Faculty and Staff
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MIMI ACKERS, HEAD OF SCHOOL
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KAREN ANDIARIO, BUSINESS OFFICER
Tr. Karen brings a wealth of teaching and technical knowledge to Goshen Friends. She has taught enrichment and preschool classes, and has served in a number of volunteer roles in Scouting, her childrens' schools, and her church. Tr. Karen joined the staff in 2015 as a teacher’s aide before moving into our business office where she transitioned to full-time in 2019. She has a Master's degree in systems engineering and worked for Lockheed Martin before staying home with her children. Tr. Karen is married and is the mother of three children - one computer engineer, one nurse, and one college student.
Email: [email protected]
JULIE ARTHUR, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Tr. Julie enjoys wearing many different hats to help our school run smoothly. You may spot her around campus running car lines, getting students to class, or transitioning children to extended care. Or she could be in the office managing school schedules, student records, the extended care and summer camp programs, and more! Before joining our staff, she was an active board member of the Goshen Parent Community while her two sons attended our school. 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!
Email: [email protected]
Kristie Battavio is the Assistant Teacher in the Bears Class and part of the extended care and summer camp staff at Goshen Friends School. She spent 21 years traveling with her husband during his U.S. Marine Corps service and ran an in-home daycare for 18 years.
After retiring, Kristie and her family returned to their hometown of West Chester. She and her husband are proud parents of four children, ranging from 6th grade to a college graduate.
Kristie enjoys crafting, gardening, and baking. She also volunteers with Susquehanna Service Dogs, raising and training puppies to become service dogs. Her love for children and animals brings warmth and connection to the Goshen Friends community.
Email: [email protected]
AIMEE BRACKBILL, ASSISTANT TEACHER - FROGGIES, OWLS
Tr. Aimee joined Goshen Friends in 2025, and serves as assistant teacher for Froggies and Owls. Aimee graduated from Eastern University and earned her Masters (M.Div) from Lancaster Theological Seminary. She has been a director of education for St James UCC. She has been very active in volunteering as outdoor garden coordinator at Mary C Howse, for her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and her son’s BSA troop. Aimee has a passion for the arts, with wheel-thrown pottery as her specialty for the past 9 years. She brings enthusiasm for learning and the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys gardening, reading, hiking and spending time with her family.
Email: [email protected]
PATRICE BROWN, LEAD TEACHER - BEARS & LADYBUGS, CAMP DIRECTOR, EXTENDED CARE
Tr. Patrice has an infectious smile and, as our resident crafts expert, has an artistic spirit that always keeps kids engaged and
happy. She joined Goshen Friends back in 2002 when her son was in kindergarten, working as a preschool assistant with Tr. Mimi and Tr. Joyce. Currently Patrice is the lead teacher for the Bears and the Ladybugs, the director of our ever-popular summer camp, and the manager of our Extended Care program.
Patrice has a degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and her talents are on display throughout our campus. In her free time, Patrice enjoys pilates, reading and gardening.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
LISA CANNON, DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Lisa Cannon has been a part of the Goshen Friends School staff since 2021, providing support in our communications and admissions operations. Prior to a fulfilling journey as a stay-at-home mom, Lisa was a dedicated chiropractor who, along with her husband, owned and operated a private practice in California for 8 years. This experience equipped her with invaluable business, communications and marketing knowledge that she now brings to our school.
Lisa holds a B.S. in biology from the University of Pittsburgh and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West. As a mom to two Goshen Friends School alumni, she served as an officer in the Goshen Parent Community and continues to be a devoted member of our school community. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, yoga, and passionately supporting her sons in their various sports and activities.
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
MEGAN CAPOLARELLO, LEAD TEACHER - BLUEBIRDS
Tr. Megan brings her passion for teaching, love of nature, and appreciation for science to Goshen Friends School. Her nephews, who are Goshen Friends School alumni, nicknamed her “Buggy” because of her enthusiasm for bug hunts and exploring the natural world. With her infectious energy and fun-loving personality, she sparks curiosity and creativity in her students while creating a joyful learning environment.
Megan graduated from West Chester University with a B.A. in Early Grades Education (Pre-K–4). Before joining GFS in 2022 as the Bluebirds Pre-K lead teacher, she taught second grade and later served as a STEM teacher for grades K–4 at Collegium Charter School. She has also worked in a variety of early childhood education settings.
