Meet Our New Faculty and Staff

A new school year brings new faces, new ideas, and new energy to campus.

As Falmouth Academy begins the 2026–2027 school year, we're delighted to welcome several new faculty and staff members to the Mariner community, and to see returning colleagues step into new roles.

Together, they bring experience from independent schools, higher education, clinical practice, scientific research, athletics, and the arts.

Steve Lisk joins Falmouth Academy with more than three decades of experience in independent school education, including 14 years as Head of Lancaster Country Day School in Pennsylvania. Most recently, he served as Interim Head at The O’Neal School in North Carolina and, prior to that, The Shipley School in Pennsylvania.

Steve earned his M.A. in History from North Carolina State University and his B.A. in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He also holds certificates from the National Association of Independent Schools and Duke University.

Kara Ashley joins FA from Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she served as Director of Enrollment. In her new role at Falmouth Academy, Kara will lead enrollment management while also helping advance strategic initiatives across the school.

Kara is working towards her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University. She also has a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a master's degree in education from Lesley University.

Michael Polebaum joins FA after more than a decade at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham. Most recently Director of Assembly Programming, Michael's roles at Nobles also included History Core Leader, history teacher, EXCEL trip leader, advisor and mentor.

Michael earned his master's degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and his B.A. in Political Science from Middlebury College.

For Helen Malinowski, joining the FA community is also a homecoming: she is a Falmouth Academy alumna.

Helen brings extensive experience as a clinical director, program director, and founder of a community-focused group practice. A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, she earned her Master of Social Work from Boston University.

As Director of Counseling and Student Well-Being, Helen will support the social and emotional well-being of FA students while working closely with families, faculty, and staff.

Liz Vollinger joins FA after seven years at Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, where she most recently served as Senior Associate Director of Enrollment. During her time there, she held several roles across enrollment and admissions, served as a member of the residential faculty, and directed theater productions.

That combination of enrollment experience and direct involvement in student life gives Liz a particularly valuable perspective as she introduces prospective students and families to the Falmouth Academy experience.

A familiar face is joining the science department full time this year. Katrina Malakhoff served as a long-term substitute at FA last year and now joins the faculty permanently.

Before coming to Falmouth Academy, Katrina worked as a Graduate Student Researcher with the Santa Barbara Coastal Long-Term Ecological Research Project. She holds a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Nicky Miller joins FA as our new Strings Instructor. She comes to us from Washashore Music on the Lower Cape, where she teaches private lessons to musicians ranging from age 5 through adulthood.

Before returning to music education, Nicky worked at the Seaside School in St. Augustine, Florida. She earned her B.S. in Communication Disorders from the University of New Hampshire.

Tim Seston joined Falmouth Academy last year as a member of the science faculty and takes on two new leadership roles this year as Athletic Director and FA Summer Camp Director.

While he is stepping away from the science department, students will still see Tim in the classroom, where he will teach two electives.

From the classroom and playing fields to counseling, enrollment, and school leadership, each of these educators brings something different to Falmouth Academy. We're excited for our students and families to get to know them — and for the experience, enthusiasm, and ideas they'll bring to our community this year.

Welcome to FA!