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 questions about themselves.
Today, we learn more about:
- Upper School Math & Computer Science Faculty Leeanne Dillman
- Middle School IDEA Faculty, Middle School Arts Faculty, and Middle School Choral Director Nicolette Mingels
- Equipment Manger Tyler Watters
- Digital Marketing Director Noreen Dougherty
Meet Leeanne Dillman
In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie?
Favorite food: Poutine
Favorite book: the Harry Potter series
Favorite movie: Rush Hour
If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be?
I would invite Teddy Roosevelt to dinner. I find him to be a fascinating historical figure and he grew up in my hometown.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Find something to be grateful for every single day.
What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?
Honestly, I just wish I was involved in more activities when I was in high school so I could see what interested me and what brought me joy.
What’s your idea of the perfect day?
My perfect day consists of many naps, pickleball, and board games with friends.
Meet Nicolette Mingels
In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie?
Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese
Favorite book: whatever I’m currently reading with my book club
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be?
Ella Fitzgerald! She’s a legend in the world of music and particularly in the vocal and jazz realms.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
“On the days you only have 40%, and you give 40%, you gave 100%.” It helped me contextualize the fact that each day looks different, and all you can ever do is your best.
Ever since I heard this quote I have put so much less unnecessary pressure on myself.
What do you know now that you wished you’d known in middle school?
I wish I would have known that some of the things that made me feel different or like an outsider when I was in middle school, are now some of my favorite things about myself. I wish I could have assured my younger self that those aspects of my personality would lead me to connect with amazing groups of people when I got older.
What’s your idea of the perfect day?
A perfect day for me would be spent on the beach with a friend swimming and reading a really exciting thriller or mystery book.
Meet Tyler Watters
In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie?
Favorite food: pesto pasta
Favorite book: Grit by Angela Duckworth
Favorite movie: Home Alone
If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be?
King Tut of Ancient Egypt.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
My college track coach once told me, “if you wait until you’re ready to do something, you will be waiting the rest of your life.”
What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?
I wish I had known that comparing myself to others was a waste of my time and energy, it only distracted me from my own journey and growth.
What’s your idea of the perfect day?
My idea of a perfect day includes: a sit down breakfast, a round of golf, and watching a full day of football with friends, family, or my dogs.
Meet Noreen Dougherty
Editor's note: Noreen officially joined Thayer last year, but had not yet been featured. Welcome, Noreen!
In order, what’s your favorite food, favorite book, and favorite movie?
Favorite food: Chips and queso dip
Favorite book: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
Favorite movie: Top Gun: Maverick. My husband and I watch it at least once a month!
If you could invite one historical figure to dinner, who would it be?
Pat Summitt
What’s the best advice you ever received?
"How someone else treats you isn't a reflection of you, it's a reflection of them."
What do you know now that you wished you’d known in high school?
Stretch every day!
What’s your idea of the perfect day?
My three-year-old would sleep until 7 a.m. (woohoo!). After getting ready for the day, my husband, daughter, and I would head to a cute coffee shop for breakfast pastries and pour-over coffee. Then we would take a walk to the park so our daughter could play on the playground before heading to the beach to hang out for the rest of the day.