Our People

Katie has been a teacher at NCCL School since 2019. Before teaching Math and Science in Group 3, Katie taught for 5 years in Group 1. No matter the age group, she 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 helping to better NCCL School every day! In her free time, she 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!

Kshipra Chinchalkar holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physical Therapy and initially gained valuable experience working in a skilled nursing facility. However, her desire for a more fulfilling and fun career led her to pursue training in education, where she discovered her true passion as a Reading Interventionist. As a mother of two, Kshipra deeply understands the importance of literacy and early intervention. This personal connection drives her commitment to helping children build strong foundational skills in reading and writing. Her experience working in schools has equipped her with the tools to make learning engaging and effective for young students. Kshipra is now eager to continue her journey as a Reading Interventionist and looks forward to bringing her passion and skills to NCCL School. Her goal is to inspire a love of reading in every child she works with, helping them unlock their full potential. 

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 and Group 2's Teacher Aide! 

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!    

My name is Arianna Page. I am from Ridley, PA where I lived for 21 years. I wanted to be the first to go to college in my family so after graduating high school, I attended Lincoln University where I explored many roles in leadership. After graduating, I joined an organization named City Year. I worked with a diverse group of people to help inner city school advance their coursework, attendance and behavior. There, I leaned into the experience of collaboration, networking skills, and community service. I enjoyed working with students which inspired my endeavors to attended Lincoln University's Master’s program in Early Childhood Education. I received my degree in 2021. I’ve been working as an elementary teacher for 4 years. I enjoy building relationship and gaining new ways to engage students in learning. I currently live in Newark, Delaware where I can proudly say, I will be making it my home for a while. In my free time I enjoy hiking, stepping (Form of dance/expression), as well as reading, cooking, and anything adventurous. I am so excited to work with students and staff at NCCL. After having the opportunity to meet with students, staff, and parents, I am very confident that we will have a successful school year for 2024-2025!  

Hello, my name is Tavia Silva. Here are a few things you may want to know

about me in short. I am a mother to my only child who attends NCCL this

year in group 4. I am also a wife of 12 years to my wonderful husband. I

have a fur baby as well, named Holland. I have been a teacher since I was

3 years old, teaching my stuffed animals all I thought they should know.

Since that age I have worked to be the best teacher I can be. I officially

began teaching at the age of 15 during my school-work based program in

high school. Once I graduated I went into college and graduated with a

Masters in Early Childhood Education. I still love to teach just as much as I

did when I was 3. Through those years I had a second passion which

actually has always been integrated in my teaching style. I began dancing

at the age of 3 and pursued dance through high school and graduated with

a dual diploma in the art of dance. After that I began to teach dance and did

that while in college for eight years. My teaching philosophy aligns very

much with the passions I have had since a child. I believe that each student

learns in a unique way and in their own time. I learn from them as much as

they learn from me. I strive to cross all learning styles in order to engage

each student. I teach using audio, visual, and kinesthetic tools. I have

integrated dance into each core subject area and strongly encourage

movement and music inside the classroom. I know that when we work as a

community and communicate as a team each student can thrive. Parents

are the first teachers and therefore I will use you as my main tool to

achieve success for your child. Together we will make this year special for

your child, you, and me!

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.”

Brianna recently graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Music where she majored in music education. She is now attending Graduate School at UD pursuing a Masters in Music with a concentration in teaching. This is Brianna's first year teaching, although she has a lot of experience through student teaching and field placements throughout her time in undergrad. She is very excited to be working with the students and staff at NCCL and sharing her excitement and passion for music.

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.