Meet the Lower School Team
Christy Zawadzkas is our Lower School Director. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling Psychology. Christy also is an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). 2020-21 is her 20th year in education. She has worked the last 10 years in private education(Pre-K-8th gr) and before that taught in public schools. She started at DV Friends in 2016. Christy became the Director of the Lower School in 2020.
Toni Bushnell is a Lower School Lead Teacher. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, and most recently taught at the Cloud Forest School in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Prior to that, Toni worked at Stratford Friends School for more than a decade. Toni is certified in Orton-Gillingham and is passionate about teaching students with language-based learning differences. Toni is a member of the Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting.
Barbara Bond is a Teacher's Assistant in the Lower School. She has her Associates degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working towards her degree in Education. She has worked as a TA in Pre-K at Greene Street Friends for 5 years after owning an arts & crafts store in Germantown for 8 years. Barbara started at DV 2018.
Brian Stroinski is a lower school lead teacher. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education and History from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. He has a Master's degree in Technology Integration in the Classroom from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is his first foray into a Friend's school. He has previously worked in public schools in West Virginia and Minnesota, and worked in a charter school in Minneapolis.
Megan Peterson is a lead teacher in the Lower School. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Grades Preparation from West Chester University. Before joining DVFriends, Megan taught 3rd grade and kindergarten in Prince William County, Virginia for 8 years.
John Coleman is a Lower School Assistant Teacher, who graduated from DV Friends back in 2018. John has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Business Technology in 2024. John also works as a Camp Special Events Assistant at Sesame Rockwood Day Camps during the summer. John loves creating his own music as well as djing, drawing, and almost everything in the creative realm.
Amy Felton is a Teacher’s Assistant in Lower School. She has a Bachelor's degree in Communication from LaSalle University. She started working at DVFriends in 2016. Amy worked in advertising and marketing for over ten years before joining DVFriends.
Kristi Beltran is a Lower School Assistant Teacher who has been working in the education field for 23 years. Kristi earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Theater from Muhlenberg College and a Master's Degree in Child Development as well as an Early Childhood Special Needs Teaching Credential from Mills College. Kristi was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia in the Rural Sanitation Program and worked in the local schools. She taught at the Athenian School in Danville, CA and then worked as a Teacher in the Early Intervention field for 20 years. Kristi worked for the San Diego Regional Center, San Diego County Office of Education and with agencies in Montgomery and Chester County here in PA.