Upper School Chemistry and Neuropsychology Teacher Zoë Stublarec recently announced her departure from the School after the 2024-2025 school year.
Known as “Ms. Z” to her students and colleagues, Stublarec joined the community in 2021, teaching classes in biology, chemistry, and neuropsychology.
Stublarec always knew she would eventually return to her home state of Connecticut, but she first wanted to “go explore somewhere else.”
“I’ve been here for four years, and it was a tough decision, but ultimately I decided that it was time to go back and be with my family, and my fiancée and I are getting married this summer, so it just seemed like the natural time for us to go home,” Stublarec said.
Stublarec established close relationships with many of her students, who consider her a teacher, mentor, and friend.
Kaylee Rivera ’25, who took biology, chemistry, and neuropsychology with Stublarec, said she greatly enjoyed the classes and is now working as Stublarec’s Teacher’s Assistant for her senior project.
“She really makes class fun,” Rivera said. “From a teaching perspective, I can see that the kids have a lot of fun in her class. She explains herself very well, kind of in a mannerism that kids talk in, so the kids understand her better.”
Rivera also learned more about Stublarec’s teaching after working with her more through the TA process.
“She’s doing so much behind the scenes that students don’t really see,” Rivera said. “She works from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every single day, non-stop. She’s very on top of everything and she cares a lot for her students.”
Brooks Neufeld ’26, who is currently taking junior year Chemistry, has also enjoyed Stublarec’s teaching.
“The class is very hands-on,” Neufeld said. “There’s a lot of slide shows and labs and worksheets, but like while you’re doing the work, she’s there to help you and answer your questions.”
Outside of the classroom, Stublarec coaches the Varsity Girls Soccer team in the fall, and Varsity Ultimate Frisbee in the spring.
Neufeld, a player on the Ultimate Frisbee Team, speaks about getting to know Stublarec in a non-academic setting.
“She has a good understanding of the sport,” Neufeld said. “She’s so different outside of the classroom, and she’s really competitive.”
Rivera and Neufeld agree that Stublarec focuses on forming deep connections with her students, both inside and outside of the classroom.
Stublarec is sad to leave the School, but Winterim and other school events have left her with everlasting memories.
“When it came to this year and we went on Italy [for Winterim]…that was probably one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. It was just incredible. The activities we did, the people that went, that was an experience that I truly will not forget,” Stublarec said.
Stublarec will be succeeded by New York City Science Teacher Benjamin DiNardo, who has more than 20 years of experience at The Birch Wathen Lenox School. DiNardo holds a B.S. in Education from Kent State University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of New England.
“We will miss her so much, and we wish her the best of luck for her new position at Choate,” Rivera said.
