Teacher & Staff Directory

Bachelor's Degree from West Virginia University

I love PreK! Although this is my first year teaching at CHES, I taught PreK for the past 10 years in Virginia. Before teaching, I attended and graduated from WVU, where I was on the women’s rowing team for four years. I live on Kent Island with my husband Corey, my baby girl Sutton, and two dogs: Wrangler and Sahara. In my free time you can find me outside in the sunshine, by the water, reading a book, or hanging out with my family and friends. I grew up in a military family and have lived in many states including Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, California, and Washington. I am a certified yoga instructor for both adults and children. The way to my heart is through a charcuterie board!

I am the luckiest to work at CHES surrounded by the best staff and students. PreK is where it is AT!

Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education; Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania; Certified to teach Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education

This is my second year teaching PreK at CHES. Previously, I taught Kindergarten for five years here at CHES and spent six years as a substitute teacher and lead teacher in an infant room. I love early childhood and working with our earliest learners.

I live on Kent Island with my husband, our three sons (ages 4, 11, and 19) and our Siberian Husky Rosie. I am from New Jersey and grew up in the Poconos, PA. I enjoy being with my family, biking, and painting. I have been to 20 concerts of all different music genres. I love watching cooking shows.

I also love CHES and I look forward to a great year with my new friends!

BA in English, MA in Historical Studies, Certificates in Early Childhood Education and Public History Administration; all done at UMBC in Catonsville

I have been teaching for 20 years and this is my 5th year at CHES. I have taught second grade, PreK, and K. I live with my husband, who is also a teacher, and my 2 children who are 8 and 10. We have lots of pets- 2 cats, 2 dogs, and 13 chickens!
Fun Facts- I am a sunset foster for senior cats. I LOVE to read and read at least 1 book every week! When I was little, I wanted to be an Egyptologist when I grew up.

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of South Florida

I am a Kindergarten teacher here at CHES. I moved to QAC in 2020 from Tampa, Florida. I lived in Florida for 10 years, but grew up in New Jersey. Fun fact - I owned a deaf cat with three legs growing up! I love reading and spending time on the beach or by the pool!

I have been teaching Kindergarten for three years, I like to say “Kindergarten is my jam.” I am currently expecting my first child and sharing this experience with my students has been so amazing. I am so lucky to get to teach and learn from my awesome students; shaping little minds is the most rewarding career!!

Teaching degree; Master’s Degree in Reading from Wilmington University

I have been at Church Hill for more than 18 years! I am currently a first grade teacher. Prior to this, I taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade and was the Reading Specialist for 13 years. I was born and raised in Kent and Queen Anne's County. Before I began teaching, I was a family daycare provider for over 14 years. I am married with two adult daughters: Jessica and Rebecca. I also have grandchildren. I have a dog (Nyla) and a cat (Buddy). I coached youth field hockey in Kent and Queen Anne's County for several years. I love spending time with my family, reading, Googling, playing golf, and watching many sports. I also love Wordle!

Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY New Paltz; MA in Education

I have been at Church Hill since 2011. I have taught Pre-K and 1st grade here at CHES. I live in Kent County with my husband, Jesse, my son, Landon (SMS student) and Elsa (current CHES Cub). We have three dogs: Diesel (American Bulldog), Chase (Labradoodle), and Noel (Corgipoo). When I am not with my school children, my favorite place is to be with my own children and family.

I grew up in the Hudson Valley. I’ve wanted to be a teacher ever since the 2nd grade because of my 2nd grade teacher. I love being on the water and outside.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina; Masters Degree in Reading from Loyola University; Nationally Certified Teacher

I’ve been teaching in Queen Anne’s County for 25 years. My husband is also a teacher and teaches at Sudlersville Middle School. My children attend QACHS: Rebecca will graduate in 2023 and Jake will graduate in 2025. I began teaching in 1996 at Grasonville Elementary School and transferred to Church Hill Elementary School in 2007

Bachelor's Degree from Salisbury University; Master's Degree in Education from GRATZ college RTC program

I have been teaching second grade at Church Hill Elementary School for 13 years. I grew up and still reside in Queen Anne’s County. I enjoy playing games and spending time with my 3 children, Travis, Brianna, and Brendon. I also like watching their sporting events and cheering them on from the sidelines! My favorite season is summer when we can spend time on our boat and at the beach! I also love solving word puzzles and hope to be on Wheel of Fortune someday! I have a fear of cats!

I went to Towson University for my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and am currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Education as well.

