Staff at the New School
Toddler
Sibyl Seachrist, Teacher
Education:
A.B. in Studio Art from Franklin and Marshall College
Certifications:
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program 3-6 & 6-9 Training (Montessori based)
Montessori Toddler/Infant Training (CMTE/NY)
Experience:
New School Administrative Assistant - Front Desk 1998
New School Assistant Director of Extended Care
New School Primary Assistant Teacher 2004-June 2007
New School Extended Care Director August 2007- present
New School Toddler Teacher Intern August 2010 - May 2011
New School Toddler Teacher August 2011 -
Katie O’Donnell Forrester, Assistant Toddler Teacher
Education:
BS Elementary Educ. from Millersville University
Training:
Labor Doula training
Certifications:
Elementary & Early Childhood TeachingCredential - PA
Experience:
New School of Lancaster - Extended Care Coordinator 1994-1997
School District of Lancaster - Kindergarten and First Grade Teacher 1997-2001
Sandhurst Co-Op Preschool, Seattle, WA Pre-three Teacher 2005-2006
Hempfield School District - Kindergarten Teacher 2008-2010
New School of Lancaster - Assistant Toddler Teacher 2011-present
Primary
Susan Weed, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education/Special Education from Wittenberg University
Master’s Degree in Special Education from Arcadia University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6 Training
Certification in Elementary/Special Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Nursery/Kindergarten - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Teacher 1992 - 1994
New School Primary Teacher 1998 - present
New School Summer Camp Teacher - several years
Primary Liaison - 2 years
Becky France, Assistant Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Messiah College
Certifications:
Certification in Early Childhood - PA
Experience:
New School Toddler Assistant Teacher 2008 - 2011
New School Primary Assistant Teacher 2011 -
Mary Marzolf, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Art Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6 Training
Certification in Art Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Art/Nursery/Kindergarten - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Teacher 1990 - present
Primary Liaison - 1 year
New School Summer Camp Teacher - several years
Jacqueline Houser, Assistant Teacher
Experience:
Home Daycare - 10 years
Teacher Assistant - Kinder-Care in Lancaster
New School Primary Assistant 2008 - present
Meghan McLane, Teacher
Education:
B.A in Elementary Education & Early Childhood from Millersville University
Master’s Degree in Education
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6
Certification in Early Childhood/Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Nursery/Kindergarten - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Teacher 1996 - present
Primary Liaison 2009 - 2011
Eileen Sperry, Assistant Teacher
Training:
Montessori Assistant Training at The New School
Experience:
New School Primary Assistant 1998 - present
Extended Care - several years
New School Summer Camp Assistant/Teacher - several years
Melissa Leanza, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6
Certification in Early Childhood/Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Early Childhood/Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Teacher 1990 - present
Primary Librarian
Primary Liaison - 1 year, 2011 - present
Diane LaBarre, Assistant Teacher
Training:
Montessori Assistant Training at The New School
Experience:
New School Assistant Teacher 2001 - present
Extended Care - several years
Cher Breneisen, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education & Early Childhood from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6
Certification in Early Childhood/Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Early Childhood/Elem. Educ. - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Assistant Teacher 1990 - 1991
New School Primary Teacher 1991 - present
Maggie Stoler, Assistant Teacher
Training:
Montessori Assistant training at The New School
Experience:
New School Primary Assistant Teacher 1995 - present
Extended Care - several years
Katie Bostdorf, Teacher
Education:
B.S. In Elementary Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Primary Assistant 1998-2000
New School Primary Teacher 2000 - present
New School Summer Camp Teacher - several years
Jeanine Garella Standish, Assistant Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Geography from Millersville University
M.A. in Geography from University of Montana
Certifications:
Montessori Assistant Training -AMI
Montessori Assistant Training at The New School
Experience:
New School Assistant Teacher 2002 - present
New School Gym Teacher, grades 2-8 2003 - present
New School Summer Camp Teacher - several years
Early Elementary
Andrea Carty, Co-Teacher
Education:
BS in Psychology from Kenyon College
Masters in Education from Temple University
Certifications:
