The Wilberforce School Faculty
Explorers I
Music
Charlotte Chong
This is the third year Ms. Chong has worked at TWS. Whether leading an experienced chorus, organizing a game at recess, or explaining a math lesson, Charlotte enjoys sharing her gifts with her students and seeing each one of them learn and grow. Outside TWS, Charlotte has taught private piano lessons, led junior high choir and general music classes, served as an arts camp counselor, and taught music play to preschoolers. A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ, she is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a BS in Music Education. In addition to piano, Charlotte also plays the flute, and her major at college was vocal performance. Charlotte is active in her church, and, as a hobby, she enjoys visiting different restaurants and trying new foods. She looks forward to the "Phonogram Bus" and other Explorer essentials.
Explorers II
Physical Education
Frances Baird
For her third year at TWS, Mrs. Baird is looking forward to studying nature and books with her Explorers II and challenging all her Physical Education students to sportsmanship and healthy living. An avid athlete, Frances has competed in cross-country, swimming, and soccer. She earned her BS in Elementary Education, with Multiple Teaching Credentials, from California State University at Long Beach. Frances has served her church working both on the worship team and as a junior high youth group leader. She enjoys theater arts, reading, and singing. Mrs. Baird is married, and her husband pursuing graduate studies at Rutgers University.
Class One
Grace Cho
In her fourth year at TWS, Mrs. Cho especially enjoys sharing "living books" with students and experiencing along with them the excitement of discovering God's world and themselves within these pages. Her extensive experience in both teaching and youth ministry display her obvious love for children and her gift for teaching. Before joining our faculty Grace taught elementary school for six years in Virginia and Maryland. Grace also started the junior high ministry at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA, capping off eight years of youth ministry. Mrs. Cho earned a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Christian Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also worked nearly two years as a Project Editor for McGraw Hill Education. Mrs. Cho is married, and her husband works in the financial services sector.
Class Two
Hyme Choi
Ms. Choi is now in her third year of teaching Class Two. She loves the way her students combine drive and community, relishing the challenges which come with more complex reading and mathematics. Before joining TWS, Hyme lived in Charlotte, NC where she taught for three years. Hyme has also actively served in her church's children's ministries, both in North Carolina and now in New Jersey. Hyme’s father has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and Hyme is assisting him in planting a church in the Edison area. Hyme attended middle school in Russia and knows not only Russian but a number of other languages as well. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Hyme earned a BS in elementary education, with a minor in Social Studies. In addition to her classroom experience, Hyme has also tutored both K-12 and ESL students. She enjoys the challenges of NJ home ownership, even if it means refinishing floors.
Class Three
Class Four
Lesley Dean
Now in her second year at TWS, Mrs. Dean taught for six years before joining our staff: as a T.A., a subsitute, and for the last two years as a middle school math teacher. She has worked with students at all levels--from those with special needs to the gifted. An avid athlete, Lesley has also coached girls' cross country, basketball, and softball. During her college years, Mrs. Dean worked at a Christian camp, Kanakuk, for girls aged seven to eleven. There she served both as a counselor and as a member of the leadership team in charge of camper issues. Lesley is a 2003 graduate of Baylor University, with a B.A. in Journalism, and a 2007 graduate of Lindenwood University, with a Masters in Teaching. Lesley and her husband are active in their church, Jacob's Well.
Class Seven/Eight
Leo Yoon
Now in his third year at TWS, Mr. Yoon enjoys discussing literature and Christian worldview with his TWS students, challenging them to live up to their highest God-given potential. Leo brings a wealth of experience to his classroom gleaned from years as an instructor of mathematics, an instructor of standardized test preparation, and as his church’s youth director. In all his teaching activities, Leo is known for his ability to combine fun with real learning, and faith with real-life experiences. Leo is a graduate of State University of New York (Binghamton) with a degree in electrical engineering. He also has an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and an MA in math education from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Leo is also an avid golfer and an accomplished martial artist. He is married, his wife is a Princeton University graduate student, and they have a young daughter.
Aide: Class Four
Logic
Brittany Moss
Jee Park
Mrs. Jee Park is a honors graduate of Rutgers University, with BAs in Communication and Religion. Jee worked in human resources for two years (Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank). When her human resources skills were turned to her home (as a wife and mother of five children), she demonstrated her love of children as an active volunteer in the schools, as a children’s church teacher, and (for two years) as a homeschool teacher. Jee enjoys being a soccer mom, and she even plays in a league herself. She looks forward to working with TWS students of all ages, and especially to sharing discovery learning with the Explorers 2 class.
Explorers' Art
Gemma Farrell
A lifelong artist, Mrs. Farrell is excited to be returning to TWS where she shares her love of color, form, and composition with her Explorers and Art Club students. Gemma has a deep affinity for the visual arts and is passionate about encouraging self-expression in children. She has taught art to homeschooled children in various settings and is currently pursuing a more intensive study of painting. Last year, Gemma had an art show of her oils at the Art Collaborations Gallery in Princeton. Gemma studied Political Science and Asian Studies at Dartmouth College and has traveled extensively throughout Asia. She has worked in finance for Goldman Sachs, in marketing for Goote Cone Belding, and in publishing for McGraw-Hill. Mrs. Farrell and her husband have five children, ages 7-12, two of whom are current students at the Wilberforce School. Mrs. Farrell homeschools her other three children and runs a small book publishing company.
