Welcome to Our New Faculty and Staff!

This year, 21 new teachers and 10 new staff members are joining the GFS community! We can't wait to see how their unique talents and passions enrich our campus.

Faculty and staff pictured:

Front row, L to R: Saunders Robinson, Andrea Ogle, Meg Partridge, Jackie Lawlor, Emma Ruhl, Rhiannon Schulz, Matalai Lee, Aleena Chang, Caryn Rivers, Nicole Mullen, Reuben Becker-Klein, Jess Shollenberger, Josh Prichard, Anna Stowe.

Back row, L to R: Michelle Fox, Jamie Cotterell, Tricia Colaprete, Jamie DiEmidio, Christine Meisky, Taya Naumovich, Kate Winer, Noemi Walton, Rachel Hegarty, Mac Hicks, Stephanie Sickinger, Caitlin Steedle, Jessica Press, Kadirah Williams, Tara Griffiths, Di Thomas-Palmer.

Meet a few of our new community members!

Jamie Cohen-DiEmidio, Early Childhood Teacher
Master of Fine Arts from School of Visual Arts; Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of the Arts

Jamie’s prior position was a Pre-K Assistant/Early Years Art Teacher at Wilmington Friends School, where she worked for 12 years. She was drawn to GFS because of its great reputation and our values as a Quaker school.

Tricia Colaprete, Teacher Assistant and ASPire Team Member
Bachelor of Arts from Villanova University

Tricia just made the move back to Philly from Boston where she completed a year-of-service in a third grade classroom with the nonprofit City Year.

“I am so excited to be at GFS because the community and values remind me a lot of the school I attended from fifth through twelfth grades!”

Rachel Hegarty, Admissions Application and Events Coordinator and Assistant Varsity Lacrosse Coach
Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University

Rachel comes to GFS from Washington, D.C., where she held roles as the Deputy Director of Scheduling to the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and then as the Director of Advance at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

“At GFS, I can be part of a vibrant community grounded in Quaker values where students are at the center of what we do every day. I know how daunting an Admissions process can be, and I love having the opportunity to help students and families navigate it. Also, I was drawn by the opportunity to be involved in student life, including coaching varsity girls lacrosse last spring, when we won the Friends League Championship!” 

Christine Meiskey, Lower School Teacher
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Drexel University

Chris and her spouse just relocated back to Philadelphia after spending the last few years living in Cape May. Prior to her most recent job working as a literacy and math interventionist, she was employed for seven years at Friends Select School as a fourth and first grade teacher.

“My kids began attending GFS in 2008, starting in kindergarten and fourth grade. At the time, I was a freelance designer and art teacher for an afterschool program. When a last minute assistant spot opened up in a first grade classroom at GFS in 2010, I jumped at the opportunity to partner with my daughter’s former first grade teacher. The position solidified my desire to make a full shift into teaching and opened the door for a major career change from product design to education. It was wonderful to be immersed in Quaker education as both a parent and a classroom teacher, and those experiences have stayed with me and informed my teaching practice over the years. I am thrilled to be returning to the place that helped shape my children and had such a profound influence on my teaching.”

Jessica Press, Lower School Teaching Fellow
Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University

Jess spent 25 years as a journalist in New York and Philadelphia, and always made teaching and mentorship a part of her work. 

“I was drawn to the Teaching Fellowship at GFS for its emphasis on nurturing curiosity, growth, empathy, and joy among students and staff. I am thrilled to be  joining the GFS community!”

Emma Ruhl, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher 
Master of Science in Education from University of Pennsylvania GSE; Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College 

Emma has worked in early childhood in Boston and Providence. She was drawn to GFS because of our Quaker values and community.

Jess Shollenberger, Upper School English
PhD from University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College

Jess comes to GFS from Bryn Mawr College, where from 2021-2026 they were a Visiting Assistant Professor of Literatures in English. Last year, they published a book in queer literary studies called Ordinary Queerness in American Modernism. 

“Some things that led me to GFS: the school's Quaker values and progressive ethos, my desire for more community and collaboration in teaching, being a denizen of Philly, and most of all my love of literature, which I am excited to share with GFS students!”

Stephanie Sickinger, Director of Financial Aid
Bachelor of Arts from Saint Joseph's University 

Before arriving at GFS, Stephanie worked for the Ellis Trust for Girls run by Heights Philadelphia, which provides enrichment and tuition scholarships to female-identifying high school students coming from low-income, single parent households. 

“My entire career—including my work with the Ellis Trust—has been dedicated to advocating for and delivering exceptional service to communities that are far too often overlooked or under-resourced. I was drawn to Germantown Friends School not only for its stellar reputation and outstanding student outcomes, but because its Quaker values, community, and commitment to social justice deeply mirror my passion for equity and creating supportive environments where every student can thrive.”

Caitlin Steedle, Lower School Psychologist
Master of Science in Education/Advanced Certificate in School Psychology from Fordham University; Bachelor of Arts from Boston College

Caitlin was most recently School Psychologist for Norristown Area School District. She was attracted to GFS because of its Quaker ideals and collaborative, supportive community.

Anna Stowe, Lower School Teaching Fellow
Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College; currently working towards an M.S.Ed at the University of Pennsylvania

Before joining Germantown Friends, Anna worked at the Hotchkiss School as a Summer Fellow for its Summer Portals program.

“I was drawn to GFS because of the school's strong Quaker roots, and I can't wait to get started!”

Di’anna Thomas-Palmer, Athletics Dept. Coordinator
Master of Science from Temple University; Master of Science in Education from University of Pennsylvania; Bachelor of Science from Hofstra University  

Dee previously worked at Gesu School as Director of Graduate Support, where she supported middle school students and families through the high school placement process and provided ongoing support to graduates through college.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my previous time at GFS working in the Athletics Department. GFS has been one of the most community-centered and student-focused places I’ve worked throughout my career, and I was incredibly excited for the opportunity to return and contribute to the community again.”

Noemi Walton, Early Childhood Teacher
Bachelor of Arts from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Noemi’s previous job was in voter services at the Board of Elections in Durham County, NC. 

“I have been wanting to pursue teaching for a while and have multiple connections to GFS through friends who attended the school or work here. They have wonderful things to say about the school and the community has already been incredibly welcoming!”

Kate Winer, Middle School History and Classics Teacher
Bachelor of Arts and Elementary Teaching License from Smith College

At Smith, Kate spent her final year full-time student teaching in a sixth grade teaching placement at the Campus School of Smith College. 

“I came to GFS because I was drawn to the strong community values and commitment to valuing and empowering student voices.”