WYE RIVER UPPER SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Chairman of the Wye River Upper School Board
Alexa Seip and her husband Tom have been long-time friends of Wye River Upper School. Alexa has been the Chair of the Wye River Upper School Board for almost seven years. Alexa offers her experience as a current board member at The Darrow School, and brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, particularly with respect to best practices of governance for independent schools. As residents of Easton and active community supporters, she and her husband Tom are very appreciative of the Wye River model of educating bright high school students with learning differences. Outside of Wye River, Alexa is also engaged in helping the Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center and supporting local food insecurity. We also benefit from her previous career experience as a commodities broker for Shearson Lehman and Charles Schwab. Alexa also serves on Wye River's Finance Committee and Resource Development Committee.
Amy Morgan (joined Wye River in 2022) is an accomplished musician whose education includes a Bachelors degree in Piano Performance from Salisbury University and Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Messiah University. Amy is the founder and Artistic Director at Allegro Academy in Easton, MD where she is the conductor of the Allegra Women's Chorus, Children's Chorus, as well as piano and voice instructor. Amy has served as the Director of Music at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral since 2014 and has also served as music director of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Heart and Music Theatre Review, and accompanied many stage productions and concerts. Amy is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, and is an active musician on the Easton community.
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Board
- Executive Vice President and Provost
Clay Railey is the Executive Vice President and Provost for Teaching, Learning and Student Success at Prince George's Community College in Maryland. His professional background encompasses many areas including teaching, conflict resolution, museum studies, school administration, theology, and counseling. He has spent years in academia earning several degrees, teaching undergrads, and learning many languages. Most notably he obtained a Ph.D. in English from Vanderbilt University. Clay is particularly interested in supporting WRUS' Career Readiness Program.
Cynthia Bayne (joined Wye River in 2019) earned a B.A. in Secondary Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and specializes in Social Studies and Dramatic Arts. She also holds a Maryland Educator Certificate. Cynthia brings experience from public and private school settings, as well as abroad, having taught in Hong Kong and South Korea. She has also led learning expeditions to Thailand, New Zealand, China, and Italy. Cynthia has been instrumental in developing an engaging curriculum across content areas, structuring systems for mentorship, and providing specific support for students with Executive Function needs. Cynthia is dedicated to connecting with students and helping them become compassionate global citizens.
Elizabeth is the Director of Advancement for The Country School in Easton, MD. She was the Founder and Executive Director of Page Turners: Girls Who Read to Achieve and taught with Teach for America in Charlotte, NC. She currently resides with her husband and son in Easton, MD. Elizabeth is the Chair of the Resource Development Committee at Wye River Upper School.
Job Titles:
- Director of Development and Philanthropy
Emma Rose Mumma (joined Wye River in 2019) holds a B.S. in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. Previously, Emma worked as the Director of Fundraising, Special Events, and Development for a professional ballet company in Indianapolis. Emma started working at Wye River Upper School in the winter of 2019 as the Development and Communications Associate. The next fall she moved to the role of Director of Development and Philanthropy. She is enthusiastic about sharing the many student success stories and all that Wye River has to offer with the broader community, as well as stewarding the gifts that support Wye River's important mission.
Mr. Harry "Stoney" Duffey, III, and his wife Jij have been closely involved in supporting many schools and organizations throughout Queen Anne's County. Stoney previously served on the board for Kent School. He serves on the Gunston board and was a past board chair. Stoney has close ties to the local 4H chapter with service and involvement for 40 years. Stoney assists Queen Anne's County Park and is a past board chair. He gives back to his church as a volunteer for St. Paul's vestry. Stony also is a member of Wye River's Resource Development Committee.
