Sherrie Deegan, Counseling Services

Sherrie is our school counselor. Sherrie was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Montgomery County where she attended Cheltenham public schools. Sherrie has a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Syracuse University, a Master's degree in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania School Counselor Certification. Additionally, she completed two years in a School Psychology doctoral program at the University of Maryland, during which she developed a strong foundation in evaluation, assessment, and intervention. Sherrie worked as a school counselor with children and adolescents at Radnor Middle School and Ridley Middle School for five years and as a therapist in private practice for nine years. Sherrie came to Green Woods last year through Catapult Learning, a company that provides educational services to schools.

Sherrie lives with her husband, Dirk, and two children, Alec, age 6 and Rachel, age 4, as well as their cats Nila and Nicholas. Sherrie is actively involved in her children's schools, helping coordinate fundraising events, and volunteering in the classroom. Sherrie enjoys walking, reading, jewelry making, and trips to New York City.

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.