New Faculty and Staff 2011-2012 School Year

Greene Street Friends School is delighted to welcome ten new educators to our community for the 2011-2012 school year. They are:

Katherine Vidoni is the Pre-K through 8th grade Music teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in music from Connecticut College and has 5 years teaching experience at the elementary and high school levels.  In addition to teaching general music, Katherine will also direct our choral programs. Katherine enjoys hiking the Appalachian Trail and singing in a cappella groups.

Emily Leister is in her first year as a teaching assistant in the 1st grade. A native of Pittsburgh, Emily completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education from Syracuse University. She will also serve as our Before Care (7:30 to 8:00 AM) Supervisor. On weekends, you can find Emily running along boathouse row or shopping at various farmers markets.

Meg Fortgang is also a 1st grade teaching assistant. Meg is a PA certified teacher in grades K through 5, as well as in grades 6 through 9 with a language arts specialization. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College in English Literature with a minor in Education. Meg is the proud owner of three hamsters and a rabbit.

Kathryn Manz joins Greene Street as a 3rd grade lead teacher. Most recently, Kathryn taught 3rd grade in a French immersion school in Massachusetts. She holds a Master's degree from Lesley University in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Languages from Haverford College. In her free time, Kathryn serves as a colonial history tour guide.

Kelly Breen has taken the role of Science teacher for grades 3 through 8. She is an educator with five years experience teaching 9th and 10th grade biology, human physiology, forensic and environmental science. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Gettysburg College in biology with a minor in education. Kelly also earned her teaching certifications in Maryland and Pennsylvania in 7-12 biology and has deep training in the inquiry model of teaching science, differentiated instruction, and hands-on, project-based learning. Kelly is a world traveler, recently spending time in South Africa and Costa Rica.

Elizabeth Hanz, a fixture in Rising Stars last year, joins the faculty as a teaching assistant in 3rd grade. Elizabeth has a background in theater education, and co-directed our Lower School Fall Play, The Not so Grimm Tales. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from the New School in New York. A native Mainer, Elizabeth is devoted to her Red Sox and loves catching shows on Broadway.

Kim Kraemer, a former middle school math teacher at Greene Street, rejoins the faculty as a teaching assistant in 3rd grade. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Smith College. Outside of school, Kim is an accomplished referee of women's high school and college field hockey and lacrosse.

Shakita Nash is a 4th grade lead teacher. Shakita earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Syracuse University, and her teaching certification in grades 1-6 from the state of Maryland. She taught 3rd and 1st grade in Maryland for six years before relocating to Philadelphia, and taking on an administrative role at Abington Friends School. Shakita is thrilled to get back to her first love, teaching in the classroom!

Rebecca Wynne has taken the role of Learning and Literacy Specialist. We welcome Rebecca from Virginia, where she has been an elementary school reading specialist for the past five years. Rebecca has deep experience with balanced literacy instruction, and has also served as a resource teacher for below grade level readers as well as taught mathematics at the middle school level. She earned her Master's degree and specialist license in reading from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as her certification in administration and supervision. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from Roanoke College. Rebecca spent some of her childhood in China and remains an adventurous traveler and eater.

Cole Howell is a teaching assistant in grades 5 and 6. Cole is a PA certified elementary level teacher, who comes to Greene Street after a stint at Russell Byers Charter School as a 4th grade teacher. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Temple University as well as a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Chestnut Hill College. Cole is an avid long-distance cyclist and has spent summers as a counselor at Camp Haze, a camp dedicated to children who lost parents on 9-11.