James Martinez (joined Wye River in 2002) received his B.A. from Texas Tech University and an M.F.A. from the University of Delaware. He has taught fine arts at the University of Delaware and Delaware College of Art and Design. James teaches Makerspace and Project-Based Design at Wye River. He has led the school in the development of a new Makerspace which is a place for students and faculty to collaborate in the creation of hands-on projects utilizing high tech and low tech tools. James is the faculty advisor for Project Based Learning (PBL). He also supports students in portfolio development for graduation and college applications. James is a founding teacher at Wye River.
Jon Baker (joined Wye River in 2018) has an impressive work history and two Master's Degrees; one in English and one in Library & Information Science. In addition to teaching English Literature here in the US, he has also taught conversational English in South Korea. Jon has led many outdoor programs for students including biking, hiking, skiing, and paddling. He also prepares students for a healthy lifestyle by providing them with insights on nutrition, consciousness, and stress/anxiety reduction. Overall, he loves the challenge/reward balance of teaching in such a creative, agile, and research-informed learning community.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Communications Associate
Katie Lillard (joined Wye River in 2018) received her M.F.A. from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Katie previously served as Art teacher at Wye River before transitioning into her current marketing role. Katie continues to offer Graphic design classes to current students at Wye River and assists in the school's social media and digital marketing initiative. Katie loves creativity, spending time outside with her son and practicing yoga. She will be offering yoga/mindfulness as part of Wye River's morning sports and activities program this fall!
Job Titles:
- Trustee of the Board
- Vice President of Marketing and Communications at for All Seasons Behavioral Health
Katie Theeke is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center. Through her work, she works to raise the profile of the organization across the Eastern Shore and establish the agency as the top resource for mental health and victim services. Katie came to For All Seasons from Wye River Upper School, where she served as Director of Admissions and Communications for over 9 years, working closely with students, staff, and families to support the educational journey of bright students with learning differences. Katie holds a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a Masters of Education from Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Easton with her two teenage children, Finnegan and Ember, and her husband, Adam. She is grateful for the vital work and the supportive individuals she has found in this community.
Kay Brown (joined Wye River in 2018) attended Morgan State University where she studied Information Systems. She worked for the State of Maryland for 15 years where she last held the position of Accounts Clerk II. Before teaching driver's education for eight years, Kay worked at Wye River from 2018-2019 and then returned again in 2021. Kay loves the atmosphere and learning environment at WRUS.
Kirsten Mosher (joined Wye River in 2018) brings over 30 years of experience that she gained by teaching high school students in Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of South Carolina. Kirsten later earned her Teaching License in Mathematics and Certification for Highly Qualified Teaching in Middle/Secondary Mathematics. Before moving to the Eastern Shore in 2018, she taught high school math for 27 years. She was also the coordinator for the Teacher Education Program at Sewanee for two years. Kirsten aims to help students reach their fullest potential through participation in engaging learning experiences at Wye River.
Laura Beth LeBlanc (joined Wye River in 2022) became a Humanities (Art, Literature, Music) teacher in 2018 after completing the Master's in the Art of Teaching program from the University of Maryland (UMD). Laura previously earned her B.A. in English from UMD while working full-time in the field of entertainment and live concert production at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Proudly, motherhood and working as the Art Camp director at Howard County Center for the Arts also helped her to segue her entertainment career into Arts Education. Encouraged by drama and stage production, she also earned a Citation in Renaissance and Baroque Studies to familiarize herself with formal stage produciuton and to encourage a multicultural view and understanding of humanities. Laura is passionate about changing the lives of high school students.
Lawrie Dudley (joined Wye River in 2016) brings over 30 years of accounting and business management experience. She received her B.A. from Washington College. Lawrie also brings experience in sales and marketing from her real estate career with Coldwell Banker. She is delighted to support students, parents, and staff through her skills in business and finance.
