
Alaina Buse
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
Alaina Buse holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Spanish and French from Georgetown University. She’s also studied Italian and Latin. Alaina previously taught Spanish and the interdisciplinary course World Perspectives in the Upper School World Languages and Cultures Department at Bryn Mawr, as well as Spanish at John’s Episcopal School. She is currently a Masters Candidate in the Intercultural Communication Program at UMBC with a concentration in Spanish Studies.

Kate Brendler
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
Kate Brendler has worked at Bryn Mawr’s Baltimore, Maryland campus for 20 years as a Middle School science teacher. She has also served as Director of Summer Enrichment programs, as well as a coach for tennis, squash, and badminton. Brendler previously taught at The Agnes Irwin School and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Mount Holyoke College and an MA in instructional systems design and technology from Penn State University.

Jeanette Budzik
Director of Service Learning
Jeanette Budzik has served in a variety of roles at Bryn Mawr’s Baltimore campus for the last 35 years, including as Dean of Students, Interim Upper School Directory, Leadership Programming Coordinator, advisor, teacher and coach. She brings a deep understanding of Upper School students and strong experience with the Upper School’s curriculum and community. As Director of Service learning, Ms. Budzik guides students as they become committed and involved in their communities, organizations

Dr. Kathryn Barrett-Gaines
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
In addition to teaching history for Bryn Mawr Online, Dr. Kathryn Barrett-Gaines is a tenured professor of African history and African American history at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she teaches courses in various aspects of the histories of people of African descent, as well as Swahili language. She earned a Ph.D. in African History and African American History and the Comparative History of Race from Stanford University, holds an M.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Duke University, and an M.A. in African American Studies from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She won a competitive Fulbright award to live and research in Uganda, where she was also a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, and has published two books on Ugandan history.

Justin Curtis
Bryn Mawr Online School Director and Faculty Member
Justin Curtis is the Senior Director of Academic and Strategic Initiatives and Director of Bryn Mawr Online. He previously served as Director of Technology and Computer Science Department Chair at The Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, MD. He previously served as an educational technology consultant. At Bryn Mawr, Justin has managed the development and expansion of the school’s innovation labs and Makerspaces, launched and overseen Bryn Mawr’s Summer Session program, managed the 1:1 iPad and laptop program, worked towards developing a K-12 computer science curriculum. Justin holds a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and Visual Communication from Stevenson University and an M.S. in Information Systems and Technology from The Johns Hopkins University.

Frank Ecker
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member and Program Designer
Frank Ecker joined the Bryn Mawr faculty in 2015. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design and Duquesne University, Mr. Ecker holds an M.S. in Education in Secondary Mathematics. Before becoming a math teacher, he held a variety of fascinating jobs including processing semiconductors in the Micro-Photolithography Department at Sandia Labs in New Mexico and working as a location scout for movies. In addition to teaching geometry, calculus and statistics at Bryn Mawr’s Baltimore campus, Mr. Ecker served as the assistant golf coach and mentored Bryn Mawr’s FTC Robotics teams.

Dr. Mallory Pladus
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member and Program Coordinator
Mallory Pladus earned her PhD in English, along with a Certificate in Teaching and Learning, from Rice University in 2021. She holds two MA degrees in English, from Rice and from Wake Forest University, and a BA in English from NYU. Mallory specializes in literature published in the U.S. after 1945 and has taught a variety of English and writing courses, ranging from American literature surveys to a writing-intensive seminar about highly shoplifted books. In addition to teaching for BMOS, Mallory serves as a consultant for a university Writing Center, where she works with undergraduate and graduate students and conducts workshops on academic writing.

Erin Tschantret
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member and Program Coordinator
Wellness and Community Programming

Erin Tschantret
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member and Program Coordinator
A Yogi, Shamanic Healer and Reiki Master, Erin explores many paths to vitality and health. She has been teaching yoga and meditation for more than decade and has over 700 hours of certifications (200 HR & 300 HR Charm City Yoga; 200 HR YogaWorks). With a BFA in Dance from Ohio State University and years working as a fitness instructor, she is comfortable using all movement as a means of expression and as a path to our best selves. Her approach to Wellness embodies “Cura Personalis” – care for the entire person in body, mind, and spirit. With the Community Programming aspect, Erin creates memorable BMOS traditions and experiences for students and faculty that will indelibly imprint their hearts and minds.

Todd Twining
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member Music/After School Activities

Todd Twining
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
Todd Harrison Twining is Music Faculty at The Bryn Mawr School and Director of our Music School lessons program. A veteran music teacher, Todd enjoys teaching students of all ages. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Music Performance from Liberty University. He has completed post-graduate work in music at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He is entering his 12th year at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, MD.

Christine Valenti
Bryn Mawr Online School Faculty Member
Christine Valenti has more than 25 years of teaching experience at Montgomery County Public Schools, in Rockville, Maryland. She holds B.As in history and social studies secondary education from the University of Maryland, College Park and a master’s degree in in education from Bowie State University. Additionally, she’s done graduate work through the University of Colorado, Boulder in language teaching with technology and is currently certified by the Maryland State Department of Education to teach French and History for grades 5-12. She enjoys running and swimming in her spare time.