Archmere Welcomes Eleven New Faculty Members

 

Logan joins the Archmere community as the Associate Director of Admissions after eight years in higher education. In 2011, Logan earned his B.A. in Business and Economics from Ursinus College, where was an RA, sang with the male a cappella group and was a two-time captain and First-Team All-Centennial Conference selection for the Men's Lacrosse team. After graduation, Logan began his professional career working in the admission office at Ursinus where he was primarily responsible for supporting coaches in their recruitment of student-athletes as well as managing the student worker program. In 2016, Logan accepted a position at Widener University as Assistant Director of Admissions, responsible for developing and implementing local, regional and national recruitment strategies, while concurrently pursuing his Master's Degree in Education, set to be complete in 2018. Logan continued his lacrosse career as an Assistant Coach with the men's lacrosse programs at both Ursinus and Widener during his tenure at each school. He enjoys sports, music, Seinfeld, and a good hoagie. Logan is married and lives in Media, PA with his wife, Katie, and soon to be new baby! 

 

 

Jillian DeFina is a Long Island native, but is very excited about her move to the “First State”. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a double minor in Theology and Youth Ministry from Neumann University. After graduation, Jillian did a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps where she lived in community and served the homeless population of Scranton, PA at Saint Francis of Assisi Kitchen. Then, Jillian attended Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and received her Master’s in Theology and Ministry this past May. Along with being the Campus Minister, Jillian is also ecstatic to be able to put her 15 years of field hockey experience to good use as the Head Coach of Archmere’s JV Field Hockey team.

Bill McGowan, originally from Wilmington, Delaware, is a 1997 graduate of Salesianum School. Bill holds a B.A. in History from Mount St. Mary's University ('01) and a M.A. in History Education from West Chester University ('12). In 2008, Bill was named a recipient of the James Madison Memorial Fellowship, an award intended to recognize promising and distinguished teachers and expose the nation’s secondary school students to accurate knowledge of the nation’s constitutional heritage. The Fellowship funds up to $24,000 of each Fellow’s course of study towards a Master’s degree. 

 

Previously, Bill’s teaching positions include Salesianum School (2002 - 2016) and Bullis School, (2016 - 2018 Potomac, MD). He joins Archmere in the History department, teaching Freshman World History, Advanced Placement World History, and Senior Civil Rights Elective. He is also currently a member of the Archmere Football, Basketball, and Rugby coaching staffs.

Bill resides in North Wilmington with his wife Kathryn and two children Billy (11 years of age) and Madeline (10 years of age).

 

Mark Hannagan received a B.S. from the University of Delaware and his M.S. from Wilmington University. Previously, he taught at Saint Mark’s High School in Wilmington, DE. He will be assisting with the very talented Auk cross country and track teams. Mark looks forward to being part of the Archmere community and contributing to the rich Archmere tradition. 

 

Kate Huffman is a Delaware based artist, just returning from Ithaca, NY. She received a BFA in painting from the University of Delaware as well as a BA in Foreign Language and Literature. Kate graduated in 2018 with her MFA in Studio Art from Cornell University. She has shown work in Delaware, New Jersey, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Most recently showing at SIGNAL Gallery in Brooklyn (NYC) and Caellum Gallery in Chelsea (NYC). Kate taught Printmaking and Advanced Drawing for the past two years at Cornell University. She hopes to continue her education in the future by pursuing a PhD in Art and Public Policy.

 

Valerie Wright is a new member of the English department. She holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware in English/Journalism and Philosophy, and a Master's degree in Education from Wilmington University. Valerie comes to Archmere from Saint Mark's High School, from where she graduated in 1999. She spent 12 years on staff there as an English teacher and Director of Marketing and Communications. She has also taken the position of Head Cheerleading Coach for the Auks and is excited to continue one of her many extracurricular roles here. Outside of school, Valerie enjoys spending time with her husband, James, their three-year-old daughter, Cecilia, and their 85-pound pit bull/mastiff mix, Cassius. The family loves Eagles and Gamecocks (University of South Carolina) football. 

JR Creekmore is a 2011 graduate of Archmere Academy who then received a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was a four-year letter winner in Cross Country and Track and Field while in college. After graduation, he competed internationally with the USA Triathlon National Development Team. He is excited to return to his alma mater to teach Physics and Chemistry.

 

 

Yachi Kaiya Yu has been a part-time Mandarin Chinese teacher for over ten years. Her passions include teaching, cooking, hiking, and Zumba dance. She has two kids; David is 14 and Daniel is 10. 

 

When she is not glued to the computer working on lesson plans, Yachi likes to spend time with her boys and cook for the family. She worked for a computer company for eight years in Taiwan as a Marketing Manager prior to pursuing a higher education and achieving her Master’s degree as a foreign language teacher. After graduating from college, she worked part-time while raising her two young boys.

 

Yachi was associated with the Chinese schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware and received the Teacher of the Year award in 2014 and 2016. Her greatest passion is helping students in building up their confidence in language proficiency and to achieve their learning goals. Her students are always encouraged to reach out to her for extra help after class. She has patience for students and a passion for teaching.  

 

 

Christine DeGrado has been teaching Spanish language and literature for many years and feels that at this point in her career she has taught all levels, from kindergarteners to seniors in college taking literature classes. She has learned that there is an "inner kindergartener" in every student, no matter their age. “We all want clarity and fairness and to be seen as who we are.” Over the years, Christine has earned the reputation as a tough but fair teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, gardening and baking. Christine makes garments of all kinds and especially likes making shirts for the men in her life. When she sews for someone, she thinks about them all through the process and feels that is a kind of prayer. “My garden is small but mighty; working in it is also a spiritual exercise for me.” Christine has been known to burst out in spontaneous baking when a class goes exceptionally well.

  

 

Dr. Alison Kreitzer is working as a long-term substitute in the History department. She received BAs in Art History and American History and a PhD in the History of American Civilization from the University of Delaware. She has taught college-level history courses at the University of Delaware. Dr. Kreitzer has also worked as a public historian for area museums and private foundations.