A well-trained faculty, characterized by their individual commitment to the Mission of the School, is key to the success of Wye River Upper School. A majority of our teachers and staff hold graduate degrees in their content area and all are required to pursue continued training. Several have forged partnerships with community businesses and agencies to sponsor applied learning opportunities for their students. Our faculty is vested in the mission and development of the school through participation in the Board of Trustees, School Leadership and key decision-making.

Click on names below to email faculty or staff:

Chrissy Aull, Founding Head of School
Chrissy Aull received a B.A. from Western Maryland College, and Masters in Education from Loyola College. She is a Co-Founder of Wye River Upper School and her son was in the second graduating class in 2006. She holds a Maryland Certification in Special Education, is trained to teach Orton Gillingham reading instruction and previously taught reading and math. Ms. Aull regularly speaks to local and regional organizations and has presented at national levels to further awareness of the need for appropriate education for students with unique learning styles. She is a member of the Shore Leadership Class of 2005, the Chesapeake Women's Network.

Nicole Sophocles, Academic Dean
Chair, Science Department
Nicole Sophocles holds a B.S. from the University of Miami and Masters in Education from the University of Maryland. She has spearheaded a unique relationship with nearby Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, which has provided students with a variety of hands-on learning experiences and involvement with Bay Restoration Project on-site. Ms. Sophocles serves as the Academic Dean and oversees all scheduling and curricular programming and faculty supervision.  Nicole is a founding teacher and serves on the WRUS School Support Team.

Darra Kell, School Counselor
Darra Kell received an M.A. from Johnson State College and works closely with parents and students setting short- and long-term goals as our full time school counselor. Her strong background in small group and individual counseling brings a supportive and skilled presence working with our students and faculty. Ms. Kell has extensive post-graduate training in crisis management, social skill development, and mediation, and has served in leadership roles in academic and residential settings throughout her career. She is credited with initiating a community service component into our graduation requirement and serves on the School Support Team.

James Martinez, Chair, Arts and Technology
James Martinez has a B.A. from Texas Tech University and an M.F.A. from the University of Delaware. His Photography/Movie Making course incorporates state-of-the-art techniques in creating digital photos and movies, using student and faculty laptops and digital photographic equipment. He leads interested students in developing portfolios for post secondary work and has organized several Student Exhibits in the area, as well as his own. Mr. Martinez is also the webmaster for Wye River Upper School and coordinates all technology. Mr. Martinez is a founding teacher and serves on the school support team.

Andy Adkins, Teacher, Social Studies

Andy holds a B.A. in History from Washington College and an M.A. in History from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.  Andy leads all social studies instruction including Civics, U.S. History, and contemporary World History.  He served as assistant coach during the tennis clinic.

Juan Angarita, Chair, Music and Foreign Language
Juan Angarita received a Bachelor in Music from the University of Maryland and brings many talents to Wye River Upper School. He teaches "Introduction to Music," conducts the Music Ensemble and leads students as they study music composition using individual keyboards connected to each laptop. A native of Colombia, Mr. Angarita also teaches Spanish I and II.

Mark Milostan, Teacher
Latin
Mark Milostan received his B.A. from Holy Cross College. He leads Latin I and Latin II instruction. His focus is on highlighting Latin structure and morphology as a reinforcement for cross-curricular vocabulary and grammar. Mr. Milostan also teaches two English classes, one with an emphasis on mythology.

Larry Patterson, Ed.D., Teacher

Dr. Patterson leads the majority of math instruction, including Geometry, Algebra I & II, and will teach pre-Calc in 2008-09.  He is retired as Associate Superintendent for Instruction in Dorchester County Public Schools.

Kathleen White, Teacher
English
Kathleen White holds both a B.A. and M.A. from Washington College and brings over 30 years of high school teaching experience to Wye River Upper School. She teaches an Honors English class and supports the college admissions process and the Registrar's office.

Devin Wootton, Teacher

English

Devin holds a B.A. in English from James Madison University.  He has been previously employed in a variety of outdoor teaching settings, including the Schooner Sultana and Camp Woodsmoke in the Adirondacks.  He teaches English, with an emphasis on classic authors including Hemingway, Melville and Hawthorne.

Teresa Wilkes, Teaching Assistant
Teresa Wilkes has an A.A., from Chesapeake College and is trained as an Orton Gillingham tutor. She is an assistant in designated classrooms and works with individual students in reading fluency. Ms. Wilkes is the parent of a current WRUS student.

Jill Schettini, Athletic Director/Administrator
Jill Schettini holds a Bachelor's in Physical Education from Chowan College. Her background in recreation and sports administration supports her role as the Wye River Upper School Athletic Administrator. She is also a key administrative staff member.

Jeff Moran, Director of Admissions and Development
Jeff Moran graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications. Mr. Moran had a lengthy career in finance before moving to the Eastern Shore so that his son, Alex, could attend Wye River Upper School. He is a Board Member for Community Alliance for the Performing Arts.

Linda Schardt, CPA, Director of Business and Finance
Linda has been certified as a CPA for 10 years and has experience in small business and tax services, pension accounting as well as management and finance in independent schools. Her last position with Chesapeake Acadmy found her overseeing growth in assets and physical plant expansion. She was involved with a successful capital campaign that raised over one million dollars. Linda is married and resides with her husband in Annapolis. She is the parent of and grandparent of five.