Faculty

John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from U. Mass, Amherst, a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College, and a Master of Education degree in School Administration from Emmanuel College. John has over forty years teaching experience and extensive experience in youth leadership development, supervision, service learning, and peer education.

“What I enjoy most is watching young people interact with others and then, through thoughtful reflection, come to know who they really want to be.  Charlotte Mason philosophy and method provides an atmosphere conducive to this discovery. The personal relationships developed with the authors and characters in ‘living books’ offer opportunities to experience life with its many challenges and blessings.  These interactions, with their underlying dynamics (thoughts, emotions, behaviors, values), plant seeds for a life of vice or virtue. As our young people engage with the stories and ideas, their interpersonal relationships and play take on the conduct of their favorite characters. As a result, their true self begins to take shape.”

Nina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from Providence College. She has taught Sacred Scripture to adults since 1977 and in 1993 co-founded Plumfield Learning Cooperative.

Since 2000, she has taught history, Scripture, Latin, music and art appreciation to middle school students. “My great passion,” she says, ”is to see students come alive to the power of historical narrative through living books which stir the heart and ignite the imagination.  As a Charlotte Mason teacher, my goal is to foster that unique human connection between the child and the historical figure (artist, composer) which makes learning both personal and engaging.  My greatest joy at Plumfield comes in witnessing those occasions in which the characters studied in class spill over into the children’s play time, as in:   “Let’s play Theseus at Minos’s castle.”

Mary holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Shore Community College.  She taught at Gordon Conwell Seminary Nursery School. Mrs. Yetts earned her certification in Nursing Assistance from North Shore Community College.  She is certified in the Wilson Reading Program.  Mrs. Yetts home schooled their three children utilizing the methodology of Charlotte Mason.

Brianna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Liberal Studies and a concentration in Psychology from Westfield State University, Westfield, MA.  She graduated in 2019 and has been learning and teaching alongside a variety of ages ever since.

Brianna attended Plumfield Academy when she was in middle school and has the great joy of returning years later to this wonderful community. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, spending time with family and friends and running.

Kathy holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from Emmanuel College in Boston with a focus in Curriculum Design. Prior to being at home full time, Kathy worked for Osram Sylvania as a Corporate Training Facilitator in the areas of Leadership, Team Building and Interpersonal Skill Development.  Kathy is a Mass Audubon teacher naturalist.

Kathy and her husband Al, began their homeschooling journey 20 years ago. Inspired by Charlotte Mason’s gentle art of learning, Kathy immersed her two children in living books, nature, story, poetry, music, and fine art.  It made all the difference even in her own life.  Kathy acquired a deep reverence for the wonder and beauty of nature from spending her childhood “in the woods.”  She is passionate about engaging children in nature so they may experience its life-long source of refreshment.

Steve Kercher is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.  Steve has been teaching guitar, bass, piano, voice and percussion to private music students since 1995. For years Steve has been involved with producing and promoting recordings and concert events from small, intimate coffee houses to large music events that have included GrammyAward® winning and/or platinum selling artists. He has been a guest lecturer on the subjects of Music Business, Music Production, Entertainment Marketing & Public Relations, and Career Development at the University of Massachusetts, Berklee College of Music, and The New England Institute of Art and communications where he also developed music industry courses.

Katie Clarke is a graduate of Endicott College where she earned her BA in English with a concentration in Theatre. She holds a Masters degree in Theater Education from Emerson College.

Katie is Coordinator of Theatre Arts at Endicott College and the Producing Manager and Director of Education for Stage 284 in Hamilton, MA.  She has taught Boston Children’s Theatre’s Introductory Acting Courses as well as Outreach Programs, Yoga, Creative Movement, Music and Dance with KidPowerment Yoga.

In her spare time, she writes musicals, designs costumes, and plays with her dogs, Nova and Bailey.  She has been part of the Plumfield Community since 2015.  Katie uses mindfulness and social emotional approaches to teaching theater.

Courtney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Gordon College.  She has broadened her expertise by completing continuing education courses at Westmont College, Gordon College, and Montserrat College of Art.  Ms. Reid has taught Art in school and community settings since 1996.

As an artist and musician herself, Courtney is passionate about the creative process and all things that make up the art of creating. She loves helping and inspiring young people to find their creative voice and become creators themselves. Courtney draws from 20 years of art teaching experience. Teaching fine arts based curriculum in several different environments from private school, to homeschool and after school art facilities. She has been at Plumfield for the past 14 years and loves how the naturally creative Charlotte Mason environment lends itself effortlessly to the art of creating.

Anne holds a B.A. English, minor in Literacy Education from Gordon College, Wenham, MA, Elementary Teaching Credentials from Salem State University, and a Masters in Education – Reading Education from the University of NH.

“I relish the opportunity to teach in a Charlotte Mason environment, where narration gives young writers a strong voice, and where reading the great feast together gives us exciting and inspiring ideas to discuss.”