Friday Feature: New faces of Thayer

To get to know our new faculty and staff a little better, we asked them to answer a few general questions about themselves. 

Today, we learn more about:

• Assistant Head of School for Academics Peter Brooks
• Penn Teaching Fellow and Upper School English Faculty Abigail Offei-Addo
• Director for the Karen & Ted Koskores Gallery and Artist-in-Residence Program Brynn Wartman P '30
• Upper School Chinese Faculty Nai-I Finney
   

Meet Peter Brooks

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: New England Clam Chowder
Favorite book: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Stephen Hawking

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?

The “Best Friends” you have in life don’t need you to call them everyday. They just need you to pick up the phone at any hour of the day — 10, 20, or 30 years after graduation — and listen to all that they’ve been going through. And they will do the same for you!

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

Waking up early to make my family breakfast, watching my son and my daughter play sports, heading to the beach to swim in the ocean and explore the coast, and wrapping up the day with a family barbecue and s’mores by the firepit after dark.

Meet Abigail Offei-Addo

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: Peanut soup (a Ghanaian dish)
Favorite book: Litany for the Long Moment by Mary-Kim Arnold (though I have several other favorites)
Favorite movie: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

I would invite Olaudah Equiano. I would love to know if he fabricated his story of enslavement and if so, why.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Ask questions of your questions.

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?

I wish I’d known that sleep is a blessing. 

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

My idea of the perfect day is watching a soccer game with friends while drinking a hot cup of tea. Then, drawing or writing for a bit before taking an afternoon nap.

Meet Brynn Wartman P '30

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

All my “favorites” usually take me back to Italy, where I spent a year studying abroad in college. My favorite food is risotto and practically any type of authentic pasta dish — simple and fresh is best! My new favorite book is Still Life by Sarah Winman, and my favorite movies are A Room with a View and Cinema Paradiso.

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

I would love to have dinner in the Casa Azul with the fiery and feisty painter Frida Kahlo.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

Just be kind to everyone. I have my parents to thank for that important lesson. 

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school? 

High school can be such a safe space to explore one’s many different facets. I wish I had stretched my wings a bit further and explored a few pursuits that would have pushed me out of my comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to try all the things!

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

My perfect day would start peacefully with some yoga, meditation, and a really good cappuccino. If it’s a city mood, I’d take the family to a museum or gallery, and if we needed some nature therapy, we’d find our way to the ocean or the forest. The day would end with good food shared with even better company. Peppermint tea and The Great British Baking Show to cap it all off. Always.

Meet Nai-I Finney

In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie? 

Favorite food: Tofu Pudding 豆花
Favorite book: Talking to Strangers by Malcom Galdwell
Favorite movie: Frozen

If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be? 

Wu Zetian 武則天，the first and only female emperor in Chinese history.

What’s the best advice you ever received? 

“Learn English and computer” from my Dad.

What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school? 

Do at least one sport. The entrance exam is important for college, but having a sport can benefit your whole life.

What’s your idea of the perfect day? 

Jogging around Jamaica Pond in the morning, napping in the afternoon, cooking in the evening, and spending time with my family in between these activities.