Department: English
Mr. Joshua Tendler
Mr. Joshua Tendler
LuHi Role: Teacher (English), joined the LuHi faculty in 2023
Education: Northwestern University (2007), with Departmental Honors alongside acting as an RA in Art History. I earned my MA and PhD from Penn State between 2008-2014. I was the recipient of The Kelly Award in 2009 and taught more than 25 undergraduate courses while pursuing my degrees. I have had scholarly work published in Studies in American Fiction as well as C19: The Journal; Penn State—Postdoctoral Fellowship.
What I love about my role: I feel privileged to be able to teach English because it helps students develop critical reading and communication skills for their collegiate and professional careers while, more importantly, building students’ sense of spirit, hope, well being and compassion.
Previous professional experience: I have taught English in a range of institutional contexts since 2008, including undergraduate and high school.
Hobbies: I’m a member of the American Daffodil Society (The ADS), so I’m a serious plant flower and tree person despite living in the city! I enjoy baking bread and cooking for the household. And I’m a big Chicago Cubs fan!
Family: My fiancée Katie and I recently got engaged (July 8) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to a loud round of applause and are now planning our wedding.
What I love most about LuHi: I can’t wait to teach and learn from LuHi students and offer them what I can on their journey! And I am thrilled to be able to work with the extraordinary administrators and faculty I’ve met so far.
Ms. Alex Calimopulos ’09
Ms. Alex Calimopulos ’09
LuHi Role: Teacher (English, Social Studies, World Language); Director of Transportation for LuHi Summer Programs; joined the LuHi faculty in 2016
Education: Bachelor of Arts in French literature & language/English literature & language, Minor in European Studies (Summa Cum Laude)
What I love about my role: I teach in many different departments which gives me the ability to connect with students across a multitude of grade levels. I truly enjoy sharing literature with my students. I love when they can connect stories read in class to real world issues or relate to them on a personal level.
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures, cooking, and reading.
Family: My sister and many cousins attended LuHi from 6th-12th grade. My sister and I currently live together in Queens with our dog Winnie.
What I love about LuHi: What I love most about teaching at LuHi is the community of students that I am lucky to connect with each day. I value all of the relationships that I have built with my students and the family that we have built in the classroom. They truly inspire me to be my best every single day.
Mrs. Katie Day
Mrs. Katie Day
LuHi Role: Teacher (English). joined the LuHi faculty in 2020
Education: St. John’s University, BSEd Adolescent Education (concentration in English, Vincentian Service Award)
Other professional experience: Cathedral High School, New York, NY – English Teacher
What I love about my role: I love when students really enjoy reading/doing something that they will talk about it outside of class or want to come talk to me about something particular within a novel. Also when students have an “a-ha” moment about the material and really understand whatever it is we’re working on.
Hobbies: I like murder mystery/crime shows, spending time with family/friends, and the beach!
Family: I have been married since 2015. I have two awesome kids and two great dogs.
What I love about LuHi: I love the community that is LuHi. The other faculty and staff were supportive and welcoming and made me feel at home right away. The students are hardworking and respectful.
Ms. Nicole Nicholson
Ms. Nicole Nicholson
LuHi Role: Teacher (English, Religion, Theatre), joined the LuHi Faculty in 2021
Education: Hartwick College (2005), B.A. Performing Arts Management, Music (Magna Cum Laude); New York University (2007), M.A. Educational Theatre (Summa Cum Laude, Kappa Delta Pi- International Honor Society in Education); Hunter College (2011), Masters in Education – Child and Adolescent Duel Certification Program for General and Special Education
What I love about my role: I love that I can teach such diverse subjects and that it really allows me to utilize the different skills and talents that I have gained and share them with the amazing LuHi community.
Other professional experience: I taught in New York City in various capacities from 2005-2014 as an arts, general and special educator. I then taught in Long Island for 3 years before venturing back into New York City, to serve as the Director of Education for The Little Orchestra Society, which brought music and arts programs to under-privileged schools throughout the five boroughs. I was delighted to return to the classroom this past September, and join the faculty at LuHi this year.
Hobbies: Playing the flute, singing, choral conducting, sound design, writing.
Family: My husband Andrew is from Australia and works in IT, Information Technology. Our cat, Marco, has a ton of personality and always keeps us smiling and laughing.
Awards/Professional highlights: Presenter at the Impact Education Conference 2021: Honoring Student Dignity – The Importance of Social Emotional Learning
What I love most about LuHi: I am amazed at the kindness, focus, and collaboration of the faculty, students and staff. I wake up everyday, and can’t wait to get to work. I am so grateful to have found LuHi!
Mr. Doug Raba
Mr. Doug Raba
LuHi Role: Teacher (English), English Department Co-Chair, joined the LuHi Faculty in 2014
Education: Concordia College (2001), BA in English (Magna cum Laude, Literature Appreciation Award, Writing Across the Curriculum Scholarship); Fordham University (2011), MS Teaching of Adolescence English
What I love about my role: I love watching kids connect their own life experience to the people and cultures we read about in literature, realizing or coming closer to the realization that while every person and society is unique and worth appreciating, they all share commonalities that enable them to relate to one another.
Hobbies: I play music (mostly guitar). I also love to experience the outdoors through hiking, biking, kayaking with my family.
Family: My wife and two daughters keep me laughing at meal times and keep me moving on the trail and in the water.
What I love about LuHi: The community at this school is pretty amazing. I’m most impressed by how the student body as a whole celebrates each individual member of the community.
Ms. Vicky Miciotta ’10
Ms. Vicky Miciotta ’10
LuHi Role: Teacher (English Department), English Department co-chair; joined the LuHi Faculty in 2016
Education: Loyola University Maryland (2014), Bachelor of Arts in English w/ minor in Art History; CUNY Brooklyn (2020), Master of Arts in Secondary Education – English
Hobbies: running, traveling, hiking, arts & crafts (knitting/embroidery/etc.); Interests: literature, animals & science, outer space
What I loved about my LuHi student experience: My sister and three of my cousins (including Ms. Calimopulos) also went to LuHi. I have a dog named Pickles and I got her when I was in 9th grade (at LuHi!). I am still close friends with my core friend group from 6th grade. When I was a student at LuHi I felt truly loved and cared for by my teachers, and I sought out that same experience and feeling when I moved on to undergrad. I also loved that I could be involved in so many different groups and activities, and through those I was able to explore and cultivate my passions.
What I love about LuHi: First and foremost, I love the students here at LuHi. It’s a special connection for me because I was once in their shoes and know how meaningful and enjoyable the experience can be. As an employee, I like that I can continue to use and cultivate my knowledge/talents in different areas to move the school and camp forward and get the best out of our students.’