Governance

Founder, NCCL School

I was the founder of NCCL School along with many dedicated people in 1971. I retired in 2001 and moved to California to help raise my four grandchildren. I come back every summer and keep in touch all year around. My continued role as president of the corporate board allows me to maintain a role in keeping alive our unique philosophy as we continue to grow and change with the times.

Group 1 Teacher from 1992-present, current Educational Director, K-4

The philosophy of NCCL spoke to my heart when I walked through the front doors in 1992, and it still does. Ann Brown, the founder of the school and its vision, was my mentor and co-teacher in Group One when I first began teaching here, and her incredible impact has never faded. Although the school has evolved throughout the years, NCCL has always remained true to its mission: igniting passions, creating thinkers, and remaining a solid cultivating community. I have witnessed joy in learning, awe in wonder, and the delight in accomplishing goals both educationally and socially. These experiences are due to the unique atmosphere within NCCL — I feel there is no better way to teach children.

As a long-standing teacher, current Educational Director, and parent of two alumni, I am able to view the school from a variety of valuable lenses. My mission as a board member is to consider all of these different perspectives and contribute in any way possible to make sure NCCL continues to provide the same nurturing and inspiring educational experience for communities of learners for years to come.

Outreach and Financial Director, NCCL School

Jordan is an alumna of the University of Colorado, Boulder, where she graduated with degrees in political science and women & gender studies. It was there as a student assistant at the University of Colorado Foundation that she discovered an energy for fundraising and stewardship in schools. She comes to us most recently from Rhode Island, where she worked in development and alumni relations at a Quaker school in Providence. In her role as Outreach and Financial Director at NCCL School, she serves as fiduciary for all school investments and financial assets, and strives to bring sound financial decision-making on behalf of the school to the Board. In addition to maintaining alignment with NCCL School’s 50- year history of progressive education for hundreds of alumni, Jordan has the best interests of its students, staff, and current school community at heart.

A South Jersey native, Jordan lives in Wilmington with her husband Andrew and is grateful to live close to her family (they have five dazzling nieces!). She has a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Delaware and is pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Social and Emotional Learning.

NCCL School Parent of Jason ‘23 and Rachel ‘25

Our family joined NCCL in the fall of 2017. My husband, Dave, was born and raised in Newark, and we moved here in 2010. We learned about NCCL through friends and attended the Kids' Greenfest for many years before enrolling our children. We were drawn to the progressive educational philosophy and remarkable passion of the teachers at NCCL. Jason and Rachel have thrived here and we love being part of this truly unique community.

I work as a Physician Assistant at the Christiana Spine Center. I work closely with patients and their families, often through challenging medical treatment plans. This involves careful listening, empathy, and clear communication with the rest of the treatment team. I can use these same skills to work with NCCL parents and the Board.

My personal mission as a NCCL Board Member is to serve as an effective link between NCCL parents and the Board, as well as to offer a parent's perspective regarding all issues that face the Board. I will attend the NCCL Community Meetings, help to communicate parent concerns with the Board, and help to work on solutions.

Founding Parent and Former Teacher, NCCL School

Understanding how all children learn and watching them make sense of the world and their place in it has been and continues to be a passion for me. I was a founding parent and teacher of NCCL, both of my children attended K through 8th grades and I was on the teaching staff for forty-five years. Now in retirement, I have extra time to devote to supporting the NCCL community as it carries out its very important mission.

NCCL School Alumnus ‘05

I’m an NCCL Board member and alumnus who credits NCCL for planting the seeds that grew into my career in political communications. I discovered a talent for writing at NCCL, where small classes, creative lessons, and one-on-one attention helped nurture my writing skills from among my weakest in elementary school to among my strongest today. As a Group 4 student, my 8th grade apprenticeship with the Newark Department of Parks and Recreation sparked an interest in local government and public service that later steered my college major and career path. After graduating from NCCL in 2005, I attended Cab Calloway School of the Arts and Wilmington University and went on to work with dozens of political campaigns and progressive causes. I currently serves as Communications Director for the Delaware Department of Justice, where I’m the principal spokesman for the state’s largest law firm and an advisor and speechwriter for Delaware’s Attorney General. In my free time I can be found cooking, gardening, or negotiating personal space with a growing cadre of pets.

Lia earned her B.A. in Theater from Temple University and has earned credits towards her M.S. in Special Education from Hunter College. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Lia taught in NYC for over 5 years. Lia served in meaningful roles across the boroughs, from Interim Assistant Principal, to Alumni Success Counselor. Lia has a devote love for education and building relationships within the community. Lia is beyond grateful to be a part of the NCCL School family!