This fall, Groton welcomes several new and returning faculty members to the Circle. Each brings their own set of experiences and enthusiasm to their respective subjects.
Wayne Bainter joins Groton’s Science Department, where he will teach Second Form Science and Third Form Life Sciences. After graduating, Mr. Bainter worked at Boston Children’s Hospital studying mechanisms of immunodeficiencies while simultaneously earning a master’s degree in Immunology from Harvard Medical School. He later joined a biotech startup, helping create a first-in-class cell therapy to treat Hemophilia B, among other diseases. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelsey, their son, Atlas, and their dogs, Kaya and Lily. He is also an avid runner, gym-goer, and nature enthusiast, with a special interest in bird watching and tree identification. He has completed three ultramarathons, including a 50-mile race.
Erik Chaput comes to Groton’s History Department with 20 years of teaching experience, including 15 years at boarding schools. He holds a doctorate in Early American History from Syracuse University, has published several books, and co-created the Dorr Rebellion Project by Providence College, where he also holds an academic appointment. Dr. Chaput will teach Modern Global History. He looks forward to working with basketball in the winter and track and field in the spring while also engaging in Groton’s religious life. He joins the Circle with his wife, Katie, and their four children. An avid hiker, runner, and paddleboarder, he also counts spy novels, especially Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series, among his favorite hobbies.
Ryan Tripp joins the Science Department to teach Physics, beginning with Advanced Physics: Mechanics this fall. Originally from the Bay Area, Mr. Tripp earned his degree in Energy Engineering from Dartmouth this past June, where he was a varsity rower and captain for two years. He also served as a teaching assistant, camp counselor, and leader at Dartmouth’s Outing Club, particularly in hiking and backcountry skiing. He loves the outdoors, enjoying trail running, skiing, cycling, hiking, and climbing, and he looks forward to contributing to Groton’s crew program, sustainability effort, and possibly robotics.
Katie Chaput returns to Groton’s English Department, where she began her teaching career as an intern in 2009. Since then, she has worked in several schools, most recently in Ohio, but the “beauty of this community and the hard-working people” has drawn her back. She is excited to foster in her students the love of stories while also honing their writing skills. Outside of teaching, she and her family enjoy creek walks, crayfish catching, kickball, and pickleball. A runner and former cross-country/track and field coach, Mrs. Chaput is eager to be involved in those programs. Her family owns a dog, Bandit, whose name, coincidentally, matches that of the character from Bluey, despite never having seen the show.
Olivia Hall joins Groton’s Math Department to teach AP Calculus AB and Algebra 2 with Trigonometry. A Boston native, Ms. Hall attended Windsor School. In addition, she spent her junior year doing a language program in Zaragoza, Spain. She recently graduated from Bates College with a double major in Mathematics and Hispanic Studies and a minor in History. At Groton, she looks forward to sharing her love of math in the classroom while also joining the coaching staff for field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Outside of teaching, she enjoys cycling, tennis, baking, and spending time outdoors. A fun fact: when she was younger, Ms. Hall tap danced in Boston’s Urban Nutcracker for five years.
Ryan O’Donnell has been part of the Groton community since 2012 and joined the College Counseling Office as office manager in 2015. She previously worked in health-care administration at Boston Children’s Hospital and in collegiate athletics. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, she holds both a Sport Management degree and an MBA, and during graduate school served as a student affairs assistant. At Groton, she is most excited about working with students one-on-one with college counseling as well as affiliating with a Third Form dorm. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her two daughters and serving as her youngest daughter’s Girl Scout troop leader.
Olivia Golini joins Groton as a biology teaching fellow. She graduated from Boston University in 202 with a degree in marine sciences, where she was also a goalkeeper and captain of the field hockey team. She later earned her master’s degree from the University of Nottingham in England. Before coming to Groton, she worked as a North Pacific Fisheries Observer for NOAA in Alaska, serving as the onboard marine biologist on commercial fishing boats. At Groton, she is eager to share her passion for science as well as coaching girls varsity field hockey. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling, running, and exploring the outdoors. A fun fact: she has no sense of smell, something that proved helpful while working on fish boats.
Susan Daniells became Groton’s director of development and alumni affairs in April 2025. She has 22 years of experience in advancement at institutions including Connecticut College, Yale University, and Vassar College. She is especially excited about the chance to connect with students, families, alumni, and faculty. Ms. Daniells, her husband Todd, their son Chase, and their dogs Hayes and Piper enjoy the outdoors, whether walking on campus or camping on Sebago Lake in Maine.
Jeremy Smith joins Groton’s Science Department as a physics teacher, where he is teaching two sections of Electricity and Magnetism. Graduated from Union College, Dr. Smith earned both a master’s degree and a PhD in Nuclear Physics at the University of Connecticut, researching radioactive isotopes at national laboratories in Illinois and Michigan. He later returned to Union as a visiting professor before coming to Groton. Originally from Milford, MA, he and his wife, Rachel, are joining the Circle with their daughters, Riley and Josephine, and their cat, Sylvester. In his free time, Dr. Smith has a musical background as a conductor of his college pep band and as a performer on trumpet, trombone, and baritone.
