Aida Gaston was born on Long Island, N.Y. and raised in Maplewood, N.J. She graduated from Temple University in 2008, with degrees in English and biology. Aida enjoys trying out new recipes, watching plays and musicals, travelling, and shopping.
Alec McGovern grew up in Stoneham, Mass. and moved to Providence, R.I. in 2002 to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. Following graduation, he volunteered at a charter school in Providence as a member of AmeriCorps. After moving to Philadelphia, he worked during 2007-2008 in the After School Program and with a group of children at the Beacon Center for Children. Alec accepted a position as assistant teacher at Friends Select in January 2009. He continues to work in ASP, focusing on community, literacy, improvisation and collaboration through art.
Ann Al Darraji was born in Baghdad, Iraq. In 2008 she received her B.S.C in civil engineering from Al Mustansiriya University. She worked as an engineer at Al Sahaab Company before moving to the United States in 2009 to live and finish her education. Ann now works at Friends Select as an assistant teacher in the After School Program with the pre-kindergarten class, where her goal is to be a teacher who will “always go the extra mile” to ensure her students’ success.
Ariela Nomi Kuh was born in Cambridge, Mass. and lived in Inman Square with her parents until she was five years old, when her family moved to Newton, Mass. She attended elementary, middle and high school in Newton, and then studied studio arts and art history at Hampshire College in Amherst. She moved to Philadelphia in 2008 and currently works at Friends Select and Fleisher Art Memorial. Ariela loves the ocean, paintings, and cats.
When Ashanti Newman is not at Friends Select, she is involved in the arts, focusing on songwriting and music production. She is a Philadelphia transplant, moving from York, Pa. in 1999 to pursue a degree in film and video production. She has worked with children in various roles, from camp counselor, assistant teacher and substitute teacher, to running her own after school program. Ashanti loves working with children of all ages, and hopes that she inspires as many as she can to pursue their dreams and reach their goals.
Billy Kelis was born in Chicago and raised in Los Angles. He moved to Philadelphia four years ago to pursue his education. Billy started working with children at a wilderness nature camp in the Adirondacks and found the transition to Friends Select smooth and enjoyable. His interests and hobbies include cooking, hiking, computers, and exploring Philadelphia.
Carlos Pardo was born in Bogota, Columbia. His father, a photographer, art director, and great painter, is one his greatest influences. Carlos graduated from Community College in Miami, Fla. with a photography major and design minor. He worked in photography for many years before deciding to teach four years ago. Speaking of art, he says, “Art has always made sense to me; I feel I am able to leave my feelings on the paper, and hope when people look at my art they not only see my feelings but also their own.”
Catherine (Kit) Clever (daughter of After School Program director Judy Clever) was born in Pittsburgh and raised in Philadelphia. She is the single mother of a five-year-old girl and a student at Community College of Philadelphia, majoring in interior design. She is taking the fall semester off and will return to school in the spring. She loves to write, read, is learning to cook, and reports being “all about doing hair!”
Curtis Dunn was born in Yekepa Nimba, Liberia, but moved in the mid-90s to Guinea because of the war in his country. He returned to Liberia to complete high school and attend a teachers college, where he received a teaching certificate. Curtis became involved in helping students who were not responding in regular classes and later became the sports director at the school where he worked. He reports moving to the U.S. in 2008 “for a better life.”
Emily Rabkin was born and raised in Chicago. She graduated from Wesleyan University and moved to Philadelphia a year ago. She is a writer and director. Emily is glad to be back at the After School Program.
Frank Zagarolo, graduated from Friends Select in 2000, earned a degree in English from Temple University, travelled, and worked in several restaurants, at the public library and in construction. He shares his perspective on returning to his alma mater: “Friends Select remains cool: collecting moments of silence, sifting noise. A mosaic approach towards learning continues to guide a healthy skepticism. It also reveals a nuanced unity of spirit that once prepared me for flight and now sweetens my return. I found serious optimism a most helpful talisman when sorting substance and contradiction.”
This is George Penney’s first year as an After School teacher, but his face is familiar to Future Stars campers, since he has been a counselor for four years, teaching children to tap into their creativity through music and dance. When George is not at Friends Select, he is busy drumming, writing and producing music, and playing shows with his band. In addition to these activities, he is currently taking classes at the Community College of Philadelphia, working towards a degree in behavioral health and human services. He enjoys nature, excursions to Canada, and the pursuit of life.
Jessica Brister grew up in Montgomery County, outside of Philadelphia, but has lived in Pittsburgh for the past five years. She received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating, she worked at a school in Pittsburgh for a year and became interested in education. She recently moved to Philadelphia and is enjoying exploring the city.
Joe Hardy traces his lineage back to the Hardy/Crook clan of North England and Ireland. Born in Sweden, he moved to America in 1992, settling in St. Augustine, Fla. An avid musician, Joe records and produces his own music. He is constantly working to expand his vocabulary and liquidity. Joe is planning on attending graduate school for either macro-history, philosophy of science, or just the acquisition of all human knowledge.
Molly Mullahy joined Friends Select School in 2002 after earning a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College. She is office assistant for the head of school, as well as assistant to the director of the After School Program. Her two positions allow her to work with faculty, staff, parents, students, and visitors; this involvement with the larger community is what she values most about her job. Outside of Friends Select, Molly paints watercolor portraits of her friends, family, and patrons. One can view these images on her website: www.mollyworks.com.
Rachel Wandless is 23 years old. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. and graduated from Temple University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish. She loves cooking, travelling, gardening, and live music. Rachel spent the last year teaching English in Cambodia in a rural high school.
Ryan Walter is a lifelong actor. He started his career in kindergarten with a memorable performance as one of the lost boys in Peter Pan, and has been acting on stage ever since. He attended Vassar College where he received his bachelor’s degree in drama, as well as the Mary Thatcher Kazan award for excellence in theater. Ryan moved to Philadelphia a little over a year ago. Look for him next in Plays and Players production of Winnie the Pooh’s Birthday Surprise in January. Besides acting, Ryan works as both an After School teacher, as well as a ghost-tour guide with Ghost Tour of Philadelphia.
Savannah Roberts was born and raised in Philadelphia. She grew up taking walks in the Schuylkill Valley Nature Center, playing softball with the Fairmount Sports Association, attempting to skateboard in Love Park, acting in student plays at the Wilma and Arden Theaters, and visiting her favorite Van Gogh painting at the Art Museum. After graduating from the Creative and Performing Art High School, Savannah moved to New York to attend Hunter College, and then Europe to teach English as a second language. Savannah is very happy to be back in Philadelphia working with the students in the City of Brotherly Love.
Tsedaye Makonnen moved to Philadelphia this past summer from Maryland, where she was an assistant teacher at a school for two-year-olds. Tsedaye has always gravitated towards teaching children – as a tutor, art camp counselor, nanny, etc. She also loves creating art when she can find the time and space, spending time with her housemate’s 18-month-old daughter, cooking and revamping recipes, and reading. Tsedaye is taking a course in midwifery in Media, Pa. and eventually will study natural medicine/health. Tsedaye’s nationality is Ethiopian, but she was born and raised in the D.C. area. Tsedaye has found moving to Philly to be really refreshing, and is excited to call it her new home!