Einstein’s Staff
Competent, caring, kind, compassionate, communicative. These words describe the ethos of Einstein’s teachers. Our faculty and staff are not only dedicated to putting children first, but to working with one another and with each family to plan and personalize each child’s education. All of the lead teachers are experienced and credentialed, and our specialists have extensive backgrounds in their content areas, providing them with a wealth of knowledge and passion to share with our students.
RACHEL BLUMENFELD
Head of School
Einstein has been a key part of my family’s identity for as long as I can remember - my parents were always involved, my siblings and I all attended, and now I have two daughters who attend the school. After I graduated from Einstein in 1996, I continued my education at Akiba Hebrew Academy (now J.M. Barrack), then earned my B.A. in Liberal Arts from Sarah Lawrence College. Afterward, I attended Villanova University School of Law and practiced as an attorney for several years before obtaining an MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College and shifting my focus to education, earning my teaching certification through the University of Delaware. I have since gained extensive experience as a teacher and educational leader and have earned a National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification, which only 3% of teachers nationwide hold. Over the past 10 years, I have spearheaded multiple strategic plans and improvement initiatives for various schools and districts. I am honored to return to Einstein and to take on the role of Head of School, as Einstein is not just a school to me but is a foundational part of who I am and of who my daughters are growing to be.
BRITTANY CONLEY
Administrative Assistant
I received my bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University in 2014. Since I have started my professional career, I have supported multiple executives and directors in various roles. I also come from a background in Brand Marketing and Social Media. During my time at Einstein, I have had the pleasure to directly support the Head of School and all of the teachers/staff. I love working with the teachers and children, as well as the business side in the school. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Andrew, and our two dogs, Rocky and Jenny. I am very thankful to work at Einstein with a wonderful group of colleagues and students!
SIDNEY MOORE
Kindergarten Teacher
I teach our littlest learners here at Albert Einstein Academy! Kindergarten is a year of astonishing growth and development, and I am honored to be a part of it. I have been an educator for five years, and I worked with children for an additional ten years before that. I love interacting with young children and helping to shape them into future leaders. My educational style emphasizes working collaboratively, celebrating individuality, and promoting kindness. One of my goals as a teacher is to develop my students’ critical thinking skills and curiosity about the world so that they are inspired to always pursue further learning.
DIANE FRETWELL
First and Second Grade Teacher
I am not native to Delaware although it has been my home for the last 24 years. I was born in Bethesda, Maryland to a military family. As you might imagine, we moved around a lot. When I was in second grade in a neighborhood school in Bucks County, I had an amazing teacher who inspired me to work harder and to reach farther than I ever thought I could. With her as a role model, I knew very early on that making a difference in the lives of children would be my life’s work. I have spent the last forty years sharing my gifts and teaching students in whatever community I found myself a part of. I started my teaching career in Pittsburgh, teaching kindergarten at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. After graduating from Duquesne University in 1981, I went on to pursue my Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Through it all, it has been an incredible adventure. I have met and worked alongside so many amazing and dedicated people; those who pushed me to excel, those who shared a passion for teaching, and those who showed me the transformational magic that happens in a good classroom. After twenty-four years, Einstein feels like home. But even now, every so often, I meet a young learner who is struggling and I think, ”This learner is a lot like I was at their age. Maybe I can be their inspiration, the person who makes coming to school fun for them,” and I know that I am in exactly the right place to do the kind of work that is meaningful for both of us.
MARIE TIERNEY
English/Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher
I earned a BA in Arts and Communication from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree from Ohio University. Since 1998, I have been teaching children from all walks of life. I love working with students and creating activities and lessons that engage them. Furthermore, I am passionate about teaching and firmly believe in the importance of shaping young minds and leading them in the right direction. All children are capable of great things as long as they have a supportive and nurturing place to learn and grow. My aim is to help students achieve their goals by creating an inclusive and encouraging learning environment that is full of interaction and positivity.
ADINA MATTES
Hebrew and Judaics Teacher
I have lived in the Delaware area most of my adult life and I’m so happy to have joined the staff of an organization with such a strong history. I have taught and worked in synagogue religious schools for over 15 years and have led many family services and Shabbatons over that time. My educational background is in Community Social Work and Family Education, but I have had a special passion and love for Jewish Education all my life. I enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends – both here and abroad.
KARA JONES
Math and Science Teacher
I have been a teacher with Albert Einstein Academy since the 2020-2021 school year. I graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Environmental Science and Wildlife Conservation. I previously worked as an aquatic entomologist before transitioning into environmental education roles. In addition, I have been a math tutor for over ten years working with elementary through high school aged students. My love of learning is paralleled by my love of people, which makes teaching the exact job for me. When not at school, I enjoy working with adult learners seeking a GED, cooking and eating delicious foods, and adventuring with my husband, Chad, and my pup, Chowder. I love working at Einstein because of the amazing students and teachers that I get the chance to learn from each and every day!
