Staff Directory
Anna Canova
3rd/4th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the beautiful learning that is happening within the 3/4 classroom at Miquon! I grew up in Delaware County, playing stickball on the corner with neighbors, seeking patches of dirt to dig for worms, and drawing with anything I could get my hands on. These passions persist today through…READ MORE »
Antonia Arias
Spanish Teacher
[email protected]I am a bilingual (Spanish and English) educator, artist, and parent with experience as a lecture-demonstrator and flamenco performer. I am currently Miquon's Spanish teacher, pedagogically focused in an emergent child-led curriculum. I am grateful to be at Miquon—a place where children have the space and support to pursue their diverse interests in a beautiful,…READ MORE »
Ben Coleman
Nursery Teacher
[email protected]I first learned of Miquon while in graduate school in Oakland, CA, more than a decade before I found my way out east and set foot on campus. In the years that followed the school dotted my radar twice more and never through any effort of my own. Then, circumstance brought my family east and…READ MORE »
Bree McNamara
Director of Admissions
[email protected]Six years ago, my exhausted Hyundai and I hobbled up Harts Lane. We were searching for a place to apply the progressive teaching philosophy that existed in the pages of my graduate school readings. By the end of that day, I was lucky enough to be hired as a teacher here. Through my time leading…READ MORE »
Cassandra Orr
Nursery Teacher
[email protected]After living and teaching in Chicago and France, five years ago, I made my way to this little haven in the woods that is Miquon. One thing I love about working in the Nursery is the challenge of an emergent curriculum, an approach that begins with the child’s interests–even if they diverge from my own…READ MORE »
Charlotte Boulay
Director of Development
[email protected]I learned about Miquon from Marisa Campbell, who teaches in the 1/2 grade band, when we and our young daughters became friends. I feel so lucky to be part of the Miquon community and happy that I can help support the creativity and learning I see on campus every day. I came to development work…READ MORE »
Cindy Powell
Director of Miquon Day Camp
[email protected]I have over 20 years of experience in independent education. I am a former head of the Roxborough Christian School, and have served in various roles in education: that of a teacher, a fundraiser, a human resources leader, a manager, and an administrator.READ MORE »
Courtney Nassar
3rd/4th Grade-Band Teacher; Member, Board of Directors
[email protected]From the moment I stepped out of my car, I sensed that Miquon would be my next home. After teaching for years in Egypt and Morocco, I wanted to return home to magic. The day that the Miquon School appeared in my job search a spark was reignited. Choice time, boundaries, and mixed age classrooms…READ MORE »
Diego Maugeri
Music Teacher
[email protected]At Miquon, my personal emphasis has been on music as a group experience. Along with the staples of general music (singing and dancing as the first and most spontaneous response to music), instrumental skills are refined through the use of xylophones, glockenspiels, and recorders as a first ensemble exploration. The message I want to convey…READ MORE »
DJ Giordano
Director of Extended Day Programs
[email protected]I believe the best way to learn how to teach and connect with children is through working with all ages. I have been at Miquon since November of 2011, and it has been wonderful to work with Miquon children for many years. I have enjoyed each moment on campus with students, other teachers, and parents.…READ MORE »
Elisa Rosenwinkel
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]One of my favorite things about Miquon is when our whole community comes together on Friday mornings for assembly. Each group sits with their buddy group and everyone is sincerely excited to see each other! It's a time when we will gather to sing songs, tell stories, or perform plays. Every month or so, we…READ MORE »
Eliza Ruder
3rd/4th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]Fun fact: I attended Miquon as a little sprout in Toni's class! I am elated to be at Miquon as a faculty member to create new memories with students, faculty, and staff. A few of my favorite things about teaching are developing a rapport with students, involving nature, and creating beautiful work! I currently have…READ MORE »
Jen Curyto
Language Arts and Learning Support Coordinator
[email protected]I first fell in love with Miquon when I attended as camper over thirty years ago. I was growing up in Cheltenham and this hidden-away treasure in the woods was a retreat from my suburban childhood. When I arrived 8 years ago to work as an in-house reading tutor, I found the campus very much…READ MORE »
Jennifer Sharp
Director of Finance and Operations
[email protected]I first became acquainted with progressive education in 2010 when we enrolled our oldest child at a similar progressive pre-K through 6 school, The School in Rose Valley (SRV), near our home in Delaware County. As l learned more about progressive education and saw how well it served our son, I became a huge believer…READ MORE »
Jeri Bond Whatley
Advancement Associate
[email protected]I am Miquon's Advancement Associate in support of multiple administrative initiatives, such as the 7th grade transition process, the liaison to our [email protected] parent association, alumni connections, supporting admissions and development functions, and other administrative operations. Previously, I was an Assistant Teacher at Miquon since 1995. During that time, I have taught 1st through 6th…READ MORE »
Kate Shapero
Science Teacher
[email protected]I grew up exploring the woods surrounding Miquon and spent my summers here as a camper. As a child, I delighted in the rippling creek, tall trees and the seemingly infinite supply of delicious wineberries. My experiences nurtured a deep affection and appreciation for the natural world. After thirty years, this hasn't changed. I'm extremely…READ MORE »
