About Us: Staff and Faculty

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.

 

Teacher websites/e-mail may be accessed by clicking on their names.

Staff members may be reached by e-mail by clicking on their names.

Chrissy Aull, Founding Executive Director
Chrissy Aull was motivated to found the school having realized the need while a parent of a middle school aged son and a special education teacher at Radcliffe Creek School.  Chrissy and another mother set about organizing a small group of interested educators, parents and community members in January 2002.  After nine months of preparation, the founding Board successfully opened the doors of WRUS in September 2002.  Chrissy received a B.A./B.S.W. from Western Maryland College, and Masters in Education from Loyola College. She holds a Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate in Special Education, is trained to teach Orton Gillingham reading instruction and previously taught reading and math. Mrs. 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, who honored the school with their Leadership in Education Award and has been honored by the Easton chapter of the American Association of University Women. She is a past Senior Warden of St. Paul's Parish in Centreville where she remains active. She is enrolled in the Johns Hopkins Universtiy School of Education Independent School Leadership certificate program. Chrissy will focus largely on advancement as the school relocates to the Armory building in Centreville, Md.

Nicole Sophocles, Director of Education
Nicole Sophocles serves as the WRUS Director of Education. Nicole oversees all aspects of curriculum, instruction and programming, in consult with the Executive Director. She 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. Nicole is a founding teacher and serves on the WRUS School Support Team.  She is enrolled in the Johns Hopkins University School of Education Independent School Leadership Certificate program.

Darra Kell, Dean of Students, Guidance Counselor
Darra Kell holds 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. Darra 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. Darra is credited with initiating a community service component into our graduation requirement and serves on the School Support Team.

James Martinez, Teacher- Arts, 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. James leads interested students in developing portfolios for post secondary work and has organized several Student Exhibits in the area, as well as his own. He is also the webmaster for Wye River Upper School and coordinates all technology. James is a founding teacher of WRUS. He is the Chair of Arts and Technology and serves on the School Support Team.

Kara Klucsarits, Teacher- Music, Health
Athletic Director

Kara Klucsarits joined WRUS in 2010 as the Music Instructor.  Kara also serves as the 2011-12 WRUS Athletic Director and soccer coach, having played competitively in high school.  Kara graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Music Management and Performance from Frostburg State University. She leads the music classes toward an end of year performance.

Kara Frison, Administrative Assistant

Kara Frison recieved her B.A. from Hood College, majoring in Sociology.  Her previous employment experience includes serving as a Crew Leader for a team of teenagers throught the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board and at Hood where she worked in the Health Center. Kara is responsible for supporting both the academic and administrative programs at WRUS. 

Karen Lombardi, Teacher- Science, Special Eduation

Karen Lombardi joined WRUS as a Science teacher in 2011. Karen has an MS Ed in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in both Special Education and Regular Education from the University of Maryland.  After teaching regular education and special education students for 30 years, she operated her own educational consulting firm; specializing in working with families of children with unique learning styles.  Karen also worked at Anne Arundel Community College Parenting Center as an adjunct faculty member.  She is a graduate of Outward Bound educator courses and is an amateur naturalist, painter of nature, and an avid kayaker.

Rachel Morris, Teacher- English, Special Education
Rachel Morris teaches English and Reading and provides consulting services to the entire faculty to assure individualized instructions for every student. Her certification in Special Education and Master's in English, and training in Wilson Reading system brings increased strength to the reading instruction offered by WRUS. Rachel leads a Book Club for interested students and maintains a blog about young adult reading selections on her WRUS teacher website.

Kimberleigh Nichols, Teacher-English, Spanish 

Kimberleigh Nichols joined the WRUS team in 2010 from the Dominican Republic where she spent three years in a bilingual school teaching English and music.  She holds a B.A. in Music and English from McDaniel College where she concentrated in voice, composition, creative writing and art.  In 2011, she will co-teach the music class, lending her strength in vocals. Her graduate work is in education and writing.  Before going to the DR, she taught Spanish and English and was a high school choral director.  Kimberleigh is eager to share her love of the Dominican culture.

Dr. Larry Patterson, Teacher- Math
Larry Patterson holds an Ed.D. from the U. of Kentucky. He leads the majority of math instruction, including Geometry, Algebra , and Pre-Calculus. His experience includes long time service as Associate Superintendent for Instruction to the Dorchester County Public Schools. Larry also serves as the Director of SAT Preparation for College Placement Consulting in Easton. He leads SAT preparation tutorials at WRUS as part of the WRUS College Advising Program.

Carrington Ritchie, Teacher- History, Science
Carrington Ritchie teaches U.S. History, Government and Psychology. He received his B.S. in Psychology from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. Over the years, Carrington has been an educator of Chesapeake Bay colonial history and ecology while working on the Sultana Projects and for the Echo Hill Outdoor School. He has earned a U.S.C.G. Masters License and has been certified in the Orton-Gillingham teaching method. He is currently working toward MSDE teacher certification. Carrington lives with his wife and daughter in Betterton.

Tom Smith, Teacher- Latin

Tom Smith joined the WRUS team in 2011. He graduated with a BA in English from the University of Delaware. After college he joined the army and served in Vietnam with the Special Forces (Green Berets) earning a Bronze Star. He later worked in commercial real estate in New York City. Tomearning his teaching credentials and began his teaching career in the late 90's. He taught 11th grade English for five years at Wicomico High School. Tom teaches economics, and U.S. History for Gunston Day School. He enjoys being involved in many sports including cycling and running; and he has coached sailing over the years.

Devin Wootton, Teacher- English
Devin Wootton holds a B.A. in English from James Madison University. He is currently working toward Maryland certification in Special Education and secondary English. He has been previously employed in a variety of outdoor teaching settings, including the Schooner Sultana and Camp Woodsmoke in the Adirondacks. He teaches several WRUS English classes, with an emphasis on classic authors including Hemingway, Melville and Hawthorne. Devin leads the WRUS Dramatic Arts program, having directed The Dining Room, 50 Reasons Not to be in a Play and Strange Boarders.

Tom Mendenhall, WRUS Director of Business and Finance
Tom Mendenhall joined the WRUS staff in 2009 to lead the Business and Finance operations of the school. Tom received his MBA from M.I.T.. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, Tom is well prepared to maintain the current structure as well as lead the finance operations in preparation for a Comprehensive Campaign. Tom serves as project manager for the Armory renovation.

Ellen Smith, Development Associate
Ellen Smith joined the WRUS staff in 2009. Her Bachelors in Education combined with a very strong background in supporting development and non-profit organizations, will bring great strength to the growing development and campaign efforts the school undertakes. Ellen continues to work with non-profits as a volunteer, particularly the Boy Scouts and agencies in support of Talbot County social services.

Katie Theeke, Director of Admissions
Katie Theeke joined the WRUS staff in 2009. Katie holds a B.F.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. Katie has a strong background in independent schools through her experience teaching technology and training faculty to integrate technology into their curriculum. Katie also has experience in marketing, sales and fine arts. Katie enjoys collaborating with new families who join our school community and she is enthusiastic about sharing the ongoing successes of WRUS with the larger community.

"I am privileged to lead such a dedicated and talented staff as they guide and mentor each of our students. Whether academic, civic, social, athletic or artistic, we look for the talents and passions that motivate and maintain our students' success and positive choices." - Chrissy Aull, Head of School