ECDS FACULTY

Easton Country Day School boasts a highly qualified and diverse faculty, dedicated to fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment for students. Our educators bring extensive experience, advanced degrees, and unique expertise in their respective fields, ranging from early childhood education to specialized high school programs. Passionate about their work, our teachers prioritize academic excellence, critical thinking, and personal growth while inspiring a love for lifelong learning.

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Head of School

Mrs. Smith received her B.A. in Liberal Arts from Marymount College, Tarrytown, and her M.A. in Education at Fairfield University. She holds Connecticut certification in Biology, Chemistry, General Science and History. Mrs. Smith has over forty years of teaching experience. She taught Science, Math and History at St. James School in Stratford and at New Haven Hebrew Day in Orange, and Upper School Science at the Unquowa School. She is the founder of Easton Country Day School and the mother of two of our earliest graduates. She teaches Physics, Chemistry, Biology and History to the middle school.

Mrs. Inwood earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders/Learning Disabilities at Northwestern University and her Master’s in Education for Pre-K to 12 at Southern Connecticut. She is a founding parent and one of the school’s two directors. Her thirty three years of teaching experience includes preschool at Cooperative Educational Services and numerous grades at Fairfield public schools. She has apprenticed and worked with Dr. Donaldson in Original Play for over 25 years, Lynn Meltzer in Executive Function and specializes in Sensory Integration for home, work and classroom.

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Director K-12

High School Director

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Manhattanville College, where she developed strong foundations in social dynamics and human behavior. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University, which equipped her with advanced pedagogical skills and knowledge essential for effective teaching and leadership in educational settings. Throughout her impressive twenty-three-year career, Michelle has gained extensive experience as an educator, teaching students in grades one through eight. Her diverse teaching background has allowed her to adapt to various learning styles and educational needs, fostering a supportive and engaging classroom environment. In her current role as the Director of Easton Country Day School, Michelle is dedicated to overseeing all student programming and enhancing the educational experience for all students. She is committed to creating an atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and personal growth in the school’s community.

Wendy Shambra-Katragadda is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a BS degree in Accounting and Business Administration. She worked many years as a business consultant. When her oldest child arrived she became very interested in early childhood development and enrolled in graduate classes in education. She joined ECDS as a parent in 2001 and established our pre-school and daycare program in 2005. She has taught our two year old class and for the past nine years has also been the managing director of Little Phoenix, our pre-school and daycare. Wendy emphasizes loving kindness in her work and in our preschool and daycare. She is the mother of four children, all of whom attended ECDS.

Office Manager/German

School Nurse

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Counselor

Math Specialist

Rebecca graduated from Post University with a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management, and received a Master’s degree from Fairfield University for School Counseling and is a National Certified Counselor. She is also EAGALA certified – a certification for equine learning and therapy.

Casey Skillins Kennedy is the Math Specialist and a special education teacher. With two decades of experience working with a diverse range of students and their families, Casey has dedicated the last fourteen years to fostering a love for learning at Easton Country Day.
She holds a Master of Science in Special Education and possesses certifications in mindfulness training and wellness coaching. Casey's enduring passion for child development, positive psychology, and the impact of neuroscience on learning has shaped her approach to education.
Driven by a commitment to help children succeed as learners, Casey believes that the skills and confidence developed in school can serve as a foundation for lifelong success. Her dedication to guiding and supporting students and their families reflects her deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education.

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Kindergarten/Parent Liaison/ Student Engagement & Events

Grades 1-2

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Grades 2-3

Grades 3-4

Lindsay Benak is teaching the First and Second grade class this year after working for another agency within ECDS for the last 8 years. Lindsay went to Central Connecticut State University where she was a member of the woman’s lacrosse team. She attended Sacred Heart University for graduate school. Lindsay started her career off at Cooperative Educational Services for 9 years followed by working at Meliora Academy for 2 years. Lindsay also carries a Linda Mood Bell certification and a Registered Behavior Technician certification. She is the mother of two children and is an avid sports fan.

Marcia earned her B.A. in Communications from the University of New Hampshire and her Masters of Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University. She worked in international business before she had her children and returned to earn her Masters of Education with a concentration in Educational Technology. Marcia was trained and worked in the Trumbull Public School District for 8 years.

Grade 5

Grade 5/Sciences

Liz earned her BA in Fashion Merchandising at Philadelphia University and her Master’s Degree in Education from The University of Bridgeport. She taught at Westport public schools before having her children.

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Grades 6-7/Special Ed

Grades 6-7

Katrina earned her B.A. in history and psychology from the University of MA- Amherst. She went on to receive a Masters in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ followed by a Master’s in Special Education from Fairfield University. Katrina holds a CT Teaching Certification in Elementary Education grades 1-6 and Special Education K-12th Grade. Before her time at ECDS she taught at North Mianus School in Greenwich, CT and St. Ann’s Academy in Bridgeport, CT.

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Praesto Prep/Special Ed

Praesto Prep

Cory Hocker earned his B.A. in English from Virginia Wesleyan College and his certification in teaching English as a Foreign Language from EBC TOEFL School in Madrid, Spain. He has been teaching in wide variety of roles at Easton Country Day School since 2006.

