Faculty & Staff
Mr. Tuttle is a former vice president and director of education for Easter Seals of New Hampshire. His 15+ years of experience building and running a successfully innovative organization are a huge asset to Spark Academy, as is his genuine enjoyment of working with our students. Mr. Tuttle is a visionary executive and a solid problem-solver who is dedicated to our school and the people who make up our school community: our students, their families, our teachers and staff members, and our industry partners. His top priority always is to provide students with every opportunity possible to grow, learn, and be the best they can be. We look forward to Spark Academy’s next chapter and where Mr. Tuttle’s leadership will take us!
Administrative Team
Meet the People who Serve our Students
Schools are about far more than their programs alone. They are about people—especially the people we serve, our students. However, long before our students arrive, it is the faculty and staff who prepare and carry out the day-to-day experience, an experience based on mission, vision, and dedication. This is the story of the Spark Academy staff, their experiences, and their hopes for our students.
Dan Larochelle may have more experience with technology education than anyone else in our state. His qualifications are outstanding:
• BS: Mechanical Engineering with Distinction, WPI
• MBA, UNH
• Chief Technical Officer, Intelitek
• Regional Support Manager, Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, Roxwell, TX
• Adjunct Professor, Southern New Hampshire University
• Professor and Department Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Department, MCC
• STEM Curriculum Consultant throughout New Hampshire
Spark Academy is largely the result of Mr. Larochelle’s personal mission of bringing high quality technical education to New Hampshire students, ensuring they are well-prepared for the most advanced career opportunities. Mr. Larochelle guides Spark Academy’s Technical Curriculum for a seamless transition to the Manchester Community College Curriculum. As a resource and mentor to our students, he teaches and inspires them to achieve their very best!
“For the past 25 years, I have been at the center of technical education throughout New Hampshire, much of that through robotics programs in elementary, middle, and high schools. I am proud to be one of the founders of Spark Academy. This school represents a very important goal to me to bring high-level technical education and amazing career opportunities to our students. Spark, and all it represents, is a true passion for me!”
Mrs. Larochelle has been with Spark Academy since the summer before the school opened in 2019. She was the sole administrative support person and also ran the front desk until the 2022-23 school year. She currently handles admissions, performs many of the back office tasks, and assists the Director in a variety of capacities.
“I became involved in Spark Academy because I care deeply about the vision of this school and the unique opportunity we are providing for kids who might not otherwise understand how empowered they can be to create their own futures. I’m proud to work alongside such dedicated educators.”
Mrs. Roberts runs the front desk and is the first point of contact for our school. She previously worked for the Haverhill public schools and prior to that she ran an in-home daycare for many years. She brings both efficiency and a warm and caring attitude to Spark Academy.
"I became involved in Spark to continue working with kids in a small unique setting. I enjoy my everyday tasks and the company of the kids."
Extended Learning Opportunities
Mr. Long is our Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Coordinator. He brings a variety of education-related experiences to his position. A 2021 graduate of Duke University with a BA in biology and a minor in education, he researched the effects of team-based learning on retention and self-efficacy in STEM courses.
After college, he worked at ARMI/BioFabUSA in their Education & Workforce Development Department, where he piloted a real-world, future-focused biofabrication program in high schools across New England. Most recently, Mr. Long served as the Interim Program Director at Breakthrough Manchester, where he helped to drive the dual mission of supporting Manchester middle school students on the path to college, while developing the teacher education pipeline.
“I am thrilled to be a part of Spark Academy, working with students, families, staff, and community partners to ensure a real-world, authentic learning experience.”
A certified school counselor, Mrs. Minery is the School Counselor and Coordinator of Student Services at Spark Academy. She has worked with students in elementary through high school levels, and as a career counselor with young adults. In addition to her experience within schools, she's a published author of The Good, the Bad, and the Backstory, a true-to-life story with a valuable message about courage, forgiveness, empathy and understanding.
Mrs. Minery graduated from the University of North Texas with a BA in psychology in 2002, then moved back to New Hampshire to start a family and stay home with her son. Once her son was in school full time, she received her masters in education from Plymouth State University , earning a certification in school counseling. She is in her eighth year in the field.
"I love being able to really get to know the students at Spark and look forward to witnessing their growth as developing adults."
