History
Karen Johnson - History/Department Head
BA University of Rhode Island
Mrs. Johnson teaches Psychology I and II, Western Civilization, and Youth and Law.
William Tyson Edmonds - Social Studies
BA, Social Science, St. Johns University
In addition to teaching World History Mr. Edmonds heads the Recycling Club, and coaches the boys' Cross Country Team.
MaryAnn Houlihan - English/History
BA, Salve Regina University
Ms. Houlihan has been at Prout for nine years and currently teaches U.S. and Modern U.S. History. Ms. Houlihan was the senior class advisor for the Class of 2006. A member of the Newport Democratic Committee, a mental health volunteer, and a recipient of the Boys Club of Newport community service award. Ms. Houlihan enjoys playing tennis, reading, skiing, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Michael LaBarbera
BOS, University of Rhode Island
RI Teaching Certificate
RI Coaching Certificate
In addition to teaching U.S. History and Global Studies at Prout, Mr. LaBarbera is also moderator of the Mock Trial team. A former professional baseball player with the Montreal Expos, Mr. LaBarbera coaches the boys' varsity baseball and boys' junior varsity soccer teams.
Michael McFarland
B.A. History, Burlington College
M.A. Liberal Arts, St. John's College
Mr. McFarland comes to Prout after teaching in public and private schools in Florida and Vermont. He has experience teaching a wide variety of Social Studies and English courses and will be teaching AP US History, World History, Economics and Creative Writing. In the past summers he has studied at the Florida Holocaust Museum and participated in a NEH seminar on Islamic history at the University of Michigan. A native of Michigan, he enjoys the outdoors and reading.
Thomas E. Keefe
BA, History/Comparative Theology, Saint Joseph’s University
MA, Diplomacy/International relations, Norwich University
Mr. Keefe was born in Wakefield and raised in nearby Peace Dale, RI. After attending Msgr. Clarke Grammar School and Bishop Hendricken High School, Mr. Keefe attended Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. While at SJU, Mr. Keefe earned the Lyndon Baines Johnson Award for Congressional Internships and worked at the U.S. House of Representatives. Mr. Keefe completed his degree in both History and Comparative Theology, then matriculated at Miami University in Ohio where he studied secondary education in social studies. Returning to New England, Mr. Keefe taught English, religion, and history at Espiritu Santo School in Fall River and completed his Master’s in Diplomacy at Norwich University in Vermont. His research focused on genocide, international war crimes and the effectiveness of sanctions.
In seven years at LaSalle Academy in Providence, Mr. Keefe taught scripture, world religions, history, psychology as well as an introduction to law and politics. In addition, Mr. Keefe successfully coached the debate and swim teams to the state and division championships respectfully. Mr. Keefe also facilitates summer educational workshops in social justice for Catholic teachers. Programs have included Border Economics and Human Dignity in El Paso-Juarez and Homelessness and Human Dignity in San Francisco, CA. He is a member of the national Regional Formation Board of the Christian Brothers Conference.