Leadership, Faculty, and Staff

Our Joyful Community

Leadership

Our Board provides the spiritual, strategic, and organizational leadership that keeps Innovate Academy aligned with its mission and future. Drawing from diverse areas of expertise, our Board members steward the Academy with prayerful decision-making, careful oversight, and a deep commitment to the flourishing of our scholars, families, and staff. Their leadership ensures Innovate remains rooted in its values while growing with excellence and innovation.

At Innovate Academy, we believe a thriving school is built through partnership—scholars, families, mentors, leaders, and educators working together to shape a joyful, purposeful learning environment. Our community shares a united vision: to nurture whole, healthy, hope-filled scholars who love learning and are equipped to influence the world for good. Below you’ll meet the teams that make Innovate Academy the vibrant, welcoming place it is.

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    Meagan Evans

    ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRMAN

    Meagan was most recently a chemicals executive with many years of industry experience across R&D, Marketing, Program Management, Business Development, Strategy, and People Leadership at ExxonMobil Chemical and DuPont.  She left the corporate world in 2024 to spend time on her other passions: gardening, making natural remedies and herbal skincare products, writing a textbook, teaching herbology and natural remedies courses at Innovate Academy, and launching her own product line called Age of Eden.

    Outside of work, Meagan is very active in raising her 11-year-old twins, Dominic and Lena, and has been married to her college sweetheart, Chris, for over 22 years. Her and her husband have always been passionate about STEM and established the Christopher M & Meagan E Evans Graduate Research Fellowship at the University of Rochester to support chemistry graduate students. Her family attends Calvary Chapel of Delaware County, and she has been a Sunday School Teacher there for several years.  

    She holds a doctorates in Organometallic Chemistry from the University of Rochester, a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Chemistry from Rochester Institute of Technology, and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Chicago. Meagan has six granted US patents and nine technical publications in top-tier journals.  In 2024, she was recognized in the Top 50 Women We Admire Magazine.

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    Ben Schmidt

    ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, TREASURER

    Ben is a wealth manager and the founder of Ketwich Capital. Ben is passionate about helping others become secure, content, and generous with their wealth. Beyond Ketwich, he guides multi-generational families through the “great wealth transfer” through his legacy coaching practice, Generational Family Partners, LLC.

    In his personal life, Ben and his wife Helen love to go on local adventures with their young children who also attend Innovate. He and his family live in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and attend Calvary Chapel in Chadds Ford.

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    Teresa Appleby

    ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, EDUCATION

    Teresa is a retired teacher with over 36 years of both K-8 and middle school science experience. Throughout her career in the Marple Newtown and Upper Darby School Districts, Teresa specialized in science, literacy, and STEM education, with a particular passion for nurturing the strengths of gifted and high-achieving learners.  Her extensive experience guiding students in county, regional, and national competitions has led to numerous student awards in writing, science, and STEM. Her lifelong dedication to education reflects a deep commitment not only to academic excellence but also to developing students’ creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and Christian values.

    Teresa holds a master’s degree in Education and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a reading minor from West Chester University. She maintains Pennsylvania Instructional II Certification in Elementary Education and Middle Level Science and has earned additional credentials in inclusion, educational leadership, and STEM leadership through institutions including Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University, and Discovery Education. She is also bilingual in Italian.

    Outside her career, Teresa has been happily married to Timothy for 36 years, and they are the proud parents of two sons: Timothy and Daniel. Tim and Teresa attend Calvary Chapel of Delaware County, where they have served in various ways over the years. 

Culture Maker Committee

The Culture-Maker Committee is Innovate Academy’s parent-led community team—similar to a PTA, but with a uniquely Innovate identity. These parents help cultivate a vibrant school culture by planning events, supporting teachers, welcoming new families, and coordinating service opportunities. Working closely with staff and leadership, the Committee strengthens the home and school partnership and helps make Innovate a joyful, connected community. Every parent has a place here, and every contribution helps shape a school culture where scholars thrive.

Dan Orth

Andria Rafferty

Marie Gough

Faculty & Staff

Our faculty is more than a group of instructors—they are mentors, guides, and encouragers who invest wholeheartedly into each scholar. Innovate’s educators blend classical pedagogy, whole-child formation, and collaborative learning to create classrooms full of curiosity, creativity, and connection. Each teacher (called a mentor) brings a love for their craft, a commitment to spiritual and emotional wellness, and a passion for helping scholars discover their strengths. Together, our staff cultivates a community where every scholar is known, supported, and inspired to grow.

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    Monica Guaglione, MEd

    FOUNDER
    HEAD OF SCHOOL
    CULTURE MAKERS MENTOR

    Monica has over twenty years of K–12 classroom experience in public and private schools, as well as in homeschool settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Chestnut Hill College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Villanova University.

    Contact: mguaglione@innovateacademy.com

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    Julia Barcalow, EdD

    ACADEMY DEAN

    Julia has been teaching and working with children—from infants to high school students—for over twenty years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education from Widener University, a master’s degree in elementary education from Wilkes University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Saint Joseph’s University. After working in the Haverford School District for ten years, she connected with the homeschool community and taught in local co-ops and pods while raising her two daughters.