Lori is a native of San Diego, CA, and has lived in Los Angeles, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York, Durham, NC, and St. Michaels, MD. She earned an MBA from Erasmus Rotterdam School of Management and worked in business development and as a management consultant for over 25 years. Lori enjoys working in start-up operations where creating new products/programs and revenue streams are encouraged and mentoring non-profit organizations. She served on Wye River Upper Schools' Strategic Planning Committee in 2018/2019 and on the recent WRUS Head of School Search Committee. She is most proud of founding The Shared Table, a partnership of churches where people of all colors would join together to break bread and discuss community issues. Lori is currently on the advisory board of the Talbot County Senior Centers and a trustee and EMT for the St. Michaels Volunteer Fire Department. She has also served on the board of Talbot Village Connections and the MRYC Foundation. She is the Executive Director of Temple B'nai Israel in Easton, MD where she recently produced a Contemporary Art Series featuring curators from the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, The Brooklyn Museum, and The Jewish Museum of New York. Lori, her wife, Kristen, and son Andrew are avid sailors and reside in St. Michaels, MD.
Lydia Meeks (joined Wye River in 2006) received her B.A. in History from the College of Wooster. Afterward, Lydia completed several post-graduate credits in teaching. She has been teaching, substituting, and tutoring for over 15 years at Wye River. Lydia is dedicated to bringing history to life and helping students to build connections between themselves and the past. She wants students to leave social studies classes with the ability to have an opinion, fact checks that opinion, and then support it. Today's world needs citizens who make independent decisions and Lydia teaches students with that goal in mind.
Martha Sullivan (joined Wye River in 2022) has taught science at the high school and middle school levels at boarding and day schools in the UK, Austria, Ireland, Belgium, and the USA. She has also served as head of science at two schools, the interim head of project-based school in Ireland, the director of operations of a forest school in Maine, and a K-5 science curriculum developer for Chicago Science. Martha has a BS in Biological Sciences from the University of Maryland and an MA in Education from the University of Bath with a dissertation on Education for Sustainable Development. She is passionate about native plants and the environment and has authored several children's books that promote biodiversity. Martha lives in Easton and spends her summers in the West of Ireland.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head of School / College & Career Counseling
Nicole Sophocles (joined Wye River in 2002) brings more than 20 years of experience in formal teaching, outdoor education, and school leadership. She holds a B.S. from the University of Miami, a Masters in Education from the University of Maryland, and an Independent School Leadership Certificate from Johns Hopkins University, School of Education. Nicole is a founding teacher with a teaching certificate in biology. She enjoys traveling, fitness, the beach, and spending active time with her family in Annapolis where she resides.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Board
- Director and Owner of Chesapeake Speech Therapy Services
Nikki Williams is the Director and Owner of Chesapeake Speech Therapy Services and provides care in many settings within Queen Anne's and surrounding counties including schools, hospitals, private practice, and other educational and clinical settings. Nikki received her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and holds a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from Northern Arizona University. She lives in Queenstown with her husband Jason, and their three children.
Patricia McGlannan is a Co-Founder of Wye River Upper School and the former Director of Business and Development. Her son was in the second graduating class in 2006. She is an active member of local Chambers of Commerce and women's networks and serves actively on the Queen Anne's County Chamber of Commerce Business Education Partnership.
Patrick is a native of Talbot County and graduated from Easton High School before completing undergraduate degrees in Accounting and Economics at the University of Pittsburgh and earning his J.D. at the University of Baltimore School of Law. After law school, Fitzgerald completed additional coursework at the University of Baltimore, earning an LLM (Master of Laws) in Taxation and a Certificate in Estate Planning. He has practiced law in Easton since 2008, initially with Ewing, Dietz, Fountain & Kaludis, P.A. and then with the Law Office of Charles T. Capute LLC. Fitzgerald is engaged in the community and is a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Easton, Maryland. He currently serves on the University of Maryland Memorial Hospital Foundation of Shore Regional Health Planned Giving Advisory Board and was the founding chair of the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation Advisory Board, where he remains an emeritus board member. He has also been involved in community theatre with the Avalon Foundation and is an active member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Fitzgerald lives in Easton with his wife, Lexa, daughter, Kathryn, and Labradoodle, Fozzie.
