meet our team
Patrick Burke - Director of Faculty
After graduating from Sewanee: The University of the South, Patrick began his teaching career at Asheville School in Asheville, North Carolina. After three years in Asheville, Patrick earned his Masters in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education before working at Pomfret School in Pomfret, CT.
During his 13 years at Pomfret, Patrick created and taught a wide variety of World History and Social Science courses. He worked as the Department Chair of the History and Social Sciences department and as the Director of Faculty Mentoring and Development. In both his teaching and administrative roles Patrick strived to create supportive, engaging, and inclusive cultures that helped students, faculty, and staff strive for growth, improvement, and excellence.
Patrick is excited to recruit, support, and educate outstanding educators as they create vibrant online learning environments for all students.
WES CHAPUT - Director of Academics
After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy and Bates College, Wes worked as a farm hand and radio host before beginning his teaching career at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA. Wes joined Prestans in June 2021 as Director of Academics.
During his decade-long tenure at Tabor, Wes taught and coordinated World History and Advanced World History. In his previous role as the Chair of the History Department, he worked to integrate student lead discussions, standards based assessment, and inclusive pedagogy into the curriculum of all history classes at Tabor. While at Tabor Wes earned a master's degree in International Relations from the Harvard Extension School.
Wes is committed to leveraging the advantages of online learning to bring high level education to students around the globe.
Sam Decock - Director of Marketing and Communications
After graduating from Wesleyan University, Sam joined Indian Mountain School where he worked for 14 years before joining Prestans. At IMS, he held roles in both admissions and communications, and specialized in using visual storytelling to elevate the school's brand and programs.
Beginning in admissions, Sam worked closely with countless prospective families, while also advising, coaching ice hockey, and teaching Latin. Leveraging these experiences, he then took on the role of Director of Marketing and created a cohesive visual identity for the school across social media and the web. This work culminated in a collaborative brand overhaul, visual refresh, and new website.
Sam is passionate about using authentic storytelling to empower brand awareness and the potential that brings for connecting Prestans with prospective families.
anna friedman - Director of Learning Strategy and Operations
A graduate of Blair Academy and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Anna began her teaching career at the Peddie School in New Jersey. After working in the Massachusetts public school system and receiving a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Boston University, Anna returned to the boarding school world. At the Hotchkiss School and Tabor Academy, Anna served as an English teacher, cross country and track and field coach, advisor, and dormitory parent. Anna is passionate about providing students a space and a means to grapple with big ideas and the pressing issues of their time, and she is excited about the role that online education can play in this endeavor.
Jesse Friedman - Director of Strategic Partnerships
A graduate of the Peddie School, Connecticut College and the University of Rhode Island, Jesse serves as the Director of College Counseling and Strategic Partnerships. A lifelong educator and entrepreneur, Jesse taught and traveled internationally for three years in Asia before co-founding a Student Cultural Exchange with Peter.
Before co-founding Prestans Education, Jesse helped grow Student Cultural Exchange into a pioneering company specializing in programming for international students studying at U.S. boarding schools. At Student Cultural Exchange, Jesse directed the Royal Thai Scholar Winter Program, helping hundreds of Royal Thai Scholars apply to top U.S. colleges and universities.
Peter Friedman - CEO
After graduating from Peddie School and Bates College, Peter lived in southern France for two years, teaching English to high school students in Marseille.
Following his time in abroad, Peter worked for the New York City Department of Education in Chancellor Joel Klein’s office. He reviewed and approved school charter applications and helped foreign and low-income families navigate the complexities of New York’s education system.
Peter then moved to Cambridge, Mass. where he co-founded Student Cultural Exchange, which offers programming for international students applying to and currently enrolled at American boarding schools, with his brother Jesse.
Peter’s knowledge of American boarding schools and work with international students led to the development of Prestans, which fills a critical niche in the international student experience at American independent schools.
