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Head of School
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Rose Hagan
Rose Hagan was appointed head of Friends Select School in July 1995.
Major projects completed during Rose’s tenure to date include completion of a successful capital campaign; a $2.5 million reconstruction of the school’s roof and the rooftop athletic surface; creation of a lower school library, lower school science room and an added middle school physics room and greenhouse; renovation of the kitchen and dining facilities; and installation of an elevator in the building. Under her leadership, the school established numerous new academic and co-curricular programs, including Mandarin Chinese, ESL, crew, and International Studies, among other initiatives.
In 1997, Rose began the Friends Select/Joseph Fox Bookshop Author Series in collaboration with Michael Fox. This series has brought more than 150 nationally celebrated writers to Friends Select, including Alice Walker, Al Gore, Anita Desai, Robert Caro, David Halberstam and Junot Diaz.
Rose was a founding member and is currently the treasurer of the Parkway Council Foundation, a group consisting of the leaders of the institutions lining the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. She has served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and is a former president of the PAIS Commission on Accreditation. Rose also is a member of the board of trustees of the Friends Council on Education (FCE), the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools (ADVIS), and is the vice president of the board of trustees at the Envision Peace Museum.
Rose brought extensive academic experience to Friends Select. She served for nine years as principal at Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans. From 1978 to 1987, she was dean of studies and assistant head of school at Mary Institute in St. Louis. Rose earned a bachelor of arts in English from Temple University and a master of arts in English from Southern Illinois University.
A Philadelphia native, Rose lives in the Logan Square neighborhood in Center City.
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Faculty and Staff Biographies
Rae Asbridge Rae, who is physical education department chair, aquatics director, and a teacher, joined the physical education department in 2002. Rae earned her undergraduate degree from James Madison University, where she was a scholarship athlete and captain of the women’s swim team. She later earned a master of arts degree in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama. She has taught physical education at several schools, most recently for three years in the Ballston Spa Central School District in New York State, where she coached swimming and diving. Rae also served as assistant coach for the men’s and women’s swimming teams at Union College.
Anita BaileyAnita is the assistant director of admission. She previously served as coordinator of student services in the College of Engineering at Temple University. Anita earned a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University. She joined the Friends Select staff in 1996.
Top Laura BelletBefore being named manager of publications at Friends Select in 2004, Laura worked as an independent consultant for a wide range of clients, including banks, insurance companies, grocery chains, electric utilities and universities. She produced publications that ranged from brochures and newsletters, to annual reports and video scripts. She also coached University of Pennsylvania students on writing and presentation skills. Laura holds a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a master's in business administration from Drexel University. A New York native, she spent several years as a magazine editor with McCall’s and Ladies’ Home Journal. She is a member of the board of directors at Youth Service, Inc., a nonprofit social service agency, where she served as president of the board of directors from 2006 to 2009.
Craig Bierman
Craig joined Friends Select in 2004. After serving as the director of parent programs, he now is an assistant third grade teacher. A transplant from New York City, Craig previously worked as an account executive in the film and video industry. Before settling in Philadelphia, he switched gears and began working for a national nonprofit organization, where he coordinated workforce conferences and training workshops across the U.S.
Kellie BowkerKellie teaches prekindergarten and middle school chorus. She came to Friends Select School in 2006, after having taught at Lansdowne Friends. Kellie has a degree in music history from Temple University, and has taught music for many years, most recently as assistant music director at Chester Children's Chorus. She has two daughters, Kayla and Kiara. The family spends its free time biking, baking and playing with their two dogs.
Jim Brubaker Jim teaches physics, astronomy, electronics and computer science in the upper school. He also is the school's director of technology. Jim earned a bachelor's degree at Messiah College and a master's degree at Temple University. He joined the faculty in 1981. Wendy Buckingham
Wendy Buckingham teaches English in upper school and is the English department chair at Friends Select. She also serves as the grade 10 dean and yearbook advisor. Wendy originally came to the school in 1992 as upper school librarian. Before that she taught at the Miquon School in Whitemarsh. Wendy earned a bachelor's degree from Barnard College and master's degrees from Bryn Mawr College and Drexel University. All three of her daughters graduated from Friends Select, one in 1996 and two in 2000. Wendy also works as a textile artist, selling and exhibiting quilts and wearable art.
Jan Burns
Jan is assistant to the head of school, Rose Hagan. Before coming to Friends Select in 2008, Jan was manager at Joseph Fox Bookshop in Center City. She holds a bachelor's degree from University of Pennsylvania. Top Paula CairoPaula is the lower school librarian. She has taught at Friends Select since 1985. Paula has a master's degree in English from Temple University. She has done postgraduate study at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College in Vermont, and also at Temple University. A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area, Paula lives in Ambler, Pa. Kendall CameronKendall, who joined Friends Select in 2004, is both assistant director of upper school and upper school dean. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Denison University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Pepperdine University. Before coming to Friends Select, Kendall held a variety of teaching and administrative posts at Brentwood School in Los Angeles, including middle school director, science teacher, varsity soccer coach and grade dean. Kendall grew up in Asbury Park, N.J., and spent her summers on the Chesapeake Bay in Md. She enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, her two greyhounds, Fig and Clackers, and her cats. Kendall also likes to cook, play the guitar, and volunteer at West Nottingham Academy and Equality Forum.
