Our Faculty

Sara grew up in the woods of the Pocono Mountains in PA where she spent time singing, fishing, camping, and frolicking with animals... chickens, horses, goats, bunnies and even stray raccoons & black bear cubs (her cousin was a black bear biologist for the PA Game Commission, so this was part of a rehabilitation program... don't try this at home...) She had her first public solo at the age of two.

She has taught in public and private schools, directed summer arts programs, managed an organic maple farm, and worked in the financial arena, but loves teaching the most!

Ms. Alt - "S.Alt" as many of her students refer to her, has a passion for learning new things, tackling challenges creatively, and making music with all manner of instruments or voices. She studied primarily at Cairn University in Langhorne, PA with teachers: David Shockey, Sharon Sweet, and was mentored by soprano and composer Michelle Hynson in Milwaukee, WI. She has performed as a soprano section leader with the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, Skylight Opera (WI), the New Amsterdam Singers (NY) & too many church & community choirs to count in the US and abroad.

If you know great places to hear live music, eat delicious food, or kayak/camp, please let her know.

Mrs. Applegate is joining Hebron Academy as the Dean of Students after 10 years in education in Maine. Her exploration of educational systems and curiosity about middle and upper school boarding led her to join our faculty this year. Her sophomore and seventh grader are joining our community this year as well. After her own tumultuous experience in education in Maine, Mrs. Applegate brings with her a strong desire to elevate student voices and protect the emotional and physical safety of our community. She is a fierce advocate with high expectations of herself and the community around her.

Ms. Emily Bonis came to Hebron in 2010 with her husband Tim, who teaches history at Hebron. Ms. Bonis is the Dean of Faculty and an Upper School Mathematics teacher. Ms. Bonis also serves as Hebron's Round Square representative, where she guides students in their work with the Round Square IDEALS, which stands for Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service. She has lead international trips through Round Square to Canada and India and looks forward to many more!

Ms. Bonis considers herself a lifelong learner and is always trying new things. She strives to bring her love of learning to her students and inspire them to challenge themselves, take risks, and get outside their comfort zone. In fact, this is one of the things that she loves most about teaching - it is always changing and the possibilities for creativity and exploration are endless.

In her free time, Ms. Bonis enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, snowshoeing, gardening, reading, knitting, and practicing yoga. Ms. Bonis is a certified yoga instructor and teaches yoga to students and faculty in the Hebron community. She is also a Master Gardener volunteer and delights in sharing her love of gardening with others through her volunteer work.

Mr. Tim Bonis moved to Hebron Academy in the fall of 2010 with his wife Emily who serves as the Math Department Chair, and their two daughters, Leah ‘19 and Alaina ‘21. Mr. Bonis teaches upper school history, coaches Mountain Biking and Girls Varsity Tennis. Before coming to Hebron, Mr. Bonis was a dean and faculty member at South Kent School for nine years.

The Bonis family resides in Old Brick, the residence built in 1814 by the founder of the Academy. In their free time, they like to be outdoors, hiking, camping, swimming at the beach, kayaking, snowshoeing and skiing. Personally, Tim likes to cook, go wilderness camping and sea kayaking, adventures with his dogs Gus and Ozzy, and spending time with his family.

Caddy Brooks graduated from Colby College in 2009 and comes to us from Groton School where he coached Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. In his free time, Caddy enjoys skiing, photography and traveling.

I grew up in upstate New York but has called Maine home since the mid 1990s. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree from State University College in Potsdam's Crane School of Music, I worked as a professional musician in the Boston area for many years. Upon moving to Maine, I began teaching in the Turner school district. I joined the Hebron community in the fall of 1998, teaching math, music and outdoor skills. In 2002, I became the Director of Trailblazers, Hebron's outdoor skills program, and in 2006 was named Hebron's Middle School Director.

Jake Cockrell is from Readfield, Maine. He attended St. Lawrence University where he met his wife, Lauren. They recently relocated to the North Country of NY, but upon completion of an MST program at SUNY Potsdam, Jake returned home to teach Earth Science at Hebron. He enjoys long hikes in the Adirondacks, stopping pucks, and training his deaf dog Norma, a two year old Blue Heeler. Also, he can drive a Zamboni.

Heidi has worked  at Hebron since 2007.  

Heidi lives in Auburn, ME with her husband, Mark and her children, Josh '10 and Mariah '12.

Patrick Colonna serves as Director of College Counseling. He began his educational career teaching in and around Boston for 10 years before moving to the boarding school world where he began his college counseling career in 2010.

Mr. Colonna is a native of Falmouth, MA, but has lived in NM, FL, NH, PA, OH, and VA.

Hi! My name is Pedro Davisson and I am the Associate Director of Admission. I mostly work with our international prospect students and networking with agencies and consultants across the world. I am based in Brazil and I travel around the world to represent Hebron Academy in Admissions events.

Ms. Michaela Despins, a native of Vermont, moved to Maine in 2001. Michaela graduated from the University of Southern Maine where she played soccer and started her career in Athletic Training. She coached premier soccer in Maine for 6 years. In her free time, she enjoys sports, playing with her dog, read, do crafts, fish, and spend time with her fiance.

Phillip Dunbridge is entering his 17th year working for independent schools and 15 years in the admission office. Phillip started his career as a theatre teacher before moving to the admission world. Phillip has had the pleasure of working with some incredible schools during his career, such as Idyllwild Arts Academy and Darlington School. Still, he finally feels at home at Hebron Academy. Originally from Los Angeles, Phillip fell in love with New England while attending graduate school outside of Boston. Phillip's wife is the Director of Academic Guidance and Learning at Hebron Academy, where his 3 boys attend.

My name is Mrs. Gaug and this is my second year at Hebron Academy. This year I am teaching French I, French III and Latin. 
I live in the Glover house with my husband, who teaches ESOL here at Hebron Academy, and our three children. We have a cat named Maple, a dog named Wally, a hamster and a yellow fish.  In my free time I enjoy baking, painting, running, yoga, gardening and spending time with my family. 
My favorite Hebron memories are last year's haunted walk, the school play and making crêpes with my students.
Fun fact: I am from Germany.

I am Lee Gautier, a member of the history and math departments here at Hebron Academy. I have been teaching since 2015, and am a product of the boarding school world, myself. I have a fierce passion for exploring the success and failures of historical empires, world religions, and (for the mathematically inclined) exploring how statistics play a vital role in our everyday lives. I am always looking to meet and speak with students and parents, so please feel free to reach out if you have a question, or if you just want to talk!

Theresa Gervais is a brand new addition to the Language Department at Hebron Academy. Although Theresa is from Maine originally, she spent the last two years of her career teaching Spanish at an independent school in New Jersey. Eventually, she decided that she missed Maine too much to live in any other place and decided to pursue a position teaching Spanish at Hebron. Outside of the classroom, Theresa enjoys helping out with after school art, playing chess, and interacting with residents of Halford Hall in her capacity as a dorm parent.

Jen grew up in midcoast Maine, spending summers on horse farms, riding, showing and completing many barn chores. She graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall before going on to earn her Bachelor’s at Tufts University and her Master’s at Boston College. Jen returned to Maine where she spent several years as a college admission counselor before making the move to alumni relations and advancement at Hebron Academy. Jen’s son is in the ninth grade at Hebron.