WOODLYNDE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Speech & Language Therapist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Division Head of Lower School
- Lower School Division Head
Abraham began his career at Woodlynde in 2012 as a Middle and Upper School Science Teacher. He was appointed Director of Student Support for Lower School in 2019 and his current position as Lower School Head in 2021. He holds a B.S. in Biology Education from West Chester University and a B.S. in Business from Penn State University. Abraham currently resides in Philadelphia with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Reading Teacher
Job Titles:
- Head of School
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
Amy has a master's degree in education and over 20 years of experience working in independent schools, including tenures at St. Paul's School, Concord, N.H.; The Community School of Naples, Naples, Fla.; Renbrook School, West Hartford, Conn.; and most recently as a school administrator and director of enrollment management at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr. The parent of a Woodlynde alumni, Amy lives with her family in Broomall, PA.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Division Head, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Upper School Spanish Teacher, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Middle School Learning Specialist, Professional Development Specialist, Upper School French Teacher
Job Titles:
- Upper School Academic Dean, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Assistant Head of School for External Affairs
Christopher came to Woodlynde School following tenures as Director of Development at Philadelphia Theatre Company and Director of Corporate Communications and Foundation Relations at The Franklin Institute. After spending his early career in classrooms on both sides of the Atlantic, Christopher trained as a cultural historian and ethnographer in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Yale University. Originally from Coatesville, he holds a B.A. from Boston College, an M.A. from the University of Freiburg (Germany), and an M.Phil. from Yale University. He lives in Overbrook Farms, Philadelphia.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Learning Specialist
Jennifer Hitt is a current Woodlynde parent ('27). She holds an A.B. with honors degree in psychology from Brown University as well as her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology from Rutgers University. A member of the American and Pennsylvania Psychological Associations, Jennifer spent a decade in private practice in Wayne, PA, and for the last 20 years has taught in the graduate program of psychology at West Chester University. With years of volunteer experience, Jennifer is also the current Cub Scout Leader of Woodlynde Pack 40. She has served on the board since 2017.
John Schmader is the parent of a Woodlynde alumnus ('16). He has served on various boards and fundraising committees throughout the region, including Stratford Friends School, Project HOME, Youth Legacy, Phillies charities, Philadelphia Antique Show, and Bryn Mawr Hospital. John is a retired chiropractor who holds a doctorate in chiropractic from Life University. He is also an alumnus of Malvern Preparatory School. John joined the Board in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Front Desk Administrative Assistant / Transportation Coordinator / Cinematography Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle School Sixth Grade Teacher, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Director of Athletics
Gabriel began his career at Woodlynde in 2012 as an Upper School History Teacher and coach. After years of coaching volleyball, basketball, golf, and bowling he transitioned in the Director of Athletics role in 2021. He holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education Social Studies from Elizabethtown College and a masters degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University, Irvine. He lives with his wife and dog in Philadelphia.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Learning Specialist, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Upper School English Teacher
Job Titles:
- Upper School English Teacher
Job Titles:
- Athletic Trainer
- Team Manager
Job Titles:
- Lower School Fourth Grade Teacher, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
Irene has worked at Woodlynde since 1992. A native of Scotland, Irene received her education in South Africa. She and her husband also lived in Tehran and London before moving to the United States, where she worked in an insurance company prior to joining the Woodlynde commmunity. Irene and her husband currently reside in Malvern.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Learning Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Director of College Guidance
- Director of College Guidance, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Jason came to Woodlynde in 2012 and served as a building substitute and an Upper School English teacher before becoming the Director of College Guidance in 2015. Prior to Woodlynde, he taught English and language arts in the North Penn School District. Jason is a graduate of Bloomsburg University.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Writing and Journalism Teacher
Job Titles:
- Director of Student Development
Judge Johnson is a current Woodlynde parent ('20). He graduated Cum Laude from Morehouse College and received his JD from Temple University. After 20 years in private practice, Judge Johnson served as Judge, Court of Common Pleas; Judge, Family Court Division; and currently serves as Judge in the Criminal and Civil Court Divisions of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Judge Johnson has held numerous board roles, including serving as Governor of the American Judges Association, President-Elect of the American Judges Foundation, and member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Old Gospel Fellowship, Inc. Judge Johnson joined the board in 2019.