Hi, I am Ms. Kolenda! I am a second grade teacher. I have been a teacher for 7 years and love making learning fun. I have lived in Maryland most of my life but moved to the eastern shore only about a year ago. I love outdoor activities like walking or kayaking. I also enjoy reading and catching up on my favorite shows.

Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Salisbury University; Master’s Equivalency in Elementary Education

I have been teaching 3rd grade in Queen Anne’s County for 34 years. I grew up in Kent County, graduated from Kent County High School, and still reside there today. I have two sons. I love to read, go to the beach, and go shopping. I collect seashells and sea glass. I love to watch the butterflies and hummingbirds in my backyard. My favorite animal is a koala bear.

“People may forget what you say or do,but they won’t forget how you made them feel.”

Fleet Business School; Bachelor of Science from Salisbury State University; Master’s of Education from Salisbury State University

My journey to teaching began with a wonderful education in Queen Anne's County. I began teaching first grade at Kent Island Elementary School in 1995. In 2001, I moved to Church Hill Elementary school where I taught first grade for two years. In 2002, my love for teaching second grade began. In the fall of 2022, I will continue my journey as a third grade teacher at CHES. I enjoy kayaking, boating, reading, hiking, and camping with my husband and two daughters. My favorite animal is a giraffe. I enjoy visiting the mountains in West Virginia. I love to eat crunchy peanut butter and sweet pickle sandwiches.

~No act of kindness is ever wasted~

I have lived in Queen Anne’s County my whole life. I grew up in Barclay and went to school at Sudlersville. Currently I live in Centreville with my wife (Amy), our two daughters (Hailey and Taylor), and son (Oliver). I have been a teacher for 12+ years. My classroom motto is “Never Give up and Always Try Your Best.”

For fun, I enjoy completing obstacle races. I’m a Batman fan, Lego collector, and can solve multiple Rubiks cubes.

BA Business Management from Washington College; MAT Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University

I have been teaching 4th grade at CHES since 2013 and in QAC since 2002. I especially enjoy teaching science and social studies. I was a corporate accountant for three years before I pursued a career in teaching. In my free time I enjoy reading and playing every sport and game ever invented. I grew up in Connecticut and root for all the New England sports teams! My favorite times are just being outside with my two daughters, son, and wife!

Associate’s Degree from Prince George’s Community College; Bachelor’s Degree from Salisbury University; Masters of Education from Loyola University

I have taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades on Kent Island and here at Church Hill Elementary since 1990. I'm a long time resident of Queen Anne's County and attended Stevensville Middle School and Queen Anne's County High School. My husband, son, daughter and I live in Centreville with our three dogs. I have coached many youth sports including soccer and basketball and have helped with both the Boy and Girl Scouts.

I enjoy most outdoor activities, raising beagles, and spending time with my family. I played softball in college at Salisbury University. One of my favorite trips was offshore fishing and snorkeling in the Florida Keys.

Bachelor's of Science from Penn State University; Masters degree in Leadership and Teaching from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland

I have been a QACPS special education teacher for 10 years. Prior to that I worked for 10 years in private schools for children with learning disabilities. I am married and have three children: Wylee (17), Zuzu (15), and Chapin (9). All attended CHES! Some of my favorite things to do are gardening, camping, horseback riding, hiking/walking, boating on the Chester River, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. In the summer of 2021, I traveled across the United States in a pop-up camper with my family visiting nine National Parks and over 20 states!

Bachelor’s Degree from Radford College in Virginia; Master’s Degree from Towson State; Graduate Certificate from Johns Hopkins

I have been a Speech/Language Pathologist for almost forever. I have been at Church Hill Elementary since 2010. I also work at Sudlersville Elementary and Sudlersville Middle Schools. I have two grown children, both of whom attended Church Hill Elementary. I love the beach, gardening, and reading.
The best thing about my job is being able to work with so many students and their teachers.

BA in psychology from UMBC and a teaching certificate in the area of special education; MS from Kaplan University; National Board Certified Teacher/Exceptional Needs Specialist.

I have been a special education teacher with Queen Anne’s County Public Schools since 2007 and have worked in several schools across the county. I am very happy to be back in my neighborhood school where my own children were students.

Some of my favorite hobbies are reading, exercising, and spending time with my family. I have visited several countries including Canada, Jamaica, Germany, and Italy. Italy was probably my favorite!

