With gratitude, Poly Prep bids farewell to seven dedicated faculty and staff who will be retiring this year. Added together, they have 179 years of service to Poly among them! Though they will be greatly missed in our halls and classrooms, their legacy will continue to shape our community for years to come. We wish them the all the best in this exciting new chapter. Congratulations!

Bart Moroney P’21 – 44 Years

Bart Moroney P’21’s tenure at Poly is described by fellow colleague and friend Erika Freeman  P’24, ’26, ’28, ’32 as nothing short of legendary. During his time at Poly, he taught science to students in Grades 7 to 12, coached championship NYSAIS boys’ and girls’ track teams, served as a Grade 10 dean, and served on the faculty-staff council—to name a few areas of his impact. Students who might have held the notion that they “were not good at science” found an educational ally—someone who would support their efforts, make learning fun, and expect them to give their all. Whether in chemistry or geology, Moroney’s students had an interactive science experience with someone who got to know them outside of the classroom. He understood that high school students are complex and maturing young adults who want to feel valued. Many Poly students on the track teams he coached didn’t know they would win championships, but he saw their potential. Moroney’s expert way of coaching equipped athletes with the skills and determination they needed to succeed. 

An advocate for all, Moroney has been selflessly dedicated to Poly. He has been an integral member of the Science Department and despite one of his favorite sayings, “No good deed goes unpunished,” he has done innumerable good deeds and will be dearly missed by us all.

Gerry Stone – 39 Years

Since arriving at Poly in 1986, Gerry Stone has played many pivotal roles—English teacher, Upper School dean, coach, mentor, summer school director, and Commencement announcer—but what remained constant was his deep commitment to students and his love for the work. Stone served as an Upper School dean for 26 years, working with both Grade 9 and Grade 12 at various points, and led Poly’s summer school for a decade. He’s perhaps best known, though, for his legendary 32-year run as Boys’ Varsity Head Soccer Coach. Under his leadership, Poly secured Fairchester and Ivy Prep League titles, reached six NYSAIS finals, and earned back-to-back championships in 2007 and 2008. In total, his teams racked up 307 wins and countless memories. A 1981 graduate of Kenyon College and a standout collegiate athlete himself, Stone brought intensity and care to every practice and classroom. “I poured into coaching,” he reflects, “but working one-on-one with students on their writing—that’s where I’ve felt most impactful.”

As an English teacher, Stone was known for his deep dives into Shakespeare and intensive reading classes that encouraged rich, inclusive discussions. Over the years, he witnessed changes in classroom dynamics and student collaboration, but what never changed was the strength of his relationships. “I’ll miss my colleagues,” he says. “The friendships I’ve built here are the most powerful part of it all.” Stone’s legacy lives on not just in Poly’s record books, but in the voices of students he challenged and championed for decades.

David Higham P’07 – 33 Years

Technical Theater Director David Higham has been at the heart of Poly’s theater program since 1992—and he’s the only one we’ve ever had. Prior to his arrival, set and lighting design were handled informally by faculty from various departments. His appointment marked the beginning of a new era, one defined by professionalism, mentorship, and a deep commitment to theatrical excellence. “David was my very first mentor when I arrived on the big campus part-time,” recalls Head of Arts Michael S. Robinson. “Those first years working with David set the standard for what an educational theater production could look like.”

From the Memorial Chapel to the Richard Perry Theatre, Higham’s influence has been felt in every corner of the performing arts at Poly. Students have learned to construct sets, run lighting boards, and take well-earned tech crew bows, thanks to Higham’s steady guidance and collaborative spirit. Whether painting sets late into the night or mentoring new designers, Higham created spaces—not just physical ones, but creative ones—where students and colleagues alike could thrive.

“When you think about Poly theater,” Robinson adds, “it is David at the center of that space, process, and institutional care.” While Higham is stepping away from full-time teaching and theater management, we’re thrilled that he plans to continue lending his design expertise to Poly productions. His legacy, etched in sawdust, spotlight cues, and unforgettable performances, will remain a vital part of Poly’s story for years to come.

Ellen Martinez P’08, ’10 – 27 Years

With close to three decades of extraordinary service to the Poly Prep community, Ellen Martinez retires having worn countless hats: Spanish teacher, swim coach, advisor, committee member, and beloved colleague. “Ellen doesn’t just support her friends—she lifts them,” wrote longtime friend and fellow faculty parent Caesar Fabella P’18. “She is the one who quietly steps in when someone is in need, offering her time, her presence, and her fierce compassion.” Known for her deep sense of fairness and integrity, Martinez has been described as a “moral compass” at Poly.

