The Country School is an independent, coeducational, Pre-K through 8 school founded in 1934.

About

Faculty Directory

Select from the directory below:

Department

Grade

Last Name

Emily Beck

Head of Upper School

Bio

Emily Beck joined The Country School in July of 2022, coming from the Gunston School.
Emily served as the Director of the Chesapeake Watershed Semester and as Gunston’s Director of Environmental Programs. Prior to coming to Gunston, Emily spent three years in Charlottesville, VA serving as the program director of the environmental education nonprofit, The Green Adventure Project.

During the COVID19 pandemic, Emily stepped into an interim role as Gunston’s Director of Distance Learning, leading faculty professional development and co-chairing the executive Steering Committee. In collaboration with the administrative team and lead teachers, all faculty members undertook a comprehensive summer institute offering over 30 hours of professional development, coordinated by Emily.

Emily has over fifteen years of formal and non-formal teaching experience and has worked for many notable environmental education organizations including Shelburne Farms, the National Audubon Society, and the W. Alton Jones Center of the University of Rhode Island. She taught at the Woolman Semester, a Quaker semester school in California, and the Westtown School.

Emily holds a B.A. in Environmental Biology from Colgate University and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England with a focus on conservation biology and ecological literacy.

Emily would rather be outdoors than in and loves exploring the Eastern Shore with her two and four-legged family members.
Daneshia Allen
Nathaly Ayala

Bio

NATHALY AYALA holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Polytechnic School of the Army University in Quito, Ecuador, and a Master’s degree in Educational Management and Leadership from Private Technical University of Loja in Loja, Ecuador. Nathaly has most recently been an Aide Teacher/Day Care Provider at the Critchlow Adkins Children's Center in Easton. Before that, she taught PreKindergarten and Kindergarten in Quito.
Talley Berry

Dean of Student Life; Spanish; Life Skills
Emily Cranwell

5th Grade Teacher

Bio

EMILY CRANWELL is an experienced elementary school educator, having taught at the Robert C. Parker School in upstate New York and in the Dorchester County public school system prior to joining us. Her degrees include a B.A. in Psychology from Clark University and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education. She joined Country School in 2007 and moved to fifth grade after a ten year stretch in second grade.

Emily says she loves the work and learning children do through play and active, hands-on projects. Emily lives in Easton with her husband, Todd, their son, Lindan, and the family’s golden retriever, Ruthie. In her spare time she enjoys reading, quilting, and getting outdoors.
Julie Frederick

History Teacher

Bio

JULIE FREDERICK is an experienced classroom teacher who taught in both public and independent schools before coming to TCS. She has a BS in Elementary Education from Winthrop University and a MS in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University. Julie has worn many hats in her time here, and currently teaches 7th and 8th grade History, and is an advisor in the Upper School.

Julie’s hobbies include sewing, quilting, and crocheting. Julie's family (husband Ken, son Luke, class of '27) enjoys game nights and building Legos together.
Susan Horsey

Upper School Art Teacher

Bio

In addition to teaching art to Upper School students, SUSAN HORSEY has been an involved and talented member of our school community as both a parent and substitute teacher.

Susan earned her Bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College and studied at the Art Students League of New York City. After that, she worked for two years as an architectural renderer in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She has freelanced in decorative arts, exhibiting at The Waterfowl Festival, is an Easton Banner Artist, and teaches art to children at the Academy Art Museum, where she is a past board member.

Susan lives in Easton with her husband Buck and their sons, both of whom attended The Country School: Harvey ’99 and Spencer ’00.
Anne McCauley

School Counselor

Bio

ANNE MCCAULEY is a graduate of Salisbury University where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology in 2005. Anne then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Salisbury University as an advanced standing student in an accelerated program in 2006. While at Salisbury University, Anne discovered her passion for working in the mental health and human services fields.

Anne began her career serving children and families at the Caroline County Department of Social Services. Anne then went on to work as a school-based mental health clinician at Eastern Shore Psychological Services and as a behavior specialist with Talbot County Public Schools. Anne obtained her licensure as a clinical social worker in 2012. In addition to her role at The Country School, Anne maintains a private therapy practice in Easton.

