Jennifer Hamilton, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Educational Psychologist, joined the Nobles faculty in 2001. Her goal is to create a space where all adolescents feel comfortable talking about their concerns. Hamilton is particularly interested in the relationship of anxiety to achievement, learning, and connectivity. She espouses a strengths-based, positive psychology approach to counseling and is interested in finding ways to share tools to enhance the well-being of all students. Hamilton enjoys teaching The Science of Well-Being and advising “Nobles Heads Together,” a student-run club that aims to decrease the stigma around mental health challenges and promote wellness. She is also on the planning committee for the annual AISNE Health and Wellness Symposium. Before Nobles, Hamilton worked at Winston Preparatory School in New York City. She earned both her graduate and undergraduate degrees at Tufts University.

Office: Pratt 200

A Middlebury College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Spence played minor league professional hockey before returning to Middlebury as an admission officer and assistant men’s hockey coach. At Boston University, he earned a master’s degree in mental health and behavioral medicine while interning in the psychiatry unit at the Boston Medical Center and counseling both BU and Tufts students. Before Nobles, Spence was a clinician for Child and Family Services in New Bedford. Spence joined the Nobles faculty in 2007. Prior to his appointment as dean of student engagement, he was Nobles’ director of counseling.

Office: Shattuck 125

Edgar De Leon ’04 attended Boston College, where he studied history and sociology. He returned to work at Upward Bound (UB) in 2005 (a program from which he himself graduated) and served as the program’s director from when he joined Nobles in 2013, until spring 2019. At Nobles, De Leon has served as an assistant varsity basketball coach, associate dean of students and the Class III dean. In his work with students, whether through UB, diversity work, or learning together in the Nobles classroom or on the basketball court, De Leon endeavors to help young people become the best version of themselves.

Office: Shattuck 120

Office: Academic Center 120

Heather O’Neill is an educator who partners with students, families, and teachers to assist young people in growing and maturing into successful adults. After working with youth in and out of the classroom for over three decades, Heather believes that everyone, no matter their ability, can achieve great things. She encourages and teaches students to not lower their goals to the height of their abilities, but rather heighten their abilities to the level of their goals. Heather joined the Nobles Community as the Director of Academic Support in the fall of 2019. She has a passion for the arts that has brought her around the world working with dancers of all ages.

Heather holds a C.A.G.S. in Educational Leadership, a M. Ed. in Special Education and a B.S. in Political Science.

Office: Academic Achievement Center

Mary Batty rejoined the Nobles faculty in 2003, years after beginning her career as an English teaching fellow. What she loved most about that year was getting to know students and helping them figure out how to deal with the challenges in their lives. After her TF year, she earned her master’s of education in school counseling from Boston University. Batty has been the director of counseling at Worcester Academy and the Pingree School. When a job opened at Nobles, Batty says she “jumped at the chance to return to the school that had inspired me to become a counselor.” After many years in the world of private schools, Batty maintains that “Nobles is a special place.”

Office: Shattuck 227

Lisa O’Connor, director of health services, joined the Nobles faculty in 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Colby College in English and her Masters of Science in Nursing from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. Prior to Nobles, O’Connor worked as a nurse practitioner at MGH for many years. She finds school nursing to be the perfect combination of healthcare, counseling and education.

The Nobles health services team has worked hard to create a space that is welcoming and supportive, and that promotes health and wellness for all members of the Nobles community.

Dr. LaTasha Sarpy has been working in the social work field for about 15 years. Outside of Nobles, she works with primarily women and children but also works with male clients. Dr. Sarpy’s specializes in trauma-focused/informed therapy modalities, women’s issues, issues related to race and cultural competence, anxiety and ADHD. Dr. Sarpy loves to laugh and eat, so you should expect many of your discussions to include food and lots of laughter. She would like you to know that when you enter into her space, it is a judgement-free zone and that all should feel welcomed.

Office: Shattuck 228

Hannah Puckett is currently working on a master’s degree in counseling and psychology and mental health counseling licensure at Lesley University. She has been working at Nobles since 2014 as a member of the history department and also serves as an EXCEL Travel Coordinator. She has developed an interest in adolescent wellness and mental health while working as a teacher, coach, EXCEL trip leader and advisor to hundreds of students in the upper school. She is particularly interested in mindfulness/meditation and nature-based wellness practices, and the ways that these can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression and help folks reconnect with themselves and others. She is excited about this new adventure and eager to work with students in a different capacity!

Office: Pratt 100