Faculty and Staff
MIMI ACKERS, HEAD OF SCHOOL
Mimi Ackers is entering her seventh year as Head at Goshen Friends School and her thirteenth year overall. Before joining the school as a preschool teacher in 2011, Mimi started as a parent when her daughter Anna enrolled as a 3-year-old in 2008. During Mimi's time as Head, the school has shifted its focus to make outdoor learning a cornerstone of the Goshen experience. Mimi graduated from Roanoke College in 1993 with degrees in History and International Relations. Before Anna and her son, Owen, were born, Mimi spent time as a newspaper reporter and a communications specialist in both the public and private sectors. Before coming to Goshen Friends, Mimi was a preschool and enrichment teacher at the West Chester Area YMCA. In her spare time, Mimi enjoys cooking, reading and being outside. As the youngest of nine children and the mother of Anna and Owen, Mimi calls her family, which includes husband Keith, "my favorite hobby. They are my greatest love and source of happiness."
Email: [email protected]
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 currently volunteers at her son's school, her church, and Boy Scouts. Tr. Karen joined the staff in 2015 as a teacher’s aide before moving into our business office. 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 engineering college graduate, one nursing student, and one high school student.
Email: [email protected]
JULIE ARTHUR, CAMPUS AIDE
Tr. Julie is one of our 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! She also coordinated events and fundraisers for many years on the board of the Goshen Parent Community. 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, ASSISTANT TEACHER - BEARS, LUNCH BUNCH, EXTENDED CARE
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]
KATHY BEITLER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Tr. Kathy joined Goshen Friends as a volunteer shortly after retiring in 2018. She brings an expert efficiency to our office, having worked for 50 years for companies including Bell Telephone, Sun Oil, Columbia Gas, and AmerisourceBergen. Kathy lives in West Chester with her husband.
Email: [email protected]
MARIA ELENA BROSTROM, SPANISH TEACHER, LUNCH BUNCH, EXTENDED CARE, BUILDING SUB
Tr. Maria Elena brings the vibrant spirit of Spain and Latin America to our classrooms. She loves to use music to help inspire her students, and often brings her classical Spanish guitar to introduce the children to traditional music that she grew up with. Tr. Maria Elena has taught Spanish to many age groups, including preschool and kindergarten, has worked as an ESL aide as well as a Spanish interpreter at the CCIU. She enjoys spending time with her family in Puerto Rico where she grew up.
She is a graduate of the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.
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, 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 hands-on 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]
MEGAN CAPOLARELLO, LEAD TEACHER - BLUEBIRDS
Tr. Megan brings her passion for teaching, love for nature, and appreciation for science to Goshen Friends School. Her nephews even call her “Buggy” because she enjoys going on bug hunts! With her infectious enthusiasm and fun-loving personality, she sparks curiosity and creativity in her students, creating a joyful learning environment.
Megan has been nurturing young minds for many years. Having graduated from West Chester University with a BA in Education, Megan has a strong foundation in early grades instruction. Before joining GFS in 2022 as the Bluebird pre-k lead teacher, Megan taught at Collegium Charter School for nine years as a 2nd grade teacher and most recently as a dedicated STEM teacher for grades K-4. Before Collegium, Megan taught pre-k at The Learning Experience in Exton.
In addition to her role as the lead Bluebirds teacher, Megan also serves as a program assistant, supporting and enhancing Goshen Friends School's mission for joyful learning. Megan lives in West Chester with her husband Kevin, dog Palmer, and her son Dylan, who is currently living the dream as a sophomore at San Diego State University.
Email: [email protected]
LAUREN GANNETT, LEAD TEACHER - BUTTERFLIES
Tr. Lauren brings a sense of calm, engaged fun to her classroom. She taught at the Holy Family School and The Haverford School before becoming a member of the GFS faculty in 2019 when she took on the role of lead teacher in our 5-day Butterflies classroom. Tr. Lauren’s gentle and positive demeanor helps to keep her students focused on the joy of learning.
Tr. Lauren has a degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University. Aside from teaching, you can find her at various sporting events cheering on her daughters from the sidelines. She also enjoys family time by spending summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ and winter trips to Stowe, VT with her husband and two daughters.
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
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.
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 is tasked with getting our youngest students comfortable with the classroom. She also helps parents through this important transition! Kim is a graduate of North Carolina State University who joined Goshen Friends in the Extended Care 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’s two now adult children once attended Goshen Friends. If you’ve noticed Tr. Kim’s flair for style, there’s a good reason: Before becoming a teacher, she had a fifteen-year career in the international world of fabric design! She still paints, draws, and designs jewelry.
Email: [email protected]
NANCY E. REINHARD, CAMPUS AIDE, EXTENDED CARE ASSISTANT, SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR
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]
LORI A. RIZZO, ASST. TEACHER - FROGGIES & OWLS
Tr. Lori joined the Goshen School Friends family when her daughter Isabella began preschool. Isabella's twin sisters, Lauren and Gabby joined just a year later! Lori Began assisting Tr. Kim with the Froggies and Owls in 2013. After a few years off, she rejoined Goshen and Tr. Kim in 2020. Tr. Lori graduated from the University of Scranton with a B.A. in History. Upon graduating she entered Immaculata College and received 30 post grad credits in Education. While studying at Immaculata Tr. Lori worked as a colonial interpreter at the Colonial Farm in Ridley Creek State Park. She also spent a few years in the retail industry managing and working in retail stores such as Sax Fifth Avenue Elizabeth Maar and Robertsons Seedling Children's Clothing Boutique. She loves the outdoors and gardening, She enjoys antiquing, needlepointing, reading, spending time with her daughters in Stone Harbor, NJ and adores going on long walks with her dogs. Lori lives in Chadds Ford with her three daughters, her Cavalier King Charles, Virginia, and her Golden Retriever Winnie.
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!"
KATE SEMON, ASST. TEACHER - BLUEBIRDS
Tr. Kate joined Goshen Friends in 2022 and she is currently the assistant teacher in the Bluebirds class. A former stay-at-home-mom, Kate was very actively involved in her children’s schools. While her 2 sons (now in high school and college) attended Goshen Friends, she served as the secretary for the GPC and classroom mom. Once her boys moved on from Goshen, she continued to stay active in the WCASD, serving as PTO secretary and president, PTOC representative, library volunteer and classroom parent at various times throughout the years. Kate holds a degree in social work and was employed in hospitals and hospice agencies until her first son was born. In her free time, Kate loves to cook, garden, read and hike with her two dogs.
Email: [email protected]
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 great natural rapport with children to Goshen Friends. She has been the lead teacher in the Bumblebees classroom since she joined our staff in 2019. With degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Psychology, Tr. Coleen has lots of strategies to keep kids engaged while empowering them as learners.
Tr. Coleen has also taught at Kesher Israel Preschool, Exton Nursery School, Carefree Learning Center and was an early intervention special instructor at The Arc Alliance.
Email: [email protected]