Anne loves spending time with her husband and three children. She enjoys taking spin classes, running, and spending as much time in the Outer Banks of North Carolina as possible during the summer months.
Tara Mildenberger
Kayla Mills

School Nurse
Cindy Orban

Alumni and Diversity Coordinator, LS Librarian

Bio

CINDY ORBAN is a native of Easton who attended local schools and graduated with honors from the University of Maryland at College Park. As founder of Crackerjacks Children’s Bookstore, Cindy gained an extensive familiarity with children’s literature and with what is appealing and appropriate for children at different ages. In addition to her library duties she edits the yearbook. Her position as Director of Diversity has provided both challenge and fulfillment as the school embraces diversity of all kinds and incorporates it into the curriculum and everyday school life.

Cindy’s husband, John, retired as the school’s network administrator but is still her first choice for tech support. Her three adult sons are all Country School alumni. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, reading, knitting, sewing, and volunteering at her church.
Linda Rajacich

Learning Specialist; Math Teacher

Bio

LINDA RAJACICH ‘77, is a Country School alumna and mother of three graduates: Matthew ’08, Michael ’06, and Amy ’04. Linda graduated from Wake Forest University in 1985, and from the University of South Carolina with a M.S. in 1987.

Her early career was in health education, but in 1999 she became an independent Orton-Gillingham tutor for students with reading challenges. Her tutoring brought her to The Country School, where she worked as an independent tutor for many years. During this time, she completed training with the Wilson program and the Lindamood Bell LIPS programs. In 2010, she completed a Master’s degree in Special Education from Wilmington University and began working full-time as a 2nd grade teacher. In 2011, Linda became our Learning Specialist, and also teaches 8th grade Algebra and 6th grade Study Skills.

Linda enjoys reading, beach trips, biking and sailing with her husband, Mike, '75.
Kylie Schappeler

Upper School Science and Math Teacher

Bio

KYLIE SCHAPPELER grew up and attended a private liberal arts college in western Pennsylvania where she earned her degree in Biology Secondary Education and a minor in Environmental Education. She moved to Maryland to teach, earned her Masters in Curriculum and Leadership from McDaniel College, and married her husband, Tom, a Maryland native. They live in Easton along with two daughters, Kate ('26) and Sam (’27), their dog Sophie, and a few other creatures. Kylie especially enjoys teaching lab-centered science classes and spending time with so many wonderful kids each day at TCS. When she’s not in the classroom, Kylie enjoys running, tending to her many plants, hiking, baking, teaching Sunday school, and spending time at Bethany Beach with her family.
Laura Spies

Bio

LAURA SPIES has a BA in Music from Salisbury University, a K-12 teaching certificate from Chesapeake College and is a Master of Music Education student at Messiah University. Laura has worked as a private piano and vocal teacher, church choir director, and most recently as the Choir/Music/Theater teacher at Easton High School. She enjoys performing, teaching yoga, and spending time with her family. Laura and her husband, Paul, have three human children (classes of 2024 at EHS, 2030 and 2032 at Chapel District) and three dog children, plus one sinister cat - which makes for a very busy household.
Heather Stephenson

Bio

HEATHER STEPHENSON grew up in New Jersey and earned her Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education from Lynchburg College now, the University of Lynchburg, in Virginia. Previously, Heather and her husband, Bobby, taught at Valwood School in Valdosta, GA. Heather and Bobby, a history teacher at Gunston School, have two sons, Lane and Porter, along with a chocolate Lab named Ruby and a black Lab named Bow, with whom they enjoy getting outdoors and exploring.
Scott Valens

Athletic Director

Bio

Originally from Cornwall on Hudson, NY, SCOTT VALENS played a variety of sports. Basketball became his main sport as he got older. Scott attended SUNY Cortland, and played on the club basketball team, and he still enjoys playing a variety of recreational sports. Scott and his wife, Nina, enjoy cooking together, and traveling around the US and to other countries.
Rebecca White