Lisa Mann
Physical Education Teacher
[email protected]I believe that physical education is a vital part of the total education of an individual. Through physical education, an individual has the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Physical education allows children to develop skills for use during leisure time and lifetime sports, engage in activities that are conducive to healthful living,…READ MORE »
Marie Beresford
5th/6th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]I started at Miquon over 10 years ago as a substitute in the art room. I remember being amazed at this beautiful campus and the culture of independence and joy that is nurtured by these magical surroundings. Since then, I’ve taught across most grade bands, each with its own unique charms and discoveries. One thing…READ MORE »
Marisa Campbell
1st/2nd Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]The first time I pulled into the driveway at Miquon, it immediately reminded me of the many camp driveways across the country that I'd come down for every summer of my childhood (and a few beyond that). It was during these summers at Girl Scout Camp I grew from an enthusiastic camper into a thoughtful…READ MORE »
Michael Batchelor
Director of Facilities
[email protected]I do lots of things. When I'm not working at Miquon, I am usually with my family, doing…well…anything! I play music and freelance as a photographer; I have produced and engineered several records; I have traveled all around the country with my awesome wife (and then with our awesome kids); I am an artist, a…READ MORE »
Mira Saxe-Smith
5th/6th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]As a Miquon alum, I cherish countless memories–traipsing through the bamboo forest, studying crayfish in the creek, writing Haiku poems in the woods, and the pure magic of library read-alouds. I still vividly recall the sense of belonging at Miquon and feeling so known by the community around me. Also, the feeling of wanting to…READ MORE »
Nancy Schmucker
Director of Communications
[email protected]I joined the Miquon staff in May 2021 after spending 10 years at Bryn Mawr College as a senior associate director of communications and the associate editor of the college magazine. I remember my heart skipped a beat when I saw the ad for my current position. Miquon’s work in Progressive education was exciting and…READ MORE »
Nicole Batchelor
Art Teacher
[email protected]The Art program at Miquon is designed specifically to allow a safe and nurturing space in which this important process may occur. Children are encouraged to find their own artistic voices, and to be supportive and empathetic to their fellow artists as they do the same. They learn to solve the problems that may arise…READ MORE »
Pam Feinschil
Administrator for Office Support
[email protected]I am the mother of Miquon graduates Eric '98, Laura '01 and Anna '09. Staff and parents alike know me as the “go to” person for almost any question, and I manage the school database, arrange parent-teacher events, coordinate transportation, and most importantly, oversee the classroom snack program. Before coming to Miquon, I worked in…READ MORE »
Pat Baik
1st/2nd Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]I first discovered Miquon while looking for a potential future school for my newly-born daughter. To be honest, I never knew schools like Miquon existed. In all my experiences with schools, I assumed they all looked the same: a tall, red building surrounded by four brick walls. That assumption was completely shattered when I stepped…READ MORE »
Rachel Elin-Saintine
5th/6th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]When I first heard of Miquon in the Spring of 2015, I had recently moved from New York City and was hoping to find a school in the Philadelphia area that aligned with my progressive pedagogical practice. On one of my initial visits, I watched each student in the 2nd and 3rd grades find a…READ MORE »
Sarah Stippich
Miquon Librarian; Member, Board of Directors
[email protected]As a child my parents often found me up in my favorite tree, reading a book. So when I saw the opportunity to join the staff at the Miquon School in a dreamy little library in the woods, at a school where children’s independence and creativity are nourished, my attention was piqued. After earning my…READ MORE »
Susannah Wolf '81
Principal; Member, Board of Directors (ex officio)
[email protected]I am delighted to be back at Miquon as it is one of my favorite places in the world. I remember the freedom and joy I felt to be learning and playing at Miquon as a child. I always felt so known by all my teachers – each engaged with me distinctly, challenging me to…READ MORE »
Toni McDonnell
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]I will never forget the first time I ventured onto Miquon’s campus. It was a crisp Saturday afternoon in October ’82. The sugar maples were ablaze with brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow. A lone turkey vulture circled overhead. The creek babbled merrily as it slid over the rocks. A chipmunk darted through a…READ MORE »
Ursa Vincent
Bookkeeper
[email protected]I have the pleasure of working at Miquon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through my employer Kyle & Associates. I love to see the outdoor play that happens here in various forms; it ranges from peaceful and serene to joyous and loud when the children are enjoying the space. In a business and finance role,…READ MORE »
Wendy Leitner-Sieber
3rd/4th Grade-Band Teacher
[email protected]I came to Miquon to teach in the fourth grade during the 2014-15 school year, looking forward to learning alongside children who are curious and immersed in the world around them. I love the freedom that we have at Miquon to delve deeply into topics of interest and to support the growth of child as…READ MORE »
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