ADMINISTRATION

 

Ethan D. Williamson – Head of School

Ethan graduated from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1988 with a BS in Psychology and a BA in German. He taught at New Garden Friends School in Greensboro from 1992-1998 and was Co-Director of the Teen Adventure Program for Baltimore Yearly Meeting (Quaker) from 1995-1998. He also taught French in grades K-5 in the Stanly County Schools from 1989 to 1992. He brings extensive experience to FSW, both in the development of innovative, hands-on curriculum and in guiding individuals and groups to develop the positive, proactive skills and attitudes necessary to build a strong, caring community. He accepted the position of Head of School in May of 1998. Under his leadership, FSW has grown from a small middle school of 30-40 students, to a thriving program serving over 180 students ages 18 months through 8th grade on two campuses.

 

Laura Williams – Business Manager

Laura joined FSW in the spring of 2007 after serving as Business Manager at WHQR Public Radio for four years. Prior to that, Laura owned her own accounting services business following many years in the banking industry.  A student herself, Laura is working towards her degree at UNCW.

Jane Lawrence – Division Head and Montessori Stepping Stones I & II Teacher - Pine Grove Campus

Jane received a BS in Child Development from East Carolina University in 1974. She received Montessori training at Helen Alice Higgins Montessori and through World Montessori International. She became a Directress at Helen Alice Higgins Montessori in 1984 and worked with children ages 2-6 from 1984-2002. She received her Kindermusik certification in the fall of 2001.  She joined the FSW faculty in 2002.

 

Ann Souder – Director of Admissions and Marketing

Ann received a BA in Art Education from Stephen’s College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1976.  She has experience working in the Alumni and Development office at her alma mater, Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, MD.  She taught art for 6 years to 7th-12th grade students and served on the Board of Trustees at Queen Anne School in Upper Marlboro, MD. Ann was also an Assistant Teacher in Pre-Kindergarten at Indian Creek School in Crownsville, MD for 3 years.  She enjoys spending time with family, reading, gardening, traveling and exploring art museums and gardens.  Ann joined FSW in 2000.

Kim Traver – Director of Development

Kim received her BA in Public Affairs and minor in Spanish from Guilford College in 1985.  Prior to joining FSW in March 2008, Kim was the Director of Development at Triangle Day School in Durham, NC.  From 1986-2006, Kim worked in boarding schools, and most recently she worked in the Development Offices at Chatham Hall, Tabor Academy, and Blair Academy.  In addition to fundraising, Kim has worked in admissions and college counseling, has developed, marketed, and run summer programs, has been a webmaster, and has taught study skills.  She is an avid photographer and enjoys photographing children.  Kim joined FSW in the spring of 2008.

Cameron Francisco – Peiffer Campus Division Head

Cameron earned a BA in History (geography minor) and an MS in Education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  He conducted his year of student teaching at Farragut High in Knoxville, TN, and began teaching Social Studies at FSW in 2003.

Tracy Tertzagian – Director of Athletics and Enrichment Programs, Physical Education Teacher

Tracy received her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from High Point University in 1994.  In addition to one year’s experience as a preschool teacher, she has eight years of experience as a PE teacher. She has coached youth volleyball, soccer, golf, and basketball teams (and led one team to their league’s championship!) Tracy began teaching at FSW in 2004.

Marion Chamberlin – Admissions Assistant/Receptionist

Marion joins FSW in August 2010, assisting Ann Souder with admissions and providing administrative support at the Peiffer Campus.  Marion, a Fulbright scholar, is a graduate of Guilford College with a BA in German and photography.  She attended Catoctin Quaker Camp and Teen Adventure and has a passion for all things related to the outdoors.  For the past several years Marion was receptionist for a busy law firm in Virginia.  She is excited to be in Wilmington where she can surf and swim, and she’s hoping to find a darkroom where she can process her photographs. 