Job Titles:
- Middle School History Teacher, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Director of Enrollment Management
Kathryn joined Woodlynde from Saint Joseph School in Petersburg, Virginia where she served as Enrollment and Development Director. A graduate of The College of William and Mary, Kathryn studied public health as an undergraduate and earned her M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania's School Leadership Program.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Writing Teacher
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapi
Job Titles:
- Learning Specialist for K - 5 Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Upper School Social Studies Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Division Head of Middle School, Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner
- Middle School Division Head
MaryBeth taught history, Wilson®, reading, and science in grades 6-8 at Woodlynde for 13 years until transitioning to the role of Head of Middle School in 2021. She holds a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College, a M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania, a M.S. in Special Education and Autism Spectrum Disorders from St. Joseph's University, and is a certified reading specialist and Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner. Mrs. Spencer is an avid crafter, reader and history enthusiast. She lives in Havertown with her son and a menagerie of pets.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Marketing Content and Community Engagement
Andrew Gerardi the parent of a Woodlynde alumnus ('19). He is the vice president and co-owner of CH. Schwertner & Son, an industrial and commercial general contractor in Bala Cynwyd and holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Catholic University. Andrew has been on the board since 2016. He currently is serving on the Construction Committee.
Andy Polywacz brings additional attention to detail to the board with his experience in operations and quality control. As a graduate of National Louis University, he has leveraged his skills into a successful career and is currently the Vice President of Quality at West Pharmaceutical Services. Andy is actively involved in Habitat for Humanity and is a current parent of students in Woodlynde School's class of 2022. "Woodlynde has had a positive impact on my children and I would like to be involved with the school to assure that other children have that opportunity."
David Virgil is the parent of a Woodlynde alumnus ('18). He is currently a Senior Project Manager with EwingCole, an architectural and engineering firm based in Philadelphia. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he has been involved in several significant Times Square Redevelopment Projects. Currently, David resides with his family in Swarthmore where he is serving his third appointment to the Swarthmore Town Planning Commission. David has served on the Board since 2015.
John Mullany graduated from Woodlynde School in 2007. He earned his B.A. in Political Science, with minors in English and Performing Arts, from Saint Joseph's University and an M.A. in Theatre from Villanova University. John currently runs his own video production company, Ripples in the Pond Productions, based in Phoenixville, PA. John has served on the Board since 2015.
John Park is master of finance with venture capital experience. As a graduate of Villanova and the University of Michigan, he has built a successful career that has led him to his current position as a Partner and the CFO of Cardinal Partners. John is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity, CBC Management, Inc; and is a Director at Asylon Incorporated, Inc. As a parent of a student in Woodlynde School's 2021 class, he is looking forward to making a difference on Woodlynde School's Board of Trustees. "Woodlynde has provided the opportunity for our son to achieve to the best of his abilities and to believe he can accomplish his dreams. The mission of Woodlynde is essential to the well-being of children with learning differences and I want to contribute in any way that I can to ensure that all children have the opportunity to realize their potential."
John Williams is the parent of a Woodlynde alumna ('10). He has over 33 years of experience in the financial services industry. A graduate of Roanoke College, John currently serves as the senior vice president of wealth management at UBS Financial Services in Conshohocken. John joined the board in 2014 and is the Campaign Co-Chair.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Michael Trevisan is the parent of two current Woodlynde students and served with his wife, Maggie, on the Woodlynde School Head of School Society before joining the Woodlynde School Board of Trustees. Having a degree in business, Michael is a graduate of Malvern Prep and Elon and Methodist Universities.