When she is not teaching, Megan enjoys spending time outdoors, especially exploring nature and being near the water. She lives in West Chester with her family and is proud of her son, a recent graduate of San Diego State University.
Email: [email protected]
MEGAN FOYTACK, ASST. TEACHER - BLUEBIRDS, EXTENDED CARE
Megan Foytack serves as a Teaching Assistant in our Bluebirds classroom, where she is a warm and steady presence for our youngest learners. Prior to joining Goshen Friends School, Megan spent seven years as a school nurse at Saints Peter and Paul School in West Chester, an experience that deepened her love for working with children in a school setting. Earlier in her career, she worked in nursing as well as pharmaceutical and medical device safety and review. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University. Since becoming part of the Goshen community, Megan has been known for her kind, light-hearted, and friendly approach with both students and colleagues, and she brings a thoughtful, caring perspective to the classroom each day.
Email: [email protected]
LAUREN GANNETT, LEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLIES
Tr. Lauren brings a sense of calm, engaged fun to her classroom. She is a middle child of seven children, a role she credits with shaping her patience and steady presence with young learners. After graduating from West Chester University with a BS in Education, she worked at The Haverford School, where she quickly discovered her love for educating early childhood learners. She then taught Pre-K at Holy Family School for three years before stepping back to stay at home with her two daughters.
During that time, she realized her passion for teaching early childhood was still very much present, and she was eager to return to the classroom. In 2019, she joined the GFS faculty as the lead teacher in our 5-day Butterflies classroom. Her gentle, positive demeanor helps students stay focused while fostering a joyful learning environment.
Outside the classroom, she can often be found cheering on her daughters at various sporting events. She also enjoys spending time with her family, including summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ, and winter trips to Stowe, VT with her husband and two girls.
Email: [email protected]
Tr. Lori joined the Goshen Friends School community when her daughter, Isabella, enrolled in preschool. Just one year later, Isabella’s twin sisters, Lauren and Gabby, joined the school as well.
In 2013, Lori began assisting Tr. Kim in the Froggies and Owls classes. After taking a few years away, she returned to Goshen Friends School in 2020 and once again partnered with Tr. Kim. In 2025, Tr. Lori teamed up with Tr. Kristie to launch and teach the Chickadees class.
After earning a B.A. in History from the University of Scranton, Lori completed 30 postgraduate credits in Education at Immaculata College. While studying at Immaculata, she worked as a colonial interpreter at the Colonial Farm in Ridley Creek State Park, bringing history to life for visitors through hands-on educational experiences.
Tr. Lori is a proud horse owner who is currently learning the art of dressage. She loves spending time outdoors and taking long walks with her dogs. Her hobbies include gardening, antiquing, needlepointing, reading, and relaxing with her family in Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
Email: [email protected]
CHRIS KNOWLES, MUSIC AND ARTS TEACHER, LUNCH BUNCH & EXTENDED CARE
Tr. Chris has a sincere approach to a Quaker education, and he has been shining the light of his love for music and art in our classrooms since 2005. Chris began at Goshen as the Preschool music teacher and now leads the Preschool art and music programs.
Chris has been a freelance musician for most of his adult life. He toured nationally and performed at the White House twice, once joining Peter, Paul & Mary onstage during an Earth Day Celebration! Chris is also a studio musician: two of the albums on which he played received American Library Association awards for "Notable Children's Recordings."
Tr. Chris has a degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University. He is married and has three daughters who attended Goshen Friends. He continues to perform in the area, occasionally playing bass and/or guitar with his old band and assorted friends. In addition, he has happily returned to his own painting after many years of raising a family!
Email: [email protected]
CAROLYN MACKRIDES, ASST. TEACHER - BUTTERFLIES, EXTENDED CARE
Tr. Carolyn helps our little learners throughout the day assisting in the Butterflies class. She also joined the Extended Care staff at Goshen Friends in 2005 and began in the By My Side program as an assistant in 2008, later was the lead teacher through 2020.
Carolyn lives in West Chester with her husband and two children. She was born in Cyprus, and moved to the USA at the age of 5. She is fluent in Greek and enjoys traditional Greek cooking. Carolyn's favorite Greek dishes to make include hummus, lamb and pastichio.
