Our Staff

Head of School
Howe Whitman, Jr.

Howe Whitman, Jr. is Head of The Wilberforce School. Prior to this, Howe worked for many years in real estate development and investment, for the JBG Companies in Washington, DC, and as President of Canterbury Properties in Princeton. Before beginning work in real estate, he served as executive assistant to Chuck Colson, the founder and Chairman of Prison Fellowship Ministries. He holds a BA from the Woodrow Wilson School of Princeton University and an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Brenda, have four children, all of whom attend TWS.

Academic Dean, American History, Study Skills
Dr. Karen Ristuccia

Dr. Ristuccia loves introducing TWS students to history, composition, speech, and study skills. For over twenty-five years, Karen has taught English and Social studies classes to middle school students, Bible studies in the community and at Sunday school, in addition to serving for seven years in campus ministry at Princeton University.  From 1990 to 2006, Karen also worked as the director of the Westerly Learning Center.   Karen graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa in English (also earning her teaching certification) from Princeton University.  She pursued masters studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Biblical University (emphases: Administration, Curriculum Development, and Learning Differences), and also earned a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (dissertation topic: Junior High Worldview Curriculum). Dr. Ristuccia is active in her local church, where her husband is the Senior Pastor. Karen and her husband have two married sons, and one granddaughter.

Office Administrator
Naomi Walters

Mrs. Naomi Walters grew up in New York, and before moving to New Jersey, she has lived in both Michigan and Texas. Naomi graduated from Rochester College with a BS in Biblical Studies and continued her studies at Abilene Christian University where she received a Master of Divinity. She has taught adjunct religion courses for the past three years at Abilene Christian University. Naomi does not enjoy mornings, but does enjoy drinking coffee, reading, and - now that she lives in a cooler climate again - running. Mrs. Walters is married, her husband is a PhD student at Princeton Theological Seminary, and they are the proud (and entertained) owners of two cats.

Admissions Director
Aimee Nyce

A native of New Jersey, Aimee has a rich background - she is an energetic mother of five (three of whom attend TWS), an accomplished music teacher (piano and choir), and a perennial community volunteer.  Aimee graduated from Westminster Choir College with a degree in music education.  She and her family are long-time residents of Pennington, New Jersey.

Business Manager
Sarah Kempson

Mrs. Sarah Kempson comes to us with a strong background in accounting and business administration.  She attended Franklin and Marshall College, where she received her BA in Accounting.  Sarah also has an MBA in Finance from the University of Buffalo.  Before joining us at TWS, she worked as a Hedge Fund Accountant at Goldman Sachs and International Fund Services. Sarah and her husband (James), two children (Norah and Eric), and dog live in Montgomery, NJ.  In her spare time, Sarah teaches Sunday School, and likes to stay active (walking her dog, playing tennis, and going to the gym).

Assistant to the Academic Dean
Jee Park

Returning to TWS for her second year, 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 enjoys working with TWS students of all ages, and she especially enjoys sharing discovery learning (including cooking experiences!) with students.