After college, I did a year of volunteer service with an organization called Good Shepherd Volunteers where I worked at a residential center for at-risk youth. I then worked for three years as a social worker for an adoption agency before returning to Rutgers University for my Elementary Teaching Certification. My teaching began in Kindergarten where I was a long term sub before I was hired at Bancroft where I have been teaching older elementary students for the last four years. I am so excited be a part of the team at The Haddonfield Friends School!

• Bancroft Elementary School: Teacher for 4 Years in Grades 5-8
• Long Term Substitute Teacher for 1 Year in Collingswood and Lindenwold in Kindergarten
• Short Term Substitute Teaching for 6 Months in all grades
• Student Teaching in Collingswood in Kindergarten

• HFS Summer Camp Counselor: 2 Years
• Swim Instructor: 4 years
• EducationWorks After School Program: Ran for 1.5 Years

• Rutgers University: NJ Standard Teaching Certificate K-6 and Provisional TOSD Certification

My hobbies are unique and vary from helping to restore antique cars to reading, traveling, decorating, and gardening. I love large paintings, flamboyant Halloween costumes, and loud music.

• Haddonfield Friends School, 2004 to present
• Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, 1 year
• West Oak Lane Charter School, 1 year
• Family Charter School, 1 Year

• School development
• Member of FLENJ and ATSP

• Rowan University: B.A. Elementary Education

From a young age, I have been involved with the performing arts – band, choir, opera, theater, and jazz.  I come from a very musical family, so music has always surrounded me! I play several instruments, including trumpet and guitar, and I love to teach infant and toddler music classes outside of my workdays at HFS. Along with spending time with my husband and singing to my kids, I enjoy vacationing in the mountains, needlework, cooking, and cheering on the Phillies!

• Haddonfield Friends School, since 2004
• Temple University Music Preparatory, 8 years
• Teaching Faculty, Gordon Institute for Music Learning, 4 years

• Presented workshops for teachers and parents in Beijing and Shanghai, China
• Camp Director for the Girl Blazers Summer Leadership Camp
• Published articles in The Bulletin of the Council for Music Education and Audea

• Temple University: M.A. Music Education
• University of Southern Mississippi: B.A. Music Education

I am passionate about the importance of self expression and exploration through art, and I love to share those values with my students. As a former graphic designer, I appreciate the role that the visual arts play in our everyday lives. Outside of teaching, I love to make digital illustrations and oil paint. In addition to my love for visual arts, I also grew up with a passion for music. On the weekends I play guitar, try out new restaurants and spend time with my friends and soon to be husband!

• Strong background using the Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign & Photoshop
• Experience using various drawing and painting techniques, ceramics, photography and design
• Teaching Artist and On-Site Manager for The Rock & Roll Playhouse
• Semi-Finalist, Adobe Design Achievement Awards, 2018
• Coordinated and ran successful vendor tables at various art fairs and events

• Arcadia University: M.Ed. Art Education
• Philadelphia University: B.S. Graphic Design Communication

Hello! I’m excited to be joining the HFS team this school year. I am an actor/theatre maker throughout the Greater Philadelphia area who has been teaching improvisation/comedy to all ages for the past 5 years. My goal is to create a safe environment for students to explore their creativity and instill the confidence for them to make mistakes. My love for theatre began when I was very young and full of stage fright and am looking forward to helping my students to become more comfortable onstage and off! When not teaching, I can be found crocheting or caring for my reptiles.

• Goddard School of Moorestown, 2021-2023 (Lead Preschool Teacher)
• Philly PACK, 2019-Present (Comedy/Improv Theatre Games)
• Arden Theatre: Arden Summer Camp, 2019 (Improv/Comedy)
  

• Emerging playwright with Philadelphia Asian Performing Arts Playwright Project
  

• Rider University: B.A. in Acting/Theatre Performance with a Minor in Film and Media Studies

It’s an honor to join the Haddonfield Friends community. I went to a Friends school myself during my Lower and early Middle School years and it was the greatest experience I ever had while in a classroom. Exploring music by using instruments from across the globe, conducting elaborate science experiments in the laboratory, and engaging with the literature of the Middle Ages are only a glimpse of what a Friends community has in store. By having the ability to share my own thoughts and opinions and actually be heard by my superiors when I was ten years old gave me the confidence to make my voice heard. I look forward to enjoying HFS with all of you.

When I am not teaching I am a coach for the varsity girls team at Moorestown Rowing Club – no, we are not part of Moorestown High School’s sports teams, we are open to everyone who wants to give it a shot! I have been coaching at the club since 2021 and have loved every second of it. If you are interested in joining our club, making the best friends you will have for the rest of your life, racing for a national championship, and possibly taking the sport with you when you look into colleges, come talk to me – we are always looking for more athletes!

Finally, if there is an off day, resting at home with my seven pets is another job in itself. My wife and I have: 2 dogs, Lady and Clover, 3 short haired cats, Wednesday, Socks, and Shadow, a rabbit, Lucky, and a hamster, Mable. Who needs a zoo, right?

• 2022 – 2024 → Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, NJ; Middle School (6-8) English Language Arts, Theology, Social Studies, and Science
• 2021 – 2022 → Maternity B.V.M. School, Philadelphia, PA; 6th Grade English Language Arts and Theology
• 2019 – 2021 → Holy Trinity School, Morrisville, PA; Middle School (6 – 8) English Language Arts
• Fall 2019 → Keith Valley Middle School, Horsham, PA; 8th Grade Social Studies

• Varsity Girls Coach for Moorestown Rowing Club
• Beach Lifeguard for Sea Isle City from 2019 – 2021

• Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, PA – Class of 2015
• Temple University, Philadelphia, PA – Class of 2019; B.S. Secondary Education and Social Studies (7-12)

Hi! I’m Teacher April. I am curious, eager, earnest, and determined. When I was a young child, I was likely to be found reading in the grass or reaching out to another kid to play with everyone on the playground.