Dan Capecchi
Dan leads the middle- and upper school percussion ensembles at Friends Select and also teaches middle school music and Latin. A percussionist, composer, and teacher, Dan lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two children. Dan earned his bachelor's degree at Macalester College and his master's degree at University of the Arts. Dan has been a member of Pete Robbin's Centric, Minas, Jeff Baumeister Quartet, and Shot X Shot, whose 2006 debut on High Two was hailed as "representing a meaningful step forward in jazz's evolution" by WNUR in Chicago, and was listed as one of the best debut albums in 2006 by Village Voice. Dan has been at the school since 2004.
Patrick Cassidy
Patrick teaches math in the middle school and is a grade 7 advisor. He holds a bachelor's degree from University of Notre Dame.
Sherry ClaypoolSherry is the director of upper school admission and admission programs. Sherry has had many roles since she joined Friends Select in 1981. For many years, she served as the school nurse. She also has been director of major gifts, director of parent programs, and interim head of the upper school. She graduated from the Oil City School of Nursing and attended St. Joseph's University. In her spare time, Sherry enjoys restoring old houses and barns. All four of Sherry's children graduated from Friends Select: Chris '89, Stephanie '90, Alex '95, and Rebecca '97. Judith CleverJudy was named the director of continuing programs in 2003. Previously, she was a lower school assistant teacher at Friends Select. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Shippensburg University, studied French at the University of Grenoble and did master’s work at Temple University. Before joining the Friends Select faculty in 1998, Judy taught English at the Phil-Mont Christian Academy. Top Karen CohenKaren joined Friends Select in 2001 and currently teaches fifth grade. Previously, she taught for five years at the Hurlbutt Elementary School. Before entering the teaching profession, Karen spent a number of years working in health and human services. She earned a bachelor's degree from Boston University, a master of arts from Sacred Heart University and a master's in public health from Yale University. John Colgan-DavisJohn teaches humanities and history in the middle school and is a grade 7 advisor. A graduate of Antioch College, John has been a teacher at Friends Select since 1986. In a speech at Friends Select’s graduation ceremony in 1995, John was described by one of his former students as the teacher who "made history fun. It was plain to see that he was interested in what he was teaching, and that interest carried over to me." John has written extensively about African-American history, including several Black History Month supplements in the Philadelphia Inquirer. In his little spare time, John plays in the popular Philadelphia blues band, The Dukes of Destiny.
Elaine Criden
Elaine is an assistant teacher in the lower school.
Sara DeSabato
Sara DeSabato is an assistant teacher in the lower school. She has been at the school since 2008. She holds a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a master's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Arcadia University. Sara came to Friends Select from Germantown Friends School, where she was an assistant second grade teacher. She coaches swimming for the USA Swimming team at Friends Central Aquatics at Wynnewood. In her free time, she swims on a master's team and is in the process of writing her first young adult novel.
Top Dan DeslaurierDan is the lower school visual arts teacher. He has taught visual arts in both the Radnor and Lower Merion Township school districts, the Baldwin and Agnes Irwin Schools, and is a member of both the National and Pennsylvania Art Education Associations. Dan earned his Pennsylvania state certification and master's degree in teaching visual arts to children from University of the Arts. He also is a member of the Guild of American Papercutters.
Roger Dillow
Roger is the director of enrollment management. Before becoming to Friends Select as a director of admission in 2006, Roger had more than 30 years of experience as an independent school teacher, coach, administrator, and consultant. He also worked as a teacher/trainer in adult graduate and post-graduate human service programs, and as a mental health clinician (with a specialty in family therapy). Among the organizations with which Roger had previous affiliations: Independent School Management, Princeton Day School, The Peddie School, and Princeton Family Center for Education. Roger has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from The College of William and Mary and Syracuse University, respectively, and a master’s of social work from Rutgers University.
Jesse Dougherty
Jesse joined Friends Select as upper school director in June 2008. He was previously the head of the English department at The William Penn Charter School, as well as a lacrosse coach. Earlier in his career, he was on the faculty at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Potomac, Md., and the Gow School in Buffalo, N.Y. Jesse holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Kenyon College, where he was also a four-year varsity lacrosse player. He holds a master’s of philosophy in Ecumenical studies from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. He also holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from The University of Pennsylvania. Tina DoughertyAs art director, Tina oversees the graphic design of all schoolwide print and electronic materials. Before coming to Friends Select in 2001, she was the art director for Graphic News, Inc. for 13 years. She earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from University of the Arts and studied Web development at Berkeley. Heather FortuneHeather teaches general music in the lower, middle and upper school and conducts the middle and upper school orchestra and ensemble. She also coordinates the after school music lesson program and serves as a sixth grade advisor. Heather is a freelance flutist, performing with many area ensembles, including the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and her flute and harp duo, Bella. Before teaching at Friends Select in 2006, she taught in Philadelphia public schools as a teaching artist for the Philadelphia Orchestra. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in performance from Boston University School of Fine Arts.