In pivotal moments, Ellen Martinez was a steady, courageous voice, always championing what was right. Her warmth and creativity touched every corner of campus whether teaching Spanish with care and high standards, quilting T-shirts for colleagues, or making waffles in a fifth grade classroom to bring literature to life. “She listened carefully,” shared retired Poly faculty member Gail Karpf, “waiting for just the right moment to make her point.”

To her students, Martinez was a presence. “Every day students walk by and pound on the glass until she looks up and waves,” said World Languages Department Chair Liz Mansfield. “She embodies the term team player like nobody else.” As Health and Well-being Teacher Phoebe Aberlin-Ruiz P’30 reflected, Martinez has been a constant source of warmth and wisdom for all: her influence at Poly is immeasurable. While she may be retiring, her legacy—of candor, compassion, and community—will long endure.

Carolyn Licata – 21 Years

Carolyn Licata earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from MIT and a master’s degree in mathematics from Clarkson University. She continued to study mathematics extensively beyond her graduate work, deepening her expertise throughout her career. Licata joined the Upper School mathematics faculty at Poly in 2004, where she initially taught Algebra II, Statistics, and AP Calculus AB. It wasn’t long before she was entrusted with the school’s most challenging courses. Over the past decade, she has taught Poly’s most advanced mathematics classes, including Advanced Calculus II (formerly AP Calculus BC), Advanced Statistics (formerly AP Statistics), and Linear Algebra, as well as supervised independent studies in Multivariable Calculus.

In addition to her classroom excellence, Licata served as Chair of the Mathematics Department, Upper School advisor, Math Club advisor, co-advisor to the Women’s Affinity Group, and a dedicated member of several faculty committees. In 2016, she was honored with a nomination for the University of Chicago’s Outstanding Educator Award by a former student. Beyond her academic accomplishments, Licata has been a mentor and friend to many. Her classroom was often filled with returning alumni eager to reconnect and thank her for the profound impact she had on their lives, both in college and beyond.

Lynda Casarella – 10 Years

After nearly a decade at Poly, Lynda Casarella leaves behind a legacy of integrity, strategic vision, and deep care for the Poly community. In 2015, Casarella started as the Poly Summer Business Operations Manager and transitioned to the Business Office in the fall of 2019 as Controller. In August 2020, she was elevated to Interim Chief Financial Officer, taking on the role permanently in the following academic year. Casarella has played a pivotal role in shaping Poly’s financial future—guiding major initiatives such as the renovation of the backfields, construction of the Poly Arts Center, acquisition of the Ethical Culture building, a new faculty compensation model, and, above all, modernization and operational efficiency in the Business Office. “Lynda has been an invaluable ally,” reflected Interim Head of School John Rankin in a letter to the Poly community. “Her steady guidance and high level of integrity have helped shape many of Poly’s most important strategic initiatives.”

A former military officer and seasoned financial leader, Lynda Casarella brought a wealth of experience to her role. While her impact on the school’s operations is undeniable, she’s most proud of the relationships she built along the way. “It’s the people I’ll miss most,” she shared. “The work is meaningful, but the people make it great.” Now settled in New Hampshire with her husband, Guy, and close to their new granddaughter, Casarella looks forward to a quieter pace of life—but will continue supporting Poly in an advisory capacity next year. We thank her for everything she’s done to strengthen and steward our community.

Keith Wiggs – 5 Years

Keith Wiggs joined Poly’s Advancement Department in August 2020, bringing with him more than three decades of fundraising experience and a signature style marked by grace, wit, and generosity of spirit. With a career that began in New York City’s arts scene—including roles at Lincoln Center, The Juilliard School, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s—Wiggs later turned his talents to educational advancement at institutions like Montclair State University, the Montclair Kimberley Academy, and the Elisabeth Morrow School. Poly became his third independent school and, in many ways, a professional home. In his five years at Poly, Wiggs played an instrumental role in elevating the school’s advancement efforts. He helped guide major projects, including the Poly Arts Center and athletic fields renovations, and consistently championed a relationship-based approach to fundraising.

“He has guided and supported all of us in our work,” his team shares, “emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships with all of our constituents. His trust in us to take charge and own our work allowed us to flourish, as individuals and as a team. And he did it all with humor, style, panache, and the occasional finger wag.” As Wiggs prepares to retire this July after 36 years as a frontline fundraiser, he reflects with pride on his time at Poly and the community he’s helped to strengthen. We thank Keith for his invaluable support, leadership, and lasting impact. His contributions have laid a strong foundation for the future, and—while he’ll be missed—we hope a tropical breeze is calling his name.