MEET OUR TEAM

ATLAS is led by a team of directors who are highly accomplished teachers and administrators, and who are deeply passionate about our mission and core values. We are committed to collaboration and dedicated to creating a democratic school.

MARIA GIARRIZZO-BARTZ  | Co-Director

Maria Giarrizzo-Bartz is an experiential educator and curriculum designer with a passion for middle school. She holds a Master’s in Education from Harvard and a BFA from the University of Montana, where she was a Presidential Scholar and conducted research on the academic impact of theatre. From 2008 to 2016, she ran the drama program at The East Harlem School; there, she created and directed an interdisciplinary middle school drama curriculum and taught Math Lab. Prior to founding ATLAS, she designed experiential, project-based programming and curricula for AF Greenfield in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York. She has directed children’s theater productions for companies and schools across the nation. Leading ATLAS is a dream come true.

CAROLINE GOLSCHNEIDER  | Co-Director

Caroline Golschneider is an arts educator, policy consultant, and social justice advocate. Previously, she served as Teacher-Leader-in-Residence for the Connecticut State Department of Education; there, she specialized in talent development and standards alignment. Caroline spent her formative teaching years in Windsor Locks Public Schools, where she held several leadership positions. She has designed and conducted professional development for fellow educators across the country. Caroline graduated magna cum laude from Yale University with a BA in Music and a Certificate in Teacher Preparation. She received her Master’s in Education at Harvard.

ABIGAIL PAGE | Teaching Fellow

Abigail E. Page is a storyteller, educator, and activist. They are a graduate of New York University and Queen Mary University of London. They have worked with young people in various capacities for almost a decade and has directed, stage managed, and acted in over 25 theatrical productions. They’re so excited to be part of the team at NMS, one of the most magical places in the world.

ADELE AUSTIN-SUMMERS, MS, LMFT | Social-Emotional Coordinator

Adele Summers is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She has been in the mental health field since 2012 and her counseling specialties include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, PTSD, interpersonal skills, anger management, and healthy communication. As part of the team at ATLAS, Adele provides bi-weekly social-emotional workshops where students can explore and address their feelings. She supports the restorative justice model by meeting with students and families in small groups or individually as requested. She holds a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy from Capella University. Adele is working on her Ph.D. in Psychological Counseling at Regent University.
We are grateful for the generous support of the
Steve and Carol Ross Fund for Arts Education.