Faculty Degrees '24-25

Jay Parker, B.A. Trinity University; M. Ed. Loyola University of Maryland: Head of School

Emily Beck, B.A. Colgate University; M.S. Antioch University New England: Upper School Head (2022)

Kitty Davis, B.S. College of Notre Dame of Maryland: Lower School Head (2016)
Daneshia Allen, B.A. Agnes Scott College: Upper School English (2023)

Rebecca Amaral, B.A. St. John’s College; M.Ed. Smith College: Upper School English (2004)

Nathaly Ayala, B.A. Polytechnic School of the Army University in Quito, Ecuador; M.A. Private Technical University of Loja (2021)

Kristi Beaven, B.A. Denison University: Grade 2 (2021)

Elizabeth Benefiel, B.A. Montana State University, M.ARCH Montana State University, M.A.T Frostburg State (2024)

Talley Berry, B.A. UNC Chapel Hill; M. Ed. Framingham State University: Dean of Student Life, Life Skills, Spanish (2022)

Megan Brooks, B.A. Elon University: Grade 2 (2014)
Michele Lansinger Chin, B.S. Journalism, University of Maryland College Park , M. Special Ed.-. Loyola University of Maryland (2024)

Erin Collins, B.A Samford University, M.ED University of Queensland (2024)

Eliza Craig, B.A. Salisbury University: Grade 4 (2022)

Emily Cranwell, B.A. Clark University; M.S. The College of Saint Rose: Grade 5 (2007)
Pamela Dolan, BA Loyola College, BA Towson State College, MA Loyola College: Grade 6 and * English)

Melinda Finlay, B.A. Kingswood University: Lower School Music (2021)

Julie Frederick, B.S. Winthrop University; M.A. The George Washington University: Upper School History (2001)

Katie Gilman, B.S. Towson University: Grade 1 (2019)

Mary Jo Glacken, B.A. University of Maryland: Pre-K (2023)

Patti Godlee, B.S. Elon College; M. Ed. Virginia Commonwealth University: Kindergarten (1996)

Melissa Grant, B.A. St. Mary’s College of Maryland; M.S. University of Maryland: Lower School Science (2021)
Ann Hansen, B.A. Roanoke College, M.Ed. Lesley University (2021)

Susan Horsey, B.A. Western Maryland College: Upper School Art (1999)
Meredith Hungarter, B.A. University of South Carolina (2023)
Brittany Medford, B.S. Early Childhood Education, Stevenson University (2010); M.S. Educational Leadership & Instructional Technology, Towson University (2017)

Mandi Mielke, B.S. Duke University; M.Ed. Gratz College: Upper School Math (2013)
Tara Mildenberger, B.S. Towson University: Upper School Science (2023)
Katie Morris, B.S. Salisbury University (2024)

Linda Rajacich, B.S. Wake Forest University; M.S. University of South Carolina; M.Special Ed. Wilmington University: Learning Specialist (2008)
Susan Ruff, BS Frostburg State University; M.Ed. Loyola University: Grade 4 Reading (2024)

Kylie Schappeler, B.S. Grove City College, M.Ed. McDaniel College: Upper School Math and Science (2017)

Susan Schorr, B.S. Salisbury University; M.Ed. Coppin State College: Grade 3 (2005)

Laura Spies, B.A. Salisbury University: Upper School Music (2021)

Heather Stephenson, B.S. Lynchburg College: Physical Education (2018)

Scott Valens, B.S. SUNY Cortland, M.A SUNY Cortland: Physical Education/Athletic Director (2016)

Alex Vega, B.A. University of Mississippi; M.A. Florida State University: Upper School History and Latin (2012)
Grace Vorosmarti, B.A. Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2024)

Rebecca White, B.S. Stevenson University; M.A. LaSalle University - RTC: Upper School Math (2023)

(Date in parentheses indicates initial year on faculty of The Country School.)

Career Opportunities

The Country School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational, admission, and employment policies, or its financial aid, athletic, and other school administered programs.

716 Goldsborough Street, Easton, MD 21601 • 410.822.1935