Nicole Starke, Technology

Nicole Starke teaches technology classes at Green Woods Charter School. She graduated from Rosemont College with her Master's in Technology in Education, and is a Pennsylvania State Certified Instructional Technology Specialist. Nicole joined the Green Woods staff after several years of working as a computer trainer with adults. She loves working with the students at Green Woods and enjoys finding ways to work technology into the unique curriculum of our school.

Mrs. Starke is a native of the Pacific Northwest, born in Portland, Oregon, and raised just outside Seattle, Washington. As a new mom, Nicole spends most of her free time with her son, Daniel, and her husband, Tim. Their family loves being outdoors, and enjoys outside activities - when the weather holds up! Nicole also enjoys running and yoga, when time allows.

I can’t imagine teaching anywhere but Green Woods. Our small classes allow me to really get to know each student, and let me feel I am part of his or her life, if only for a short time each day. As a teacher, I sense that what I am doing has an impact on each child’s life, and it makes me want to work harder for our kids, to make sure they get the best education possible

Being part of such an amazing, caring, and dedicated staff is another reason why I love Green Woods. The teachers and staff here are truly devoted to providing a strong education through an interesting, engaging, and fun curriculum. Nowhere else will students see and learn the things they do at Green Woods. The teachers and staff have made sure that our curriculum will give students all the tools they need to succeed in the world and in their lives after Green Woods.

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.