Sticky buns in the dining hall, games of Four Square or Spikeball, quiet study in the library or the dorm, s’mores and guitar around the firepit. Students from around the corner and across the globe call George School home, spending hours of time on campus outside of the classroom. These moments of connection and community are at the heart of the George School experience, teaching lessons and making memories that last far beyond a student’s time in Newtown.

Building this experience is the responsibility of the newly restructured Office of Student Life (OSL), formerly known as the Deans’ Office, and reflects its holistic commitment to George School students.

Mb Duckett Ireland was named the Assistant Head of School for Student Life in fall of 2023, and was tasked with creating a refreshed vision for the department. Long committed to the value of a healthy and rich residential secondary educational experience as a differentiator, Mb knows that living in community with peers, faculty, and staff helps students develop independence and social skills that strongly prepare them for college and life beyond school.

The department now holds a dean for each class, a director of residential life, and a director of student activities. Each class dean gets to know the students in their assigned class, and works alongside advisors and dorm faculty to ensure that each student has the mentorship and support they need throughout their George School journey. Perhaps most importantly, the focus of the team is on fostering a healthy relationship with students that is built on mutual trust and respect.

The recently announced transformative gift from an anonymous George School family designates significant funding to student activities and leadership and is fortuitously timed with the department restructure. With this support, Mb and their team are energized to plan a more robust calendar of weekend activities, support dorm programming, and develop a student leadership development program.

Meet the Office of Student Life

Meet the Class Deans

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Meet the Office of Student Life

Mb Duckett Ireland
Assistant Head of School for Student Life

Coming to George School in 2023 with over 15 years of student-facing experience in independent schools, Mb brings a student-centered approach to their role as Assistant Head of School for Student Life. They are responsible for overseeing and facilitating the student experience and ensuring balance between academic and co-curricular pursuits.In this leadership role, Mb works with their team to create meaningful ways for boarding and day students to build strong relationships and build systems that provide a framework from which students can explore, take risks, make mistakes, take responsibility, and rebuild with a deepened understanding of their values and capabilities.

“Bringing authenticity and vulnerability to my conversations with students is a necessary act of strength that helps them grow into their own selves,” Mb shared. “This approach has driven my interactions throughout my career. I take my job seriously, but try not to take myself too seriously. I love boarding schools in particular because they provide students with a front-row view of many models of successful adulthood, examples they can follow to shape their future selves.”

Shamika Ford
Director of Residential Life

Shamika joins George School this school year in the new role as Director of Residential Life. Shamika is a collaborative community member who is responsible for managing student housing and residential leadership, including supervising the dormitory heads and their staff, overseeing the corresponding budgets, and supporting the emotional and holistic health of all students to contribute to their growth and success.

Shamika brings a positive, energetic attitude and deep listening skills to her role fostering a sense of community within each individual dorm, among the residential community, and in the school as a whole.

“As someone who is passionate about education and student success,” said Shamika, “I felt that GS was the perfect place for me to make a meaningful impact and contribute to a community that shares my values.” 

Shari Rossmann
Director of Student Activities, Rowing Coach, Chess Team Sponsor

In her eleventh year at George School as the Director of Student Activities, Shari runs student activities and weekend events. As a sponsor of the Student Activities Board (SAB), she empowers students to create and plan events and activities on behalf of their peers.

“I let my passion lead the way, whether it is on a walking exploration of NYC (my 'hometown') or adventurous cooking,” Shari said. “George School is a place where students have an environment and teachers that inspire the love of learning, and where life lessons help build and set the intellectual and moral compasses of our students. I love being able to share ideas and energy with our community!”

Laurie Moyer
Office of Student Life Coordinator

A part of the GS community for 16 years, Laurie has served multiple student-centric roles, including as Drayton Dorm Head, Marshall Manager, and Clerk of Dorm Heads. 

In her current position as the Office of Student Life Coordinator and Attendance Supervisor, Laurie keeps the office running and plays a critical role in tracking student attendance, assisting with student travel plans, and often simply and profoundly being the smiling and caring face of the department for students who have questions or need support.

“I'm a listener, problem solver, and greeter. My role is to support our office, students, and parents and guardians the best way possible,” said Laurie. “I remind our students to take each thing one day at a time and to be positive!”

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Meet The Class Deans

Each class dean serves as the primary administrator and point person for one grade as it moves year-to-year through the school. 

Working closely with teachers, coaches, dorm heads, advisors, and learning center staff to meet the academic and socio-emotional needs of each student, class deans celebrate student achievements and communicate closely with families. They will also work with students to develop a class identity and encourage class bonding.

Brittany Mokshefsky ’14
Dean of the Class of 2025; History & Social Sciences Teacher; Westwood Dorm Head

In her fifth year as a faculty member, Brittany is inspired by the continuing revelation of the School’s history and experience. She co-leads two immersive courses at George School–Human Geography in the Netherlands and the Tanzania course on Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Preservation.

“I love working at George School because I really do believe that we are doing good work here,” commented Brittany. “I am continuously impressed by the creativity and innovation of our faculty and staff as they design new courses as a part of our academic program. I find so much joy working in student life and watching students grow confidently into their leadership.”

“Part of why my George School experience as a student was so transformative was that I had trusted adults that were invested in me and my growth, not just as a student in the classroom, but as a human being, and I try to bring that to each of my roles.”

Theresa Montagna
Dean of the Class of 2026; French Teacher

With almost 25 years of teaching experience, Theresa encourages growth and learning in and outside of the classroom, and is consistently impressed by students standing up to speak during meeting for worship, using their voices, and sharing poignant reminders about life with their messages.

She sees her role as meeting students where they are and accompanying them as far as they can go. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the progress that happens after three or four years of continuous language learning,” shared Theresa.

As class dean, Theresa is “here to support the whole class while also getting to know the students as individuals. Junior year has its own set of unique challenges and opportunities, and this is our chance to learn together how best to navigate them.”
 

Kim Bryant
Dean of the Class of 2027; Westwood Dorm Parent

Kim has been a part of the George School community for nine years, and centers her approach on empowerment and growth of students. She enjoys the opportunity to ground and center herself in meeting for worship, and connecting with students to teach them how to be the best version of themselves.

“My team in the Office of Student Life lifts me up every day,” shared Kim. “Their positivity, encouragement, and camaraderie create a nurturing environment that makes a real difference. The sense of teamwork and mutual support we share not only strengthens our relationships but also enhances our ability to positively impact the students we work with.”
 

Carly Wassel 
Dean of the Class of 2028; English Teacher; IB Extended Essay Coordinator; Central Main Dorm Head

Carly welcomes the incoming Class of 2028 with open arms. Her work style is kind, collaborative, and reflective. She approaches her role with genuine care for students and the community as a whole. 

With a background working at other boarding schools, Carly was drawn to George School because of the diversity of the student body and the beautiful campus. She finds joy and meaning in cherished dorm traditions that are filled with laughter, food, and friendship.

“I most enjoy the life of the dorms,” said Carly.  “Every year I live with a new group of students in Central dorm, and it is remarkable to watch the camaraderie grow as students get to know each other and live alongside each other.”