Paula Schoon (joined Wye River in 2014) holds a B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from Washington College and has completed two years of study in education. She is also certified in special education. Paula has supported the emotional and social well-being of teenagers in a variety of roles with experience working in Child Protective Services, private juvenile services, and child and family therapy. She believes in fostering student independence by finding the right balance of secure boundaries and self-expression. Paula is enthusiastic about helping students feel accepted and appreciated.
Philip Swann (joined Wye River in 2021) grew up in Easton and attended Chesapeake College and Salisbury University, where he received his B.A. in Spanish. He recently completed two master's degrees in Latin American Studies and an M.Ed. in Language, Culture, and Literacy Education through Indiana University. Philip previously taught undergraduate students at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. His interests include traveling, languages, soccer, and pre-Columbian art and culture.
Robyn received a B.A. from Howard University, a Masters of Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University, and a Masters of Secondary Education from Ball State University. She is currently employed as the Director of the Naval Academy Primary School, where she also previously worked as a Special Education Lead Teacher. She has served as the Assistant Principal at a public middle school in North Carolina and in various teaching roles. Robyn currently resides in Annapolis with her husband and children.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations and Athletics
Ron Vener (joined Wye River in 2012) holds a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven University and an M.S in Instruction and Curriculum from Western Maryland College (McDaniel). He has also completed the Maryland State Administration Certificate. Ron has over 28 years of teaching and coaching experience in private and public schools. During his career, he developed strong athletic programs over the years in his role as Athletic Director at two prior schools. Additionally, Ron has been instrumental in mentoring a number of our students in their potential career choices. He currently leads the very popular Personal Finance course, a year-long credit course that supports students in mastering basic finance skills.
Senator Adelaide Eckardt serves in the Maryland Senate representing District 37, which includes parts of Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot, and Wicomico Counties. After serving 20 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, she was elected to the Senate in 2014. Prior to her public service, Addie spent 35 years as a full-time Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist employed at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center and Upper Shore Community Help Center and also helped to start a nonprofit, Health Planning Agency. She also spent 6 years in School Health in Dorchester County. She has served on the following boards: Mid Shore Regional Council; Channel Marker Foundation Board; Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center; Sailwinds Inc., and Senator Eckardt also retains membership in the American Nurses Association and the Maryland Nurses Association District IV. Addie continues to work on boards that support unserved or underserved populations. She is also a part of Wye River Upper School's Resource Development Committee.
Stephanie Borges Folarin (joined Wye River in 2021) received her B.A. in Africana Studies from Bates College and her M.S. in Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Johns Hopkins University. She recently completed her Certificate in School Management and Leadership at Harvard University. Stephanie has worked extensively with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and clinicians on various educational matters, including differentiated and inclusive education; equity and justice work; curriculum design and implementation; psycho-educational evaluations; teacher evaluations and professional growth; education policy; and education reform in both the public and private sectors of academia. Stephanie is extremely excited to bring her 16 years of educational leadership to the Wye River Upper School community.
Tom Fleagle (joined Wye River in 2020) earned his degree in Secondary Education for Mathematics at Penn State. He currently teaches Algebra, Geometry, and Physics. Tom comes to Wye River with a background in sales and property management. Wye River's unique size and mission statement grabbed his attention and prompted him to return to the classroom. He hopes his students gain a better understanding of the big picture and appreciate the intricacies and beauty of math. Tom is originally from a small town in eastern Pennsylvania and has lived at Lake Tahoe, Reno, Honolulu, Copenhagen, São Paulo, and other unique places.
Zara Cowan (joined Wye River in 2018) comes with over 25 years of administrative assistance experience. She previously worked as a secretary for the Queen Anne's County Department of Health and prior to that was an executive administrative assistant at Victor O. Schinnerer. She is thrilled to be supporting both academic and administrative programs at Wye River Upper School.