The Jefferson School is comprised of highly regarded educators with extraordinary experiences across the teaching profession. The teachers bring state certification qualifications along with public, private and independent school experiences, as well as Master's Degrees in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Art Education, Math and Science.

 

This collaborative team of educators supports individual and community achievement, instilling in our students the tools to become leaders of tomorrow.

 

Constance Hendricks brings to The Jefferson School more than 24 years of experience with independent private school teaching and administration. Constance has an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management and a M.Ed. from Wilmington University. Constance, who always had a love for teaching, began her career as a teaching assistant. Later, as a teacher, she taught various subjects including art, math, language arts, and social studies. Over the years, she has instructed students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Constance transitioned to administration when she became Head of the Upper Level of Centreville School in 1999.  She served in this leadership position until 2008 when she became the Director of Admission to direct enrollment and financial aid for Centreville School. Constance has served and led many committees including: Strategic Planning for Centreville School and The Jefferson School, Middle States reaccreditation, Centreville School and The Jefferson School, D.A.I.S. Middle School Heads, Independent School's Social Studies and Mathematics Committee, and served on visiting teams for the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

 

Jen Esch is originally from Annapolis, Maryland but has been living in the Berlin, Maryland area for seven years. She has an undergraduate degree in Child Development and Family Studies with extensive studies in Elementary Education. She received her Master's Degree from American University in Special Education: Learning Disabilities with an emphasis in Reading. Jen began her teaching career at The Lab School of Washington. From 1998 to 2000, she taught at the Summit School in Edgewater, Maryland. In 2001, Jen started a tutoring and consulting practice for children with learning differences and Autism Spectrum disorders. A few years later, the Esch family moved to the beach. Shortly after, they opened The Tidewater School by the Sea, an alternative, private elementary school, and sister school to the original Tidewater in Calvert County, Maryland. Jen holds multiple certificates in reading, behavior, and developmental programs sand philosophies. 

 

Cindy Hill is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University and a Master’s of Education in Elementary Special Education from Wilmington University. Cindy has been a third and fourth classroom grade teacher (regular ed.) teaching reading, language arts and math and was also a resource teacher for grades 2-8. Cindy was appointed by her previous administrator to be on the Special Education Team at her previous school where she developed and implemented Individualized Education Plans, educational testing, and was a liaison between faculty, parents and students requiring special education services, worked closely with emotionally and /or academically disabled children, worked with classroom teachers to ensure accommodations were being followed; and worked with her Administrator in developing and implementing special education services and worked with social service/community agencies. Cindy began teaching 3rd and 4th grade at The Jefferson School in 2009. In 2010, she happily became the JK teacher.

 

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 to enhance his or her thirst for knowledge.

 

Patty has taught at The Jefferson School since 1996. She earned a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master's in Elementary Education from George Washington University. Patty taught preschool and kindergarten for 22 years: 1975-1983 she taught kindergarten in Charles County, Maryland, 1992-1995 worked at Governor's Island Child Development Center, in NYC – pre-school teacher and assistant director, and also substituted in Cape Henlopen School District between 1983 and 1992.  Patty is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

 

Brad received an Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Care & Education Technology from Delaware Technical & Community College and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Wilmington University. Brad taught at The Jefferson School from 2001 - 2006, and returned in 2008 after working as an assistant teacher at the Child Development Center, Del Tech. Brad has a diverse background including Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Coast Guard, and helping with summer school programs and after school programs at Del Tech. He is a member of the International Poets Society and has published children's poems.

 

Gayle, a veteran teacher and child development specialist, earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois.  Her continuing education has been at Waldorf Institute, National Institute of Health, MATT Institute for Human and Organizational Enhancement and St. Francis Center. Gayle taught at the Jefferson School from 2002 to 2004 and returned in 2008 after helping to establish the Northern Virginia Friends School. Gayle, who has taught for over 30 years, taught classes from pre-Kindergarten to second grade. She worked as a Child Life Specialist at National Children's Hospital in Washington, DC and with Mother Teresa in her orphanages in Calcutta, India. Gayle's philosophy of life and teaching is simply to be present in the moment with whomever you are with and to teach for the joy of learning from and with the children.

 

Janet holds a Master's degree in Math Education from the University of Delaware. She has 30 years experience teaching in preschool through high school. Before joining The Jefferson School faculty, Janet taught in public, parochial, and other private schools. Her philosophy of project based curriculum and individualizing instruction dovetails nicely with the TJS philosophy. Life skills are included in her standards based curriculum, as she emphasizes how the skills her students learn can be applied to everyday life. A dominant theme throughout her teaching is being responsible. Janet highlights the importance and effect of a student’s words and actions.  Janet is also passionate about the importance of taking care of our Earth and is the founder of TJS's The Extreme Green Team. The Extreme Green Team is in charge of the school’s recycling and is constantly on the lookout for more opportunities to expand its efforts. The Extreme Green Team has received local recognition, as it was the recipient of the Future Environmental Star award from Montaire Farms, and was featured on WMDT. Integrating technology within the classroom is another focus of her curriculum. Students in her class become acquainted with computers as they generate creative stories in word documents and research information for their projects. Her class also has its own website where her students receive their weekly assignments and their families obtain the latest class information.  