Rufus Frazer
Rufus, who joined Friends Select in 2008, teaches physics in middle school and math in upper school. He holds two degrees: a bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and a master's degree from University of Colorado. Ellen Gershman
Ellen is the admission assistant for data management in the admission office at Friends Select, where she has been since 2003. A self-described "Microsoft wiz," Ellen worked 23 years in the insurance industry before coming to the school, where she jokes that she finally gets to use her Temple University bachelor of science degree in early education. A lifelong Philadelphian, Ellen is an avid Phillies fan.
Jenn GorzelanyJenn, upper school English teacher and grade 11 dean, joined Friends Select School in 2004. Jenn holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Hamilton College, and two master's degrees: the first in education at Harvard University, and a second in writing from Northeastern University’s Institute of Writing, Reading and Teaching. When off duty, Jenn enjoys writing, traveling and serving on the reunion and alumnae committees of Miss Porter’s School of Farmington, Conn.
Natan Gottesman
Natan joined Friends Select School in 2007, as the school's first full time psychologist. In this role, serving as an integral member of the guidance team, Natan is available to provide support and direction to individual students in all divisions of the school. He also works closely with teachers and administrators, as needed, on strategies for working on issues that may be of concern to a particular class, grade, division, or the entire school community. Natan has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Hunter College, and master's and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology and child development from the University of Minnesota. He has worked in a variety of school settings, most recently as the director of clinical services at Hill Top Preparatory School. Natan came to Friends Select from Jewish Employment and Vocational Services in Philadelphia, where he served three years as executive director of work and recovery programs. Coming to Friends Select represents a return to the work he loves best. Andrew GoutmanAndrew, who formerly worked in journalism and advertising sales, joined Friends Select School in 2001. Andy is the front receptionist and school information specialist. When not in school, he writes for trade association publications and is a summer DJ at WNJC-1360 AM radio in South Jersey, where his program, Happy Hour with Andy Goutman, can be heard Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. Lynda GreenwadeLynda, who teaches art, sculpture and metalsmithing in the upper school, also serves as director of cultural outreach and special programs. Lynda was head of the Friends Select art department from 1975 to 1980. She returned to Friends Select in 1997 after a 17-year hiatus. She is an experienced silversmith and jewelry maker whose work has been exhibited and sold in more than 20 galleries. Lynda earned a bachelor of fine arts and a master of fine arts from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University.
Sandy Guild
Sandy joined Friends Select as director of libraries and academic technology in September 2006. She formerly worked at The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, where she was a middle and upper school librarian for six years. She has served as an adjunct professor at Drexel University’s School of Library and Information Science, a lower and middle school librarian at United Friends School and a reference intern at Van Pelt Library of the University of Pennsylvania. Sandy earned bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature, both from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in library science from Drexel University.
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Celeste Hanlon Celeste, lower school assistant, came to the lower school in 2003. During the summer, Celeste teaches multimedia art to young children at Fleisher Memorial Art School. Her degrees include a master's of fine arts in sculpture from San Francisco Art Institute and a bachelor of fine arts from the Museum School of Fine Arts at Tufts University. Celeste also is the parent of Friends Select middle schooler Brendan.
Joe Hardy
Joe Hardy is the head's office and continuing programs assistant. Joe holds a bachelor's degree from Temple University.
Maureen Haurin
Maureen joined Friends Select in 2004. She is the middle and upper school librarian, a grade 6 advisor, and also teaches middle school research and technology. Maureen received a master’s degree in library science from Drexel University and a bachelor’s degree in English from Temple University. Her three sons all attend Friends Select.
Robin Hill
Robin drives a school bus at Friends Select. She has worked at the school since 2007. Robin enjoys spending time with her husband and four godchildren, and is very active in her church, Crusaders for Christ Evangelical Church. Dick Hoffman
Dick, a much-loved figure at Friends Select, has been at the school in one capacity or another since 1963. Currently he serves as a part-time archivist, a position created for him when he retired after 36 years of service. To prepare for his new role, he took the three-course sequence in archives and manuscripts in the graduate department of history at Temple University. Dick started out as a teacher of eighth and 11th grade history. Over the next four decades, he worked in a variety of administrative posts, including director of junior high, associate headmaster, and college counselor, while always teaching at least one class in history or social studies. In his off hours, Dick is bookkeeper for “All About Philadelphia Tours,” a business owned by his wife, Susan Kellogg. Dick is usually at the school on Mondays and Fridays. He is always on the lookout for school artifacts and memorabilia and would love to hear from alumni/ae.