Mesha Batts – Administrative Assistant – Pine Grove Campus

Originally from Pittsboro, NC, Mesha moved to Wilmington in 1998.  Prior to joining the FSW family in the summer of 2006, Mesha honorably served in the United States Air Force for 8 years, and was later employed as the Credit Manager with WWAY News Channel 3 for close to 7 years.  Mesha brings to FSW several years of experience in Office Administration.

Richard Lawrence – Maintenance Maven

Richard, husband of Jane, recently retired after 35 years with the Underwater Archeology Branch of the NC Dept of Cultural Resources.  He joined FSW in July 2010.  As a handyman extraordinaire, Richard will work part time keeping our facilities in tip-top shape.

 

FACULTY – PINE GROVE CAMPUS

 

Stepping Stones Classes I & II - Ages 18 months – 3 years-old

 

Jane Lawrence – Montessori Teacher

Jane received a BS in Child Development from East Carolina University in 1974. She received Montessori training at Helen Alice Higgins Montessori and through World Montessori International. She became a directress at Helen Alice Higgins Montessori in 1984 and worked with children ages 2-6 from 1984-2002. She received her Kindermusik certification in the fall of 2001.  She joined the FSW faculty in 2002.

Susan Willis – Montessori Assistant Teacher

Susan has worked with children for 15 years.  She has been a nanny for 6 families, and worked at the Helen Alice Higgins Montessori School for 5 years in the Stepping Stones Program.  During that time she received her Montessori training certificate and helped with the Kindermusik program.  She joined the FSW faculty in 2002.

 

Stargazers - Ages 3, 4, & 5 year-olds (Kindergarten)

 

Jody Ellis – Montessori Primary Teacher

Jody attended high school in Bonn, Germany, earned her BS in International Relations at Georgetown University, and her Masters Degree  in Education from Loyola College.  She earned her primary Montessori certificate and her elementary Montessori certificate from Washington Montessori Institute in Washington, D.C.  She has 21 years of Montessori teaching experience at both primary and elementary levels.  She loves music, is fluent in Spanish, has volunteered with the Peace Corps and has been a Ropes Course facilitator.  We are very excited that Jody will be joining our faculty for the 2009-10 school year.

Eleanor Zeddies – Montessori Primary Assistant Teacher

Eleanor has worked for the past four years as a childcare provider at the Wilmington Athletic Club. Eleanor, a former student of a Montessori school, says that her “personal goals as a teacher include encouraging self-expression, fostering curiosity and creativity, and allowing every student their own voice.”  Eleanor has an AA degree in Acting; she has taken classes in early childhood education and is currently attending UNCW, majoring in Special Education. We are very excited that Eleanor will be joining our faculty for the 2009-10 school year.

Elise Zalesky – Montessori Primary Teacher

Elise earned a BA in English from UNC-Chapel Hill and worked in television before receiving her elementary certification from the University of Maine.  Elise was a Primary and Elementary Directress at the Helen Alice Higgins Montessori School in Wilmington for eight years, and a founder and Directress at the Wilmington Montessori School.  She joined the FSW staff in 2006.

 

Becky O’Toole – Montessori Primary Assistant Teacher

Becky joined the FSW staff in 2006 after spending 10 years as a stay-at-home mom to FSW students Emily and Savannah Cornwell. Becky holds a BS in Chemistry from Centre College and is excited about joining FSW permanently after substituting full time in Ursula’s class at the end of 2005.

Beth Garrett – Montessori Primary Teacher

Beth came to FSW in 2007 with a combined 9 years of teaching experience from Helen Alice Higgins Montessori School and Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Beth earned her BS in Science from NC State University and in addition to her work as a teacher has also worked as a nature instructor at both Carolina Ocean Studies and the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation.

Renee Zukerman – Montessori Primary Assistant Teacher

Renee joined FSW in 2008 in the Stargazer classroom. She received her Bachelor of Arts from UNC-Chapel Hill, and has most recently served in her role as the ‘On-site manager’ of a busy household with two children who currently attend FSW. Prior to joining the faculty, Renee was a very dedicated parent volunteer, logging in more hours than any other parent volunteer!  Having served as a substitute and volunteer, she is excited about being part of a Montessori classroom where she sees that children are embraced as individuals.

