The Worldwide Leader in Summer Enrichment
For more than 30 years, EXPLO has been a worldwide leader known for academic programs that are engaging, fun, and inspiring. Here’s how we do it.
Through the years, more than 50,000 students have experienced a summer of inquiry, investigation, adventure, and exploration at one of our innovative academic enrichment programs.
Emergency Doctor
Dr. Christian Arbelaez is currently the Assistant Residency Director of the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program and the Associate Director of the Office for Multicultural Careers at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Dr. Arbelaez has participated in several domestic and international volunteer relief efforts, including Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief with the American Red Cross, Gallup Indian Medical Center in the Navajo Nation with the Indian Health Service, and most recently in St. Marc’s, Haiti, with the organization Partners in Health. He is currently involved in the development of Emergency Medicine as a specialty in his native country of Colombia. He has been awarded the Dennis Thomson Leadership Award, the James Adams Leadership Award, and the Best Teacher Award in Emergency Medicine at the BWH.
Head of Program
David Torcoletti began his career at Northfield Mount Hermon School (NMH) where he taught photography, lived in a dormitory, and coached. He went on to become a House Director, Campus Dean, and eventually, School Dean. David then moved to Milton Academy where he was a teacher and Dean of Students. In addition to leading EXPLO at St. Mark’s, David consults and advises independent schools and presents at professional conferences on student life issues. David is a summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University and earned his M.F.A. at Bard College as a Milton Avery Scholar. Each Summer, David moves to the St. Mark's campus as the Head of Program, bringing with him his family and two dogs, Sophie and Kirby.
Dean of Students
Tim Watson graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Government and Legal Studies and a minor in Education. During his time at Bowdoin, Tim played football and intramural softball, student taught fifth grade at the Longfellow School in Brunswick, and studied Political Science for a semester in Florence, Italy. Currently, Tim works year round as the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management at EXPLO and chairs an alumni interviewing committee at Bowdoin College. He returns to EXPLO at St. Mark’s this summer as the Dean of Students.
Director of Curriculum
Becky Craig Fleps is a teacher and curriculum consultant for Imagine Environmental Charter School. At Imagine, Becky develops curriculum and coaches a dozen teachers on curriculum implementation. Last year, she was a Heinz Environmental Teacher Fellow where she coached 22 teachers in science curriculum design and implementation. While a member of Teach for America in St. Louis, she was named runner-up for “Teacher of the Year” two years in a row at her school. Becky graduated from Carleton College with a degree in psychology, and earned her masters in elementary education at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Becky has served as both an instructor and a curriculum advisor at EXPLO, and this summer will be the Director of Curriculum.
Manager, Focus Programs
Bre McKenna holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College with a major in Spanish and a minor in Psychology. She began her educational career in an unconventional way — teaching employees about retirement plan options — and from there has served as an instructor and teaching fellow throughout New England. Bre spent five years at the Governor’s Academy in Byfield where she taught Spanish, lived in the dorms, and coached cross-country in addition to serving as the Freshman Dean and the Director of Student Activities. After spending two summers as the EXPLO at St. Mark’s Dean of Students, Bre now works with EXPLO in the Norwood office year-round as the Manager of New Programs.
Focus Program Coordinator
Adam Van Der Sluis is an admission officer for Macalester College. He travels extensively on behalf of the College, interviews prospective students, and participates in the admissions committee selection process. Adam is a graduate of Macalester College where he studied applied mathematics. As an undergraduate he was active in the college’s residential life programs, serving as an RA for two years and shaping policy as a member of the Student-Staff Advisory Board. He has been an instructor and a Residence Director, and this summer will be the Assisant Dean of the Focus Programs and Main Campus.