Galen Horst-MartzGalen Horst-Martz joined Friends Select in 2002 as the community service coordinator and religious thought teacher. From 1990 to 2002, Galen was executive director of the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, managing three historical sites in Germantown. Prior to that, he taught religion and world history at Eastern Mennonite High School in Virginia. Galen earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Mennonite University and a master of arts in teaching from James Madison University. He has also been an NEH Summer Fellow at Princeton University in Islamic studies, and continues on boards of various peace and community service organizations. Yan Huang
Yan teaches Mandarin in the middle and upper school. Yan joined Friends Select in 2009. She holds a bachelor's degree from Shenzen Normal University, China. Brian Hueber
Brian teaches third grade. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Millersville University and a master's degree in elementary education from Holy Family University. He previously taught public school in Abington, Pa., Philadelphia, and Audubon, N.J. He also taught third and fourth grades for seven years at Haddonfield Friends School and Mullica Hill Friends School. Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Brian enjoys playing various sports including golf, kayaking, and frisbee. He is married, with two sons. Rosemarie JagieloRosemarie is the development office assistant. She joined Friends Select in 1985. Christine JeffersonChristine joined Friends Select as director of development in 2002. She has an extensive background in fund raising, most recently as director of development of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation. Christine has also worked for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the James A. Michener Art Museum. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College and currently serves on the board of the Greene Towne School. Top
Jesse Kennon
Jesse arrived at Friends Select in 2008 as a teacher of world languages. He teaches middle and upper school Spanish, and Italian in the upper school. Previously, he taught Spanish, Italian and German for seven years at St. Joseph's Preparatory School for Boys in Philadelphia. He completed a bachelor's degree in German at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and a master's degree at La Salle University. Before teaching, Jesse worked in admission and development at the University of Pennsylvania. He uses his frequent flyer miles to vacation at Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Zurich, Switzerland.
Terry KesselTerry is director of the middle school and chair of the religious thought department. She served as dean of middle school beginning in 1998 and, before that, was parent programs coordinator. She also student- and substitute-taught at the school. Terry earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College, a master of arts degree from the University of Hawaii, and a master of education from Beaver College. For a number of years, Terry worked at Women Organized Against Rape.
Bill Klose
Bill teaches physical education in lower, middle and upper school, and is the certified athletic trainer for all middle and upper school sports. Bill has a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from Temple University, and a master of science degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania. He is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist and a performance enhancement specialist, the latter through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Bill, who joined the school in 2006, is the parent of a Friends Select student. Fred KoganFred is the visual arts department chair and a grade 8 advisor. He teaches art in the lower and middle school. He came to Friends Select in 2001 as an assistant teacher in pre-kindergarten after two years as an assistant teacher at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York. Fred earned a bachelor's degree from Kent State University and completed a teacher certification program at Parsons School of Design/Bank Street College of Education.
Brian Kors
Brian has been at Friends Select since 2009. He teaches upper school history and is the school's international studies coordinator. He holds a bachelor's degree from Colgate University and earned a master's degree at Boston University.
Ariela is a lower school assistant teacher. She has a bachelor's degree from Hampshire College.
Paul is the drama director for middle and upper school plays. He has a bachelor's degree from Dalhousie University. He also is the outreach director at Curio Theatre, a theatre company based in West Philadelphia.
Mwazhuwa Kureto
Mwazhuwa is an assistant teacher in the lower school and assistant drama director for the middle and upper school plays. Top Betsy LamitinaBetsy is a fourth grade teacher who joined Friends Select in 2006. She previously taught at The University School of Nashville, where she worked as a fourth grade teacher for four years. Betsy earned her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Emory University and taught in the Atlanta area for seven years following graduation, including a year at The Friends School of Atlanta. She enjoys sailing in the summer off of Cape Cod with her family and loves to read during her free time.
Stuart LandStuart is the director of alumni/ae programs. Stuart joined Friends Select in 1981 as a third grade teacher. He served as director of admission from 1987 to 2006. Stuart earned a bachelor's degree from New York University and a master's in education from Harvard University. Robin LandisRobin, who teaches kindergarten, joined the lower school faculty at Friends Select in 2002. Robin earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Chestnut Hill College. She taught for three years at the Willow Hill Elementary School in the Abington School District and, prior to that, at the Springside School.
Rachel Lee Rachel is the school receptionist at Friends Select @ 1700. She has been at Friends Select for 20 years. Rachel also assists in the After School Program, where she used to lead arts and crafts activities. Rachel is a crafts artist, and the mother of Yetunde Pinckney '95, a four-time published author.
Sarah Lee
Sarah teaches first grade at Friends Select. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Pat Liczbinski Pat is the accounts administrator in the business office. Before joining Friends Select in 1997, she was an accounts payable assistant at Fishman & Tobin, Inc. Timothy LitzTim, the director of athletics, joined the school in 2001. He is a graduate of West Chester University with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a master's degree in athletic administration. Tim has previously coached both the middle school and varsity wrestling teams at Friends Select and currently coaches the varsity baseball team. Prior to Friends Select, Tim was the sports director for the West Chester YMCA. He also has served as the manager of the Hatfield Athletic Club.
