22051 Wilson Road • Georgetown, Delaware 19947 • Phone 302-856-3300 • Fax 302-856-1750
Head of School - Constance Hendricks
Connie brings to The Jefferson School more than 24 years of experience with private, independent school teaching and administration. Connie transitioned from teaching to administration when she became Head of the Upper Level of Centreville School in 1999.
Connie has been actively involved in a variety of school growth initiatives including strategic planning, accreditation, after-school programs and summer camps. She has extensive experience with curriculum development, particularly in language arts, mathematics and social studies.
As a teacher and administrator, she is familiar with play-based and project-based learning approaches. She advocates the benefits of multi-age groupings, integrated curriculum and individualized instruction. Connie believes that a school should work as a team; not only within its own structure, but with the families and wider community.
Connie received her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and her Masters in Education from Wilmington University. In her spare time, Connie enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering, taking photographs, reading, gardening and cooking.
Junior K Teacher - Lindsay Lopez
Lindsay received a bachelors in psychology from the University of Delaware and a masters in special education from Wilmington University. She came directly to The Jefferson School to do what she loves – work with 3- and 4-year-olds. Her enjoyment comes from being around the children and observing their progress. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, baby sitting and spending time with her family.
Junior K Assistant - Carolyn Bickling
Carolyn developed a fulfilling career working with children. She owned and operated a school bus and worked as a substitute teacher. The Jefferson School reflects her own need to create a nurturing environment for children. She calls it her mission to help every student in any way possible enhance his or her thirst for knowledge. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys bicycle riding, sewing and crafting.
Primary I Teacher - Patricia White
Patty has taught at The Jefferson School since 1996. She earned a bachelors in early childhood and elementary education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a masters in elementary education from George Washington University. Patty taught preschool and kindergarten for 22 years and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Patty enjoys her children, her cats and baking.
Primary II Teacher – Bradley Barndt
Brad, a graduate of Wilmington University with a bachelors in elementary education, returns to The Jefferson School after serving as an assistant teacher at the Delaware Technical & Community Center’s Child Development Center. He has a diverse professional background that includes work as a chief warrant officer with the U.S. Coast Guard. He enjoys challenging students and ensuring that they experience academic success.
Primary II Teacher - Gayle Rush
Gayle, a veteran teacher and child development specialist, earned her bachelors from the University of Illinois. She has taken dozens of continuing education classes including at Waldorf Institute, National Institute of Health, MATT Institute for Human and Organizational Enhancement and St. Francis Center. Gayle, who has taught for more than 30 years, is gifted at identifying children’s learning styles. She also enjoys community service and has served on numerous national and local boards.
Primary III Teacher – Cynthia Hill
Cindy holds a masters in education from Wilmington University. She previously taught students from the third- to the eight-grade at Epworth Christian School. She also assisted The Jefferson School in past years as substitute teacher and summer camp instructor. Cindy brings to the school creativity and passion for understanding the individual needs of each student.
Primary III Teacher - Janet Taylor-Smith
Janet has 20 years of teaching experience in public, private and parochial schools in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. She obtained a bachelors in education and masters in mathematics education at the University of Delaware. Janet opened her own preschool in New Jersey, tutored primary and middle school students, and home-schooled one of her children through high school. Besides teaching, she enjoys indoor and outdoor home renovation projects – from designing them to doing the work herself.
Intermediate l Teacher – William Nelson
Bill studied for a bachelors in biology at Towson University and later pursued a teaching certification at the University of Alaska. He has almost three decades of experience teaching science in the middle and upper school level including time spent at Salisbury School. He has tremendous knowledge, enthusiasm and drive.
Intermediate l Teacher - Grier White
Grier holds a masters in instruction from the University of Delaware and has 30 years of experience teaching math, social studies, and language arts in Delaware elementary and middle schools. He served on the Delaware Curriculum Frameworks Commission in social studies, is fully trained in the Math Trailblazers curriculum, versed in the 6+1 Trait Writing and 4-Blocks Literacy programs, and participated in the Learning Focus Strategies program. Grier’s lifelong hobby is music: he plays saxophone in the Funsters band and guitar and base at his church. He particularly enjoys reading children’s literature, writing and cooking.
Intermediate II Teacher - John Gause
After obtaining a bachelors in education and a masters in instruction, John became a faculty member at the Sussex County Consortium for 10 years. He was an Independent Living Center (ILC) special education instructor in all subjects and taught in the Delaware Autism Program. During his nine years at TJS, John has taught math, language arts, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and Spanish in third through eighth grades and serves in curriculum planning and development. He is an area soccer coach and the TJS basketball coach. His varied interests include piano, guitar, surfing, gardening, and painting.
Art Teacher - Karen Letonoff
Karen holds a bachelor of fine art degree from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. After completing a postgraduate year of study in sculpture she joined the staff of the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture where she taught in the Metal Chasing and Patina Departments. Karen relocated to the Rehoboth Beach area in 1995 and was co-owner of an art gallery in which she designed and created custom forged steel furniture and cast bronze home accessories. She has taught art classes for adults and children of all ages, has been involved in community murals, and does decorative painting in homes throughout the area. Her artwork has been on display in shows and in galleries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Karen returned to teaching as an early childhood educator in 2003 before joining the staff at The Jefferson School in 2008.
Music Teacher - Ann Freeman
Ann received her bachelors from Mount Holyoke College where she minored in music and theatre. She spent the 1970s and early 1980s working in the professional theatre and motion picture industries in New York City. Ann began her teaching career when she stepped in as an emergency replacement music teacher at the Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, New York in 1989. When her family moved overseas she continued teaching, first at The American School of Dubai and then at The Anglo-American School of Moscow. Upon her return from Russia she taught music at The Jefferson School from 2000 until 2005. Ann has always enjoyed singing, and has participated with community, church and civic choirs wherever she has lived.
Physical Education Teacher - Nancy Berg
Nancy graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in biology. She worked for several years as a research assistant at the Mayo Clinic, leaving to raise her family. Nancy began coaching soccer while in high school and continued to coach over the years. Eight years ago she became involved in Special Olympics as a volunteer and now serves as the Program Director for the junior program for the Sussex De-Terminators as well as coaching the cycling and basketball teams and assisting with the aquatics program. Nancy enjoys running, swimming and baking during her spare time.
Spanish Teacher - Stefine K. Pitzer
As a high school Spanish student in Xenia, Ohio, Stefine spent her junior year in Argentina. She earned a bachelors in Spanish with a minor in religious studies at The College of Wooster, studying one summer in Ecuador. Besides being a private tutor, she taught Spanish at Wooster City elementary schools, the Wayne County Montessori schools and Wee Care. She joined the staff of The Jefferson School in January 2008. Stefine is a published author of a play and several fantasy and science fiction short stories. She enjoys reading, sewing, knitting, musical theatre and her two cats.
Administrative Assistant - Beverly Wenner
Prior to coming to The Jefferson School in 1996, Beverly gained experience in school administration support working as administrative assistant to the superintendent and director of student services at a public school system in Pennsylvania. Additional work experience includes several large companies in the public sector. Ms. Bev enjoys the beach, cooking, sewing and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
