curriculum Teachers
Sheri Callahan
Health-PE/Spanish s.callahan@gsaanh.com |
Richard Davis
Math r.davis@gsaanh.com |
Art Teachers
Maura Lyons
Theater m.lyons@gsaanh.com |
Administrative Staff
Anthony Polito
a.polito@gsaanh.com
Head of School
a.polito@gsaanh.com
Head of School

With degrees in Chemistry from Boston College and one in Educational Administration from UMass, Mr. Polito began his career as a Chemistry teacher. He taught for ten years at Marian High School in Framingham, MA. During the last five years there, he also served at the Head of the Science Department. During his time at UMass, he was named a Distinguished Scholar of the University. While at Boston College, he play baseball in his freshmen and sophomore years.
Mr. Polito then moved to Catholic Memorial High School in the West Roxbury section of Boston, MA. There he served as Assistant Principal for one year and as Principal for ten years. During that time he served as the New England Regional Associate of the National Catholic Education Association.
After leaving Catholic Memorial, Mr. Polito began his public school career of over twenty years in MA. He served as the Principal of Bellingham High School for four years, as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Peabody, MA and in the Narragansett Regional School District in Templeton, MA for five years. Mr. Polito retired from the MA public schools after serving as the Superintendent of Schools of the Athol-Royalston Regional School District in Athol for almost twelve years.
Mr. Polito also taught for seventeen years as a Professor of Education at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. He taught graduate courses to students interested in pursuing a career as a principal in both public and private schools. He recently retired from that position but occasionally directs workshops for those aspiring to the principalship.
Mr. Polito then moved to Catholic Memorial High School in the West Roxbury section of Boston, MA. There he served as Assistant Principal for one year and as Principal for ten years. During that time he served as the New England Regional Associate of the National Catholic Education Association.
After leaving Catholic Memorial, Mr. Polito began his public school career of over twenty years in MA. He served as the Principal of Bellingham High School for four years, as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Peabody, MA and in the Narragansett Regional School District in Templeton, MA for five years. Mr. Polito retired from the MA public schools after serving as the Superintendent of Schools of the Athol-Royalston Regional School District in Athol for almost twelve years.
Mr. Polito also taught for seventeen years as a Professor of Education at Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. He taught graduate courses to students interested in pursuing a career as a principal in both public and private schools. He recently retired from that position but occasionally directs workshops for those aspiring to the principalship.
Chrissy Caron
c.caron@gsaanh.com
Assistant Head of School/Guidance Counselor
c.caron@gsaanh.com
Assistant Head of School/Guidance Counselor

Mrs. Caron received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in counseling from the University of New Hampshire. She has been a member of the NHSCA(New Hampshire School Counselors Association) since 2001.
After graduating from college she worked in Barrington at the Middle School and at Dover High School as the liaison for Barrington students. She also worked extensively with students in the alternative program. Mrs. Caron also coached their Middle School girls basketball team and started the girls lacrosse program in Barrington. She worked in the Middle School as the Guidance Counselor for their multi-age classrooms.
After many years in Barrington she moved on to Hampton Academy in Hampton, NH. Mrs Caron worked there as a guidance counselor for 8 years. She was in charge of 504’s, individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance programs and much more. She also coached their softball team while she was there.
Mrs. Caron left Hampton Academy after having her second child and decided to stay home with her kids for 5 years. Along with 2 beautiful children, she has 2 dogs, 3 cats and 2 fish. In her spare time enjoys wakeboarding, downhill skiing, hiking and spending time at her families cottage in Maine.
Mrs. Caron came to GSAA in their second year and has been here since as their Guidance counselor. As of 2018-19 school year Mrs. Caron has assumed both the guidance counselor and assistant head of school roles.
After graduating from college she worked in Barrington at the Middle School and at Dover High School as the liaison for Barrington students. She also worked extensively with students in the alternative program. Mrs. Caron also coached their Middle School girls basketball team and started the girls lacrosse program in Barrington. She worked in the Middle School as the Guidance Counselor for their multi-age classrooms.
After many years in Barrington she moved on to Hampton Academy in Hampton, NH. Mrs Caron worked there as a guidance counselor for 8 years. She was in charge of 504’s, individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance programs and much more. She also coached their softball team while she was there.
Mrs. Caron left Hampton Academy after having her second child and decided to stay home with her kids for 5 years. Along with 2 beautiful children, she has 2 dogs, 3 cats and 2 fish. In her spare time enjoys wakeboarding, downhill skiing, hiking and spending time at her families cottage in Maine.
Mrs. Caron came to GSAA in their second year and has been here since as their Guidance counselor. As of 2018-19 school year Mrs. Caron has assumed both the guidance counselor and assistant head of school roles.
Deidre Smith
d.smith@gsaanh.com
IEP/504 Coordinator
d.smith@gsaanh.com
IEP/504 Coordinator

Deidre has held many roles in education. She started as an assistant in a multiage classroom in 1998 where her passion for teaching began. Deidre is a parent of a child with a learning disability, a classroom teacher, and a special educator. She is excited to be a part of a school that matches her beliefs on how to build and grow a student’s gifts and talents whether it is performing, creating, or an academic talent. Deidre believes every child has a gift and it is our job as teachers to create an environment where every student has the opportunity to explore and develop those gifts.
Deidre utilizes her student's strengths and talents to enhance their learning by creating new ways of presenting material so students are engaged in their learning.
Deidre utilizes her student's strengths and talents to enhance their learning by creating new ways of presenting material so students are engaged in their learning.