Guidance & Student Services
Mr. Mailloux brings extensive experience to Spark Academy as a classroom teacher, admissions director, assistant principal, and principal. Having taught English from a broader humanities perspective, Mr. Mailloux has welcomed the opportunity to form the Spark Humanities Program and lead this truly unique high school experience. He brings a wealth of experience to Spark Academy:
• BA, English, St. Anselm College
• Graduate Studies, Administration
• Commission Member, New England Association of Schools & Colleges, 2014 - 2020
• Advisory Board Member, St. Anselm College Education Department
• Classroom Teacher - 20 years
• Admissions Director - 6 years
• Principal - 23 years
“I was invited to join Spark Academy by Dan Larochelle and Joe Pouliot, former teacher and one of Spark Academy’s founders, both of whom I have had the privilege of knowing as colleagues for at least 25 years. Both of these colleagues know that I have been focused for many years on the interconnectedness of knowledge and the need to integrate technology into our learning. The blending of the Spark curriculum with that offered by Manchester Community College was quite intriguing to me as this model offers a fantastic and very affordable means of attaining high-tech certifications, an Associate’s Degree, and four year degrees.”
“Spark Academy is the gateway to the future for students who might not otherwise be able to dream of a college education through a traditional pathway. Perhaps most importantly, Spark Academy is driven by passion, and passion is contagious. I can’t think of a better lesson to teach our students than to be passionate about their lives!”
Humanities
Ozark Christian College, BA Literature
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, MA History
• Taught English/Writing in charter school
• Taught high school Humanities in a small, independent boarding school in southern NH
• Served as a high school instructional paraprofessional for 3 years in public schools
"I became involved in Spark Academy because I am passionate about helping students come to realize the importance of examining the entirety of the human condition and encourage them to grapple with complex moral issues ever-present in life, which our Humanities curriculum seeks to implement. Humanities encourages reflection and provides students with an appreciation and empathy for humanity. I hope to encourage critical thinking amongst students which goes beyond problem solving to another way of viewing issues, allowing for diverse opinions."
Rachel Spellman is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education and a minor in History. She enjoys learning about different cultures, societies, and historical events, and is excited to be a part of Spark Academy as a Humanities teacher.
"I think that Spark Academy is full of so many unique opportunities, and allows for exploration of all kinds of topics that I think are very important in the 21st century!"
Karen Pringle’s long-term involvement in electrical and electronic engineering prior to entering the teaching profession provides her with the ability to bridge the gap between the classroom and the demands of career life:
• Associate’s Degree, Engineering: Electrical Engineering Technology, NHTI
• BA, Secondary Education, Life Science, New England College
• M.Ed., Education Studies & STEM, UNH
• 28 years in industry
• 7 years in education
Ms. Pringle’s blend of career experience in both industry and education provide Spark students with sound technical preparation for the many opportunities that Spark graduates will be able to realize.
“My career life began in industry, but I quickly became a teacher as well through the FIRST and VEX Robotics Programs. I have known and worked with both Dan Larochelle and Joe Pouliot for 25 years. In time, the joy of teaching became a larger and larger part of my life until I finally took the plunge and entered teaching full time. For me, it’s the moments when I can see that students ‘get it’ that tell me I am involved in something truly great! My decision to join the Spark team was an easy one. Plus, it’s very hard to say ‘No’ to Dan Larochelle!”
Ms. Harnois is an outstanding mentor to our students, teaching them the science behind the technology. Her dedication to the teaching of science is well-documented. She brings very high qualifications and an impressive level of experience to Spark Academy:
• BA, Biological Sciences, UNH
• MS, Biology, Miami University
Awards Received:
• UNHM STEM Scholarship
• UNHM Biology Department Scholarship
• National Science Foundation Scholarship
Research/Professional Experience:
• UNHM Undergraduate Research Project Participant
• Medical Missionary, Honduras
• Presenter at Nine Professional Conferences
• Adjunct Professor, UNHM
“I became involved in Spark Academy because I was intrigued by the advanced program model for high school students and was excited to have a role in the community Spark is growing.”
Math
Oscany DeJesus is a New Hampshire native and graduate from the University of New Hampshire where she received her B.S in Mechanical Engineering in 2021. During her time at UNH, she interned at the John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center. Oscany has industry experience as a design engineer at Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, where she worked on repair design, project engineering, and as an integral project team leader for the F135 military engines.
After graduating Bedford High School in 2015, Oscany lived abroad in Spain where she worked as an English teaching assistant. Upon returning to the United States, Oscany attended Manchester Community College, where she graduated with her A.S in Mathematics in 2018. In her free time, Oscany enjoys trail running, doing yoga, baking, and traveling! She is excited to teach math at Spark Academy and believes teaching is her passion. She wants her students to know that math is a tool, and not a chore, and some of the most creative and influential people in history are Mathematicians!
• PHD, Physical Quantum Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.
• MSC (concurrent with PHD), Mathematical Physics, UMASS, Amherst, MA.
Dr. F has taught both mathematics and science for many years, and greatly enjoys working with our students and helping them to see things in a new light.