Harry Lundy is a member of the maintenance department. Top Norka MaldonadoNorka joined Friends Select as a Spanish teacher in 2002. She has taught both Spanish and ESL at schools in Lima, Peru, and recently served as foreign language department chair at Nerinx Hall High School in St. Louis. Norka earned her undergraduate degree in Spanish and Women’s Studies from the University of Missouri, and her master’s in Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to upper school Spanish language and literature classes, Norka also teaches Spanish in the middle school. Tracy MatthewsTracy, director of college guidance and director of testing, joined Friends Select in July 2002. She earned an undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College, after which she worked for three years as an admissions officer at Princeton University. Tracy then returned to school, completing a master’s degree at Syracuse University. Following a stint with a public relations firm in Washington, D.C., Tracy returned to education (and to her alma mater), spending the next eight years as associate and senior associate dean of admissions and coordinator of students of color recruitment at Swarthmore. She is an avid knitter and mother of a student at Friends Select.
David Mayberry
David is a lower school assistant teacher. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Lehigh University.
Natalie Mayer
Natalie joined Friends Select School in 2007 as the upper school biology teacher. She is co-chair of the science department (with Bob McCarthy) and also serves as grade 9 dean. She earned her undergraduate degree at University of Pennsylvania and her medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine. Her work background includes teaching biology at Hewitt School in New York City, working at the White House, and working for Sesame Street Production. Besides teaching science, Natalie particularly enjoys yoga, road biking and oil painting.
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Amy McCann
Amy, who is the lower school learning specialist, joined Friends Select School in 2006 as a kindergarten teacher. She earned her bachelor's degree at Haverford College and holds a master's degree in multicultural education from Eastern University. Before coming to Friends Select, Amy taught kindergarten and fourth grade in the Philadelphia public school system. She enjoys spending time with her family and her pets, and likes to cook, run, sail, read and travel.
Bob is the lower school science teacher and serves as science department co-chair with Natalie Mayer. Bob earned his undergraduate degree at Drew University.
Alec McGovern
Alec is a lower school assistant teacher. He also teaches art to prekindergartners. Alec has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Rhode Island School of Design.
Jim Miller
Jim joined Friends Select in 2005. He teaches upper school English in the interdisciplinary sequence and is an advisor. Jim graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in English, and received a master’s degree in English language and literature from the State University of New York at Binghamton in 1994. He edited scholarly books and journals for several years, while teaching college writing courses and working on a college preparatory program for inner-city students in Washington, D.C. Before coming to Friends Select, he was a member of the English department for seven years at St. Paul’s School for Boys in Brooklandville, Md. Jim also is a mosaic artist who enjoys frisbee, hiking, biking, and playing with his young son.
Hal, who teachers fourth grade, joined Friends Select in 2008 as an assistant teacher in third grade. Before this, Hal worked in the school's After School program, also serving as a substitute teacher in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms. Before working full time at Friends Select, Hal taught English to Mexican immigrants in South Philadelphia, tutored K-12 students and served as academic coordinator and on-site director of the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program in Equatorial Guinea, West Africa. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from New York University and a master's degree in education at Temple University. Born in Mt. Airy, Hal now lives in Center City.
Katie, lower school assistant teacher, graduated with honors from Skidmore College in 2008 as an American studies major. She is an alumna of Friends Central, a fellow Quaker school, where she developed the math curriculum and taught math classes at the school's Summer Basketball, Reading and Math Clinic. During college, she volunteered with Project Lift, an after school program for at-risk elementary and middle school students.
Elizabeth started as a lower school assistant teacher at Friends Select in 2008. Currently she teaches third grade. Before coming here, worked in the Lower Moreland School District, where she was an instructional aide in a fourth grade classroom. A Temple University alumna with a degree in early childhood and elementary education, Liz also completed a post-certification program at Chestnut Hill College. She has served as head teacher of a pre-kindergarten class at The Malvern School, and has taught in first, third and fourth grade classrooms during her career.
Molly Mullahy
Molly is the director of parent programs. Molly joined Friends Select in 2002 after earning a bachelor's degree at Emerson College. Outside of work, Molly is a portrait artist, specializing in watercolors.
Dianna Newton
Dianna joined the Friends Select faculty in 1997 as a fifth grade teacher. Prior to that, she taught in the school's After School Program, served as the assistant director of the summer camp program, and was a teaching fellow at the Collegiate School in New York City. During her first eight years at the school, Dianna taught fifth and sixth grades and coached tennis in the middle and upper school. She currently teaches English to the 6th grade, American literature to the seventh grade, world literature to the eighth grade, and is an eighth grade advisor. She has also been responsible for bringing and organizing school-wide events like Poem in Your Pocket Day and fundraising projects for Darfur. In 2008, she was awarded a sabbatical to continue her research and graduate studies. More recently, Dianna has presented workshops on cross-curricular collaborations, differentiated instruction, middle-school writers and media literacy. This past summer, Dianna was a teacher coach at Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia where she trained, supervised and evaluated pre-service teachers; her work with Breakthrough also included creating a skills sequence for reading, writing and critical thinking for 7th, 8th and 9th graders which formed the basis of Breakthrough’s on-going curriculum development on the national level. Dianna earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Temple University, and she’s pursuing a master's degree in education at LaSalle University.
