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-Bartzis 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.
KENDALL DRIFFIN | Drama and SEL Support instructor
Kendall Driffin is a New Haven native and dedicated actor and theatre educator. She is a graduate of AMDA College of the Performing Arts. She marked her professional acting debut at the esteemed Long Wharf Theatre, a stepping stone to her subsequent performances with industry giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. She has also performed in numerous theatre productions in New York City and Connecticut. Kendall's dedication to education is as strong as her passion for theater. She served as the Education and Community Engagement Associate at the historic Westport Country Playhouse, where she brought her unique blend of theatrical and educational expertise to the role. Her commitment to her students was further demonstrated in her role as a theater teacher at the Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology in New Haven, Connecticut, where she taught students from grades 5th through 12th. She also created and led drama therapy programs in New Haven public schools, focusing on Social and Emotional Learning through theatre arts.
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.