    Contact: jbarcalow@innovateacademy.com

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    Adler Roberts, MAT

    PASTOR
    GRADES 6-8 HISTORY, LOGIC, & STEM MENTOR

    Adler has been teaching at Innovate Academy for over five years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design and a master’s degree in Classical Education from Templeton Honors College at Eastern University.

    Contact: aroberts@innovateacademy.com

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    Sherry McFarlane

    SYSTEMS AND FINANCE MANAGER

    Sherry has over seven years of administrative experience while working for her husband’s company.

    Contact: smcfarlane@innovateacademy.com

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    Cindi Prange

    ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

    Cindi has served as a volunteer administrator in numerous ministries for over twenty years.

    Contact: cprange@innovateacademy.com

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    Krystal Atwood

    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

    Krystal earned a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University. Upon graduation, she worked in healthcare for over ten years before embarking on a fulfilling career in education.

    Contact: katwood@innovateacademy.com

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    Donna Casperson

    FRONT DESK ASSISTANT

    Donna has over 20 years of experience supporting and managing administrative departments.

    Contact: dcasperson@innovateacademy.com

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    Terry Doyle

    EITC COORDINATOR

    Terry has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Drexel University and a masters of divinity from Regent University. She has been an EITC (Educational Improvement Tax Credit) Specialist for over 15 years and previously served as the director of the Frederick Douglass Christian School in Chester, PA and an education industry specialist and systems engineer at IBM Corporation.

    Contact: tdoyle@innovateacademy.com

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    Jessica Hartzell, EdS

    SCHOOL COUNSELOR

    Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in school counseling, and a specialist in education degree in school counseling. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor. Jessica has worked in education for nineteen years, with experience as a grade 5 teacher, school counselor, and preschool teacher. Over the years, she has also worked one-on-one with children as a private tutor and partnered with parents to develop strategies that support their scholars’ educational journeys.

    Contact: jhartzell@innovateacademy.com

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    Emma Mahalik

    ACADEMIC SUPPORT COORDINATOR

    Emma is a special education teacher with over eight years of experience in the field. She holds bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and special education from West Chester University.

    CONTACT: emahalik@innovateacademy.com

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    Heather McEneaney

    ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
    SCIENCE, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, & WELLNESS MENTOR

    Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education for kindergarten through grade 12 from West Chester University.

    CONTACT: hmceneaney@innovateacademy.com

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    Billy DiFillipis

    SCIENCE, CODING, & PHYSICAL EDUCATION MENTOR

    Billy holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Saint Joseph’s University.

    CONTACT: bdifillipis@innovateacademy.com

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    Faith Bryant

    MUSIC MENTOR

    Faith holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Cairn University.

    CONTACT: fbryant@innovateacademy.com

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    Ken Frieson

    MUSIC MENTOR

    Ken studied music at both West Chester University and Eastern University and brings over twenty years of music experience. He taught music to kindergarten through grade 8 and directed school choirs at several public and charter schools in the Philadelphia area.

    CONTACT: kfrieson@innovateacademy.com

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    Trisha Samuel Taylor

    ART MENTOR

    Trisha is an artist and art educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in art education from Kutztown University and has been teaching since 2006 in both public and independent schools.

    CONTACT: tsamueltaylor@innovateacademy.com

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    Maria Mahalik

    GRADE 6-8 LANGUAGE ARTS MENTOR THEATRE DIRECTOR

    Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and theatre and a master’s degree in education. Her certifications include reading specialist (K–12), elementary education (K–6), and middle school language arts (grades 6–8). She has been producing and directing plays and musicals for over ten years.

    CONTACT: mmahalik@innovateacdemy.com

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    Cindy Thomas

    GRADES 6-8 MATHEMATICS MENTOR

    Cindy has years of experience teaching in both public, private, and homeschool settings.

    Contact: cthomas@innovateacademy.com

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    Jean Benson

    GRADES 6-8 SCIENCE MENTOR

    Jean holds a bachelor’s degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy; after years of practicing her profession, she then pursued a career in education. She happily homeschooled both of her grown children and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education at Eastern University.

    CONTACT: jbenson@innovateacademy.com

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    Chrissy DeYoe

    GRADE 5 MENTOR

    Chrissy holds a bachelor’s degree in early elementary education and sociology from Villanova University. She has eighteen years of experience teaching children from prekindergarten through grade 7 across a variety of school settings.

    CONTACT: cdeyoe@innovateacademy.com

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    Madison Mazzoli

    GRADE 4 MENTOR

    Madison holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester University, with teaching certification for grades prekindergarten through grade 4.

    CONTACT: mmazzoli@innovateacademy.com

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    Michele Cotumaccio, MEd

    GRADE 3 MENTOR

    Michele has been working in the field of education for over ten years, teaching in a variety of settings, including special education, public schools, and faith-based schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Cabrini College and a master’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University.

    CONTACT: mcotumaccio@innovateacademy.com

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    Rebecca Peirce

    GRADE 3 MENTOR

    Rebecca has over twenty-five years of teaching experience, including twelve years in public schools and fifteen years teaching in homeschool co-ops. She holds a master’s degree in education with a reading specialization from West Chester University, as well as bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and English literature from Gordon College. She is certified in elementary education (K–6) and as a reading specialist in Pennsylvania.

