THE NEW SCHOOL - Key Persons
Alex has been a part of The New School since 2004, first as a parent, then as a music teacher and now as the Executive Director. Together with her husband, Chris Chilvers, Alex leads The New School staff in creating a learning environment that is creative, empowering, joyful and rich with opportunities. Alex and Chris have lived the benefits of the unique education The New School has to offer not only from witnessing their own children become successful, happy, responsible adults but also from working with hundreds of children from multiple learning environments and seeing the difference project-based, individualized, celebratory education makes. As a social worker, Alex has helped hundreds of children and adolescents through private practice and focuses her current work on creating a safe, supportive learning environment in which teachers and professionals consider the uniqueness of each learner to help them thrive. She regularly teaches CEU courses and consults for professionals internationally to help them better understand the role challenges such as processing deficits and anxiety can play in learning and focuses on how to create an environment of success for every child. Alex feels blessed to be part of this rich, unique educational family.
Caitlin comes to The New School of Monmouth County with over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher in both public and private school settings. She is a graduate of Kutztown University with her BA in Clinical Psychology as well as a graduate of Rider University with a MA in Special Education. Caitlin holds three certifications in Elementary Education, Mindfulness Fundamentals and Teacher of Mindfulness and Meditation. She also spent four years working at Key to Me Therapy with neurodiverse children and adolescents. In addition to teaching and presenting mindfulness workshops, Caitlin loves to spend time with her husband and their four children. Caitlin has a love of learning and truly enjoys creating lessons and activities that enable every child to learn in their own unique way. She is looking forward to joining The New School family.
Born and raised in The New School, Chris is the embodiment of what it means to be a "New Schooler"-curious, energetic, fair, purpose-driven and caring. As a long-time staff member and life-long learner of The New School, it was a natural transition for him to carry on his mother's work when it came time for her to step back. Chris, along with his wife Alex, now leads The New School in maintaining its mission to help children become confident, caring, inquisitive and happy adults by combining the gifts of the past, the resources of the present and the awareness of the ever-changing future. Since graduating from Rutgers with his degree in psychology in 2005, Chris has helped hundreds of children and adolescents learn to express themselves, recognize the needs of others, work together and think outside the box. In both private practice and the TNS classroom, Chris' natural leadership abilities and commitment to whole-person education enable him to connect with children of all ages to help them embrace their personal gifts and their love of learning.
Danielle Esposito is a native New Yorker with over 15 years of formal and versatile teaching experience. She holds an undergraduate bachelor's degree in Communications/Production from the State University of New York at New Paltz. In 2008, Danielle completed her graduate degree in Education and decided to combine her passion for education with her desire to travel. She relocated to Europe and studied in Prague, earning a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language for both children and adults. After returning to the states and working within the NYCDOE for 3 years in Brooklyn and Queens as a special educator, Danielle set sail once again for a teaching project in Brazil. What was to be a 6 month homeschool contract turned into a 2.5 year venture. Utilizing what limited resources were available, she wrote curriculum and developed interdisciplinary units for project-based assessments, creating a student-centered environment. Following her time in Brazil, Danielle used her newfound teaching techniques to relocate to St. Croix in the USVI and developed a pilot homeschool program for local children in the territory. She returned to the states, started a family and immediately began putting her skills to use during the year of the pandemic, acting as a consultant for parents and administrators who were new to homeschooling. She and her family returned to St. Croix during the pandemic and have recently returned stateside. Danielle is looking forward to joining the TNS staff and to adding to The New School's rich environment with her skills and experience.
Katie Morgan comes to The New School of Monmouth County with over 9 years as a public school teacher and 2.5 years as a private home-school instructor. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgian Court University in 2010, earning a Bachelor's in English as well as in Education. Katie is a certified Pre-K - 12th grade educator and is a certified Instructor of Students with Disabilities. In addition, she is a trauma-informed yoga instructor and trained bereavement group facilitator who uses her business, The Grief Ritual, to work with those who have encountered loss and trauma. She is currently completing her Master's degree through the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at The College of William & Mary and looks forward to eventually opening a private practice that focuses on loss and post-traumatic growth.
Katie cares deeply about ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard and respected, and she infuses this principal into the ways in which she nurtures her classroom environment. She has been a part of The New School family already, as she has watched her partner's son thrive in the warm and loving community atmosphere. Katie will be sure to bring her natural curiosity as a forever learner, as well as her personal love of games, pleasure reading and adventures, into the school community.
Victoria comes to The New School of Monmouth County with over seven years of experience as a classroom teacher in a variety of settings. Victoria graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kean University and is currently working towards her Master's Degree in Education, with a focus on curriculum and instruction. Over the past seven years, she has taught Preschool through 2nd grade in both a private and public school setting and has also spent time teaching middle school history. Victoria works hard to create an atmosphere of discovery, exploration, and social and emotional learning with her students. She has also been a dance instructor for over 10 years and currently teaches students ages 2-18 in all dance styles. In addition to teaching and dancing, Victoria loves to travel and spend time with her husband and two young sons. Victoria believes that every child grows at their own pace and is honored to share her love of education with the Younger Class students at TNS.