ABOUT US
Meet the Team
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Sara Daniels
Head of School
Sara holds a dual masters in early childhood and special education from Touro College in NYC and a B.S. in early childhood from THE Ohio State University. She taught for over ten years at a private preschool in NYC where she was also the director of their summer program. Sara and her husband, Scott, have 2 children Ellie (13) and Cooper (10) who are students in the Lower Merion School District. Sara has been working at Wetherill for 4 years and is grateful to be a part of the Wetherill community.
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Kathy Parker
Business Manager
Kathy joined The Wetherill School five years ago. A CPA and proud Villanova University graduate, Kathy brings her financial expertise and thoughtful perspective to support Wetherill’s mission and operations. Both of her children attended Wetherill, giving her a personal connection to the school and a deep appreciation for the nurturing environment it provides to families.
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Debora Bonfim
Marketing and Administration
Deb is originally from Brazil and has been a proud member of The Wetherill School community for the past three years. With years of experience in childcare and a background as an au pair, she went on to earn her master’s degree in Strategic Communications from La Salle University. Deb loves starting her mornings greeting the children and enjoys organizing and attending school events that bring together the wonderful community that has so warmly welcomed her. She lives in Horsham with her husband, Nick, and their beloved fur babies.
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Mandy McConnell
Support Staff Member
Mandy McConnell attended Notre Dame Academy and graduated from Fairfield University with a B.S. in Marketing. Mandy has been teaching at the Wetherill School for over twenty years in many capacities including classroom assistant and has used her marketing expertise to help with public relations in many ways. She and her husband Stephen have two sons, Paul and Peter. Mandy loves swimming and yoga.
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Donna Feltman
Teacher
Donna is enjoying her 16th year with Wetherill. She received her certification for Primary (ages 3-6) Montessori through Chestnut Hill College and holds dual degrees in Education and Dance from Temple University. She is passionate about teaching concepts and themes with creative movement and is also a major proponent of outdoor education.
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Susan Ellman
Teacher
Susan Ellman is currently in their 5th year at The Wetherill School where their goal each day is to provide a positive school experience that promotes kindness and security coupled with warmth and, of course, lots of fun! Past experiences include teaching in the Philadelphia School district and using strong communication and teaching skills to train and mentor colleagues in the entrepreneurial business world.
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Dolly Munroe
Teacher
Dolly Munroe attended the Agnes Irwin School and graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in English. Her love for teaching blossomed while raising her two sons, John and Peter with her husband David. Dolly started her teaching career at Narberth Presbyterian Nursery School where she worked for two years. Dolly has been teaching at The Wetherill School for 10 years. She loves hiking and any outdoor activities with her family.
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Olivia Gotaski
Teacher
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Emma Greene
Teacher
Emma holds a Master's of Education and Montessori certification from Chestnut Hill College. She was thrilled to join the Wetherill family in the Fall of 2012. Now in her 14th year at Wetherill, Emma loves doing art projects, learning about nature, and having dance parties with her students!
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Kathy Stevens
Teacher
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Lindsay Kursman
Teacher
Lindsay holds a Master's degree in elementary education from Temple University. She has been a teacher for over 15 years. This is her third year at Wetherill. When she’s not teaching she can be found spending time with her two children Cooper and Liv or walking her dog, Gracie. She loves reading, playing tennis, and trying new restaurants
Mission
The school’s philosophy is rooted in the work of Maria Montessori, and it is also informed by the best practices of child-centered educational approaches.
The Wetherill School offers a warm and secure first-school experience that fosters independence and responsibility in each child. The school's philosophy is that the needs of young children are best served when families and teachers work closely together.
At Wetherill, we carefully consider the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of each child, and our projects and curricula are designed to support their growth and intellectual curiosity.
Children spend the morning in mixed-aged classrooms where teachers work with small groups as well as individual children. In the afternoon classes, children are grouped into a three-year-old class and a kindergarten readiness class for our oldest learners, comprising four and five-year-olds.
History
The school is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools and is a member of the Pathway of Continuous School Improvement of The American Montessori Society.
Our Campus
The Wetherill School is situated in a quiet residential neighborhood in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania on a private wooded 7-acre campus. We are housed in the Gladwyne Presbyterian Church, but the School is independent and unaffiliated with the church.
Our campus boasts a large fenced playground complete with a shaded play structure that promotes gross motor skill development and a newly constructed Tree House that offers opportunities for climbing, sliding and balancing, a sandbox, large wooden building blocks and garden beds for each classroom to tend to. Our children play outdoors all year long, in sunshine, drizzle, and especially in snow!
The Bridlewild Trails just outside our front doors offer walking trails to explore and outdoor classroom spaces where children learn and identify trees, leaves, plants and discover the local fauna as well.
SUPPORT THE MISSION
The Wetherill School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and your contributions to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible. Gifts help bridge the gap between tuition and operating costs, and support financial aid for families in need.
Thanks to your generosity, we’ve improved our classrooms, outdoor spaces, and programming. Your continued support will ensure:
Ongoing updates to classroom materials and facilities, both indoors and outdoors.
Empowering our passionate faculty through continued professional development and support.
Enriching our classes, including Spanish, Music & Movement, and Riverbend Nature Lessons.
Last year, 100% of our faculty and board contributed, and we’re grateful for the continued support from our Alumni families. Your donation helps ensure Wetherill’s future success and its exceptional education for years to come.
Thank you for being a part of our community!
Make an impact today
Support our mission by contributing a donation.
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