Staff

Karen Achorn
AM/PM Chipmunks, Woolly Bears, Puffins
I'm Karen and I'm excited to begin my 7th year with the Woolly Bears, Chipmunks, and Puffins. I live in Newfields with my husband John (English professor at New England College), son Odin (senior at Exeter High), and cat Freyja. My son Nias is a sophomore at UNH and daughter Tisha is a senior at UNH but is currently studying in Australia. I enjoy spending time gardening, sailing, and hiking.

Morgen Ames
Puffins
Hi!  I’m Morgen, and I am one of the Puffin teachers.  This is my third year at Acorn and I love this wonderful, special community.  In our classroom, I especially like singing, playing guitar, and doing music & movement.  I also teach piano and voice lessons at my home studio, and perform professionally.  In my spare time I enjoy hiking and walking, practicing yoga, being involved with church groups and Bible study, reading, and knitting.  My husband, Dale, and I live in Exeter and are expecting our first child in early November and we are so excited and happy.  Our child will definitely be an Acorn student. I look forward to starting our year together and having so much fun with your children.

Sue Bendroth
Director, Mighty Oaks
Hi, my name is Sue. What a pleasure it is to welcome you to the 2009-2010 school 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, Dave, in Exeter. All four of our children attended Acorn as Chipmunks, Woolly Bears, and Mighty Oaks. Last May, we celebrated our daughter, Rachel's graduation from Colby Sawyer (3 down, 1 to go!). She will be starting her nursing career at Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Lebanon mid-September. Our oldest, Sam, is a rock-climbing guide for International Mountain Climbing School. Hannah works at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham in the residential life department. Rebecca,  our youngest, is a junior at Keene. For me, one of the highlights of the day is to open your car doors and greet your children! Welcome!

Nancy Gitschier
Mighty Oaks
Hello everybody! My name is Nancy and I teach the Mighty Oak class. It will be my fifth year in that class, but my tenth 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 teach in the Mighty Oak classroom. I have a BSED in Elementary Education from Keene State College. I have been a Mighty Oak teacher at Acorn School for 9 years, and am entering my 18th year in teaching. My husband Ted and I are proudly raising three teenage sons -- Zach (20), Sam (16), and Alex (14). I live in Newfields and enjoy the outdoors, especially hiking and swimming. I find peace in my gardens along with my dog, two cats, and many chickens.

Chris Hochschwender
AM Chipmunks
Hello, my name is Chris and this will be my sixth year teaching the Chipmunks at Acorn School. I live in Newfields with my husband Dave, and my three boys -- Jacob (16), Ben (13), and Sam (11). All three of my boys were Chipmunks, Chickadees, and Mighty Oaks here at Acorn many years ago. I love to read and enjoy traveling to new places with my family. This summer we spent time in Lancaster and Gettysburg, PA. We have a chocolate Lab named Gracie. She is a big part of our family. I am ready and excited for a new school year, and am looking forward to meeting all the new Chipmunks and their families!

Tracey Hussey
AM/PM Chipmunks, Chickadees, Tadpoles
Hi, my name is Tracey and this is my seventh year at Acorn School. I live in Stratham with my husband Chris, my two high school boys Cody and Drew, and my two cats. In 2006 I earned my NH Early Education Lead Teacher Certification, and I continue with classes at night to further my Early Childhood Education. I love to read (my passion is children's literature), dance at Zumba classes, and spend time with family and friends. 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 12th 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 8th 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
Hi, my name is Sarah and I live in Stratham with my three children. Kelly (18) is a freshman at UNH. She loves rugby and Zumba. Spencer (16) is a junior at Exeter High. He plays soccer and likes hanging out with friends. Owen (13) is an 8th grader at CMS. He also plays soccer and loves to ski. When I have free time, I like to walk, ski, and spend time with family and friends. I'm looking forward to a great year with the Chipmunks and Woolly Bears!

Dottie Schmidt
Chickadees, Tadpoles
My name is Dottie and I teach the Chickadees and Tadpoles. This is my 21st year here and it truly is a special place -- and a fun place -- to be. Both my "kids" -- Denise (28) and Marc (25) -- 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 third year with the Tadpoles, but I have also been a student and parent at Acorn. I live in Hampton with my husband Mike, my son Will, who is in third grade, and our two cats, Mason and Merlin. We enjoy the beach, skiing, hiking, reading, and cheering on our New England sports teams. I am looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones this year.

Kimberly Williams
Business Director
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 16 years ago as a parent. My sons - Jeff, a student at Colorado State University, and Scott, a senior at Exeter High - both loved their years at Acorn. 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!