Tara is a graduate of Guilford College with an A.B. in integrative studies (religious studies, East Asian studies) and minor in visual art. During and after college, she spent several years in Japan, studying abroad and working in a school, and returned to the U.S. to complete a M.A. at Stanford in East Asian studies with a focus in Japanese literature and art history. Before admissions, Tara’s work in education included multimedia curriculum development, classroom teaching, museum programming, and raising three kids. While a parent of a young family, Tara did freelance design work for non-profits, designed and co-wrote a book, and served as a board member, a communications consultant, and an admissions ambassador for several area independent schools. Tara lives in Watertown, MA, with her family and is happiest outside–hiking in the mountains, watching the sunrise, or sitting on a rock. 

 

Melisa has worked in admissions for progressive colleges and high schools since 2001. She holds a BA in creative arts, educational psychology, and identity development from Hampshire College. While at Hampshire, she designed and implemented curricula for creative arts programs to engage at-risk youth. She earned her M.Ed. from Harvard's Graduate School of Education, with a focus in adolescent identity development and adult leadership development. Her thesis explored the role of social media platforms in identity development. Through her work in college admissions, Melisa came to know CSW as a progressive school with an extraordinary community and curriculum that fostered both positive identity development and a unique level of intellectual engagement--so she was delighted to be able to join the admissions office and residential life program in 2007. She lives on campus with her husband and two children, who love having so many dorm siblings. Outside of playing board games and watching terrible tv shows with the students in her dorm, Melisa enjoys photography, family game nights, finding and creating beautiful things, and getting lost in nature or a good book.

 

David has worked in admissions, advancement, and secondary school counseling at Boston area independent schools since 2002. He reports being drawn to CSW by the especially strong sense of community and the individuals—students and adults alike—who bring their passion, creativity, and empathy to everything they pursue. David is the product of a boarding school and views that experience as one of the most formative in his educational journey. After graduating from St. Mark's School (MA), he returned to his home state of Maine to attend Bowdoin College where he earned an A.B. in biochemistry and a minor in mathematics. David lives in Maynard with his spouse and their one child, and they enjoy sports, time at the beach in the summer, and showering their 9-pound rescue pup "Echo" with affection.

 

Bobby Savino has been a part of the CSW community since 2014 when he started as an assistant coach on the varsity basketball team. Since then, he has coached boys' basketball, girls' tennis, and served as the school's rental coordinator. Bobby earned a B.S. from Ithaca College and M.A. from Ohio University. In the fall of 2019, Bobby joined the school's admissions team as an assistant director of admissions. He is also the head coach of the Boys' Varsity Basketball team. Prior to his time in the admissions office, Bobby has worked in youth recreational sport, running kids programming, AAU basketball programs, and summer camps. He also served as an assistant coach for the Cornell University Women's Basketball team in 2016/17. 

Working in admissions has been a wonderful experience for Bobby. After being involved in different areas of the school for five years, he has developed a passion and love for the CSW students, faculty, and community. He enjoys getting to know prospective families throughout the application process and being able to develop relationships with local schools and their students. He remains connected to the athletic side of the school by coordinating external rentals, coaching basketball, and running the cswathletics Instagram page. Outside of his work, Bobby loves to play golf and basketball. He is also an avid bass fisherman and has a strong affinity for Liverpool FC.