CRS’s 11th Head of School, Gabe Burnstein has nearly 20 years of experience working as a teacher, advisor, coach, consultant, and leader in independent schools, most recently as the Middle School Director at Gordon School in Providence, RI. He began his career at Campbell Hall School in California, where he redesigned the curriculum as a humanities teacher to include collaborative, project-based learning. He joined The Gordon School’s faculty in 2008 as a humanities teacher and eighth-grade advisor and has taken on roles with increasing responsibility and breadth, including serving as the Faculty Board Representative, a member of the Leadership Team, the Diversity Committee, and the Anti-Racism Working Group for White Parents. During his impressive career in education, Gabe has presented at numerous workshops and conferences and served as a consultant to schools across the country on policies and teaching practices related to diversity, equity, and belonging. Gabe grew up in Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Film at The University of Michigan. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Independent School Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University.
With nearly 20 years of professional experience, Lily Yee brings her expertise in research finance, analysis, financial reporting, and grants. She joins CRS from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (HNRCA), where she most recently served as the Associate Director of Planning and Analysis. At HNRCA, Lily was the primary financial advisor and technical resource for all accounting and financial management matters. She oversaw the center’s billing and compliance, purchasing, human resources and recruitment, capital equipment procurement, and audit support. She was also responsible for overseeing the annual operating and capital budgets for HNRCA, and managed a team of staff assistants who provided daily support to the center’s research laboratories, core scientific units, scientific computing, physical plant and facilities.
Prior to her most recent position, Lily worked at Boston Children’s Hospital as the grant compliance specialist and senior grant officer and at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as an administrator in the Office of Sponsored Programs. In each of these roles, she worked closely with other departments and committees to consult, train, and advise best financial practices.
Lily earned her bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
CRS is such a joyful place. People are genuinely happy to be here, and that joy and happiness create an environment of positivity that permeates throughout the school community. It’s a warm, friendly place to learn and work.
Laura came to CRS in May of 2018 as the Executive Assistant to the Head of School and Administrative Coordinator, after working at Boston College for many years. With a background in student affairs, Laura is well aware of the critical role elementary education has on an individual’s overall development. The progressive curriculum, as well as the endless opportunities for students to develop confidence in themselves and learn about the world around them, drew her to Charles River School. Laura has a BA in Management from Regis College, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Development from Boston College.
It’s a privilege to introduce families to the CRS community and to help students begin their journey here. I believe strongly in the impact that an intentionally intimate, student-centered school can have on the ability of children to learn. CRS allows students to think deeply, respect themselves and others, and to have fun while doing it.
Kat Whitten joined CRS in June of 2007 as the Assistant Director of Development in charge of the Annual Fund. In 2012, she added responsibilities in Admissions to her role in Development, and during the 2013-14 school year she became the Director of Admissions and Parent Relations.
Kat considers herself lucky that in her time at the school she has gotten to know alumni who attended CRS 50 years ago as well as students and families who are part of the community today. Seeing the passion and loyalty that people feel for CRS throughout their lives is inspiring and helps inform her conversations with prospective families. She believes that parents are truly investing in a life-long gift of a tremendous educational foundation when they choose Charles River School for their children.
Prior to coming to CRS, Kat was an admissions officer and upper school English and history teacher at Thayer Academy, where she also coached cross country and track. In addition, she served as Director of Stewardship at Beaver Country Day School. Kat holds a master’s degree from Brown University and received her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College.
I love the small community and the opportunity to really get to know both our kids and their families. CRS has a unique warmth that makes coming to work each day really enjoyable!
Emily joined CRS in 2019 as the Assistant Director of Development and has played an integral role in the department, helping to support all advancement activities. She has led the planning of several large-scale community events, both in-person and virtual, including spearheading new family events and the 2021 Graduation. Emily overseesall development efforts, including the Annual Fund, major gifts, special events, and alumni relations.
Prior to joining CRS, Emily served as the Alumni Program Officer at Concord Academy, where she was responsible for alumni engagement and events such as reunions and alumni receptions. She also previously worked at Dexter Southfield in alumni engagement and special events.
Steve Trust has been in education for 15 years, working in both public and independent schools as a classroom teacher, staff developer, curriculum writer, and administrator. Steve joined CRS in 2011 as a Technology Integration Specialist, and has served as the Director of Academic Technology since 2014.
Before coming to CRS, Steve was a founding teacher at the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology in Bronx, NY, where for 8 years he developed and implemented the school’s technology curriculum, ran afterschool programming in digital music, computer hardware, and entrepreneurship, and served as a staff developer for new teachers. Most recently through his work with CRS, Steve has presented at numerous conferences on topics ranging from 3D printing and robotics to early childhood and middle school education, and is a frequent speaker on parenting in the age of social media.
Steve earned his BA from Hamilton College with a dual major in Computer Science and Philosophy, and a MS in Teaching from Pace University. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Steve has lived in rural upstate NY, the South Bronx, and now settled down with his wife, son, and daughter in Southborough.
I love the amazing teachers. As a parent of two CRS graduates, I appreciate how well known and safe my children were at school. As a colleague, I feel lucky to work with such a dedicated and talented group of educators.
Elizabeth Clayton is in her ninth year of being the Associate Head of Charles River School. She has been an educator for over twenty years with experience teaching math and science in middle and high school, and several years as a coach, advisor, and administrator.
Before becoming the Associate Head at CRS, Elizabeth taught middle school math and science at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter School in Franklin, Mass. for eight years. For several of those years she also served as the Middle School Coordinator and Academic Dean of Grades 5-8. During her time in Franklin, Elizabeth was a key administrator, working closely with four different Heads of School. She also taught earth science and physical science at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA and coached varsity soccer and middle school basketball. Early in her career, she worked as a Senior Field Supervisor at archeological field sites in Indiana and Kentucky.
Elizabeth earned her BA cum laude from Smith College with a major in geology and a minor in archaeology; she played varsity lacrosse there as well. Elizabeth pursued her master’s degree in Geological Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington where she also served as an Associate Instructor and Lab Coordinator.