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education Pa
Experience:
New School Substitute Teacher
New School Extended Care Assistant
New School Elementary Librarian, part-time 2011 - present
New School Early Elementary Co-Teacher 2011 - present
Maura Maksel, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Ed from Providence College in Rhode Island
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education -PA
Experience:
New School Early Elementary Teacher 2007 - present
Liz Krantz, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Upper Elementary Teacher 1996 - 1998
New School Early Elementary Teacher 2006 - present
Elementary Liaison 2010 - present
Catherine Miller, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Central State University in Ohio
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Early Elementary Teacher 1994 - present
Jean Hill, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Early Elementary Teacher 2003 - present
Sandra Strother, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Business and Education from University of Central Oklahoma
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Early Childhood - PA
Private Academic Certification in Nursery/Kindergarten/Elementary - PA
Experience:
New School Substitute Teacher - several years
New School Early Elementary Teacher 2003 - present
Robin Altdoerffer, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education from Colorado Woman’s College
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School substitute teacher 1994-1998
New School Early Elementary Teacher 1998 - present
Upper Elementary
Amanda Spencer, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Art Education from Moore College of Art
Master’s of Education, Guidance & Counseling (K-5) from Virgina Commonwealth University
Certifications:
Certification in Art Education/Elementary School Counseling - PA
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Montessori Training 9-12 in progress (CMTE)
Experience:
Elementary Guidance Counselor K-3 Governor Mifflin School District 1988 - 1995
New School Upper Elementary Teacher 2000-2004 & 2009 - present
Gloria Patterson, Teacher
Education:
B.S. in Elementary Education/Reading Specialists from Temple University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 9-12
Certification in K-6/Special Education - PA
Experience:
New School Substitute Teacher & long term Substitute in Upper Elementary 2002 - 2006
New School Upper Elementary Teacher 2006 - present
Jill Neuman, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Sociology from Grinnell College
Master’s Degree in Education from Colorado College
Certifications:
Certified Elementary School Teacher K-6 PA
Montessori Training 9-12 in progress (CMTE)
Experience:
Teacher for Grades 3-6 Horizons Alternative K-8 Public School, Boulder, CO
Substitute Teacher, Lancaster Cooperative School 2007 - 2009
New School Upper Elementary Teacher 2009 - present
Karen Serianni Backenstose, Teacher
Education:
B.S. Elementary Education/Early Childhood from Millersville University
Master’s Degree in Early Childhod Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 9-12
Certification in Early Childhood/K-6 - PA
Experience:
New School Upper Elementary Teacher 2005 - present
Elementary Liaison 2008 - 2010
Middle School
Sue Dodge, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Biology & Public Policy Analysis from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Education from Saint Joseph’s University
Certifications:
Certification in Biology 7-12 - PA
Experience:
Science Teacher, The Branson School 1996-1998
Instructional Technology Specialist, Chapel Hill – Carrboro City Schools 1998-2002
New School Middle School Science Teacher 2008 - present
Steve Carlson, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Religion from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota
Teaching Certificate K-8 from University of Montana
Certifications:
Montessori Training 9-12 in progress
Certification in K-8 - Montana
Private Academic Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
English Teacher in Japan - 5 years
New School Middle School Teacher 2002 - present
Leah Bacon, Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Russian Studies from Yale University
Post graduate studies in Elementary Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Training 9-12 in progress
Certification in K-6/Early Childhood - PA
Experience:
New School Middle School Teacher 2004 - present
Educational Specialists
Dani Retallack, Education Support Teacher
Education:
BS from Millersville University
Masters of Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Reading Specialist
Experience:
Sacred Heart - 3 years
Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 - 37 years
The New School of Lancaster - 2010 - present
Jamie Nace, Music Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Music Education from Millersville University
Coursework completed Master’s Degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College