John is assistant supervisor of the maintenance department, and a bus driver (known affectionately as "Mr. J" by his young passengers) at the school. Before coming to Friends Select in 2005, John was assistant supervisor of maintenance services at Methodist Services, where he had previously served as a case aide. He worked as a cook for close to 20 years, first at Graduate Hospital and then at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. John holds a building maintenance certificate from Orleans Institute, where he graduated in 2002 as president of his class. In 2003, John served as the personal tour bus driver for South Philadelphia native Chubby Checkers (born Ernest Evans). John is married and has two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. He and his family live in Upper Darby.
Mike is the business manager at Friends Select. Mike earned a bachelor's degree at St. Joseph's University and a master's in business administration at Drexel University.
Linda PattersonLinda teaches first grade. She holds a bachelor's degree from Southern Connecticut State.
Molly PattersonMolly is Friends Select’s middle school and upper school learning specialist. Before arriving at Friends Select, she worked at The Academy of Notre Dame de Nauru and the Crefeld School in the same capacity. Molly also started The Learning Center at The Haverford School. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Colgate University and her master’s and doctorate in reading, writing and literacy at the University of Pennsylvania. Molly currently is an adjunct faculty member at Cabrini College in the education graduate program.
Amanda Pitt
Kindergarten teacher Amanda joined Friends Select in 2005. Before coming to Friends Select, Amanda worked with children as an assistant pre-school teacher at The Miquon School, camp counselor at Camp Dark Waters and, more recently, as a classroom volunteer in Linda Patterson’s first grade class at Friends Select. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from University of Pennsylvania.
Colleen Puckett
Colleen joined Friends Select in 2003 as director of marketing. Before working at Friends Select, she managed pharmaceutical promotions at GlaxoSmithKline, public relations programs for regional and national clients at several national healthcare advertising agencies, and media relations campaigns at Thomas Jefferson University. Active in her community, Colleen is past president of Queen Village Neighbors Association. She served on the Mayor’s Gaming Advisory Task Force in 2006 and was a board member of Philadelphia Forward from 2005-2009. Colleen holds a bachelor’s degree in labor studies from Penn State University.
Christa Quint
Christa has been a faculty member at Friends Select School since 1987. She currently teaches science in middle and upper school, and serves as a grade 7 advisor. In past years, she has served as middle school advisor and as the 7/8 teaching team leader. Christa currently coordinates the school’s Sustainability Committee. In that capacity, she participated in the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Leadership Institute for Sustainability and in Philadelphia Green City Teacher in 2006. Prior to joining Friends Select, Christa worked as a research assistant in biochemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Before moving to Philadelphia, she taught chemistry and biology in college preparatory schools in Germany. She holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry and biology from the Technical University Darmstadt and master's degrees in biology (Diplom-Biologin) and in biology and chemistry education from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany.
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Nancy Rafferty
Nancy joined Friends Select in 2008 as business office accountant. Before coming to Friends Select, Nancy was business manager at The Philadelphia School.
Stephen RawlsStephen has chaired the history department since 1999. He earned a bachelor of fine arts from Pratt Institute and a master of arts from St. John's College. Interested in cultural and intellectual history, Steve coordinates the interdisciplinary sequence (IDS) program in the upper school and advises the school literary magazine, the Cauldron. He enjoys reading and theater and regularly travels outside the U.S., including an NEH fellowship in Vienna and an extended study tour in China. Steve previously taught at Germantown Academy, the Shipley School, and Chestnut Hill Academy.
Penny Razler
Penny splits her time between the marketing and business offices in her role as an assistant. She also runs the student store, the Falcon's Nest. She joined the staff of Friends Select full time in 2000, after working part-time in a number of different capacities at the school. Her son, Anthony, is a 2006 graduate of Friends Select.
Ralph Reinwald
Ralph has been a dedicated member of the Friends Select School community since 1971. He earned a bachelor's of science degree in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh and an master's degree in mathematics from Villanova University. He has been chair of the math department since 1978. He is also a member of the foreign language department and in the past was a vital member of the history department. Ralph has taught a variety of courses over the years ranging from sixth grade basic math to advanced calculus and chaotic dynamic systems. Ralph is equally enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge regarding ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt with the school community. Finally, because of Ralph’s expertise, the study of Latin continues to be a mainstay in the curriculum. In addition to being a master teacher at Friends Select, Ralph was the business manager during 1976-1977 and the summer school coordinator from 1994-1997. In his spare time, Ralph teaches math at Villanova University, where he is an adjunct instructor.
Edward Rhee
Ed is dean of middle school. He also teaches Prima Lingua and conflict resolution. Ed has a bachelor’s degree in drama and English from Kenyon College and earned his master’s degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, specializing in school leadership. Ed came to Friends Select from the Chapin School in Princeton, N.J., where he taught English, coached soccer and basketball and served as a part-time administrator. He enjoys spending his free time traveling with his wife, Katie, and his rottweiler Vala ("singled out," Old German). Kate Rice
Kate joined Friends Select as an after school teacher in 2002. Currently a pre-kindergarten teacher, she also served as assistant kindergarten teacher from 2003 through November 2006. Kate holds a bachelor's degree in political science and art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which included a year of art history study in Florence, Italy. Top Deborah RickardsDebby came to Friends Select School as a student teacher in 1990. She assumed a full-time teaching position in 1992. Debby holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers College and master's degree in education from University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her work as a teacher, Debby worked in marketing and advertising in the banking industry. She serves on many committees within the school community, and is the lower school representative to the school's board of trustees. She has presented "Learning to be a Mentor" and "Parent, Child, Teacher Journals" at the Ethnography Forum at University of Pennsylvania. She also has mentored many beginning teachers from University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University. Debby's two sons are both Friends Select graduates.
