Our People

Katie has been a Group 1 teacher since 2019. She teaches Phonics/Spelling and loves creating a curriculum that is hands-on, project based, and collaborative. Katie is passionate about the philosophy of Progressive Education, teacher reflection and growth, and caring for NCCL School and its community! 

Katie is the staff member involved in Dungeons and Dragons club for Groups 3 and 4, works in NCCL School’s Extended Care program occasionally, and a member of NCCL School’s DEI working group. In her free time, Katie enjoys going for walks, learning new things, traveling, spending time outside, singing and listening to music, reading, and taking hikes. 

Katie graduated from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota with a BS in Elementary Education and a PrePrimary Education endorsement. After student teaching at a Progressive charter school in Minnesota, she moved to Prague, Czechia to earn her Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate and teach English to preschoolers. Before moving to Delaware for NCCL School, she subbed in Minneapolis Public Schools. 

Moving across the country for NCCL School was one of her best decisions to date! 

Colin Adams-Toomey is an NCCL alumnus, having attended from first grade all the way until graduating 8th grade, and is very excited to be coming back to school!  He attended the University of Wales at Aberystwyth for undergrad, earning a dual degree in Theatre and Celtic Studies, with a focus on Irish history and Gaelic studies.

Colin has spent much of his career combining writing and historical research.  He worked extensively with multiple historical organizations and the Delaware Humanities Forum to create an historical theatre program that examined Delaware's experience before, during and after the Civil War.  The resulting program, Better Angels, was nominated in 2014 for the Schwartz Prize for Excellence in the Humanities.

Since then, Colin has worked as the Interpretive Program Manager at First State Heritage Park in Dover, Delaware.  He worked closely with high schools, middle schools, and the State Parks system to create educational programs focused on history and dramatic writing.

Colin also likes to make movies!  His first feature film, Lost Creek, was released in 2018 and stars a cast of all-NCCL students!  It's available to watch, and NCCL itself has a cameo role in the film!

Colin is so excited to be a part of the NCCL family, and is looking forward to working with students and parents alike this coming school year.

Outreach and Financial Director, NCCL School

Jordan is an alumna of the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she graduated with degrees in political science and women & gender studies. It was there as a student assistant at the University of Colorado Foundation that she discovered an energy for fundraising and stewardship in schools. She comes to us most recently from Rhode Island, where she worked in development and alumni relations at a Quaker school in Providence. In her role as Outreach and Financial Director at NCCL School, she serves as fiduciary for all school investments and financial assets, and strives to bring sound financial decision-making on behalf of the school to the Board. In addition to maintaining alignment with NCCL School’s 50- year history of progressive education for hundreds of alumni, Jordan has the best interests of its students, staff, and current school community at heart. 

A South Jersey native, Jordan lives in Wilmington with her husband Andrew and their child.  She has a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Delaware and is pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Social and Emotional Learning. 

Gabe is a 2002 NCCL School grad, and it was NCCL that first inspired him to become an educator. Gabriel graduated from the University of Delaware in 2012 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Renewable Energy Technology. After graduation he lived and worked at an intentional community in upstate New York before being hired as an engineer by the microelectronics company Intel, in Portland, OR. After several years in the field, Gabriel began his transition into education and has most recently spent the past year living and teaching mathematics at Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY. Gabriel loves exploring the intersection between the arts, sciences, and mathematics and he is so excited to begin sharing his excitement for these topics at a school which has meant so much to him!

Ansleigh's ultimate goal is to become a child psychologist. Ansleigh first joined NCCL in the fall of 2017 as an extended care counselor. She enjoys working with children because of the connections she makes year after year. Ansleigh is excited to continue her NCCL journey as Extended Care Director! 

Amy graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s Degree in News/Editorial Journalism and minors in English, Political Science, and Sociology.  After working for nearly a decade in New York City in public relations, she decided she wanted a more fulfilling career, so she went back to school.  She graduated summa cum laude from Montclair State University (NJ) with a Master’s Degree in Health Education.  She is trained in the Wilson Reading System as well as Reading Assist.  Amy discovered NCCL School through her children and was excited to become a staff member while her youngest was still a student there.  In her spare time, Amy enjoys kayaking, playing games with her family, and—of course—reading a good book.

Lia earned her B.A. in Theater from Temple University and has earned credits towards her M.S. in Special Education from Hunter College. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Lia taught in NYC for over 5 years. Lia served in meaningful roles across the boroughs, from Interim Assistant Principal, to Alumni Success Counselor. Lia has a devote love for education and building relationships within the community. Lia is beyond grateful to be a part of the NCCL School family!

