Teachers set the stage in each classroom for a school year full of friendship, learning, and exploration.
Meet Fairville’s Staff
Our staff is made up of professionals who each have years of experience working with young children. Lead teachers and assistants are well-versed in guiding students in non-violent conflict resolution, which is a focal point of each child’s social and emotional development throughout their time at Fairville. Teachers set the stage in each classroom for a school year full of friendship, learning, and exploration.
Staff Bios
Saira Ahmad
SAIRA
Lead Teacher
B.S. Business Administration / International University of Islamabad, Pakistan
Years at Fairville: 6
I like to spend free time with my family. Our family likes to travel, watch movies, play board games and eat out. I am a dog lover and often foster for All4Paws Rescue. I am fascinated by the various cultures all around the world and would like to travel and learn about as many as I can.
"I am excited to be a part of Fairville. Ever since we moved into the neighborhood, my family and I found this place to be magical! To me, working with children is most rewarding. I find that their simplicity, kindness, innocence and ability to love unconditionally is contagious and heartwarming. Fairville has welcomed me with open arms. It’s like being a part of a family!”
Kim Alberta
Kim
Lead Teacher - Kindergarten
BA in Psychology & English / King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
MS in Counseling Education / Wester Chester University, West Chester, PA
Years at Fairville: 3
Kim enjoys reading, baking, walking, listening to live music and spending time with her family and friends. She has two children in college who she loves to visit and she looks forward to traveling more now that she is an empty nester.
"I truly feel blessed that my teaching journey has brought me to Fairville Friends. It is a gift to work with such talented, like-minded and passionate teachers whom I also call friends. The children are the reason I love my job and getting to know and partnering with their families completes the circle on the team teaching approach that I believe in."
Sydndey Avayou
Sydney
Assistant Teacher
BS in Recreational Therapy / York College of Pennsylvania
Years at Fairville: 2
Sydney loves spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading, being outside, animals, and learning new things. She’s also a Philly fan through and through and will never say no to coffee or treats!
“I’m so happy to be working here at Fairville. When I first came and saw the school, I was speechless. I could tell it was an amazing place for learning, exploring, and being a kid! Fairville is an exceptional place, and I can’t wait to make so many more memories with everyone!”
Hannah Cacciavillano
Hannah
Building Sub/Enrichment
B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science / Ursinus College
Years at Fairville: 1
I enjoy spending my free time outside hiking, riding bikes and camping with my family. I also enjoy baking and watching movies with my children. I am so happy I found Fairville. It is a joy working at such a happy place and with children that love to explore and get messy!
Addie Cummings
Assistant Teacher
BA in Music / University of Rhode Island
Years at Fairville: 3
I love spending time with my husband and three daughters, especially outdoors or exploring new places. I equally love curling up to read a book or going to concerts, hike as often as possible, and never pass up an iced coffee.
"Fairville is a precious place to me as a teacher and parent. I saw genuine care, creativity, and a palpable centeredness the moment I walked in with my oldest daughter and loved it so much I have never left!"
Jordan Dorgan
Jordan
Lead Teacher / Enrichment
B.S. in Elementary Education / Penn State University
Years at Fairville: 3
Jordan has experience teaching both preschool and elementary school. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children, especially outdoors! In her free time she enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with her chickens.
“Joining the Fairville community is a dream come true for me. I love that Fairville allows children to explore, get dirty, and make mistakes. I am grateful for each day that I get to spend growing and learning alongside the kids!”
Gabriella Eltringham
Assistant Teacher/ Enrichment
B.A. in English / West Chester University, PA
Years at Fairville: 2
Gabriella spent the past year working as the assistant teacher for the Butterfly and Grasshopper classes as well as leading Creative Play in the afternoons and helping out on Fun Fridays. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling the world.
“I am so grateful to have discovered Fairville. The kids make me laugh every single day, and I feel like I learn as much from them as they learn from me. Fairville is such a beautiful place for children to discover a love of learning and exploring”
Maegan Hailey
Maegan
Assistant Teacher
B.A. in Psychology with minors in Sign Language and Youth Empowerment / West Chester University
Years at Fairville: 4
Maegan has been coaching rowing at Unionville High School for the past six years, and spent two years as a home health aide for a child with autism. In her free time she…..nope, she doesn’t have any free time—but you might see her driving a big yellow school bus!