George is a maintenance worker at the school.
James is a member of the maintenance staff.
Jessica teaches physical education. She earned her bachelor's degree at Temple University and a master's degree at Philadelphia Biblical University.
Michael is a member of the maintenance staff. A voracious reader, he is particularly keen on the work of mystery writer (and fellow-Philadelphian) Lisa Scottoline.
Top Amy SegelAmy is the assistant director of the lower school. She came to Friends Select in September 2006 after teaching at The Philadelphia School, and most recently, directing the program at The Big Backyard Nursery School. She has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and a master’s degree in education from University of Pennsylvania.
Sherry Shaeffer
Sherry is new to the school this year. She teaches 5th grade. Sherry earned her bachelor's degree from Chestnut Hill College.
Carolyn Shank
Carolyn teaches middle and upper school Latin and coaches cross country at Friends Select. She also coordinates the senior internship program. She graduated from Williams College in 2002 with highest honors in classics. She then spent two years in London, earning a master's degree in classics from King's College at University of London. She continued her education at UCLA, earning another master's degree in classics in 2006. Before coming to Friends Select in 2008, she taught Latin, ancient Greek, and Western Civilization at St. Andrew's School in Delaware.
Caroline SimeCarol teaches second grade. She earned a bachelor's degree from Hood College and a master's of fine arts from Montclair State University. She was a classroom volunteer at the Greenfield School in Philadelphia from 1991 to 1997, and has served as an education assistant at the Delaware Art Museum. She began teaching at Friends Select in 1997 as an assistant teacher. Carol is currently pursuing a graduate degree at St. Joseph’s University.
Ed Smiley
Ed is the maintenance supervisor at Friends Select.
Abbi Smith Abbi teaches math in the upper school and is the grade dean for 12th grade. A native of Alaska, she graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, with a B.S. in physics with mathematics minor. After her undergraduate work, Abbi served as a mathematics specialist with Project SEED, a national, non-profit mathematics organization that works to expose at-risk inner city students to higher-level mathematics. Abbi has been at the school since 2001. During her first two years at Friends Select, she attended graduate school at Drexel University, earning her M.Ed. in secondary education in June 2003. In addition to teaching, Abbi is the grade 11 dean.
Lynda M. StineLynda, a long-time Friends Select employee, is the lower and middle school secretary. She has been at Friends Select since 1968. Lynda went to Peirce Junior College and she enjoys needlepoint and church in her spare time. Prior to being the secretary for lower and middle schools, she was the secretary for the development office.
Richard teaches second grade at the school. He holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland. Before starting at Friends Select in 2008, Richard was the lower school director at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart for seven years. Before that, he taught fourth grade for 14 years at William Penn Charter School, was the lower school director at Casady School in Oklahoma City, Okla., and spent seven years at the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Del. teaching fourth grade. Richard has two special greyhounds and volunteers regularly at a greyhound adoption center. His three granddaughters also get much of his free time.
Roy Sullivan
Roy, a long-time member of the school community, is a member of the maintenance staff. Desiree Lacey TeeDesiree joined Friends Select School in 2003 as a second grade teaching assistant. She currently is a third grade teacher. Desiree graduated from Cabrini College with a bachelor's degree in history and Spanish in 1999, and earned her master's degree in early childhood education from University of Phoenix in 2007. At Cabrini, she studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, and became an active member of Phi Alpha Theta. She previously worked at The Episcopal Academy and spent two years as a teaching assistant at The Shipley School. For the last several years, Desiree has spent her summers and most of the school year teaching for the Steppingstone Foundation.
Stephen TerleskyStephen started at Friends Select School in 2006. He teaches lower, middle and upper school health and physical education, and also coaches the middle school swim team. Stephen earned a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education at West Virginia University. Before coming to Friends Select, he was a substitute teacher at Germantown Friends School and Germantown Academy.
Francoise Thenoux
Francoise teaches Spanish in the lower school. She holds a bachelor's degree from Universidad de La Serena and a master's degree in education from Kennesaw State University. Anne Thomforde ThomasAnne teaches first grade. Anne earned a bachelor's degree from Bryn Mawr College and a master's degree in education from Temple University. Since joining the Friends Select faculty in 1978, Anne has taught every grade from kindergarten through fourth. Anne has been a parent at Friends Select continuously since 1979! Her youngest daughter graduated in 2008. She is a member of Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, one of two Quaker meetings that oversee governance of Friends Select. She is a gardener, plays the violin in the Chestnut Hill Orchestra, and raises corn snakes.
