Jill Pescatore Grades 7 and 8 Math & Social Studies

Jill Beccaris-Pescatore is a middle school math and social studies teacher at GREEN WOODS Charter School. She is also the middle school Team Leader and Math Coach. She brings a diverse educational background to the school. Mrs. Pescatore earned her B.S. from the University of Scranton, her M.S. in Agricultural Economics from Penn State University and her Ed.M. in Curriculum, Instruction and Technology Education from Temple University. She is certified in elementary education, middle level mathematics and middle and high school social studies.

Mrs. Pescatore is also a member of the Educational Advisory Board at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and an avid long distance runner. This summer Mrs. Pescatore and Mrs. Lewullis partnered with Independence National Park educators as Master Teachers for the Independence Park Teacher's Institute. Mrs. Pescatore is a co-editor of the units that will be utilized on the National Park Services website's teacher guide on a new learning lab in the park.

Mrs. Pescatore added a national publication to her resume. Her article King Coal: A History of Eastern Pennsylvania was featured in the Social Education supplement Middle Level Learning. Currently Mrs. Pescatore and Mrs. Lewullis published their curricular work "Get the Fever!" in the Journal for Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies. Her newest academic endeavor was to partner with Mrs. Lewullis as presenters at the Pennsylvania Coalition for Charter Schools Conference and the Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies Conference.

When not teaching Mrs. Pescatore loves to spend time with her husband, Gerard and her son, Ethan at their home in Glenside, PA. She loves to run and is currently training for the New York Marathon.

Teaching is a second career for me, although I feel that I've been a teacher all of my life. Perhaps that is why I see teaching as a calling, a labor of love, and an opportunity to truly impact the future of our world. As a teacher at Green Woods Charter School, I have a rare opportunity to not only teach what I love, but to create a curriculum that integrates the environment, social studies, language arts and math. Don't let it fool you, it is overwhelming at times, but the opportunity to work with my fellow teachers and create an educational experience whereby my students receive a standards-based education with a "twist" is more than I could have ever hoped for as a teacher. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to share and publish my curricular units with other teachers at various professional developments. But one of the main highlights was having two of my seventh grade students present our integrated unit on Yellow Fever in Philadelphia to Mr. Bill Tomasco, the Charter School Liaison for the Philadelphia School District.

Teaching is always about the students. Each of my kids comes with a desire to be taught in an interesting way. This is a challenge I feel I continue to rise to by listening to their input and enthusiasm. The families at Green Woods Charter School are extremely supportive and they appreciate the hard work of teachers. We all work together and I look forward to exploring new avenues of learning with the kids leading the way! This is why I drive to work with a smile every morning!

Jean Wallace, Academic Director

As the Academic Director and CEO, Jean is responsible for guiding the design and implementation of our unique K-8 curriculum and for supporting the direction of all areas of school life. Jean works in collaboration with the Board of Trustees and Green Woods' Business Director to build on our successful past toward an even greater future.

Jean is responsible to the Department of Education for ensuring that Green Woods students are receiving a standards-based learning experience within the guidelines and mandates of Federal, State, and Charter School Law. In addition to the many responsibilities associated with curriculum and instruction, Jean supports Green Woods through successful grant writing, ongoing website communication, developing our student voice through the Jr. SLT, and by networking with key partners from within and outside the Green Woods community.

Jean's volunteer efforts as a member of the Governor's Council for Environmental Education provide a rare and exciting opportunity to work with many of the state's environmental experts and agencies. "By working collaboratively with the Department of Education and the many outstanding environmental agencies throughout our state, Green Woods is able to gain both valuable resources along with well-deserved recognition for the exceptional work being done by our teachers and students," Jean said. "Our innovative curriculum design allows us to use environment and ecology as the theme for integrated learning. Receiving the 2007 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence was proof of our success in delivering a high quality educational program at Green Woods."

In addition to the daily interactions with Green Woods dedicated staff and parents, Jean enjoys those special times when she gets to trail along on hikes with our budding naturalists. "Hiking with even our youngest students and seeing how they interact with the natural world is always an incredible learning experience for me. While many young children enjoy walking in the woods, Green Woods students are skilled observers, able to take in the big picture of the field ecosystem while at the same time patiently exploring the leaf litter in search of the smallest signs of life."

Jean holds a PA Certification for Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction and dual Pennsylvania teacher certifications, which recognize her ability to teach both K-12 Environmental Education and Elementary Education. She holds an Associate Degree in Health Science from Gwynedd Mercy College; a BA in Elementary Education from Beaver College, and a MAEd in Environmental Education from Arcadia University. Jean is currently enrolled in a post-graduate School Leadership Program at Arcadia.

Jean lives in Flourtown with her husband Frank, her mom Mary, her daughter Mary who attends the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, and their black lab, Murphy.