Latin
Benjamin Schellack
Mr. Ben Schellack came to New Jersey after graduating from Vanderbilt University, where he earned his BA in Classical Studies, along with minors in English and Communications. Since completing his undergraduate education, Ben has pursued graduate studies in Latin (including a year of Latin studies at the Pontifical University in Rome), Jewish history, and Ancient Greek, and he loves modern as well as ancient languages. Ben has taught courses in ESL (at Phillips Andover Academy), Public Speaking, and test preparation, and now he balances his love of learning with his nurturing of a fledgling coffee business. Ben is excited about sharing his love of words and culture with the Wilberforce community.
Lower School Art
Spanish
Ester Smith
In her sixth year at TWS, Ester Smith teaches Spanish and Art with a unique approach that springs from the convergence of her experiences in business, education, and missions. Ester began her professional career as a Promotions Manager for one of central Illinois' largest newspapers, where she designed and executed marketing campaigns. Moving on to New York City, she free-lanced, worked for the world-wide advertising agency BBD & O and then went on to manage a Wall Street firm's art department as their Creative Director. In Pennsylvania she started teaching art classes in her home, at home school organizations, and in adult education programs. Ester has taught Spanish, Art, and Reading/Writing Skills for the last dozen years in the Princeton area at several private schools.Ester invests her spare time, whenever possible, in translating for speakers at missions events and trips. She loves to teach young people how to see and how to translate those impressions onto paper and canvas. Ester is a graduate from Illinois State University, with a dual Bachelor's in Design and Spanish.
Explorers I
Music
Charlotte Chong
This is the third year Ms. Chong has worked at TWS. Whether leading an experienced chorus, organizing a game at recess, or explaining a math lesson, Charlotte enjoys sharing her gifts with her students and seeing each one of them learn and grow. Outside TWS, Charlotte has taught private piano lessons, led junior high choir and general music classes, served as an arts camp counselor, and taught music play to preschoolers. A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ, she is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a BS in Music Education. In addition to piano, Charlotte also plays the flute, and her major at college was vocal performance. Charlotte is active in her church, and, as a hobby, she enjoys visiting different restaurants and trying new foods. She looks forward to the "Phonogram Bus" and other Explorer essentials.
Explorers II
Physical Education
Frances Baird
For her third year at TWS, Mrs. Baird is looking forward to studying nature and books with her Explorers II and challenging all her Physical Education students to sportsmanship and healthy living. An avid athlete, Frances has competed in cross-country, swimming, and soccer. She earned her BS in Elementary Education, with Multiple Teaching Credentials, from California State University at Long Beach. Frances has served her church working both on the worship team and as a junior high youth group leader. She enjoys theater arts, reading, and singing. Mrs. Baird is married, and her husband pursuing graduate studies at Rutgers University.
Class One
Grace Cho
In her fourth year at TWS, Mrs. Cho especially enjoys sharing "living books" with students and experiencing along with them the excitement of discovering God's world and themselves within these pages. Her extensive experience in both teaching and youth ministry display her obvious love for children and her gift for teaching. Before joining our faculty Grace taught elementary school for six years in Virginia and Maryland. Grace also started the junior high ministry at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA, capping off eight years of youth ministry. Mrs. Cho earned a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Christian Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also worked nearly two years as a Project Editor for McGraw Hill Education. Mrs. Cho is married, and her husband works in the financial services sector.
Class Two
Hyme Choi
Ms. Choi is now in her third year of teaching Class Two. She loves the way her students combine drive and community, relishing the challenges which come with more complex reading and mathematics. Before joining TWS, Hyme lived in Charlotte, NC where she taught for three years. Hyme has also actively served in her church's children's ministries, both in North Carolina and now in New Jersey. Hyme’s father has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and Hyme is assisting him in planting a church in the Edison area. Hyme attended middle school in Russia and knows not only Russian but a number of other languages as well. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Hyme earned a BS in elementary education, with a minor in Social Studies. In addition to her classroom experience, Hyme has also tutored both K-12 and ESL students. She enjoys the challenges of NJ home ownership, even if it means refinishing floors.
Class Three
Julia Wallace
Mrs. Julia Wallace grew up in Tennessee, but she has lived in New Jersey for the last four years. Julia graduated from the University of Tennessee where she earned both a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Elementary Education. Julia is an experienced teacher who has taught elementary school for the past six years. She has also worked with elementary after-school programs, and finds that she enjoys teaching all subject areas. Mrs. Wallace is an avid reader, and she is especially looking forward to sharing books with Class 3. Mrs. Wallace is married, and her husband is a PhD student at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Class Four
Lesley Dean
Now in her second year at TWS, Mrs. Dean taught for six years before joining our staff: as a T.A., a subsitute, and for the last two years as a middle school math teacher. She has worked with students at all levels--from those with special needs to the gifted. An avid athlete, Lesley has also coached girls' cross country, basketball, and softball. During her college years, Mrs. Dean worked at a Christian camp, Kanakuk, for girls aged seven to eleven. There she served both as a counselor and as a member of the leadership team in charge of camper issues. Lesley is a 2003 graduate of Baylor University, with a B.A. in Journalism, and a 2007 graduate of Lindenwood University, with a Masters in Teaching. Lesley and her husband are active in their church, Jacob's Well.