KAT CROWNER
Art Teacher
I am excited and honored to join Einstein as art teacher. I live in Media, PA, with my husband and two creative teenagers, and I have an MA in Art Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a BA from The University of Pennsylvania. I have experience with a variety of mediums that I love to share with children. In addition to experience as an art teacher, I also have experience in business and strongly believe that art education has many benefits regardless of the path your child will take in the future. I look forward to guiding your children in their artistic development.
ANN SCHNEIDER
Physical Education Teacher
I am a native Delawarean. I grew up in Newark and attended the University of Delaware, where I earned a degree in history. I worked in finance for 25 years, but as my children got older, I decided to switch careers to spend more time with them. In 2021, a lifelong love of swimming and belief in the importance of water safety brought me to become an American Red Cross-certified Lifeguard. In 2022, I became a certified Water Safety Instructor because I think everyone should learn to swim as it is an important life skill. Now as the Physical Education teacher at Einstein, I teach many of the same children that I have taught in the pool at the JCC. My focus is on teaching the children the importance of movement and encouraging them to challenge themselves to use their whole body. ‘I can’t do it,’ doesn’t exist in our class, because we can all try to do it (even me). We do this through a combination of activities and games. This spring, the kids have climbed the big rope in the gym, danced along to kids bop playlists, learned basic basketball skills, played matball and kickball, built obstacle courses, walked and ran the J Loop, and of course, played gaga. I like when the kids come up with ideas for games and I encourage them to work together, not just with their physical skills, but also with their social and emotional skills. I am glad to be part of the Einstein community, teaching health and wellness through sports and movement.
SARA DOWNARD
Computer and Coding Teacher
I am an Einstein alum with a Masters degree in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland College Park, as well as BAs in History and Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I am an avid walker, reader, and life-long learner who tries to spend as much time as possible in the woods. As the computer teacher, I am inspired by what the students are able to create through coding and research projects and the pride they take in completing the work that they do. In my spare time, I am the caretaker to a guinea pig named William the Conqueror and a dog named Evie.
RACHEL GREENSPAN
Music Teacher
I grew up in the part of Connecticut that may as well be New York. I earned a Bachelor’s in Music at Binghamton University (SUNY), and a certificate in Media from The Connecticut School of Broadcasting. My husband and I have lived in Delaware since 2005. Aside from my career as a singer songwriter, notable places of employment include: Disney World, WLIR/WDRE, Gymboree, and the JCC Early Childhood Center. I currently split my time between performing, AEA, teaching private music students, and teaching music and Hebrew at Congregation Beth Emeth. My interests outside of music include Disney, Marvel, Science Fiction/Fantasy, British chocolate, and poodles.
ERICA KILPATRICK-GALBREATH
School Nurse & Health Teacher
I am a registered nurse in Delaware and Pennsylvania working primarily in pediatrics and I have been involved with nonprofits for 20 years. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Community Service from the University of Delaware. After working locally in community services and fundraising, I returned to school to become a registered nurse. I have now been a nurse for 10 years, and I have obtained several professional certifications including Nurse Management, Hospice and Palliative Care, Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care, and Perinatal Loss Care. I live in Delaware with my husband and 3 children. Together, we foster rescue dogs for Grass Roots Rescue and volunteer at Plumpton Park Zoo for their Halloween fundraiser. We have 3 dogs of our own and 3 cats in our house that allow us to feed and cuddle them. I am also the board president for The Barn at Spring Brook Farm, a small nonprofit that runs animal- and nature-based programming for children with disabilities. I look forward to working with this great community at Einstein and watching the students grow!
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES
We are fortunate to be partners with Jewish Family Services, who offer supports such as individual and family counseling services to Einstein students and families. JFS’ professional and compassionate counselors provide evidence-based interventions and person-centered treatments, helping our students and families develop strategies to be able to successfully face their unique challenges. The counselors also meet regularly with the Einstein staff to ensure that students are being supported with a cohesive team approach. There are typically 2-3 therapists assigned to Einstein each year to ensure that the students they work with are matched to a clinician who best meets their needs.
MARISSA COHEN
Development & Communications Coordinator
I graduated from Albert Einstein Academy in 1997 and my experiences there contributed to my deep love of learning. This passion has continued throughout my life, inspiring me to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education from the University of Delaware. I have since taught pre-k through third grade at other schools, but when I had children of my own, I knew that Einstein would be the perfect fit for them. I am thrilled to be back at Einstein — both as a parent and as a staff member — helping to ensure that a new generation of students are able to have the same excellent educational and Jewish foundation that I received.
ASHLEY INVERSO
Accounting/Business Office
I am so excited to be a part of Albert Einstein Academy! I grew up in North Wilmington and attended Concord High and Wilmington University. I have a background in multiple industries including automotive, home care, and business. When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Bobby, our two boys, and two dogs. We like exploring, traveling, and making many memories with our family. I look forward to getting to know all the students and watch them grow each year.