Email: [email protected]
JOYCE NICHOLS, ASST. TEACHER - LADYBUGS, BY MY SIDE
Tr. Joyce has been at Goshen Friends since 1992, starting as a Lunch Bunch assistant and becoming a lead teacher in 1998. After many years as a lead teacher, in 2019 Joyce decided to scale back and became a teaching assistant. She currently assists Tr. Patrice in the Ladybugs class, and Tr. Jaime in the Friday By My Side program.
Joyce earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Reading from West Chester University. She previously taught in the Interboro School District in Delaware County for eight years as a 2nd grade and 3rd grade teacher. All three of Joyce's children were Goshen Friends Preschoolers!
Outside of school, Joyce loves spending time with her grandchildren. In the summer she enjoys visiting Ocean City, New Jersey with her family and traveling to Maine.
Email: [email protected]
KIM PRANN, LEAD TEACHER - FROGGIES & OWLS
Tr. Kim earned BS in textiles from North Carolina State University and worked in New York for fifteen-years as a fabric designer for women's clothing. She still paints, draws, and designs jewelry. Kim’s two now adult children once attended Goshen Friends, and Kim joined the staff in 2008. Before arriving at Goshen, Kim substituted for the WCASD (Kindergarten–12th grade) and taught preschool enrichment classes at the West Chester Area YMCA. Tr. Kim loves helping our youngest students get comfortable in the classroom and "learn to do school." She also helps parents through this important transition!
Kim enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at her church, reading for two book clubs and taking her bernedoodle, Clover, on long walks.
Email: [email protected]
NANCY E. REINHARD, CAMPUS AIDE, EXTENDED CARE ASSISTANT
After 44 years as a teacher and administrator in the private, independent school world of education, Tr. Nancy retired. Although she loved traveling to visit her daughter Kelsey and family in Virginia, and her son Bobby and family in Maine, she missed the early learning environment that this amazing school provides. Tr. Nancy happily joined the Goshen Friends School community in 2022 as a campus aide and Extended Care aide. GFS and its mission to educate young children through character building skills and kindness resonated with her early childhood educational background. Nancy is a West Chester graduate with many graduate courses and educational accomplishments.
Email: [email protected]
MARY JANE "MJ" RUBINO, ASST. TEACHER - BY MY SIDE
Mary Jane Rubino joined our staff in 2019 as teaching assistant in the Ladybugs classroom. Tr. Mary Jane, or "MJ" as we affectionately call her, has also served as a summer camp counselor and substitute teacher in previous years. MJ's love for working with kids is clear to all who meet her. She has spent many years volunteering tirelessly in the lives of her three children (including our own Tr. Jaime!) and her five grandchildren. She is devoted to her community, having volunteered at Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter and serving as a board member at Shadowlee Canine, which trains and places therapy dogs. Tr. MJ is warm and friendly, and lots of fun! She and her daughter, Tr. Jaime, make a great By My Side teaching team and their very own "mommy and me!"
JAIME SHEHWEN, LEAD TEACHER - BY MY SIDE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Tr. Jaime teaches By My Side, Goshen's weekly class for toddlers and their grown-ups, and is also the Outdoor Education teacher for our preschool classes. Jaime graduated Magna Cum Laude from West Chester University with a degree in early childhood education. She completed her student teaching in two kindergarten classrooms in Chester County. She loves yoga, hiking, and spending time on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She inspires her children to learn and play outdoors. A Goshen parent of three former students, Jaime joined the staff as a teacher in 2018.
Email: [email protected]
COLEEN SULPIZIO, LEAD TEACHER - BUMBLEBEES
Tr. Coleen brings a natural joy, gentle warmth and a strong rapport with children to Goshen Friends School. She has been the lead teacher in the Bumblebees classroom since she joined our staff in 2019. Her classroom is a space where curiosity is celebrated and every child is empowered to grow. With degrees from Widener University in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Psychology, Tr. Coleen draws on a rich toolkit of strategies to keep young learners engaged, confident, and excited about the world around them. She deeply embraces the Quaker values that guide Goshen Friends School and brings them to life each day through the care and intention she pours into her classroom community.
Tr. Coleen has also taught at Kesher Israel Preschool and Exton Nursery School. She was the Education director, Kindergarten teacher and Assistant director at Carefree Learning Center. She served as an early intervention special instructor with The Arc Alliance.
Outside of the classroom, Tr. Coleen enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places and beach days. Above all, she cherishes time with family. She and her husband are proud parents of four adult children and very happy grandparents to two grandchildren.