Certifications:
Certification in Music - PA
Experience:
Reading School District Music Teacher - 8 years
New School Music Teacher Afternoon Primary classes, 4th - 8th grade 2008-present
Joy Ide, Music Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Education, PA certified in Music
Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto - piano performance diploma
Americna Guild of Organists - organ performance diploma
Experience:
New School Music Teacher - grades 1-3, 1997 - present
Jenny Miller Brown, Spanish Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Spanish from Millersville University
Master’s Degree in Latin American Literature from Penn State University
Experience:
New School Spanish Teacher - grades Kindergarten through eighth 2007 - present
Gwen Eberly, Art Teacher
Education:
B.A. from Eastern Mennonite University - Liberal Arts & Art Minor
Experience:
New School Art Teacher, grades 1-8 1996 - present
Kristie Nies, Educational Support Teacher
Education:
B.A. in Elementary Education from Millersville University
Master’s Degree in Special Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6-9
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Early Elementary Teacher 1994 - 2006
Elementary Liaison - 2 years
New School Educational Support Teacher 2006 - present
New School Gym Teacher, First Grade
Administrative
Mary Cae Williams, Head of School
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
B.A. in Religious Studies from Franklin & Marshall College
Master’s Degree in Education from Millersville University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 6 - 9
Montessori Certification in 9 - 12
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Experience:
New School Teacher - Early Elementary and Upper Elementary 1990 - 2003
Head of School 2003 - present
Janet Townsend, Assistant Head of School
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
B.A. in Sociology from San Diego State University
Post Graduate Studies in Elementary Education, K-8 from San Diego State University
Certifications:
Montessori Certification in 3-6
Certification in Elementary Education - PA
Private Academic Certification in Nursery/Kindergarten/Elementary - PA
Experience:
Primary Liaison - 1 year
New School Summer Camp Coordinator & Teacher - several years
New School Primary Teacher 1994 - June 2010
Assistant to Head of School 2006 - June 2010
Assistant Head of School July 2010 - present
Phyllis Heller, Business Director
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
Associate Degree in Business
Experience:
New School Accounting Assistant 2001 - 2008
Business Director 2008 - present
Stacey Freedman, Admissions Director
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
B.S. in Business Administration from Millersville University
Experience:
Fulton Bank - Human Resource Department
New School Admissions Director August, 2010 - present
Cynthia Charles-Eder, Development Director
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from West Virginia University
Experience:
Promotion Coordinator, Marketing/Education Director & Public Relations Director
for two non profits, a music academy, and a ballet school - 9 years
New School Marketing & Development Director September, 2008 - present
Sibyl Seachrist, Extended Care Director
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Education:
A.B. in Studio Art from Franklin and Marshall College
Certifications:
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program 3-6 & 6-9 Training (Montessori based)
Montessori Toddler/Infant Training in progress (CMTE/NY)
Experience:
New School Administrative Assistant - Front Desk 1998
New School Assistant Director of Extended Care
New School Primary Assistant Teacher 2004-June 2007
New School Extended Care Director August 2007- present
New School Toddler Teacher Intern August 2010 - May 2011
New School Toddler Teacher August 2011 -
Cindy Achille, Accounting Assistant
Education:
B.A. in Accounting from University of Pittsburgh
Certifications:
Emergency Teaching Certification through IU13
Experience:
Barnett Bank of Lee Co. Florida - Payroll/Benefits Administrator - 8 years
Lampeter-Strasburg School District - Substitute Teacher - 9 years
Trout, Ebersole & Groff, CPA - tax preparer - 4 years
New School Accounting Assistant - February 2011 - present
Jane Pokorney, Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
Education:
BA in Psychology from Arcadia University
Masters in Education & Speech Pathology from University of Virginia
Experience:
Speech & Language Therapist with Lancaster Lebanon IU 13
Head Start - Deaf and Hard of hearing Services
The New School of Lancaster - substitute 2009-2011
Administrative Assistant - 2011- present
Linda Porter, Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
Education:
B.A. in Liberal Arts from Cazenovia College
Experience:
Assistant to Director of Admissions at University of Rochester
New School Administrative Assistant 2001 - present
