There are so many incredible faculty and staff members joining us at Abington Friends School this year! Please join us in welcoming them to our community in the spirit of Friends.
LOWER SCHOOL
Anna Comfort (she/her)
Lower School Collaborating Teacher
My professional experiences include 15 years of working with children as an elementary school teacher and a pediatric occupational therapist. I live in Abington Township with my husband and two children. We enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am excited to be part of a welcoming community and I am looking forward to the positive energy of the classroom.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I taught second grade at a Quaker school.
J
ohanna Finegold (she/her)
Lower School Art Teacher
I am a London native, teaching art in both the U.K. and the U.S. I have a B.A. in Design History with Practice from Manchester Metropolitan University, an M.A. in Art Education from Middlesex University, and a diploma in Art Conservation from London Guildhall University. Prior to teaching, I owned my own art restoration company. I live in Philadelphia with my two boys and Philly native husband.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
Collaborating and sharing ideas.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
My street is known as the ‘Halloween Party Street’
Carly Morginstin (she/her)
Lower School Collaborating Teacher
I graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a degree in elementary and special education and have worked at Abington Friends summer camp for the past 7 years!
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am excited to learn more about teaching and getting to know each student.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am the oldest of three children!
Justin Stuhltrager (he/him)
3rd Grade Teacher
I’m excited to begin my 12th year as an elementary classroom teacher! I began my teaching career in the School District of Philadelphia, and have been part of some amazing communities (at Newtown Friends and Greene Street Friends) for the past nine years. A lot of what I enjoy about teaching overlaps with elements I cherish in my personal life—trying new things, sharing and exploring interests, seeking information and thinking critically, being surrounded by friends, building meaningful and supportive relationships, and having fun! Whether with students and their families, colleagues and their families, or with my own family (my wife Ali and our two children Judah and Nathan) I look forward to continued learning, meaning, growth and laughter.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am eager to contribute to the esteemed community at AFS and begin teaching a new grade level (I have taught first and second grades in previous years). I am excited to partner, collaborate, and lasting friendships with Felix and the faculty, families, students, and staff in this community. I look forward to professional growth, new challenges, and reflection in my practice while providing a meaningful and memorable experience for my students and their families.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I was elected the president of the student government in my senior year of high school—I ran on a platform of providing more time in-between classes and getting vending machines in the lunchroom.
Coryn Voce (she/her)
Lower School Collaborating Teacher
I will finish my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood education in December 2023. I am a yoga and meditation instructor at The Twisted Monkey Yoga Studio. I was formerly a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I am married to my childhood sweetheart, and we have 2 cats. I love to travel, hike, be in nature, and I am a huge foodie! I worked as a substitute teacher for AFS last school year.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
To continue to learn from my colleagues and students. Also, to be surrounded by such a warm, supportive community.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am an ordained minister.
Nalishka Zayas-Ayala (she/her)
Lower School Extended Day Assistant Teacher
Hi there! My name is Nalishka and I am attending Arcadia University. My passion is playing the violin and vibing with music. My major is Biology pre-medical. I speak English and Spanish fluently and I have a calm but bubbly personality.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am most excited to work with our young children and also looking forward to making friends.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I am very adventurous.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Alyssa Dennin (she/her)
Middle School Math Teacher
I graduated from Kutztown University in 2022 with my Bachelors of Science in Middle Level Education: Math & English and Special Education. I grew up in the area with my parents, two older siblings, cats, and a dog! I love traveling as much as I can and spending times with friends and family.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
Meeting new students and colleagues!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love theatre! Both watching shows and working behind the scenes.
Héba Elwardany (she/her)
Middle School French Teacher
Hi, my name is Héba Elwardany. I have earned a BA of arts in French literature and language and after my graduation I worked for different private schools. I moved to the United States in 2008 and worked for different private schools like The Alliance Française and the French International School). Since 2011, I have worked as a French professor at Temple University and the community college and I am very excited about my job teaching French at Abington Friends School. My research interests include French literature, language and culture. My current research focuses on francophone culture.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
Being around young students and helping them to succeed, stay positive, learn, help them to do their best and facilitate learning make me feel like a superhero.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I have a lot of fun facts but the one that I like more is being able to understand body language and helping my friends to stay positive.
UPPER SCHOOL
Daniel Benjamin (he/him)
Upper School English Teacher
I am coming to AFS from the Baldwin School where I have taught English and Journalism for the last three years. I previously taught at Kehillah Jewish High School in Palo Alto, CA. Before transitioning to high school teaching, I taught composition, literature, and creative writing at UC Berkeley, where I earned my PhD in English and Critical Theory in 2019. My doctoral research focused on 20th-century poetry and theories of race and sexuality.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am excited about working with students who are starting a new AFS newspaper!
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I love cooking beans and I am a proud member of an exclusive subscription club for fellow “beaniacs.”
Ashley Cleary (she/her/they)
Upper School History Teacher
I spent the last 3 years teaching at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. While there, I taught United States and World History, lived in a dorm, and coached field hockey and rowing. I got my Masters of Education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education and was part of the Independent School Teaching Residency. I just moved to West Philadelphia and I’m so excited to be part of the Philadelphia community. I enjoy cooking, board games, reading and spending time by water.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I could not be more excited to be joining a community with such an unwavering sense of itself and its values. The students, staff, and history that make up AFS are what drew me to this special place.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Last year I got a wood fired pizza oven and I have been working on making the perfect pizza ever since! My favorite thus far: spicy soppressata, Calabrian chilis, and honey.
STAFF
Michelle Lofton (she/her)
Director of Family and Alumni Engagement
With a foundational education at Westfield Friends in New Jersey, I have come full circle in my dedication to Quaker education. My professional journey began at Germantown Friends School, working in the Communications Office, where I cultivated my passion for fostering community connections. Most recently, I served as the Special Events and Home & School Coordinator at Wilmington Friends School. I am thrilled to join Abington Friends School as the Director of Family and Alumni Engagement, where I look forward to leveraging my expertise and aligning with the Quaker values that have shaped my career.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I’m excited to dive into AFS’s rich community, engaging with families and alumni. The opportunity to foster strong relationships and work collaboratively excites me the most.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I’m a forager and herbalist! From coordinating the Philly Chapter of Herbalists Without Borders to enjoying wild edibles, my connection to nature runs deep. You might even catch me snacking on something I picked from my garden!
Cara Palladino (she/her)
Director of Annual Giving
I am a fundraising professional with over three decades of experience in education and for LGBTQ grassroots organizations. Along with my spouse, Isabelle Barker, I am the parent of William Palladino ’27, an incoming 9th grader at AFS. I also love to cook and kayak.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am excited to get to know the AFS community along with my son Will.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
As a teenager, I flew in the largest plane in the world, which was capable of carrying six full-sized school buses as cargo.
Megan Schlickmann (she/her)
Director of Event Operations
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Philly in the summer of 2015. I have worked in Admission, Advancement and Events in independent schools for more than 25 years, including the past 8 years at Westtown School. I love watching and participating in sports. I practice yoga. My most favorite thing to do is spend time with my family and dogs.
What are you most excited about AFS and the upcoming academic year?
I am excited to learn more about the AFS community and culture and work with my colleagues to enhance existing events and create more opportunities that unite the AFS family.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
Throughout my childhood I was a ballet dancer and softball player and then in college worked for the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland San Jose Ballet.
Lisa Steiert (she/her)
Controller
I’ve worked in private schools for many years. I have 3 children, 2 grandchildren and my favorite things to do are gardening and going to the beach.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
This is my second go-round! I previously worked at AFS for 13 years and have returned after 10 years at Center School.