Andrew Thompson
Andrew is an assistant teacher in the lower school. Before locating to Philadelphia, he was the lead kindergarten teacher at Child's Play Cooperative School in Providence, R. I., for 12 years. He holds a bachelor's degree from Roger Williams University and has done graduate level course work in early childhood and elementary education at Rhode Island College.
Li teaches Mandarin. She holds multiple degrees: a bachelor's degree from China Christian College, and two master's degrees, one from East China Normal University and one from St. Joseph's University.
Derek van der TakDerek teaches music in the lower school. He joined the Friends Select faculty in 1995. He earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy and the history of science from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in composition from Temple University. He started teaching in the Philadelphia public schools in 1991. He also taught for a number of years at The Philadelphia School. Derek trained in classical piano with Alexander Lipsky and in the Taubman technique with Robert Durso. He is a performing jazz, creative movement and theatre artist. He maintains an active study of Tai Chi Chuan and a love for Dalcroze eurhythmics and world music. Martha Van NuisMartha teaches mathematics and history in the middle and upper school. She also serves as performing arts department chair. Martha has taught third and fourth grades at Friends Select. She joined the faculty in 1993 after sixteen years as a practicing city planner and the executive director of the Lansdale Development Foundation. Martha earned a bachelor's degree from Goucher College and master's degrees in city planning and education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Tuesday Vanstory
Tuesday joined Friends Select School as a lower school assistant teacher in 2008. She received a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College and a master's degree in elementary education in 1989 from University of Pennsylvania. Tuesday has worked in the Philadelphia public school system and various independent schools in the area. More recently, she facilitated a play group for two- and three-year-olds at Adath Jeshuruh preschool in Elkins Park. Beyond family and children, Tuesday's main passion is gardening.
Anita Voluntad-De-Pace
Anita is the director and teacher of upper and middle school English as a Second Language (ESL). Before coming to Friends Select in 2002, she taught in the middle school at Abington Friends School. She worked and volunteered with Cultural Connections Collaborative in Upper Darby in its ESL program and researched material for its cultural diversity handbook. Anita earned a bachelor's of science degree in elementary education from Chestnut Hill College. She also has an extensive background in the fine arts as a figure painter.
Brian has taught science at Friends Select forever. He currently teaches chemisty in the upper school. Brian earned his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in science at Liverpool University Brian is known for his dry wit and his fondness for wearing ties that feature cartoon characters.
Jaime is a kindergarten teacher at the school. She holds a bachelor's degree from Towson University and a master's degree from Oglethorpe University.
Top Anne Wentling
Anne, world languages department chair, also teaches French and Spanish in the middle and upper schools. She has been at the school uninterruptedly since 1996, having previously taught here from 1986 to 1990. Anne earned a bachelor’s degree in French and Spanish from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in bilingual education from Penn State University. After leaving Friends Select in 1990, Anne worked part-time supervising student teachers in the graduate education department at the University of Pennsylvania and teaching Spanish and French at Holy Family College. Her experience prior to 1986 included teaching French and Spanish at the Gilman School in Baltimore, Md. Anne has led numerous student exchange trips to France and Spain.
Chris White
As network administrator at Friends Select School, Chris provides desktop and administrative function support, and ensures that all aspects of computer technology are kept in good working order. He also serves as audio-visual coordinator. Chris earned a bachelor of science degree in business marketing and management at Kutztown University, and a network administrator diploma at the Chubb Institute. His IT certifications are: A plus, Network plus, Microsoft Certified Professional 2000 Server and Microsoft Certified System Administrator Windows 2000 Server. Chris came to Friends Select in 2004. In his free time, he enjoys following the career highs and lows of Philadelphia professional sports teams, golf, spending time with family, and playing with computers.
Lisa White JonesLisa is a dance and movement instructor. An accomplished dancer and actress, Lisa earned a bachelor of fine arts in dance education from the University of the Arts and studied at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Philadelphia Dance Studio and Freedom Theatre. Lisa has taught at University of the Arts, Lincoln University and, for a number of years, in the after school program at Friends Select.
Deneen YoungDeneen joined Friends Select in 2003, where she is registrar and assistant to the upper school. Before coming to the school, she spent 11 years at Thomas Jefferson University, where she became senior administrative assistant and coordinator for the committee on student promotions. Committed to community, she has been a block captain in the Overbrook Park neighborhood for 12 years and, before stepping down in 2004, served for 11 years as 21st Ward Democratic committeewoman. Deneen is an active member of Sharon Baptist Church, where she serves on the Women’s Ministry, and is a primary teacher in the church’s Tot’s Ministry program. In previous years, she was a personal assistant to Jeffrey Townes, better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, a contemporary of Will Smith’s, both of whom she counts as personal friends.
David Wood
David joined Friends Select as director of the lower school in July 2010. He previously worked in both the lower and middle school divisions of The Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, New York serving at various times as middle school dean of students, grade dean, and classroom teacher in grades 2 through 5. David holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College, a master’s degree in elementary education from Hunter College, and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from New York University. A proud parent, he enjoys running, yoga, and relaxing over dinner with friends.
Send an e-mail to any Friends Select School Teacher to colleenp@friends-select.org
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