The New School Year At Devon Prep: New Staff, Courses, Chemistry Lab, More

TREDYFFRIN, PA --When Devon Prep students arrived on campus for the first day of the 2016-17 academic year, they were greeted with new and exciting changes, including new faculty and staff members, several new course offerings, an expanded art and music program, a new student study center and a completely renovated, state of the art chemistry lab, according to a press release.

Among the new courses now available to upper school students are Psychology, Sports Physiology, Graphic Design, Introduction to Marketing/Management, Finance/Entrepreneurial Business Plan Writing, Ceramics, Management & Leadership, and Introduction to Legal Studies, the release states.

For the first time in many years a major construction project was underway on Devon Prep’s campus this past summer. The school’s chemistry lab was completely gutted and renovated. Everything was replaced and upgraded, including the lighting, flooring, furniture, equipment and more. This is the first phase of a larger renovation project. The renovation was funded by the Guzikowski Family, and a private foundation. The architect was Barton Partners of Norristown and the builder was Delran Builders of Wyndmoor, Devon said.

Devon said that they introduced 19 new faculty and staff members to the students, including:

• Mrs. Marie Anderson- Pautler of West Chester directs Devon Prep’s Choral TIDE vocal group. She holds a BA in Music Education from Simpson College and a Masters in Music Education from West Chester University. She is currently the advanced vocal instructor at the Main Line School of Rock in Berwyn.
• Mrs. Diane Andraka of Ambler teaches math and science. She holds a BS in Bio Engineering from Syracuse University. She recently taught Chemistry and Algebra at Villa Maria Academy.
• Mrs. Erin Lynch-Baracco of Newtown Square teaches Spanish and English. She holds a BA in International Studies from the University of Miami, a Post BA in Spanish from Dowling College and a MA in Spanish from West Chester University. Mrs. Lynn-Baracco served as an adjunct Spanish professor at West Chester before moving to Peru for eight years where she worked as an English Teacher at Casuarinas International College.
• Mrs. Nicole Botta of Phoenixville teaches science. She holds a BS in Biology and Education from Bucknell University and a M.Ed. in Athletic Training from Temple University. Mrs. Botta served as the Athletic Trainer at Devon Prep for 12 years. Prior to Devon she was a member of the George School faculty teaching Biology and Physiology.
• Mrs. Sarah Braccia of Warrington is Devon Prep’s School Counselor. She holds a BA in Psychology from Guildford College and a MA in School Counseling from Gwynedd Mercy University.
• Mrs. Catherine Ciocca of Devon serves as Devon Prep’s School Nurse. She holds a BS in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy University.
• Mr. Mark Consolo of Royersford is the Assistant Athletic Director, Summer Program Director and Lacrosse Coach. He holds a BS in Sports Management from Neumann University and a graduate certificate in Athletic Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.
• Mrs. Ann Marie DeCain of Bryn Mawr teaches mathematics. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Villanova University. She was a licensed professional engineer in the state of Delaware. Mrs. DeCain, who began her career in the water treatment industry, has tutored math and science for 20 years.
• Mrs. Gabriela Dokas of Wayne teaches French. She holds a BA in French from New York University. She is currently working on her Master of Arts in French Language & Culture at West Chester University.
• Mrs. Katherine Frank of Philadelphia serves as an Assistant Director of Technology and teaches Graphic Design and Computer Programming. She holds a BS in Graphic Design from Philadelphia University and a MS in Institutional Technology K-12 from St. Joseph’s University. Mrs. Frank also holds certificates in Film Direction and Screenwriting from the Los Angeles Film School.
• Mr. Dylan Gavin of Oreland teaches mathematics and coordinates the service program at Devon Prep. He holds a BA in Economics/Mathematics from Susquehanna University and most recently taught math at LaSalle College High School.
• Mr. Peter Haas of Philadelphia teaches English and history, and serves as the Director of the Theater Arts Program. He holds a BA in European History, with a minor in Theater from Wheaton College and a MA and MsED from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Devon, Mr. Haas taught history, directed, and coached at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio and taught for several years at Simon Gratz Mastery Charter in Philadelphia.
• Ms. Sara Haroun of Paoli is Devon Prep’s Art Teacher. She holds a BA in Art Education from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. She most recently taught ceramics at Germantown Academy where she led initiatives to drastically improve after school programming, and inclusion of technology and modern design concepts within the arts curriculum.
• Ms. Amanda Jenks of Raymond teaches the 7th grade writing lab, assists with drama productions and serves as an in school substitute. She earned a BA in English and Fine Arts from Loyola University Maryland and a MA in Teaching: Secondary Education with a concentration in English also from Loyola.
• Mrs. Marie LaPrise of Downingtown is a member of Devon Prep’s counseling department. She holds a MS in Counseling from Villanova University. Most recently she served as an adjunct faculty member at Gwynedd-Mercy University and La Salle University.
• Mr. Kevin Mulholland of Media is Devon Prep’s new Director of Admission. A 2002 graduate of Devon Prep he holds a BA in Broadcast journalism from the University of Maryland. Prior to Devon Prep he served as a Participant Services Administrator for The Vanguard Group in Malvern.
• Ms. Eileen Mullahy of Wynnewood teaches English. She received a BA in English from Immaculata University and a MA in English Studies from the University of Oxford. She has taught in the English and Communications departments at Villanova University for the last ten years.
• Dr. Randy Navarre of Glennmoore directs Devon Prep’s Jazz Band. He holds a BS in Music from Stephen F. Austin State University, a MS in Music from Temple University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland. He teaches college courses for local universities and colleges in the Philadelphia area. Dr. Navarre is the originator and director of Northeastern Music Programs, Inc.
• Mr. Patrick Sullivan of Phoenixville teaches several business courses including Intro to Marketing/Management and Finance/Entrepreneurial Business Plan Writing. He has also served as Devon Prep’s JV Baseball Coach.

Patch file photo. Information courtesy Devon Prep.