Peter Classen is the parent of a Woodlynde alumnus ('08). He is the former executive vice president of regional presidents for PNC Bank, from which he retired after 28 years of service. A graduate of Lafayette College, Peter also serves on the boards for The Franklin Institute and Economy League of Greater Philadelphia. Peter joined the board in 2014.
Rick Hinckley is the parent of a Woodlynde alumnus ('19). He recently retired as the Managing Director and CFO of Capital Advisors Group, LLC. Rick's career has included senior management roles at CIGNA; Kemper Insurance Companies; and Fortera, Inc. Rick was also a member of the adjunct faculty of the Fox School of Business at Temple University. He earned his B.A., M.B.A., and M.S.E.E. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Rick has also served on the Boards of the Wharton Club of Philadelphia, Junior Achievement of the Delaware Valley, Sunshine State Insurance Company, St. Joseph's University Business School, and the Woodlynde School. Rick serves as Woodlynde Treasurer.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Dana McGilvery is the parent of a Woodlynde Alumnus ('15). She served as the Manager of Media Services for Upper Darby School District and holds an M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from Penn State University. Dana has served on the Board since 2015.
Dawn Ryan is the parent of a current Woodlynde student ('20). Ryan received her Bachelors of the Arts degree in English and History from the University of Minnesota, and with a background in desktop publishing and graphic design, Ryan currently works with clients to help them achieve their graphic design goals. She has extensive volunteer experience, including as: a member of the Hockessin Montessori School Parent Association and serving as Chair and Co-Chair of the Annual Monte Carlo Night and Scholastic Book Fair; a member of the Junior League of Wilmington; and a member of the St. Katherine of Siena School Book Fair Committee and Co-Chair of the 2019 Sweetheart Dance. At Woodlynde School, Ryan has served as Parent Ambassador; Parent Community Association Co-President; PCA Bingo Co-Chair; and PCA Gala Committee member.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Lindsey O'Connor is the parent of a Woodlynde alumna ('19). She holds a Ph.D. in British history from Cornell University. Lindsey was a member of the Woodlynde School Parent Community Association Executive Board starting in 2011 and served as co-chair from 2013-2015. Lindsey has been a member of the board since 2014.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Sarah Houston is a Woodlynde School parent (P'25). A graduate of Wake Forest University, she currently serves as the Principal and Head of Broker Dealer at Vanguard. She has served on the board since 2015 and was the Chair of the Search Committee for Woodlynde's next head of school.
Mary Budzilowicz has spent her career in education and is currently the Director of Universal Design for Learning, Technology, and Resources at Cabrini University. As a graduate of Cabrini and Temple University, her skills and insights will be invaluable to the board as it moves forward into an unprecedented school year that will require increased use of technology among students, parents, and colleagues. Mary is a parent of an alumnus and a member of Stratford Friends School's Board of Trustees. "[I am interested in serving on Woodlynde School's Board of Trustees to] ensure that Woodlynde continues to be strategically effective and mission-driven, and an exemplar of 21st-century learning."
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Head of School
Job Titles:
- Learning Specialist - Middle School
Job Titles:
- Member of the Woodlynde School Leadership Team
- Director of the Literacy Institute
- Director of the Literacy Institute, Wilson® Credentialed Trainer, Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist
Penny has been a teacher and administrator at Woodlynde School for over 30 years. She received both her B.S. and M.S. in education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Pennsylvania Certified Reading Specialist, holds a Wilson Reading System® Level II Certification, and is a Wilson® Dyslexia Therapist and Wilson® Credentialed Trainer. Penny has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Branch of International Dyslexia Association and has been active in education for over 50 years with over 40 of those years being a PA certified Level II Reading Specialist. Penny currently resides in Paoli.
Job Titles:
- Upper School Science Teacher
Job Titles:
- Middle School Science Teacher
Job Titles:
- Social Emotional Learning Specialist