 

Seahorses – 1st/2nd Grade Teachers

 

Suzy Boyko

Suzy received her BA in Elementary Education and American Studies from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, V.T.  She enjoys working with students of all ages, and also has experience in special education, English as a second language, and in athletic and camp settings.  She joined FSW in the fall of 2007 after teaching at Charlotte Elementary in Charlotte, V.T. and Eaton Elementary School, the Southeastern Preschool Education Center, and Saint Mark Catholic School in Wilmington, N.C.  Suzy is currently pursuing her Masters of Education at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

 

Erin Johnson

Erin received her BA in Elementary Education and Psychology from the State University of New York at New Paltz, NY, and her MS in Reading from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY.  She taught preschool for one year in New York and Kindergarten for two years in Maryland.  Erin joined the FSW faculty in 2003.

Karen Linehan

Karen earned her BA in Zoology from UNC-Chapel Hill and pursued additional graduate studies in Biology at UNC-Wilmington.  During her 20 year career as an educator, Karen has worked to connect children of all ages with the natural world.  From 1993-2003 she was employed by NC Museum of Natural Sciences as an outreach educator in both public and independent schools with a special focus on grades K-5.  During this time she created an inquiry-based series called Naturalist in the Schools.  Prior to joining the FSW faculty, she worked as a science educator at the Wilmington Children's Museum.  As a musician, Karen enjoys bringing her love of music and songwriting to her classroom.  She is a NC certified Environmental Educator and a Red Cross certified lifeguard who began teaching at FSW in 2003.

Susan Turner

Susan joined FSW in 2007.  She holds a BA in Biology from UNCW, and received her NC Secondary Science Teacher Certification in 1994.  She comes to us with several years of experience working with children in both Colorado and North Carolina and has taught dance and yoga for children for the past several years.

 

FACULTY – PEIFFER CAMPUS

 

Sandpipers – 3rd/4th Grade Teachers

 

Jaimie Lang

Jaimie graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in May of 2002 with a BA in Elementary Education and Mathematics.  She completed her student teaching in a 5th grade class at Supply Elementary in Supply, N.C. and ran the Friends Discovery Day Camp before teaching at FSW from 2002-2007.  She is a Red Cross certified lifeguard.  Jaimie rejoined FSW in 2009.

 

Tim McAuliffe

Tim received a BA in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in May 2007. Tim is an avid surfer who has held prestigious titles such as East Coast surfing Champion. He was also surf camp director for the Wrightsville Beach Surf Camp in 2007. Tim has a long connection with the Friends school. Both of his sister-in-laws graduated from the Friends school in 2001. He learned about the Friends School through fascinating stories told by them. Tim began teaching at the Friends School in 2008.

Sheri Welsh

Sheri received a BFA in Art Education from East Carolina University.  She has taught art at the Boys and Girls Club of Knoxville, Tennessee, and in after school art programs in Carteret County.  As a faculty member she also helped establish an independent school in Beaufort, North Carolina during its first years of operation. After the birth of her daughter, Eliot, in 1996, she ran a preschool out of her home.  In 2000, she taught art in a K-8 school in Carteret County.  She has been at the Friends School of Wilmington since 2002.

 

Meghan Phillips

Megan joins FSW in August 2010 as a member of the Sandpiper teaching team.  She is a recent graduate of UNCW with a BA in Elementary Education.  A native New Yorker, Meghan brings camp experience as well as an eagerness to work in a collaborative teaching environment.  Meghan is pleased to be staying in Wilmington where she enjoys tennis, running and fishing.