 

Bridget comes to The Jefferson School from Long Island, N.Y. She has a Master's of Science in education from the University at Albany, a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University, and a bachelor of arts in philosophy and political science from Manhattanville College.  She has taught all grade levels from JK through eighth and has taught students with disabilities as well as gifted and talented students. 

 

Jenn Chowdhry relocated to the area seven years ago from Pittsburgh, PA. Jenn holds a BS in Chemistry from Indiana University and a Masters in Education from Duquesne University. She student taught at North Georgetown Elementary School teaching first grade; worked at Selbyville Middle School in the Academic Challenge and Incentive Learning Care programs, and has taught math at Milford Middle School. 

 

Grier holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education (K-8) and a Master’s in Instruction, both degrees attained through the University of Delaware. He taught language arts, social studies, and math for 30 years in Delaware public schools; upon retiring in 2006, Grier was hired to teach middle school (grades 5-8) language arts and social studies at The Jefferson School. Coming here to teach was somewhat of a homecoming, as he had grown up in Georgetown, where he graduated from Sussex Central in 1971. Grier served on the Delaware Curriculum Frameworks Commission in the area of social studies and has been trained in the “6 + 1 Writing Traits” program, the “4-Blocks Literacy” program, and the Trailblazers Math curriculum. Since arriving at TJS, he has involved our students the National Geographic’s National Geography Bee competition. Each year our school-wide winner has qualified to participate on the state level. Grier also started our school’s involvement in the Sussex-Kent counties Meaningful Economics competition, where many of our children have met with success. Grier attributes his longevity in teaching to his adopted motto, a Japanese proverb: To teach is to learn.

 

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. During her time there, she also worked as the Assistant to the Director of Production in which she oversaw all aspects of the casting process for the artwork of J. Seward Johnson, Jr. 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 worked as the Gallery Associate for the Rehoboth Art League, has taught art classes for adults and children of all ages, has been involved in community murals, and does decorative painting in homes and businesses throughout the area. Her artwork has been on display in shows and in galleries throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Karen returned to teaching as a full-time occupation as an early childhood educator in 2003 when both of her children started school. Her recent teaching experiences are from Rehoboth Cooperative Preschool, Kids Cottage, Art and Crafts Director at Three Seasons Camp Ground, teaching art classes at MonArt in Ocean Pines, Md. and joining the staff at The Jefferson School in the fall of 2008. Karen has a passion for sharing her creative energy with the students at The Jefferson School. "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso

 

Ann received her Bachelor's 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 music, 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, and returned in 2008. Ann loves the inclusiveness and encouragement for individual creativity that Orff-Schulwerk brings to the music classroom. 

 

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 published an immunogenetics research article in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. Nancy began coaching soccer while in high school and continued coaching over the years. In 1999, she became involved in Special Olympics, first as a volunteer and coach and currently serves as the Program Director for the junior program for the Sussex Determinators. 

 

As a high school Spanish student in Xenia, Ohio, Stefine spent her junior year in Argentina as an exchange student. She earned a bachelor’s 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, Montessori Schools of Wooster, and Wee Care. She joined the staff of The Jefferson School in January 2008. She also teaches beginning Spanish and Advanced Writing for ESL at Delaware Technical Community College. Stefine is a published author of a play and several fantasy and science-fiction short stories. 

 

Janet Layden (a native New Yorker,) is a Pre-School Dance specialist teaching Drama, Musical Theatre, Ballet (16 grades) Pointe, Character, Lyrical, Broadway Jazz, and Tap (21 levels).  For over 25 years she was the owner and Artistic Director a landmark school in Brooklyn, NY (with 1,000 students studying in over 90 classes per week) and another performing arts academy on the NJ shore for 10 years. A licensed NYC and NY State Physical Education Teacher, she’s taught PE, Health and coached many sports.  Her undergraduate training was with visually limited, hearing impaired and mentally challenged children in Dance and PE.  She is the only Delaware teacher internationally certified with the Royal Academy of Dance (London, England) the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, Dance Masters of America and Dance Educators of America and on faculty at national teachers’ training conferences for the American Alliance of Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance, and the National Dance Association.  Her students performed at NYC's Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Disney World, Lincoln Center (with the NYC Ballet Co.), Ballet Hispanico, and won regional, national dance competition awards and titles. Her students have been accepted (most on scholarship) to: Juilliard (Lincoln Center), School of American Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Martha Graham School, University of the Arts, Phili, Marymount Manhattan College and the “FAME” school…LaGuardia HS of Performing Arts.  Mr. Adrian Wiltshire (who studied with Miss Janet for 15 years) is on Faculty at Broadway Dance Center, appeared in the films "Dreamgirls" and "Step Up 3D" and is choreographer & dancer for many Grammy award winning musical recording artists.  She has directed over 300 regional Theatre productions, Dance and Theatre Summer Camps, Children’s Liturgical Dance Co. (“Wings”), Children's Musical Theatre Co. (“FootLights”), teaches Musical Theatre & Dance at Sussex Dance Academy, sings with regional choruses and even performed with Liza Minnelli (on WNBC-TV).  Her life’s vocation has been devoted to “lighting the candles within”...“one child…one step at a time.