fourth-grade teacher at Blairstown Elementary School; she has served on the South Cottage dorm staff and as a health teacher at Blair. She and her husband, Athletic Director and varsity girls' golf coach Paul Clavel '88, reside in Siegel House with their daughters, Avery '19 and Emma '24.

Joe Mantegna, Associate Dean of College Counseling

Joe Mantegna is associate dean of college counseling, director of testing and head coach of the varsity boys' basketball team, posting a 394-145 career record versus a national schedule. Since joining Blair's faculty in 1999, he has also advised students as a senior-class academic monitor. Joe serves as the coaching consultant for the Luol Deng Foundation, where he runs camps throughout North America and Australia for Sudanese immigrants and, annually, for the best players in the United Kingdom in London. In addition, Joe owns and runs basketball camps and coaching clinics in New Jersey and Massachusetts. Joe served as defensive coordinator and, later, head coach for the USA Select Team, which competed in three different Albert Schweitzer Games in Mannheim, Germany. Since 2019, he has been an on-court coach for USA Basketball’s U-18 and U-16 training camps, and he is also a regular speaker for USA Basketball Academies around the country. Joe completed his undergraduate work at Ithaca College in New York in 1991 and earned a master's degree in sports management from East Stroudsburg University in 1995. Before arriving at Blair, he served as an assistant coach and admission professional at four colleges, including Boston University and Lehigh University. Joe lives on campus with his wife, Shelly, and their children, Jake '19, Lula '20 and Xavier ’24.

Andrew Sykes, History Teacher

Andrew Sykes joined Blair's history department in 2000. He teaches global issues and U.S. history and is head of the Rules and Discipline Committee. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Richmond in 1999 and earned a master's degree in history from Rutgers University in 2008. Andrew and his wife, Kate, chair of Blair’s fine arts department, live in Rea House with their daughter, Lyla, and son, Ollie. In addition to coaching varsity boys' golf, Andrew does dorm duty in Locke Hall.

Julia Booth, Science Teacher

A 2019 graduate of Hamilton College, Julia Booth earned a bachelor of arts in environmental studies with a minor in communication. She was active on Hamilton’s campus, working as a career center peer advisor and as a coordinator of large community service projects. She also played varsity field hockey, serving as the team’s captain and goal tender. Julia joined the Blair faculty in 2019 as a biology teacher and coach of field hockey and golf.

Kate Sykes, Fine Arts Department Chair

Kate Sykes, appointed in 2003, serves as chair of the fine arts department. She teaches all levels of ceramics and sculpture and freshman maker space seminar, and prepares students each year for the studio art Advanced Placement exam in both two- and three-dimensional design. In addition to her responsibilities in the fine arts department, Kate has served as housemaster of Locke Hall and spends her afternoons as head coach of the JV girls’ tennis team. Prior to teaching at Blair, Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in art education from the Pennsylvania State University and taught for two years in public school. She earned her master’s in studio art from New York University in 2008. Kate, her husband, Andrew, a member of Blair’s history faculty, and their two children live in Rea House.

Leucretia Shaw, Dean of Strategic Initiatives & Associate Dean of Admission

Appointed to Blair’s faculty in 2010, Leucretia Shaw is the dean of strategic initiatives and an associate dean of admission. As a member of the senior administrative team, she works across several domains of the School, including, but not limited to, admission, faculty hiring and support, alumni relations and student life. Additionally, she is a mentor teacher, a student advisor and a freshman-class monitor. During her Blair tenure, she has also taught Spanish at the basic, intermediate and advanced levels, taught Blair LEADS and served on the Faculty Executive Committee. Earlier in her career, Leucretia held various positions at Saint James School and at her alma mater, The Lawrenceville School. Over the years, she has been involved in inclusivity efforts, student club advising and athletic coaching. Leucretia completed her undergraduate work in Spanish with a concentration in language teacher preparation at Georgetown University. She went on to earn her master's degree in educational leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College. A native of New York City, she is the dorm head of Mason Hall and lives there with her husband, Nigel, and two children: Nia ’17 and Ian ’20.