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Math/Science/Social Studies

Arrowsmith

Marie Luna received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at San Diego State University. She received her Masters in Childhood Education and Special Education at Mercy College. In 2014, Marie became certified to teach Arrowsmith, which is a cognitive program based on the principles of neuroplasticity. She has been an Arrowsmith teacher at ECDS since 2014, working with students who engage in cognitive exercises to permanently strengthen their learning capacities.

Arrowsmith/Wilson Reading

HS Guidance Counselor/English

Kate graduated from Lesley College in Cambridge with a B.S. in Education and is certified in Elementary Education, grades 1-6. She has been teaching the Arrowsmith Program since 2011, working with students to overcome specific learning difficulties through a series of cognitive exercises. Kate is also a certified Wilson Reading System Level 1 Teacher and a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner.

Anita R. Holtz is our high school English Teacher and High School Guidance/School Counselor.She earned a B.S. summa cum laude from Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in Criminal Justice, an M.S. in Guidance/School Counseling and an advanced graduate degree in clinical psychology. In her previous employment in public high schools, she was named a highly qualified professional educator with a distinct specialty for teaching college and real-world writing skills. She was an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven and a graduate school professor at the University of Hartford. Prior to her employment at ECDS, she worked as an independent educational consultant, CEO of an interpersonal relationship organization, a marriage counselor/therapist and a professional marketing proofreader for a Fortune 500 company. She continues to embrace the classroom where her career began in 1970, an affirmation of her love for teaching high school students.

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HS History/Humanities

HS Math/Physics

Grekim graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Fairfield
University. He later returned to study physics and became a member of the physics honors society. He is currently working on a graduate degree in mathematics. At Fairfield he was active in projects destined for the CERN collider, computer simulations of particles orbiting Jupiter, and using optical techniques to identify cancer cells. He has taught at ECDS since 2013.

Tricia Bobowick has dedicated 27 years to teaching high school social studies. She earned her degree from the University of Connecticut’s School of Education, where she specialized in Secondary Social Studies Education and obtained certification in her field.
Tricia began her career in public education at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury,
Connecticut, where she laid the groundwork for her teaching philosophy and approach. In 2009, she transitioned to Easton Country Day School, where she has continued to foster an engaging learning environment for her students. Throughout her tenure, she has developed a diverse curriculum, creating innovative courses such as Human Justice, History of Warfare, and Religions of the World. Additionally, Tricia teaches the core history classes required for graduation and offers a variety of electives, including Psychology and Current Events, that further enrich her students’ educational experience. Tricia is particularly passionate about nurturing her students' critical thinking skills, emphasizing
the importance of understanding historical contexts and their relevance to contemporary issues. She believes that history is not just a series of events but a vital tool for students to comprehend the world around them. Outside of her professional commitments, Tricia resides in Newtown, Connecticut, with her husband and two children. She values family time and enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, fishing, and boating, which allow her to connect with nature and unwind.

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High School Art/STEM

HS English

HS Science

Latin/Architecture

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Spanish/Sciences

Mandarin

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Bushcraft/STEM

Art

Wendy Lilya earned her bachelor’s in Art education K-12 from Nazareth College in Rochester N.Y. After teaching in the New York school system for a few years she moved to Connecticut.

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Physical Education

Music/Drama

Silva is a professionally trained pianist and vocalist. She received her B.A and M.A from Bridgeport University in Music and Music Education, whilst interning and working with such prestigious institutions as the Lincoln Center in New York, The Manhattan Arts Institute and the Anglo-American School in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her musical expertise includes software literacy, teaching fluency in such programs as Audacity, Garage Band and Chrome Music Lab. Silva has been teaching music at ECDS for over a decade, creating and implementing general music curriculum for grades K-8 as well as a music appreciation elective for high school students utilizing Dalcroze/Orff approach. She implements a culturally diverse curriculum and instructional practices include music literacy, rhythm, notation, harmony, interpretation and music excellence. Silva also directs the school choirs and multicultural assemblies whilst organizing school-wide plays, soloist recitals and graduation ceremonies. She is a cofounder of the Easton Country Day School Summer Musical Drama Camp.

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Music/Drama

Drama

Mrs. Elizabeth Buonicore received her BA in Liberal arts at Franklin Pierce University with an American Studies major and minored in Early Childhood Education. After, Mrs. Buonicore worked at Giant Steps School for seven years teaching 1:1 and then as a Vocational Specialist. She started the environment club and ran the garden and farm programs. She worked in the high school at ECDS for two years then left to run her own daycare after having her two children. Mrs. Buonicore then worked for a behavioral therapy company as a mentor working in the homes and community. She has recently rejoined ECDS, teaching Public Speaking, Executive function and Drama.

