“I am humbled to be joining CRS and incredibly fortunate to be a part of its inspiring educational mission. I’m looking forward to listening and learning from everyone and excited for what comes next!”
Bettina joins us from the Institute for Protein Innovation, a nonprofit collaboration between Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University to advance discovery in science where she served as Chief Financial Officer overseeing an annual operating budget of $22M. Prior to that, she worked as Associate Dean, Finance and Administration at Boston University College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences where she oversaw all finances, human resources, instructional technology, facilities and capital programs.
Bettina earned her bachelor’s degree from Barnard College, Columbia University and a Master of Economics and Management from the University of St Andrews in Scotland, as a Rotary International Scholar. As a first-generation American and first-generation college graduate, Bettina is dedicated to equity-centered learning. She lives with her husband, 15-year-old son, Mack, and cat, Jinx, in West Concord.
Sarah begins her role of Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid on July 1, 2024. She describes herself as an invitational leader and always stays true to her core values of authenticity, cultivating trust, inspiring others to do their best, and inviting laughter and connection in all of her interactions.
Sarah has extensive knowledge and experience working in enrollment management and financial aid. She joins us from Shady Hill School where she has spent the last five years serving as the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. Before that, she worked at Milton Academy as the Associate Director of Admission. Sarah has a demonstrated track record of exceeding enrollment goals, diversifying the student body, collecting and analyzing meaningful data, and working extensively with financial aid structures to make independent schools accessible to a wider range of families.
Sarah’s own educational foundation was built in independent schools. She attended The Pike School and Milton Academy and recalls her first-hand experiences with progressive education fondly. She earned a B.A. from Spelman College, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia School of Social Work, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law. Her varied expertise allows Sarah to bring additional skill and perspective to this role.
My favorite thing about CRS is the sincere joy that is palpable on campus. Everyone truly cares about one another and the community!
Kim Scotland joined CRS as Director of Marketing & Communication in fall of 2023. Most recently, she served as Director of Community Relations & Marketing at United Way of Greater Plymouth County. She has over a decade of experience working in the nonprofit field. Kim has a B.A. in Communication from Stonehill College.
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.
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.
“One of the greatest joys of my job is helping to facilitate connections between members of our community. Whether it’s exploring off-campus partnerships to enhance our academic program, or helping a recent graduate network to find the perfect internship, or creating opportunities for alumni and past parents to reconnect with one another, I’m continually in awe of the power of the relationships that are built at CRS.”
Kat Whitten joined CRS in June of 2007 and has served our community in several roles, beginning as the Assistant Director of Development. In 2012, she added responsibilities in Admissions to her role in Development, and in 2014 she became the Director of Admissions. She served in the role of Director of Admissions through June of 2024 before beginning as Director of Community Engagement, a brand new role for CRS, on July 1.
As Director of Community Engagement, Kat works closely with the Development Office to partner with our alumni, past parents, friends of CRS, and external organizations near and far to widen the school’s reach and build new relationships. She is helping to align the school’s efforts to be more intentional in how we build, nurture, and sustain our community as well as connect meaningfully with more members of our diverse world.
Prior to coming to CRS, Kat was an Admissions Officer, Annual Fund Director, 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. She is the proud parent of two CRS graduates, Emily ‘14 and Nate ‘16.
Steve Trust has been in education for over 20 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.
Everyone in the CRS community is very welcoming and the school’s focus on inclusion and diversity makes me feel incredibly privileged to work here.
Dorothy begins her work as Assistant Head of School for Teaching, Learning, and Equity on July 1, 2024. Before this appointment, Dorothy earned her reputation as a beloved member of the CRS community where she worked as a PreK/K co-teacher at CRS since 2021. She also serves as one of the facilitator of Compass – CRS’ affinity space for parents and caregivers of students of color and as the coordinator of student affinity groups for students of color from PreK-eighth grade.
Prior to joining the CRS community, Dorothy served as Assistant Director at the Goddard School in Dedham and as a teacher and Program Manager at Cadence Education in Walpole. In these roles, she supervised faculty, led curriculum development, and supported parents and caregivers through their young children’s first experiences in school. Dorothy holds a B.S. in Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry from Lehman College and a Masters in Education from Concordia University with a focus on curriculum and instruction. Dorothy is working toward her PhD in Instructional Leadership from Northcentral University.
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 eighteenth year of being the Associate Head of Charles River School. She has been an educator for over twenty-five years with experience teaching math and science in middle and high school, and several years as a coach, advisor, and administrator. She currently coaches the CRS Girls Basketball Team and serves as a 7/8 advisor in addition to her responsibilities on the Leadership Team.
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.
