Lynne Palmer
Director of Admission and External Affairs

I arrived at Brewster in the summer of 1987. Wolfeboro was not a stranger to me as I spent time here during previous summers, and the connection was strong. I have had many different roles within this community, but always kept an active foot in the Admission Office. This is where the connection starts with our families, and I really enjoy the opportunity to be a part of that new relationship. Our visitors walk away with a strong sense of who we are and what makes Brewster a school that embodies integrity -- more than 90% of those visitors make application yearly!

I am now a parent of two Brewster students – still hard to accept! Now, I can better exemplify the value of Brewster with personal experiences and a reality that authenticates the worth. My son, TJ and daughter, Jess are very different young people in many ways, and their own experiences are unique. The common thread is that each day is about them as an individual learner with different passions and different qualities already known within our community. My husband, TJ, teaches AP and US History and coaches boys’ soccer and girls’ softball. We live on campus with our third child, Brady and dog, Sully. As we start our 20th year at Brewster, we are thankful every day for the quality of life we have here and the great accountability to make a difference.

Looking forward to welcoming you!

Jason Smith
Associate Director of Admission

It has been twelve years since I left the Midwest to become a New Englander. My husband spent many years of his childhood attending a camp near Brewster’s campus and always wanted to live in the area. I was ready for an adventure and decided to move east. Having earned my M. ED at John Carroll University and teaching 5th grade for four years at a private girls school, I moved to the North Shore of Boston. I spent three years working at a K-8 school prior to moving to Wolfeboro and teaching 6th grade at a public school near by. Since I wasn’t ready to teach at the high school level, I joined the Brewster Community in 1999 in the admission office. I have continued my work in education by ensuring students find the “right match”. Education is truly a gift we are given and I hope all students discover the joy in learning and come to understand, “we learn not just for school but for life”.

My family and I are fortunate to be part of this wonderful community. Now I know why my husband wanted to root himself here in Wolfeboro. You will know what I mean when you come and visit our campus. The location is outstanding with so many things to do in this area and Brewster has a way of allowing students to find the right balance between academics and other opportunities.

Having attended a private all girls school and then teaching in private and public schools both single sex and coed, I feel I have truly come to understand the unique qualities for various types of education and schools. Providing a student with a variety of choices is important during the search process and helps them begin to understand what is important to them. My hope for all students is to find a school that helps build character, self-confidence and a passion for life long learning.

My husband Byron and I live in Vaughan House on campus with our son Christopher (6) and Katherine (3). We both graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. in Psychology. Byron is a senior team leader and an instructional support teacher. He also enjoys advising the recreational golf program in the fall and fishing club all during the year. I enjoy the outdoors as well while hiking, biking and playing with my kids.

I began my career at Brewster in the Admission Office four years ago, after having lived and raised a family in Wolfeboro for nearly twenty years. Being involved in education was always in the back of my mind, so when presented with the opportunity for a career change, I jumped at the chance. Having a degree in education and being involved in children’s lives through sports and other activities, the transition was easy. The opportunity to spend each day with great people, in a working environment that is committed to the success and well being of a family of wonderful young people is a job that has become a dream come true! I only regret that I waited so long to find the gem that is Brewster in my own back yard. I look forward to many more years at Brewster and the continued challenge to make Brewster Academy a special place in the lives of GREAT kids!!

Allie Cooper
Assistant Director of Admission

I grew up in a rural college town at the foothills of the Adirondack’s. At the age of 16, I decided that I wanted to challenge myself academically and athletically and start a new chapter in my book; boarding school. I had watched my older brother go off to boarding school when I was just 12 years old and knew that someday my time would come! It was hard leaving my family and friends at such a young age, but looking back on it, boarding school was the best thing that happened to me. Going away to school helped mold me into the person that I am today and has given me a deep appreciation for the benefits of a private school education.

My school provided me with everything and more that I was looking for; a challenging learning environment, new friends, first-rate teachers, excellent sports and lots of opportunities for me to try new things. I was allowed to excel in every area, and as a result, I was able to attend a prestigious undergraduate college, Renssalear Polytechnic Institute. I received a BS in Business Management and a Minor in Sports Psychology as well as played nationally ranked college hockey in the elite ECAC league.

Since graduating from boarding school, my family had moved to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire where my father started a new job as Head of School at Brewster Academy. I loved visiting them, as I would get nostalgic about my fond boarding school memories. Education was always a part of my life as my father worked at a University for years and my mother was an art teacher. I also knew that I wanted to coach in order to give back all the years that were given to me as an athlete. I took an internship at Governor Dummer Academy for a year in the admissions office where I was a coach for soccer, hockey and lacrosse as well as a dorm parent in an upper-class dorm. That year allowed me to get my foot in the door and gain some experience in the profession. Two years later, I am residing at Brewster working in the Admission office, living in a dorm and coaching. I am looking forward to meeting families from all over the globe to share with them all the great things here at Brewster and my personal experience with boarding schools.

I began my Brewster experience in 1970 when my husband Tim taught Biology for a teacher on sabbatical. When the year was up, we left the school, but not Wolfeboro. In 1986 our son Mark was beginning his freshman year here and I began my job in the Admission Office. Two years later, our daughter Kate began her freshman year, Tim joined the faculty again, and we all moved on campus to live in Harris House, which was just built. Twenty years later…we are still here and I am still in Admissions.

When I began working in this office there were only three of us, the Director, Associate Director and myself. We had no computers (only a memory typewriter), no fax machine, copier, voicemail, stamp machine, or printer. Imagine! Things certainly have evolved, there are now seven of us in the office and my title went from "Secretary" to "Admission Coordinator" to "Administrative Associate to the Director of Admission".

As well as working in the Admission Office, I have also been "Mom" for the Harris House Dorm for the past twenty years, helping my husband parent teenage boys while they are away from home. My husband is the official dorm parent; I pick up the slack with food, advice, laundry and just being available.

I came to Brewster in December 2002 as a temp, not really looking for a permanent position. Within a week I was offered the position of Admissions Office Coordinator which basically means I answer the phones, greet our visitors, schedule interviews and match up tour guides with prospective families. Now almost four years later, I can’t imagine spending my days anywhere else.

If I had to choose which one of my duties here was the most exciting, I would have to say welcoming new families to Brewster Academy. I enjoy meeting the people I talk with on the phone, so hurry up and call, I am waiting to talk with you.