Board of Education Members

Sarah Ethier

Vice Chairperson

Sarah is a lifelong resident of Thomaston and a proud graduate of Thomaston High School. Deeply committed to her community, she has served on the Thomaston Board of Education since 2019, working to support students, families, and educators while strengthening local schools. Sarah has dedicated her career to education and student support. She currently works as a Behavior Intervention Specialist with Bristol Public Schools, where she partners with students, staff, and families to create positive, supportive learning environments and implement effective behavior strategies. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Southern Connecticut State University. Sarah is currently completing supervision hours to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam, further demonstrating her commitment to professional growth and excellence in the field of applied behavior analysis. Through her professional work and community service, Sarah remains dedicated to advocating for students and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.

Marissa McGee 

Treasurer

Marissa is the Vice President and Senior Operations Officer at Thomaston Savings Bank, where she oversees Deposit Operations, Loan Operations, Direct Banking, and the Contact Center. With more than 20 years at the Bank, Marissa began her career as a part-time teller in the THS school-to-career program and has grown into a respected operational leader known for her problem-solving skills and commitment to continuous improvement. A Thomaston native and Thomaston High School graduate, Marissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and Technology from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Business Administration from Post University. In 2023, she was honored as a New Leader in Banking by the Connecticut Bankers Association. Marissa is deeply involved in her community, serving as Treasurer of the Salvation Army Litchfield Hills Service Unit and as a member of the EdAdvance Head Start Policy Council. A mother of two, she brings a strong operational background, local perspective, and dedication to student success to her work in public service.

Tanya Galpin

Secretary

Larry Duffany

Larry is a life-long resident and is a 1983 graduate of Thomaston High School. He currently serves as a department chair at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol and as an adjunct at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven. Mr. Duffany brings the board nearly 30 years of teaching, building administration and central office administration, with experience in policy and human resources in addition to his classroom experience. Mr. Duffany also serves the town through Thomaston Volunteer Ambulance and Thomaston's Memorial Day Committee. 

Roxy Fainer

Cara Files

Cara Files is a lifelong resident of Thomaston and a graduate of Thomaston High School. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator in the Waterbury and Hartford Public School systems. Her professional background includes teaching art and interdisciplinary curriculum, hosting aspiring teachers as a cooperating teacher for several state universities, mentoring beginning teachers through the TEAM program, and leading curriculum design that integrates creativity and technology. In 2023, she was recognized as Duggan Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year.

Cara holds a bachelor’s degree in Art Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Computer Science Instruction, and a master’s degree in Holistic Thinking. She also holds national credentials as a Google Certified Educator and an ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Certified Educator.

Anthony Kepler

Anthony currently serves as the Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Bridgeport School of Nursing. As a 30-year resident of Thomaston, and having 3 children having attended the Thomaston schools, Anthony has chosen to bring his professional academic acumen to the Thomaston schools to support our students in the pursuit of STEM-based success. 

Amy Sedgwick

Amy holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Education from Western Connecticut State University and is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and VT. She is also an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AADC), a Certified Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) for the Department of Transportation (DOT), and holds a specialty certification in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR.) Amy is a member of EMDRIA and can be found in the EMDRIA Therapist Directory.

With decades of experience in the field of addiction and co-occurring disorders, Amy has worked across all levels of care, including detox, residential treatment, outpatient services, partial hospitalization and in-home family therapy. She has worked with treatment centers throughout New England and is a trusted provider for first responders and medical professionals seeking support and clinical intervention.

Amy is recognized as a dynamic trainer and industry leader. She has delivered in-service trainings and conference presentations on evidence-based practices, regulatory compliance, and emerging trends in addiction recovery. Her audiences include organizations, school systems, and behavioral health professionals. Amy consults for Organizations across New England seeking support around program growth and development. 

As the owner of a private practice in Thomaston, Amy is deeply connected to her community. She is an active member of the Thomaston Community Coalition (TCC), working to provide education, resources, and advocacy to strengthen local families in her community. Amy joined the Thomaston Board of Education in 2025 hoping to be a voice for youth struggling with mental health issues. Amy’s goals include ensuring every child is seen and heard while being provided with strong academic opportunities.