Amy Hammon
Amy
Lead Teacher / Enrichment
B.A. in International Relations / University of Delaware
Masters of Elementary Education / Wilmington College
Years at Fairville: 14
Amy has been a part of the Fairville community for 18 years. First as a parent, then a member of the Board of Trustees and finally a member of the teaching staff. Amy has taught at every age level at Fairville over the years and is currently the lead teacher in the PreK Barn Owl class. Amy has two grown children who attended Fairville and are now in college. Amy and her husband love to be outside and are traveling more now that they are empty nesters. Amy adores children’s literature, creating art with children and teaching kids about our beautiful, natural world.
“Fairville wrapped its arms around me 18 years ago and it still feels like home to me. The love and acceptance that flows freely to all the children makes for an ideal learning environment. The teachers at Fairville strive to ignite the Light within each child and the positive energy can be felt by all. A truly magical place.”
Kristin Jenney
Krisitn
Food Manager
Years at Fairville: 6
Schantal Kane
Schantal
Assistant Teacher / Ladybug Room
Lead teacher / Kindergarten Spanish
BS Industrial Design / Instituto Technológico de Monterrey, México with Internships at University of Auckland, New Zealand & Huron University in London, England
Years at Fairville Friends: 4
Toni Keg
Toni
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher / Enrichment
BA in Liberal Arts / Widener University
M.Ed. / Widener University
Years at Fairville: 1
Toni was most recently a Pre-K teacher/Assistant Director at KinderCare Learning Centers in Malvern/Great Valley. She has also worked in state government and done substitute-teaching in the West Chester Area School District and the Chester County Intermediate Unit. She and her husband live in West Chester. They have two daughters, a grand-dog and six grand-cats. She loves to travel, garden, read and take walks.
“I have been a part of the Fairville family for only a short time, but the love and support shown to students by teachers and staff inspires me daily! I have taught in various educational settings and feel so fortunate to have landed at Fairville. I am looking forward to learning with and from everyone in this amazing community - it truly is a privilege to be here!”
Lydia Kendis
Lydia
Lead Teacher / Enrichment
BA in Spanish - Elementary Education / Muhlenberg College
Years at Fairville 4
I love to spend time in nature, hiking and kayaking. I enjoy cooking plant based foods, and I always have my nose in a book. I also love spending time with my family, especially my four grown children!
“My first thought as I stepped through the gate at Fairville into the elephant yard was MAGIC! I continue to feel that every day that I am at school. I feel so lucky to be a part of our wonderful Fairville community! From the beloved children to the families, staff and board, this is such a magical place to spend my days!”
Patty Mapa
PATTY
Lead Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education / Shippensburg University
Years at Fairville: 4
I enjoy spending time with my three grown children and husband. We love to travel and explore new places. I enjoy reading, taking my dog for long walks and working in my garden.
“Fairville is truly a magical place! It feels like home when you step through the front door; with children laughing and teachers welcoming you with a smile. What a wonderful place for a child to learn, grow, explore and use their imaginations. I feel lucky to be part of such a loving and nurturing family at Fairville Friends.”
Angel Neumann
Angel
Enrichment Teacher
AS Business Administration
Years at Fairville: 1
Angel and her husband have three grown children and five grandkids. She loves to cook and bake for her family and has a passion for crafts, gardening, decorating, and special event design/planning. After years as a salon owner and raising children, she has spent the last decade working in the Special Education department at Patton MS, Teaching Art at Thornbury Preschool and now Fairville Enrichment.
“When asked about a favorite book from childhood in a staff meeting, I responded The Secret Garden. It’s a book about the healing properties of nature, friendship, and positivity. And now, being here, I've realized that’s what Fairville is! A Secret Garden!”
Leslie Neuberger
Leslie
Enrichment assistant
BA in American History / University of Connecticut
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction / University of Maryland
Years at Fairville: 11
Leslie has been involved at Fairville in some capacity since 2013 as a parent, board member, volunteer, and teacher. She is a mom to four busy kids, and enjoys travel, basketball, dogs, and weight lifting.