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Home Economics

Beth graduated from Marist College with a BA in Corporate Communications and Public Relations. Before joining ECDS, she was an Event Producer, creating children’s programming for esteemed organisations such as FAO Schwarz, Dylan’s Candy Bar, and New York City Parks Recreation. In addition to children’s events, she facilitated private events for many celebrities and other high-profile clients. As a Home Economics teacher, Beth focuses on teaching daily life skills, social and professional etiquette, and the importance of community responsibility.

Support Teacher

Support Teacher

Matthew Morse began his Teaching career over 20 years ago. He holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a BA in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University. Mr. Morse is also certified in Special Education K-12. During his career he spent 12 years with Eagle Hill, Southport as a Special Education Teacher and Head Sports Coach. He also spent time as a Special Education Teacher with Fairfield Warde High School and Bedford Middle School in Westport. Mr. Morse joined ECDS as Director of Special Education for the ECDS High School and is now the Director of ECDS High School.

Pre-School Director

Director K-12

Bailey has been with Easton Country Day School since 2019. Bailey came from a background working with children requiring medical accommodations in the school setting.Bailey started her career at ECDS as a teacher and then became the school nurse. Bailey holds degrees from the University of North Georgia, Brenau University, and the University of Bridgeport. Bailey’s mission is to provide the means for students to be successful in school whilst taking care of the student’s minds and bodies. Bailey is a large advocate for children’s mental health and wellbeing. In addition to working at Easton Country Day School, Bailey holds a position volunteering with one of the state’s Army National Guard units and provides support for military members and their families.

Ilka received her MA in Counseling and Community Psychology from Marist College. She has worked at Sylvan Learning as a Math, Study Skills and SAT tutor. Later she worked as a Director of Assessment and Director of Education at Sylvan Learning. For the last couple of years, she has been lucky enough to work in an office, where every day brings a new adventure.

Mrs. McGovern has a BA in Sociology/Anthropology and a K-6 Elementary Education Certification from Western CT State University. She started teaching in Waterbury Public Schools in 2004 and then left to stay home with her children. In 2014 Mrs. McGovern returned to work as an RBT at ECDS then transitioned to teaching in 2020. She lives in Brookfield, CT with her husband and children and loves to be outdoors and spend time with her family. Her goal as a teacher is to provide her students with a safe and caring environment while they learn, grow, and have fun!

Jordan graduated from Lynn University in 2011 with a BS in Psychology, then went on to get her Master’s in Psychology from Mercy College in 2013. She worked as a substitute in the Darien CT for grades K-8 during that period. She taught Kindergarten readiness at the Holly Pond School in Darien, CT for 5 years. In 2019 she graduated from the University of Bridgeport with her Sixth Year Certification in Elementary Education and was selected as a member of the National Honor Society Phi Kappa Phi.

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Grade 8

Grade 8 Math/STEM/Social Studies

Melissa has been a teacher for the past 12 years. She was a Reading Interventionist at the Bridgeport Public Schools for two years and has recently returned to Easton Country Day School. She was a teacher at ECDS for ten years in which she taught third and fourth grade homeroom as well as fifth and sixth grade math. Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut. She also received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She currently holds a Professional Educator’s Certification through the state of Connecticut. In addition to her elementary background, she has had experiences as head teacher in preschools and daycares as well as assuming the role of assistant camp director. Melissa is an avid sports fanatic as well as a passionate educator.

Adriana joined Easton Country Day School last December, bringing over 20 years of experience in science education and research. She holds a PhD in Neurobiology, a Master's degree in Biological Sciences, and a Master's degree in Education. Adriana has taught subjects such as Biology, Neuroscience, Science Research, Anatomy and Physiology, and Chemistry at numerous high-performing schools. She has extensive experience in developing and implementing science curricula and has conducted significant research in the field of biological sciences. Additionally, Adriana specializes in helping students with diverse needs through one-on-one tutoring, providing personalized support to ensure their academic success.

Jennifer Yang graduated from University of Chicago with a M.A. degree from SSA (Clinical Counseling Concentration). She also holds a double B.A. degree in Psychology and Fine Arts from University of Denver. Jennifer has experiences in a variety of educational settings, ranging from Chinese School of 200 students to 1-1 private tutoring. She enjoys working with families and children therapeutically, especially helping international students transition and excel. Jennifer joins ECDS as Mandarin Teacher & International Students Advisor and Liaison.

Kimberly McMullan teaches Earth Science at the sixth grade and high school levels. She earned both her Bachelors and Masters from Brandeis University. She received her DC from New York Chiropractic College. Outside of school, she has also worked with children therapeutically as a Neurofeedback practitioner in Westport.

Deborah has been on the ECDS faculty since 2005, where she began teaching the Gifted Program while simultaneously providing individual student instruction. She received her BA in Education/ Psychology from Wagner College as well as an ASID in Interior Architecture from New England School of Art and Design. In addition to her impressive resume, Deborah has a passion for and experience in art therapy. Her previous teaching positions include: Headstart in Syracuse NY, The Friend’s School in Philadelphia PA, and Saint Ann’s School in Black Rock Ct. Deborah brings passion and expertise to her field. She has been teaching for almost 30 years, still enjoys her craft, and adores her students and fellow teachers.