Goshen Friends School's Summer Camp counselors are excited to splash, play, sing, dance and create with your camper! Read all about our team here!
JULIE ARTHUR
Tr. Julie is one of our preschool campus aides, helping our school's day-to-day activities run smoothly. She knows what she's doing, as her two children are recent Goshen Friends graduates! Tr. Julie earned a B.A. in psychology and an M.A. in communication, and previously worked for 8 years for a federal clearinghouse that provides child welfare information to professionals and the public. She loves to bring her varied background to all aspects of making Goshen Friends a special place for young learners!
KRISTIE BATTAVIO
Kristie brings a wealth of childcare experience to our summer camp, including 18 years running an in-home daycare! Kristie currently works as a teaching assistant in our 3-year-old program, and extended care teacher and she is also our events coordinator! A proud mother of four, Kristie's children range from college graduates to middle school students. Outside of her professional life, Kristie enjoys crafting, gardening, and baking. She also volunteers with Susquehanna Service Dogs, raising puppies and teaching them to assist people with disabilities. Fun fact: Kristie's son Graysen is a counselor in training this summer!
LEXI BORKOWSKI
This is Lexi’s fourth year as a counselor at Goshen. Lexi just graduated from West Chester East High School and will be attending West Chester University this fall. She plays year-round travel soccer, is an avid reader, and she also loves to paint, draw and crochet. At camp, Lexi enjoys helping with arts and crafts; her most special skill, though, is calming our little campers when they are upset!
SAM BORKOWSKI
Sam is a rising junior year at West Chester University, majoring in Elementary Education. This is her second year as a Goshen counselor. She brings with her a wealth of experience in childcare from her previous positions as a babysitter, VBS counselor, and swim instructor / supervisor. Sam's hobbies include pickle ball, crocheting and spending time with friends.
PATRICE BROWN
Patrice joined the Goshen community as a parent in 2004 when her son, Noah, entered Kindergarten. Patrice joined the staff the following year and never looked back! In addition to leading Goshen’s Summer Camp, Patrice is also a lead teacher in the Bears and Ladybugs classes and manages our Extended Care program. Patrice is the Shark team lead.
NUALA COYLE
Nuala joined the junior counselor staff in 2021, and we are happy to have her back for year five! Nuala just graduated from West Chester East High School and will be attending University of Richmond in the fall. She loves to play tennis, paint, listen to music and read. Fun fact: Nuala’s favorite animal is an elephant!
CHRIS KNOWLES
Chris began his career at Goshen in 2005. Chris is our resident rock star, leading the preschool music and art programs. He’s also been known to create keepsake sketches and caricatures for our students and their families. All three of Tr. Chris’s daughters are GFS alumnae.
LILY KNOWLES
Lily is a dance instructor and a substitute teacher for West Chester Area School District. A 2023 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Lily is also a Goshen alum and the daughter of Tr. Chris! In her free time, Lily enjoys practicing pilates and furthering her own dance career. Some of Lily's favorite memories as a camp counselor include music time with Tr. Chris, and teaching dance to our Goshen campers!
CAROLYN MACKRIDES
Carolyn has been at Goshen since 2005, when she joined the Extended Care staff. Since then, she has taught By My Side, worked as a summer camp counselor and is now a teaching assistant in the 5-day pre-kindergarten. Fun fact: Carolyn was born in Cyprus and speaks fluent Greek! She also makes excellent hummus – but don’t try to get the recipe. It’s top-secret!
KIM PRANN
Kim is the lead teacher in our Froggies and Owls classes, working with some of Goshen’s littlest friends. Kim’s two children, Logan and Maren, attended preschool at Goshen (learn more about Maren below!). Kim leads a super fun circle, has a great sense of humor and – fun fact – back in the day was the mascot at NC State! Go Wolfpack!
MAREN PRANN
Maren is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she majored in marketing with a minor in Spanish and international business. A world traveler, Maren recently spent time in Florence working as a travel guide to various European destinations. This is Maren’s fourth year as a camp counselor, and she looks forward to it every year. Some of her favorite things to do at camp are dancing with the kids and making up silly songs with Tr. Lily!
LORI RIZZO
Teacher Lori is the lead teacher in our Chickadees class and an assistant to the Owls classroom. All three of her daughters attended Goshen Friends for preschool. Teacher Lori loves to ride horses and has her very own horse, Archie! She is currently working on the levels of dressage with Archie. Lori enjoys time in Stone Harbor with her family every summer. She also loves to needlepoint and adores her four dogs: a black lab, a golden retriever and two cavalier spaniels.
BECKY RYAN
Becky is a rising junior majoring in statistics at North Carolina State University. Her childcare experience includes working as a camp counselor and assisting in the Little Vikings preschool program at West Chester East High School. Becky's outside interests include traveling, baking, reading and crocheting. She is excited for camp and can't wait to do crafts with the kiddos!
