Staff

Karen Achorn
AM/PM Chipmunks, Woolly Bears, Puffins
Hello, my name is Karen. I have been teaching in the Woolly Bear, Puffin, and Chipmunk classes since 2003. I received a BS in Early Childhood Education from Keene State College and have taught kindergarten and third grade. I live in Newfields with my husband John (English professor at New England College). Our daughter, Tisha, will graduate from UNH in May. Our two sons, Nias and Odin, are a junior and freshman there. We all enjoy hiking/camping, skiing, and sailing.

Sue Bendroth
Director, Mighty Oaks
Hi, my name is Sue. What a pleasure it is to welcome you to another year at Acorn School. I am the Director, one of the Mighty Oak teachers, and I also work with the Enrichment team on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. I live with my husband, David, in Exeter. All four of our children attended Acorn as Chipmunks, Woolly Bears, and Mighty Oaks. This May, we will be celebrating our youngest daughter's graduation from college. This will be a milestone for us -- all four children through college! For me, one of the highlights of the day is to open your car door and greet your child. It is exciting to be part of your child's education as learning is a lifelong journey! Welcome to Acorn School!

Nancy Gitschier
Mighty Oaks
Hello everybody! My name is Nancy and I teach the Mighty Oak class. It will be my sixth year in that class, but my eleventh year teaching here. My son Brian was a Mighty Oak ten years ago. Acorn touched my heart and I have been here ever since. Besides my now 15-year-old son, I have two daughters who just graduated from college. Amy is doing a dietetic internship in Chicago, and Ellen is pursuing her master's degree down in Atlanta. How quiet is my house! Steve is my husband and he works in the high tech industry and he loves to bicycle. I run for exercise (please wave if you see me!) and I really enjoy reading and gardening. I am looking forward to another great year!

Dawn Higley
Mighty Oaks
Hello, my name is Dawn and I am proud to be in my tenth year as a Mighty Oak kindergarten teacher at Acorn School. I have been a classroom instructor for over 20 years. I earned my BSED in Elementary Education from Keene State College and hold an Experienced Teacher Certificate in Education for the State of New Hampshire. My husband Ted and I are proud parents of three young men. In find peace working in my garden, hiking, and swimming. I enjoy traveling and learning new things.

Chris Hochschwender
AM Chipmunks/Puffins
Hi, my name is Chris and this is my seventh year teaching at Acorn School. I teach the morning Chipmunk and afternoon Puffin classes. IN 1986 I received my BS degree in Elementary Education with minors in Child Development and Psychology from Plymouth State University. I have also taught kindergarten and third grade in the past. I love to read and travel whenever I get the chance. I live in Newfields with my husband and three sons, ages 17, 15, and 12. All three of my boys were Chipmunks, Chickadees and Mighty Oaks here at Acorn many years ago! I am looking forward to another great year and to welcoming new families into our Acorn community.

Tracey Hussey
AM/PM Chipmunks, Chickadees, Tadpoles
My name is Tracey and this is my ninth year teaching at Acorn School. I previously worked at Briar Patch in Rye. In 2005, I earned my NH Early Education Lead Teacher Credential, and I continue to pursue my professional development. My passion in children's literature and I promote reading in and out of the classroom. I live in Stratham with my husband Chris, my son Drew (17) and my two cats. In my free time, I volunteer at Families First and the EHS prom committee, read, walk, spend time with my family and friends, and I am a Zumba fanatic! I look forward to getting to know your child and family!

Marny Keith
AM/PM Chipmunks, Woolly Bears
Welcome to the Acorn family! We are all here to learn, play, and enjoy each other. This is my 13th year on board after loving six years as a parent of two Acorn children. I love animals, reading, doing puzzles, cleaning my house (just seeing if you were really reading this!), and most of all being with my family and friends. Joe is my husband, Robby and Sarah are my children, and Sammy is our new puppy. Can't wait to be with your special kids!

Lori Noonan
Mighty Oaks
Hi! My name is Lori and I teach in the Mighty Oak class. I love to read stories, explore nature, and create projects. This is my 9th year teaching at Acorn. Before that, I was an Acorn mom to my daughters Maggie and Corinne. We live in Exeter with my husband, two cats, and a dog named Fergus. Fergus sometimes comes to school with me and stays in the pen! He loves to fetch tennis balls. I am excited to have a great year with the Mighty Oaks!

Sarah Palmer
AM/PM Chipmunks, Woolly Bears
Welcome to Acorn, my name is Sarah. This is my 9th year teaching at Acorn, although I was an Acorn parent for eight years while my three children attended Acorn. I teach the Woolly Bears, AM Chipmunks, and PM Chipmunks. In my free time, I like to ski and spend time with my family at Lake Sunapee. 

Dottie Schmidt
Chickadees, Tadpoles
My name is Dottie and I teach the Chickadees and Tadpoles. This is my 23rd year here and it truly is a special place -- and a fun place -- to be. Both my "kids" -- Denise (29) and Marc (26) -- attended Acorn! In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, camping, reading, biking, kayaking, skiing, and spending time with my granddaughters -- Karolyi, and twins Claire and Chloe. I am looking forward to lots of adventures with your children this year!

Becky Shepard
Music Director
Hello everybody. My name is Becky and I teach Acorn music! I live in Exeter with my husband Dudley and my black Labrador retriever Zipper. I like to play golf and tennis and I also like to write musicals for the theatre. Most of all I LOVE ACORN SCHOOL!

 
Christine Thomson
Tadpoles
Hi, my name is Christine and I'm one of the Tadpole teachers. This is my fourth year teaching at Acorn, but I have also been a student and parent at the school. I live in Hampton with my husband Mike, my son Will, who is in fourth grade, and our two cats. I grew up on the Seacoast and graduated from the University of New Hampshire. In my free time, I like to exercise, ski, bake, read, travel, and spend time with family and friends. I am looking forward to another terrific year at Acorn School!

Kimberly Williams
Business Director, Yoga Teacher
Hello Acorn families! I'm Kim and I can be found in the office as Business Director, or on my yoga mat sharing my love of yoga with the Mighty Oaks. My connection with Acorn began over 17 years ago as a parent. My sons, Jeff & Scott, are currently college students in Colorado, but will quickly tell you that their years at Acorn were "awesome!!" My husband, Scott, and I live in Stratham with three dogs and a cat. Travel, hiking, gardening, tennis, skiing, and reading good books are my passions. I look forward to meeting all the old and new "nuts" at Acorn School this year. I am sure it will be a GREAT YEAR!

Kathryn Swenson
Enrichment & Extended Day, substitute teacher

Jill Berry
Enrichment, substitute teacher
Hi, my name is Jill and I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a M. Ed. in Education Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Technology in Education, as well as a K-12 Technology in Education Certification and a K-6 Elementary Education Certification, all from Lesley University. After changing careers, I taught fifth grade for three years in Acton, MA. I was the technology coordinator at Nottingham School for one year. I left to have two wonderful daughters, now 8 and 6, and contracted part-time helping with technology integration. I am grateful for my time with my husband and our two girls for the past eight years as a stay-at-home mom. I have been and continue to be an active volunteer on many committees in our community and in the Newmarket Schools. My passions are children, learning, being outside and being active. I am thoroughly enjoying my time as an enrichment teacher and substitute at Acorn as I transition back into teaching!