Class Five/Six
Joshua Young
A New Jersey native, Mr. Joshua Young graduated from Rowan University with a BA in History, then continued his studies at Biblical Seminary (MDiv) and Princeton Theological Seminary (Masters in Church History). He has taught Junior High world history for three years, and last year taught ninth grade world history and economics. Joshua loves foreign languages, especially Greek. He enjoys serving in his local church, where he leads the youth group. Joshua also likes to preach and teach, whether his audience is adults or children. Joshua loves to read, and he wants to help students grow in their faith while they are expanding their knowledge base. Joshua is married, and he and his wife have a young son.
Class Seven/Eight
Leo Yoon
Now in his third year at TWS, Mr. Yoon enjoys discussing literature and Christian worldview with his TWS students, challenging them to live up to their highest God-given potential. Leo brings a wealth of experience to his classroom gleaned from years as an instructor of mathematics, an instructor of standardized test preparation, and as his church’s youth director. In all his teaching activities, Leo is known for his ability to combine fun with real learning, and faith with real-life experiences. Leo is a graduate of State University of New York (Binghamton) with a degree in electrical engineering. He also has an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and an MA in math education from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Leo is also an avid golfer and an accomplished martial artist. He is married, his wife is a Princeton University graduate student, and they have a young daughter.
Aide: Class Four
Logic
Brittany Moss
Ms. Brittany Moss grew up in Georgia, and graduated from Furman University (SC) with an education degree. Brittany recently completed her Masters in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary. Brittany assists part-time at The Lawrenceville School in the Community Service Department, and she volunteers with the FOCUS ministry. A lover of the outdoors, Brittany worked for three summers as counselor and administrator at the Kanakuk Kamps (Branson, MO). Brittany also loves sports; she played Division 1 Soccer in college and was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She looks forward to periodic forays into logic with Middle Schoolers and the variety of studies with the Class 4 students.
Jee Park
Mrs. Jee Park is a honors graduate of Rutgers University, with BAs in Communication and Religion. Jee worked in human resources for two years (Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank). When her human resources skills were turned to her home (as a wife and mother of five children), she demonstrated her love of children as an active volunteer in the schools, as a children’s church teacher, and (for two years) as a homeschool teacher. Jee enjoys being a soccer mom, and she even plays in a league herself. She looks forward to working with TWS students of all ages, and especially to sharing discovery learning with the Explorers 2 class.
Explorers' Art
Gemma Farrell
A lifelong artist, Mrs. Farrell is excited to be returning to TWS where she shares her love of color, form, and composition with her Explorers and Art Club students. Gemma has a deep affinity for the visual arts and is passionate about encouraging self-expression in children. She has taught art to homeschooled children in various settings and is currently pursuing a more intensive study of painting. Last year, Gemma had an art show of her oils at the Art Collaborations Gallery in Princeton. Gemma studied Political Science and Asian Studies at Dartmouth College and has traveled extensively throughout Asia. She has worked in finance for Goldman Sachs, in marketing for Goote Cone Belding, and in publishing for McGraw-Hill. Mrs. Farrell and her husband have five children, ages 7-12, two of whom are current students at the Wilberforce School. Mrs. Farrell homeschools her other three children and runs a small book publishing company.
Latin
Benjamin Schellack
Mr. Ben Schellack came to New Jersey after graduating from Vanderbilt University, where he earned his BA in Classical Studies, along with minors in English and Communications. Since completing his undergraduate education, Ben has pursued graduate studies in Latin (including a year of Latin studies at the Pontifical University in Rome), Jewish history, and Ancient Greek, and he loves modern as well as ancient languages. Ben has taught courses in ESL (at Phillips Andover Academy), Public Speaking, and test preparation, and now he balances his love of learning with his nurturing of a fledgling coffee business. Ben is excited about sharing his love of words and culture with the Wilberforce community.
Lower School Art
Spanish
Ester Smith
In her sixth year at TWS, Ester Smith teaches Spanish and Art with a unique approach that springs from the convergence of her experiences in business, education, and missions. Ester began her professional career as a Promotions Manager for one of central Illinois' largest newspapers, where she designed and executed marketing campaigns. Moving on to New York City, she free-lanced, worked for the world-wide advertising agency BBD & O and then went on to manage a Wall Street firm's art department as their Creative Director. In Pennsylvania she started teaching art classes in her home, at home school organizations, and in adult education programs. Ester has taught Spanish, Art, and Reading/Writing Skills for the last dozen years in the Princeton area at several private schools.Ester invests her spare time, whenever possible, in translating for speakers at missions events and trips. She loves to teach young people how to see and how to translate those impressions onto paper and canvas. Ester is a graduate from Illinois State University, with a dual Bachelor's in Design and Spanish.