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Meet the New Upper School Faculty

Meet the New Upper School Faculty

    With the beginning of a new school year, some new faces have joined the Charger community. The latest additions to the Upper School include: Assistant Directors of College Counseling Aidan Steinly and Richard Aufderheide, US Health Teacher & Coach Jonathan Tallon and Band Director Esther Brier.

     While Brier and Tallon are taking on new positions, transitioning from substitute to full-time teachers, Aufderheide and Steinly are starting a new chapter at Shorecrest.     

Band Director Esther Brier
Band Director Esther Brier

     Known as “Ms. ice cream” by many students, sharing a last name with the popular ice cream brand, Brier has 47 years of teaching experience and has been at Shorecrest for 24 years. She also founded the band program and teaches band to all grade levels. Now, her biggest goal is to expand the program to more students.

     Briar gained an interest in teaching from her mother at an early age. She was born in Cuba and moved to the U.S. in 1960 only being able to speak Spanish.

      “My older sister was ready to go into first grade, but they wouldn’t allow her in school because she didn’t speak any English, so my mother taught me and my older sister school every day,” Brier said.

Assistant Director of College Counseling Aidan Steinly
Assistant Director of College Counseling Aidan Steinly

         Steinly began his career as an admissions counselor at Shenandoah University, where he loved getting to know students and seeing their passions through the admissions process. He decided to move to Shorecrest because he wanted to work with high school students and cultivate relationships over four years.

          “The best advice I could give to students applying to college is to find a school that fits all your interests,” Steinly said.

         Steinly didn’t always envision himself as a college counselor. He attended a large high school with 300 students and only one college counselor. During that time, he befriended that college counselor, causing him to develop an interest in the career. 

US Health Teacher & Coach Jonathan Tallon
US Health Teacher & Coach Jonathan Tallon

         Prior to taking a job at Shorecrest, Tallon went from a job in the corporate world, to Eckerd College and Berkeley Prep. He has also attended art school and been a painter. He recently finished a second master’s degree in sports performance and kinesiology and has been substituting at Shorecrest for five years. 

     Tallon will also be coaching basketball this season. He is thrilled to be a permanent part of the Shorecrest community. “When you’re a sub, you’re just waiting for that phone call at 5:30 in the morning to go here, and then I’m coaching in the afternoon, so it’s nice to have a room and one place to go,” said Tallon.

Assistant Director of College Counseling Richard Aufderheide
Assistant Director of College Counseling Richard Aufderheide

     Aufderheide is new to high school, previously working at Michigan State University as a college admissions counselor recruiting students from Florida. Still attending football games in Michigan, he’s eager to help high schoolers navigate a major life choice.

     “The college search and decision process is about guiding students toward places where they can grow, thrive, and begin building the foundation for their adult lives. I love being part of this turning point in their lives,” Aufderheide said 

     Aufderheide originally went to school to be a teacher, but ended up getting a master’s degree in student affairs administration after gaining interest in college admissions.

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