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

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.
Christi Boyd

3rd Grade Teacher

Bio

CHRISTI BOYD lives in Easton with her husband and two children: Casey ('23) and Jack ('26). She graduated from Catholic University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and taught 2nd grade for six years at Blessed Sacrament School in Washington, D.C., before moving to the Eastern Shore.

Christi is a loyal Redskins fan and loves to spend time outside of school with her family and their dog, Griffin.
Kitty Davis

Head of Lower School

Bio

KITTY DAVIS was appointed Head of Lower School in 2016 following 10 years of employment at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore, Maryland. During her tenure at RPCS, Kitty taught Kindergarten, developed and implemented the Preschool program, served as Assistant Lower School Head and most recently held the position of Director of Early Childhood Education, overseeing infants through first graders. A model life-long learner, Kitty is currently pursuing training at the Orton-Gillingham Academy, where she is working on her certification and fellowship.

Kitty’s family is from Baltimore and after several moves along the east coast, Kitty returned to Baltimore where she received her B.A. from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She has two sons, both musicians. Jack, her eldest resides in Baltimore and Danny is now living in Boulder Colorado. Kitty lives in St. Michaels with her dog Macky, close by her parents and brother. Her family and friends love spending time on the Eastern shore so she often has visitors.
Melinda Finlay

Bio

MELINDA FINLAY is a graduate of Kingswood University with a BA in Christian Education and a minor in music. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, leading worship at church, playing the piano and flute, watching her boys play hockey, and walking her dog, Oreo.
Elise Glynn

Teaching Assistant

Bio

ELISE GLYNN earned her B.S. degree from SUNY at Plattsburg. She joined The Country School in 2016 after teaching at the Pear Tree Point School in Darien, CT. As part of the TCS team, Elise has worn many hats including classroom assistant in 2nd and 3rd grades, small group instructor, LS proctor, and Library Coordinator.

Elise moved from CT in 2015 and now lives in Easton with her husband.
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.
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.
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.

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