 

Great Egrets - 5th /6th Grade Teachers

Jana Jones

Jana joined FSW in 2008.  She graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Art’s degree in English and is completing her licensure in Middle Grades Language Arts and Social Studies at UNCW’s Watson School of Education.  Jana served as an EC Para-educator at Codington Elementary working with students with learning disabilities in mainstream classrooms.  She recognizes the importance of preparing her students academically and culturally and counts as her most triumphant moments those times when her students overcome academic obstacles, gain confidence in their own abilities and challenge themselves to reach their fullest potential.

Daniel Kay

Daniel joined FSW in 2007 with 7 years of experience teaching grades 4-8 in both the United Kingdom and New Zealand. He has a BA in Business from Massey University in New Zealand and a postgraduate diploma in teaching from Wellington College of Education. Daniel’s extensive experience teaching in multicultural environments along with an enthusiasm for a variety of extracurricular activities such as chess, drama, soccer and tennis make him a wonderful addition to FSW’s team.

 

Ospreys – 7th /8th Grade Teachers

 

Cameron Francisco

Cameron earned a BA in History (geography minor) and an MS in Education from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  He conducted his year of student teaching at Farragut High in Knoxville, TN, and began teaching Social Studies at FSW in 2003.

Jessica Jackson

Jessica joined FSW in 2006 with 5 years of teaching experience and certifications at both the elementary and middle school levels.  She received a BA in Business Administration and Economics from Marshall University in Huntington, WV and a MAT in teaching from Johns Hopkins University in Rockville, MD.  Her lively energy makes her a wonderful addition to our Middle School team!

Bruce Kenney

Bruce received his doctoral degree in Botany from Duke University in 1985 after researching seaweed physiological ecology at Duke Marine Lab for 5 years.  He received a MS in Botany from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1977 and a B.S. in Biology from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine in 1974.  He taught marine biology, oceanography and environmental science courses while conducting research on marine algae and phytoplankton ecology for 15 years at the Duke Marine Lab.  He has served as a research consultant to companies involved in aquaculture and marine biotechnology, and has strengthened his interest in sustainability and appropriate-scale technology.  After 4 years teaching Science in the public schools, Bruce began teaching Science at FSW in 2004.

 

Specialist Teachers

 

Sharon Ely – Art Teacher

Sharon earned her BA in Creative Arts from UNC-Wilmington, studied art education at Appalachian State University for one year, and then received her Master of Fine Arts from UNC Greensboro.  She worked in the “Artist in the Schools” program in Guilford County for a year, taught drawing and painting at Cape Fear Community College for 3 years, and was a preschool teacher at Parent’s Community Preschool for 7 years. Sharon has a well-established reputation for excellence in the Wilmington community, both as an artist and as an educator.   As a textile artist, her silk-work has been shown in numerous museum shops, including the NC Museum of Art in Raleigh, the Mint Museum in Charlotte, and the Sawtooth Gallery in Winston Salem.  Sharon is a member of the North Carolina Association of Art Educators and began teaching at FSW in 2004.

Sarah Howard – Music Teacher

Sarah has a BA in Music Performance from West Connecticut State University and is a certified Kindermusik teacher. She is also an accomplished flutist who has spent the last seven years teaching music at both the high school and preschool levels. Sarah joined FSW in 2006.  Sarah is currently a flutist in the Wilmington Symphony.

Tracy Tertzagian – Physical Education Teacher

Tracy received her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from High Point University in 1994.  In addition to one year’s experience as a preschool teacher, she has eight years of experience as a PE teacher. She has coached youth volleyball, soccer, golf and basketball teams (and led one team to their league’s championship!)   Tracy began teaching at FSW in 2004.

 

Martina Jonsson—Spanish Teacher

Martina joins FSW in August 2010 as Spanish teacher for K-8th grades.  As a native of Sweden, Martina learned English when she was seven.  She graduated from UNCW with a Master’s in Secondary Education and a BA in Spanish.    Martina’s philosophy states that teaching a foreign language “offers a perfect opportunity for the teacher to introduce global initiatives to students, connecting them with other cultures.  When she’s not in the classroom, Martina enjoys yoga, kickboxing and vegetable gardening.