Lucia Jaccaci - Director of School Partnerships
Lucia Jaccaci is an educator with 25 years of experience in independent school education. She has worked both as a classroom teacher and an administrator in the United States and in China. After earning a BA in history from Brown University and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Boston University, she worked at St. George’s School in Newport, RI for thirteen years where she taught a wide range of history classes (including AP United States and AP Modern European history), coached ice hockey and served as a dorm parent. After moving to Shanghai, China in 2010, she served as the founding supervisor of the International Office at YK Pao School where she helped develop the beginnings of a college counseling program, initiated international exchanges for students and faculty, and supported both admissions and marketing initiatives at the new high school. Upon returning to the States, Lucia returned to the classroom as a history teacher at the Cincinnati Country Day School until 2021. Upon moving to Marion, she began teaching at the Immigrant Assistance Center in New Bedford where she helps adult learners prepare for the US citizenship exam and learn English. Lucia and her husband Tony have three sons and live in Marion, MA.
Li Jing - ENRICHMENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Li earned her master’s degree in School Counseling from Boston University. After graduation, she worked at Stoneleigh-Burnham School as an IB teacher and international student director. Then Li started her role as a college consultant and TOEFL teacher at Beijing No. 4 High School - Huanxin Program. Now Li lives in the Greater New York area and becomes an Associate Member of IECA (The Independent Educational Consultants Association). She has continued to provide college consulting services to international students. Her passion is to help students reach the best educational resources through the power of online education.
Crystal Kemsley - Director of Student Services
Crystal graduated from Brigham Young University. After which she moved to Beijing, China, to study public policy at Tsinghua University. She taught Economics and English at the Experimental High School Attached to Beijing Normal University and has continued as an educator, program administrator, and education consultant for the past decade in both China and the United States. Crystal now lives in Taiwan where she continues to teach and conduct educator training and workshops. She is passionate about building bridges across cultures and believes strongly in working with parents and teachers to build a strong community of support around every student, helping each individual succeed on their unique educational path.
Steve McKibben - Executive Consultant
Steve McKibben has been a teacher, coach, administrator, Headmaster, and consultant at public and independent schools at the secondary and collegiate levels for the past 36 years and most recently served as an English teacher, coach, and Dean of Community Life at The Hotchkiss School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, and graduate degrees from Springfield College (MEd); The Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury College (MA); and Teachers College, Columbia University (EdM); a life-long learner, he (finally) earned his doctorate from Teachers College at age 50. His daughter graduated from Prestans and is currently taking a gap year, teaching English to 3rd graders in Bogotá, Colombia. Depending upon where his partner is working, Steve splits time between Andover, MA and NYC, and when he's not engaged with students, family, colleagues, books, classes, and papers, he spends as much time as he can either in the saddle of his bike or freeing his heels on his tele skis.
Martha Seretta - COO
Martha has over a decade of experience working with students and parents at the independent secondary school level. She has advised, coached, provided residential support, and guided hundreds of families from around the world through the admissions process.
Martha served as an Associate Director of Athletics at Deerfield Academy before assuming her admissions role at Northfield Mount Hermon in 2010. There, she found her passion for helping students realize their full potential through educational opportunities.
Martha graduated from Bay Path University and completed the UCLA College Counseling Certificate program with distinction. She is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC).
Alice Wang - Director of Enrollment Management
Alice is a dedicated education professional with a rich academic background and extensive experience in admissions. She earned her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College before obtaining a doctorate from Tufts University. With a passion for education and a commitment to student success, Alice has spent over 8 years serving as the Assistant Director of Admissions for both the Middle School and Upper School at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge.
During her tenure, Alice has not only played a pivotal role in admissions but has also served as a mentor and advisor to countless students and families. Whether through admissions processes or advisory roles, she is deeply committed to creating positive and supportive experiences for students and their families. Alice is wholeheartedly dedicated to connecting with families and assisting them in finding educational institutions that align with the unique needs of each student.
Linda YoO - Scheduling Coordinator
Linda has twelve years of experience in managing an office as the Summer Programs Coordinator at The Hotchkiss School. She worked with both international and domestic students and families from starting a summer application to completing enrollment for the summer programs. Linda graduated from the University of Georgia and has also worked as a corporate accountant at Charles Schwab in San Francisco.