Please take a moment to get acquainted with our staff. All of our teachers are Montessori-trained and are passionate believers in the potential of each child.
Characteristics of Professional Excellence
- Embraces the mission and vision of the School.
- Observes, listens, reflects, and respects the thoughts of others.
- Maintains professional growth in one’s area of expertise.
- Communicates and works with integrity, honesty and vision.
- Empowers others to support and strengthen the mission.
- Adheres to the policies that support the structure and work of the whole school.
- Respects the individuality and diversity of others.
- Works and supports the team effort of all members.
Our Administrative Team
Head of School: Grace Yannakakis
I feel so fortunate to serve as Tidewater's Head of School. I have spent most of my life involved in independent schools as a student, parent, teacher, coach and administrator. I grew up in Baltimore and was fortunate enough to have been a 'lifer' at The Friends School. I continued my education at Syracuse University, earning a B.A. with a double major in French and Political Science. My graduate work has included a M.A. in French Language & Literature from The University of Washington, and a graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNM) from The Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University. Most recently I completed an Ed.M. in Education Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Shortly after finishing my M.A. in French, I began my career in education. I have been a teacher and administrator in independent schools for eighteen years. I cannot imagine any better way to spend my days.
Outside of my career, I rejoice in my family, three beautiful daughters, Zoena (16), Olivia (13), and Delilah (6), and my husband David Howland. I also serve proudly on the Board of Girls on the Run of the Greater Chesapeake. My hobbies include cooking, running, yoga, daydreaming, and an occasional nap.Business Manager: Randi AlBanna
- PhD: Nutrition, University of Maryland
- MS: Nursing, University of Maryland
Administrative Assistant: April Watts
"I have spent the majority of my career working in administrative positions supporting local school systems, and I am proud to serve the students and families of The Tidewater School."Our Educational Team
Half-day Primary Teacher : Robin DeLamater
Bio coming soonHalf-day Primary Assistant : Cecilia Olivares Quintana
A native of El Salvador and she has many years of experience working with children. She also holds a degree in architecture and is an expert Lego builder!Full-day Primary Assistant: Jan DeMar
- Early Childhood Education: College of Southern Maryland
Full-day Primary Teacher: Suzanne McAlexander
- BS: Speech Pathology and Audiology – Early Childhood Concentration, University of Kansas
- Concentration in Early Childhood Education
- Graduate Early Childhood Studies: Trinity College
- Montessori Primary Certification: North American Montessori Center
“My philosophy of teaching is to do whatever it takes to meet each child’s individual needs. My chief joy lies in helping children learn how to learn and helping them acquire academic and practical skills through personal exploration with classroom materials, observations in nature and class participation.”
Elementary Teacher: Denise Weller
- BA: Double Major: Psychology and Art, University of CA, Santa Cruz
- MA: Art Therapy, George Washington University
- Montessori Certification: – 6-12 Training Institute of Advanced Montessori
- Studies Early Childhood Education, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Maryland State Department of Education Certification: Elementary
“I believe that we must encourage our children to be open, avid explorers, who face change, new ideas, and difference with a sense of excitement, challenge and acceptance. I believe we must teach them to value the past for what it can teach them about themselves, the present, and the future. Our children need a world view, for the world is their community. I believe that we can help them to look outside themselves for solutions and to other cultures for ideas. Imagine my delight upon discovering the Tidewater School, a community that embodies these values of education of the whole person and respect for others. I am honored to be a part of Tidewater.”
Elementary Teacher: Rhoda Switzer
- BA: Philosophy, Smith College
- Waldorf Education Teacher and Trainer
- Montessori Lower Elementary Certification: North American Montessori Center
- Pursuing a Masters Degree of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: McDaniel College
“This summer I read Colin Fletcher's book about walking the entire length of the Grand Canyon on foot: The Man Who Walked Through Time. He was the first known man to do so. In his chapter Rhythm, Colin describes the intimate relationship that grows between him and the different layers of the Canyon. He has a profound feeling of seeing, feeling, and truly understanding the development of the earth's surface and the evolution of its creatures through time. He writes about this and, coincidentally, captures how I feel about teaching at Tidewater and why we do what we do. I want my students to experience the same joy of discovery and sense of ownership and relationship with their knowledge as he describes:
"When you ferret out something for yourself, piecing the clues together unaided, it remains for the rest of your life in some way truer then facts you are merely taught, and freer from onslaughts of doubt.”Elementary Assistant and Aftercare: Cindy Bossert
- Early Childhood Education: College of Southern Maryland
- Dental Assistant Certification: Montgomery College
Consultant: Nancy S. Libertini
- MS: Counseling, Pastoral Counseling, Loyola College of Maryland
- MS: Speech Language Pathology, Towson State College
- Graduate Equivalency in Early Childhood Education: MSDE, University of Maryland, Trinity College
- Education for Special Needs Infants and Toddlers: University of Southern Connecticut and Yale Child Institute
- Montessori Primary Certification: North American Montessori Center
- Level I Sensory Integration Certification: Care Resources
- Certificate of Clinical Competence: American Speech, Hearing and Language Association
- Maryland State License: Speech and Language Pathology
“Only at The Tidewater School have I had the opportunity to teach in a way that respects the needs and gifts of children and celebrates their individual spirits. In turn, I am so well inspired and touched, not only by the students, but by their families and our outstanding staff. My work is not only my passion, but my joy!”
Meet Our Staff
The Tidewater School 120 Cox Road, Huntingtown, Maryland 20639 Tel: 410.257.0533 Email: tidewaterschool@thetidewaterschool.org