Bachelor's degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education from Towson University; Master’s degree in Reading and Literacy from Walden University

I am a Special Education Teacher at CHES. I have been teaching here since 2018. I have lived on the Eastern Shore for over 14 years with my husband, daughter, and our dogs Gunner and Mack. I love reading, cooking, playing games, and relaxing on my boat. I also love going to Disney World. Elephants are my favorite animal. I taught high school students in China for a summer. I grew up on Long Island.

DE Art Education Certification K-12; MD Art Education Certification K-12; Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Art; Masters of Education in Instructional Technology

I have been teaching art at CHES since 2008. I live in QAC with my husband and two sons. I enjoy spending time with my family. We spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and camping. I enjoy cooking, painting, and working in my garden. I hope to someday visit all of the National Parks in the USA! I used to have a pet tarantula! The artwork I make at home is very colorful and abstract

BA Major in Drama/ Performing Arts with a Minor in English Literature from Washington College

I have had the wonderful pleasure of being a part of the CHES staff for over 13 years. I live in Chestertown Md with my two cats Greyjoy and Andronicus. I love to read, watch movies, swim, vacation, act, and listen to music. I have directed plays at both the Garfield Center in Chestertown and The Church Hill Theater. A fun fact is that I have met Stephen King!

Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Masters in Education, Post Secondary Education, both from Salisbury University

I have been teaching at CHES since 2005. I live in QAC with my two daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, playing tennis, and going to the beach. I have been a coach for numerous sports from the youth level to the collegiate level. My daughters play volleyball, basketball, tennis, and lacrosse.

I have a Bachelors of the Arts in Vocal Performance and K-12 Music Education from Southern Methodist University. I received a Masters in Teacher leadership from Walden University.

I love making music and sharing my love of music with people of all ages. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have been teaching in QAC for 16 years, but this is my second year at CHES, and I am thrilled to be a part of the CHES family!

My hobbies include being in nature, dancing, swimming, singing and learning music instruments including the guitar, ukulele and piano. I have been playing the guitar for 20 years and I recently started studying the piano because I believe you are NEVER too old to learn a new music instrument or start a new hobby! I hope my students remember that it is NEVER too late to start learning a new instrument, and they always have music in their lives.

Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Messiah University and Certified in Early Education in Maryland

This year I married my best friend Ray Idleman! This is my second year at Church Hill Elementary but my first year as a Media Specialist! I played lacrosse in college and love to play and watch all different kinds of sports! I love to read & spend time with family and friends! My favorite book right now is, "I Promise," by Lebron James! A fun fact about me is that I played the flute, drums, piano, and ukulele growing up!

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Special Education; Master’s degree in School Counseling; Administrative Certificate

It’s a good day to have a good day! I am so lucky to be the principal at Church Hill Elementary School. I am a proud graduate of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren. I love being poolside and fixing Sunday dinner for my family.

Undergraduate degree from Salisbury University; Graduate degree from Wilmington University; currently working on second Graduate degree from UMBC, Admin I Certification

I have been teaching at CHES for over 19 years! I have taught 3rd and 4th grade, and am currently a Specialist. I grew up and still reside in Queen Anne’s County with my husband, two daughters, one son, and our two dogs. I enjoy spending time with my family, working out, trying new foods, reading, and being outside! I also love to travel to warm beaches! I am an early riser (always before the sun).

Registered Nurse; Bachelor of Science in Nursing; PALS Certification; Certification in Complementary and Integrative Health from Drexel University

I am the school nurse at CHES and I am so excited to have the opportunity to be able to care for your children while at school. My mission is to enhance the educational potential of all students by promoting wellness and facilitating the resolution of health concerns that may create barriers to learning.

I grew up in Germany, Cairo and the US, and I am fluent in German and English. I moved to the Eastern Shore in 2007, and live in Chestertown with my husband and two children.

B.S. in Speech Pathology/Audiology from Loyola College

I am the first point of contact for students and families at school! If you have a question, just stop in the front office or call the school and I will be happy to help you! As the Parent Coordinator, my mission is to help build and maintain a working partnership between the home, school, and community for students.

My original home is St. Mary's County. Although not a native of Queen Anne's County, I moved here in 1995 and have raised four wonderful children here. When not working at CHES, I enjoy sewing, baking, reading, and spending time with my husband and children.

Associates Degree in Legal Secretarial from Pensacola Christian College

I am in the front office at CHES and often the first person that you will meet. I enjoy working with and getting to know our families. In my spare time, I love to travel and spend time with my husband and two kids!