Policies/Practices

Policies/Practices

Margaret Badger

Bette Balder

Joe Cutter

Debbie Hegedus

Debbie Keese

Kate Kerrane

Sean Kerrane

Susila Madhavan

Marilynn Magnani

Ray Magnani

Kelly Orga

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Janice has a M.F.A. in Visual Art, and B.A. in American Studies and Art. She was formerly an adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware, Goldey Beacom, Wesley College and West Chester University, and a Child Counselor at Terry Children's Psychiatric Center. She has 16 years previous teaching experience and taught at NCCL from 1995-2003. For the next 4 years Janice and her husband lived and worked in England where she taught psychology at a Gloucester College, tried Morris dancing and was involved with Gloucester Cathedral. The contrast between the English school system and NCCL was very interesting to explore and has made her appreciate NCCL to new heights! Janice returned to NCCL for the 2007/2008 school year.

Janice has two children "who have led me on many adventures, including teaching at NCCL. They continue to inspire me and make each day exciting." She is interested in history, art, writing and music. She loves holidays of all sorts and celebrations of every kind.

Interview with Janice Toomey NCCL Newsletter, June 2000

Janice Toomey has been a Group 2 Teacher since she joined the NCCL teaching staff seven years ago. She enjoys that age group because of the youthful innocence of the kids. "They're very open," says Janice. "They're very excited about what you do. There's lots of fantasy, lots of celebration."

The challenges inherent in working with youngsters are part of the fun for Janice. Because the kids are young, they have a limited point of view and sometimes need help to put together the "big picture." Saying goodbye to her students can be hard, but Janice won't have to do that at the end of this school year. "I'm excited that we're moving up with the kids this year." Teaching fourth-graders this fall will offer some new challenges. "We haven't done that in our class before."

The kids at NCCL have an open, accepting attitude because we don't just talk about that philosophy, we live it, says Janice. "Our kids tend to be nicer. They haven't learned to be critical or unaccepting of people or ideas. We rarely have problems with hitting or meanness."

Janice's face lights up when she talks about working on NCCL's annual Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. "The kids become so actively involved in it. It's my favorite, favorite thing to do with them." She has watched the productions get bigger and more advanced each year. "We started with Pirates of Penzance, with a limited script. But the kids got a hold of the movie and wanted to do the whole thing. When we did The Mikado this year, it didn't even occur to us to shorten it." She thinks that Gilbert and Sullivan shows work well because they contain catchy tunes, complex music, and are funny. The kids understand the humor and even rewrite some of the dialogue to bring it closer to home. "The funniest stuff in the shows comes from the kids," says Janice.

Janice attended graduate schools in Los Angeles (Cal State, LA) and Chicago (the Art Institute and the University of Chicago). She has taught college, preschool, and K-8 at various schools, including some that were similar to NCCL. She wanted to return to her home state of Delaware so her children could be close to their extended family. Finding a school like NCCL was an added bonus. "I was excited to find out about NCCL. I didn't expect to find it here in a small place like Delaware."

Janice likes to write, paint, travel, read, garden, and redecorate rooms in her house. She enjoys short camping trips that "have some comfort." Janice is also an NCCL parent-her daughter, Molly, is in Group 4 and her son, Colin, is an NCCL alumnus who graduated last year. (Both children are currently attending college.)