Kate has a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Delaware. She was a social worker for an agency called Independent Living Inc. before returning to school to get her education degree. She taught at NCCL from 1991-1997 and returned in 2006. 

Kelly graduated with a BS in Human Resources, Early Childhood Education, from the University of Delaware in 1992. She received the honor “Student Teacher of the Year,” graduated Magna Cum Laude and successfully completed the PPST and NTE to earn her teachers’ certification the same year. Kelly taught at NCCL from 1992-1997, when she had her first child. During this hiatus she had her second child and became the Director and Head Teacher of The Eyman Children Center where both of her children attended Pre-school. Kelly felt fortunate to be able to return to NCCL in 2004 to continue her teaching career. Both of Kelly’s children are NCCL graduates and are currently attending college.

Kelly has always had a passion for local wildlife and because of this, she went on to get certified as a Delaware State Naturalist. Inspired by her love for nature and by children’s intrinsic curiosity about the world around them, Kelly strives to include as much natural science as possible into her teaching. Kelly is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Science Teachers Association and Delaware Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Kelly enjoys bird watching, traveling, spending time with family, and relaxing at the beach.

Amber Money is an alumna of the University of Delaware with a BS in Spanish Education and a MA in Spanish Literature.  She has taught Spanish to children of all ages from toddlers through retirees at various positions including the University of Delaware, North East High School in Maryland, and at various daycares and preschools throughout Delaware.  She looks forward to bringing her love of Spanish, music, art, and movement to her classes at the NCCL school.  For Groups 1 and 2, she focuses on incorporating play and music since children learn best when given the freedom to move and explore.  For Groups 3 and 4, she strives to connect their language learning to the community through field trips as well as learning about the broader Spanish speaking population throughout the world.  Amber joined the NCCL team in 2020 and looks forward to learning and growing with the community for many years to come!    

Corryn graduated from Salisbury University in spring of 2018 with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Earth Science. She completed her student teaching in Worcester County Public Schools in Maryland and, immediately after graduation, began a long-term substitute position as an instructional assistant working one-on-one with a student who had special needs. During her time in college she also had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala and teach mathematics in a school in Santa Avelina. In her free time, Corryn enjoys being active, spending time outdoors, reading, and meditating. Her interest in Earth Science makes her eager to travel and explore what the world has to offer.

I have taught at NCCL for twenty years as a teacher in Group 2. I trained to be an artist  and earned an MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and then studied to be a research psychologist going to Grad School at California State University and the University of Chicago.  While my educational background is broad (I could not seem to stop going to college), it has also given me many sources to help with my teaching.  I would say that teaching has become a passion for me.  Once I started at NCCL I never looked back. I am still interested in all that I have studied and much more.  Clearly music, theater, plays, literature as well as science are ongoing interests.  But for me, I am most interested when I can work in all these genres and NCCL allows me to do that.  I love teaching, I love running the Drama Club and I love working with the young individuals that attend our school.  My own children attended NCCL and it shaped their lives in the most positive ways. As we always say, when we head into school for one more play or activity, “Well, back home again.”

Alessandra has a M.A. in Teaching, B.A. in English, and Montessori training. She has previous experience teaching English as a second language and in a Montessori program. Alessandra is an NCCL School graduate. She has been with NCCL School since 2014.

A recent graduate of the University of Delaware class of 2022 with an Honors B.M. in Music Education with Distinction, Tom will begin his Master’s in Music Teaching this fall at UD. He student taught in the Appoquinimink School District spending time teaching both 4th through 10th-grade orchestra and elementary general music. At UD, he is a graduate teaching assistant for general music method courses, assisting in the education of undergraduate music education students. An avid researcher, Tom studied the impact of audiation-based general music practices in instrumental classrooms, as well as the development of culturally responsive teaching curriculum in early childhood music. Outside of UD, Tom is the Assistant Band Director at Newark High School and recently taught early childhood music at St. Michaels School and Nursery in Wilmington. Having primarily studied Viola, Trumpet, and Voice, Tom is incredibly excited to join the team at NCCL and bring wonderful musical experiences to the students and community.

Caroline has a M.A. in Teaching from Maryland Institute, College of Art, and a B.S. in Art from UD. She has 10 years previous teaching experience as certified K-12 art teacher. Caroline has been with NCCL since 2014.