“Fairville is a beautiful school. It is a joy to be on campus and experience its unique magic. My children loved their Fairville years—this little school holds a treasured place in our family’s story. It is an honor to play a small part in extending the traditions and love of Fairville with today’s students.”
Priya Rajendran
Priya
Assistant Teacher / Enrichment
Bachelors in English Literature / Lady Doak College, India
Years at Fairville: 2
I love spending time with my family and enjoy travelling and exploring new places. Walking and hiking with my family are activities I particularly cherish. I also enjoy watching movies and TV series with my husband.
“I am so grateful to have found Fairville. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to work with kids and hear their laughter and see them have fun. Fairville, with its apple orchards and different play yards, is truly an enchanting place - every child's dream come true.”
Beth Rundle
Lead Teacher
BA English Literature / Temple University, Philadelphia
Multi Subject Teaching Credential, Pre-k - 5th grade / New College of California, San Francisco
Early Childhood Generalist, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
Years at Fairville: 3
Beth primarily taught first grade and kindergarten before having her own children and staying home with them. She loves spending time with her family, and her favorite things to do with them are hiking, biking, baking, playing games, and traveling.
“I absolutely love working with kids, and Fairville is such a magical place! It’s filled with the sounds of children playing and exploring. And I especially enjoy helping children build friendships and confidence.”
Sharon Smith
Sharon
Bookkeeper
BS Environmental Science / Drexel University
Hands on bookkeeping and small business management for various small businesses
Years at Fairville: 1
Sharon is a convinced Quaker and member of West Chester Monthly Meeting. Sharon is happiest when she is running on local trails with her dog Suki and pushing herself to complete ultramarathons. When she's not on the trail, she enjoys watching her daughters pursue their passions, camping with her family, reading and discussing books with her book club, and binge watching Netflix with her husband.
"Fairville is a special Light in our community. Allowing children to explore their world with gentle guidance and love is a remarkable way to begin the educational journey. I feel lucky to work with such amazing, caring people committed to living and teaching their Quaker values."
Dione Suto
Dione
Office Manager
B.S. Psychology / Virginia Commonwealth University
Years at Fairville: 4
Dione, a former parent and member of the Board of Trustees, started working in the office in 2021. In her spare time, Dione enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, hiking, traveling and reading!
"I love that Fairville is a place where children can make lifelong friends. My daughter, who is in high school, is still friends with many of the children she went to preschool and kindergarten with at Fairville, even though they all attend different schools now. The sense of community and friendship is unique and enduring ."
surika swart
surika
Lead Teacher / Enrichment
B.Ed Education / Northwest University, South Africa
M.Ed Educational Psychology / Northwest University, South Africa
Years at Fairville: 5
Surika enjoys spending time with her husband and two children going camping, being in their garden, exploring and discovering new places.
“I was mesmerized the moment I saw the inside of Fairville! It is every child’s dream place to be. It provides all the building blocks a child needs to unlock their imagination, giving them the opportunity to thrive. Fairville is truly a happy place to be and I am so grateful to be part of it!”
Holly Taylor
HOLLY
Assistant Teacher / Enrichment
B.A. in English / Gettysburg College
M.S. Ed. / University of Pennsylvania
Years at Fairville: 5
Holly fell in love with this special place while her own children were Fairville students, and has held a variety of roles over the past several years. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with family and friends, reading, and getting outdoors in her garden and on family hikes.
Maia Tolsdorf
MAIA
Head of School
B.A. in Ethics, Politics and Economics / Yale University,
J.D. from the University of Virginia
Years at Fairville: 5
Maia has been a part of Fairville for over 20 years, including as a parent and Clerk of the Board of Trustees. Maia considers herself crafty and loves photography, hiking, podcasts, children's books, and walking with her dogs. Since the three Tolsdorf children (now grown!) attended Fairville, it has been a family affair: daughters Emmy and Katherine served as counselors at Camp Aka for many years, son Zach built the beloved mud kitchen, and husband Chris volunteered for two years as Fairville's part-time bookkeeper.