I love to learn. There is so much unknown to me, and so much beauty to be found in travel, study, and through connection. I am excited to have the opportunity to learn alongside everyone at HFS, while offering my own learned-wisdom.

I’m always happy to get to know folks, please feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk more.

• HFS ‘23-24 school year, starting in April as a PT substitute
• A lifetime of volunteer experience with children through community and non-profit organizations

• Direct service work as a social worker from 2013-2018
• Non-profit consulting from 2018-2020
• Community and electoral organizing from 2020-2022
• Bagel monger 2022-2023
• UX researcher and designer 2023-2024

• Bachelor’s in Social Work from Eastern University in May of 2015
• Master’s in Social Work, with a macro focus, from Temple University in May of 2018
• User Experience Research and Design certificate from General Assembly in April of 2023

I am excited to be joining teacher Amy in teaching theater with the HFS students. I’m an actor/director/teaching artist/theater maker in the Greater Philadelphia Area and have been for the past 9 years. Theater and arts education are my passions and a vital part of a student’s growth in many skills. Ones that they can use both on and off the stage. I have been a theater maker since I was a little girl, and have made it my “home” for a little over two decades now. Not only do I seek to create fun shows with the kids, but also, and more importantly help guide these students to find their confidence, and creative voices, but also build community and safety for each child. When not teaching I can be found painting, crafting, and traveling!

• Theater Horizon, PA 2016-current
• Moorestown Parks and Rec summer theater program, NJ 2023, 2024
• Moorestown Parks and Rec Improv instructor for Children, NJ 2023, 2024
• Quintessence Theater Company, PA 2023 
• Delaware Theater Company Master Comedy Classes, DE 2022
• Child Drama Workshops, DE 2016-2018
• Rehoboth Theater Summer Camp, DE 2021-2024
• Philly Senior Stages, PA 2018
• Broken Mirror Studios Viola Spolin Class, PA 2023 
• Bristol Riverside Theater, PA 2023 
• Newton MA Parks and Rec Summer Program, 2013 
• Newton MA Parks and Rec afterschool program, 2013

• Touring Actor with National Theater for Children 2017-current 
• Director Eden 2.0, 2024
• Director Proof, Stagecrafters, PA 2022 
• Director Amythyst, PA, 2019
• Director Jersey Devil PA, 2018
• Philadelphia Young Playwrights play reader, 2023

• BA Fine and Performing Arts, Mass. College of Liberal Arts, 2009
• MA Theater Education Emerson College, 2016

I have had the pleasure of teaching at Haddonfield Friends School for 16 years.  I have worn many hats while here, whether teaching Middle School math and science, Middle School social studies, Lower School math enrichment, or as a Fourth Grade classroom teacher. My passion is working with children and seeing that ‘aha!’ moment that comes when a child truly sees or understands something for the first time.

Personally, I have loved spending time with and nurturing children throughout my adult life. My husband and I raised five children, were foster parents to over a dozen children, and now are the proud grandparents of five little ones. Whether working in youth ministry at my church, organizing special needs social clubs, or cheering on nieces and nephews’ soccer games, my ‘happy place’ is with the kids!

In my free time I enjoy yoga, reading a good murder mystery, walks in nature, painting and drawing, and wandering in museums.  Time with family and friends is the best!

• Haddonfield Friends School, 2002 to present
• Orchard Friends School, 1 year
• Teresa Regional School, 3 years

• Graduate Credits in Educational Leadership
• Minor in Fine Arts
• Science Preparation Alliance at Rutgers University
• Award winning participant in Coriell Institute Science Fair and INTEL Fair at Delaware Valley
• Completed Engineering Clinic for Teachers, Rowan University
• Member of National Science Teacher Association

• Marywood College: B.S. Special Education
• Glassboro State College: Teacher of the Handicapped, Elementary Education K – 8

• Special Education, K – 12
• Elementary Education, K – 8
• Middle School Science, Highly Qualified

I am so thankful to be part of the HFS family! I love the energy and joy that Lower School students bring with them each day. I believe in building community and creating a safe space in the classroom that fosters independence, risk taking, and curiosity.

I live with my husband, Brian, and two children, Claire and Colin. I love going on outdoor adventures with my family, running, yoga, and taking time to relax, as my kiddos sure do keep me busy!

• Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, 6 years
• Stevens Cooperative School in Jersey City, 1 year
• North Star Elementary in Hockessin, DE, 1 year
• Korea International School in Seongnam, South Korea, 3 years

• Coached Girls on the Run program, 4 years
• Played Division III Soccer at Elizabethtown College, 4 years

• Elizabethtown College: BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education
• Framingham State University: Masters of Education with a concentration in International Teaching

I have been teaching at HFS for over 30 years. I have taught children in the Early childhood center all the way up to fourth grade. However, kindergarten is my absolute favorite. Teaching a child how to read is simply magical. In addition to teaching, I enjoy being a puppy raiser for Canine Companions. I also enjoy raising Monarch Butterflies with kindergarten. We release the butterflies with a beautiful celebration that concludes with the kindergarten children, dressed in monarch wings, parading through Haddonfield!

• Haddonfield Friends School, 1988 to present

• Columbia University Teachers College, summer class

• Rutgers University: Teaching Certificate
• Villanova University: B.S. Economics