Meet Our Staff

Jen Wein
Director
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 10
Educational Background: B.S. in Elementary/Early Childhood Education from Gwynedd Mercy College
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 30
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The genuine enthusiasm the children have for learning, playing, and being a part of our family.
Hobbies: my horses, reading
Favorite Quote or Saying: In a world where you can be anything, be KIND”

Coleen Bant
Certified Teacher / Assistant to the Director
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 12
Educational Background: BS at Chestnut Hill College
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): Teaching for 15 years
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: All the amazing families that I meet!
Hobbies: Reading and Volunteering
Favorite Quote or Saying: “A house without books is like a room without windows.” ~ Heinrich Mann

Laura Campion
Billing Coordinator
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 7
Educational Background: Undergraduate at Philadelphia University and a Masters at Arcadia
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 11
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: All the women that work here….and Josh!
Hobbies: Reading, running, shopping, and watching reality TV
Favorite Quote or Saying: "It is what it is"

Amy Raffaele
Certified Teacher
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 1 year as a teacher and 3 years as a parent
Educational Background: BA in Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University
MSEd in Elementary Education, Hunter College
Children’s Literature Certificate, Queens College
TESOL Certification, Temple University
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 12 years teaching grades PreK-3rd
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: Playing Outside
Hobbies: travel, word games
Favorite Quote or Saying: "There is nothing more precious than laughter." ~ Frida Kahlo

Eileen Welsh
Certified Teacher
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 30
Educational Background: B.S Temple University
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 30
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The happy vibe in the building and the funny things the kids say.
Hobbies: reading, traveling, and sitting on the beach
Favorite Quote or Saying: “You never know what the tide is going to bring in.”

Nicole Jones
Group Supervisor
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: I have worked for Carson Valley Schoolhouse for 20 years
Educational Background: I attended Chestnut Hill College
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): I have a little over 35 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: My favorite thing about the Schoolhouse is working with my coworkers and the sound of happy children at play.
Hobbies: drawing, dancing, and singing
Favorite Quote or Saying: "Now, listen here” which is my favorite joke

Debbie Meinke
Asssitant Group Supervisor
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 5 years
Educational Background: Graduated from Abington High School and the encountered hands on experience in Child care facilities. Numerous early childhood workshops and classes.
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): I have over 18 years of childhood experience which include Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Teacher's Aide.
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The children always make me smile and laugh!
Hobbies: Walking/Baking
Favorite Quote or Saying: "Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."

Mary Ann Morell
Assistant Group Supervisor
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 1.5
Educational Background: College Degree in Fine Arts
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 20
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The Children!
Hobbies: Spending time with family, traveling, visiting with friends, gardening, reading,
Favorite Quote or Saying: "If you want peace, work for justice.”

Mikiyah Johnson-Jones
Classroom Aide
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 1.5
Educational Background: Overbrook High School
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): I've been working with children for a least ten years. I started off babysitting for different families when I was 14 years old. I have always had a love for children. I use to go to visit my aunt at Carson Valley School when I was younger. Watching how those teachers worked with children has been my inspiration.
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: My favorite thing about the Schoolhouse are the children. I love watching them grow and learn new things.
Hobbies: My favorite hobbies are doing people's hair and dancing!
Favorite Quote or Saying: "A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches a heart."

Inge Leis
Classroom Aide
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 3
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts West Virginia University 2011
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 12 Years
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: All the lovely teachers and getting hugs every morning from the kids!
Hobbies: Swimming, hanging out with friends, and going to the beach.
Favorite Quote or Saying: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou

Debbie Stricklin
Classroom Aide
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 10
Educational Background: Drexel University B.S. Temple University M.P.H.
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 30
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: Seeing a child's excitement about learning something new.
Hobbies: reading, traveling, enjoying the outdoors
Favorite Quote or Saying: "Look up to the sky. You'll never find rainbows if you're looking down." ~ Carlie Chaplin

Erica Witkowski
Classroom Aide/Afterschool Instructor
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: 4 years
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from University of Delaware
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 5 years
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The amazing staff and kids and the memories from when I attended the Schoolhouse for preschool. (Miss Eileen from the Meadow Room was my teacher!!!)
Hobbies: Playing with my dog, baking, and watching movies
Favorite Quote or Saying: “Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” ~Robby Novak
Gail McCabe
Teacher Assistant
Number of years at the Schoolhouse: I have worked for Carson Valley Schoolhouse for 23 years
Educational Background: Springfield High School and Montgomery County Community College
Years of experience in Early Childhood Education/Childcare (babysitting counts!): 30 years of experience in Early Childhood Education
Favorite Thing About the Schoolhouse: The children always make me laugh
Hobbies: needle point, knitting and reading
Favorite Quote or Saying: "It is what it is.”