Renia Friend
r.friend@gsaanh.com
Executive Administrator, Social Media and Web Design
Mrs. Friend has over 10 years experience in graphic design. Her career began working for a marketing company and magazine/newspaper in her hometown. Renia sold advertising and developed public relations with local business owner. She built the ad copies and layout for the weekly paper and magazine. Renia developed her skills in Photoshop while working closely with the editor and owner of the company. Renia later began creating logos and marketing materials for a t-shirt company in New Hampshire, restaurant menus in Florida and custom branded wearables for entrepreneurs all over the United States. She has over 10 years experience in web design having built several websites for businesses in New Hampshire, Florida and Connecticut.
Renia also owned a photography business in Okeechobee, Florida, where she started photographing race cars at a local dirt track, and later expanded to include weddings, sporting events, still life for commercial use and family portraits before falling in love with nature photography. Her deep love for the arts and artistic expression is reflected in her photographs, capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments through an artistic eye. She believes that allowing for creative time throughout the day can help shape one's ability for self expression.
Renia has a deep love for what Granite State Arts Academy offers not only to the community, but for her own son who graduated from the school in 2018. She is excited to be a part of helping others express themselves and grow through their mutual love of the arts.
r.friend@gsaanh.com
Executive Administrator, Social Media and Web Design
Mrs. Friend has over 10 years experience in graphic design. Her career began working for a marketing company and magazine/newspaper in her hometown. Renia sold advertising and developed public relations with local business owner. She built the ad copies and layout for the weekly paper and magazine. Renia developed her skills in Photoshop while working closely with the editor and owner of the company. Renia later began creating logos and marketing materials for a t-shirt company in New Hampshire, restaurant menus in Florida and custom branded wearables for entrepreneurs all over the United States. She has over 10 years experience in web design having built several websites for businesses in New Hampshire, Florida and Connecticut.
Renia also owned a photography business in Okeechobee, Florida, where she started photographing race cars at a local dirt track, and later expanded to include weddings, sporting events, still life for commercial use and family portraits before falling in love with nature photography. Her deep love for the arts and artistic expression is reflected in her photographs, capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments through an artistic eye. She believes that allowing for creative time throughout the day can help shape one's ability for self expression.
Renia has a deep love for what Granite State Arts Academy offers not only to the community, but for her own son who graduated from the school in 2018. She is excited to be a part of helping others express themselves and grow through their mutual love of the arts.
Front Office
Michelle Barrow
m.barrow@gsaanh.com
attendance@gsaanh.com
m.barrow@gsaanh.com
attendance@gsaanh.com

Michelle grew up in Hudson, NH where she attended grade school before moving to Merrimack, NH where she graduated High School. Michelle was a Girl Scout leader for 10 years, grade 1-10, and a youth group leader for middle school aged children for 2 years.
Michelle was in charge of Yearbook development for Smyth Rd School in Manchester, NH for 3 years where she was in charge of photography and layout design. Michelle has had a few different job experiences over the years, as a lunch and recess monitor, Hallmark associate, crossing guard and the front desk at GSAA from 10/2015 to 6/2018. Michelle also worked as a Title Clerk for Toyota for 6 years but overall spent 10 years in the automotive industry before becoming a stay at home mom in 1999.
Michelle married her husband Steve in 1993 and they will be celebrating 26 years in May. Michelle has 2 children, a son who is attending DePaul University in Chicago for Business and Marketing and her daughter who graduated from Granite State Arts Academy in 2018.Michelle has always been active in the classroom as a parent volunteer starting in 1999 when her son entered 1st grade.
Michelle currently lives in Nashua, NH as a part time nanny where she enjoys motorcycle riding with her husband and summer days at the beach!
Michelle was in charge of Yearbook development for Smyth Rd School in Manchester, NH for 3 years where she was in charge of photography and layout design. Michelle has had a few different job experiences over the years, as a lunch and recess monitor, Hallmark associate, crossing guard and the front desk at GSAA from 10/2015 to 6/2018. Michelle also worked as a Title Clerk for Toyota for 6 years but overall spent 10 years in the automotive industry before becoming a stay at home mom in 1999.
Michelle married her husband Steve in 1993 and they will be celebrating 26 years in May. Michelle has 2 children, a son who is attending DePaul University in Chicago for Business and Marketing and her daughter who graduated from Granite State Arts Academy in 2018.Michelle has always been active in the classroom as a parent volunteer starting in 1999 when her son entered 1st grade.
Michelle currently lives in Nashua, NH as a part time nanny where she enjoys motorcycle riding with her husband and summer days at the beach!