    CONTACT: rpeirce@innovateacademy.com

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    Kristin O’Neill

    GRADE 2 MENTOR

    Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Villanova University. She also attended Eastern University, where she completed graduate work in elementary education and earned certifications in middle level math and language arts. She has spent over fifteen years in education, teaching students with a wide range of strengths and needs from preschool through middle school.

    CONTACT: koneill@innovateacademy.com

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    Amelia Machowski

    GRADE 2 MENTOR

    Amelia holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from West Chester University as well as a Pennsylvania teaching certificate.

    CONTACT: ameliamachowski@innovateacademy.com

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    Anna Machowski

    GRADE 1 MENTOR

    Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from West Chester University.

    CONTACT: amachowski@innovateacademy.com

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    Kyra Morris

    GRADE 1 MENTOR

    Kyra earned an associate degree in education with honors from Delaware County Community College. She has been working with children of all ages since 2010.

    CONTACT: kmorris@innovateacademy.com

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    Anne Collins

    KINDERGARTEN MENTOR

    Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in integrative arts from Pennsylvania State University. In 2005, she earned a private teacher credential from the Pennsylvania Board of Private Academic Schools and a Montessori teaching diploma from the North American Montessori Center. She has over fifteen years of experience teaching and working with children and has taught preschool through kindergarten in traditional, Montessori, and classical homeschool co-op settings.

    CONTACT: acollins@innovateacademy.com

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    Maria Cristina Johnson

    KINDERGARTEN MENTOR

    Maria Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in French from Eastern University. She has experience in both homeschool and preschool settings.

    CONTACT: mjohnson@innovateacademy.com

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    Dana Falcone

    KINDERGARTEN ASSISTANT

    Dana has eight years of experience working with children from infancy through elementary age. She holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Pennsylvania State University.

    CONTACT: dfalcone@innovateacademy.com

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    Kaitlyn Mullins

    PRE-KINDERGARTEN MENTOR

    Kaitlyn has been working in early childhood education classrooms for over five years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Delaware Community College.

    CONTACT: kmullins@innovateacademy.com

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    Marlo Lombardi

    PRE-KINDERGARTEN ASSISTANT

    Marlo has more than nineteen years of experience as a paraprofessional educator across various classroom environments.

    CONTACT: mlombardi@innovateacademy.com

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    Joanne Zeiger, MEd

    INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT MENTOR

    Joanne holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts with a minor in Spanish from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in special education from Loyola College in Maryland as well as a second master’s degree in reading specialization from West Chester University. Joanne has over twenty years of experience supporting students in educational settings.

    CONTACT: jzeiger@innovateacademy.com

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    Nelli Bakalenko

    MENTOR ASSISTANT
    INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT MENTOR

    Nelli first came to Innovate Academy as a teacher assistant over five years ago. She has completed Orton–Gillingham training, a structured, multisensory, diagnostic-prescriptive approach to instruction in reading, spelling, and writing.

    Contact: nbakalenko@innovateacademy.com

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    Mark Slider

    DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION MENTOR

    For the past twenty-eight years, Mark has served in the field of education, seventeen of which have been spent as a senior-level educational administrator. He holds a doctorate from Immaculata University and a Letter of Eligibility to serve as a superintendent in Pennsylvania. Dr. Slider currently serves as an adjunct professor at Gwynedd Mercy University and Immaculata University, where he teaches school law, human resources, and curriculum development.

    Contact: mslider@innovateacademy.com

  • Ryan Derfler

    GRADE 6-8 ENTREPRENURSHIP MENTOR

    Ryan holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lebanon Valley College. He has also received certificates in Implementing Innovative Ideas from the University of Maryland and Gamification from the University of Pennsylvania. As a self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur”, Ryan has launched two tech start-ups, a publishing franchise, a cafe, and a farm.

    Contact: rderfler@innovateacademy.com

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    Ashley Sereikis

    MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

    Ashley is a strategic communications professional with ten years of experience leading brand initiatives for Chick-fil-A, from local restaurants to the corporate level. Most recently, she served on the corporate communications and external affairs team, focusing on field public relations and affairs to manage brand reputation and stakeholder engagement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Delaware County Community College.

    CONTACT: innovatemarketing@innovateacademy.com

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    Christie Reinhardt, RN, BSN

    SCHOOL NURSE

    Christie brings nineteen years of nursing experience to her role as Innovate Academy’s School Nurse.

    CONTACT: creinhardt@innovateacademy.com

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    Al Pinero

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Al retired from the U.S. Marine Corps and later served with—and retired from—the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He currently serves as the director of operations at Calvary Chapel of Delaware County.

    CONTACT: apinero@ccdelco.com

  • Larisa Katko

    Bio coming soon.

  • Krista Biedrzycki

    YEARBOOK MENTOR

    Bio coming soon.

Whether you’re new to Innovate or a returning family, there’s a place for you to use your gifts. Want to get more involved in our community?