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CEO, Principal Joey Huber CEO, Principal < Back Joey Huber joined Circle of Seasons in 2022 after relocating to the Lehigh Valley from Boston Massachusetts, where he spent over a decade in a public Montessori school as a teacher, program coordinator, and administrator. He holds a BA in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in School Leadership with his Principal Certificate. Mr. Huber’s passion for holistic education with a student-led focus drew him to Circle of Seasons, and he has embraced Public Waldorf education with open arms and an eager mind. Outside of the school day, Mr. Huber enjoys reconnecting with lifelong friends in the area and spending time with his wife, young daughter, and beloved family dog. jhuber@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Curriculum Overview At Circle of Seasons, teachers use a curriculum inspired by Waldorf education, where the whole child is always considered. Teachers, staff, and parents work together to support the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and academic needs of the child. Our goal is to nurture a classroom community supportive of academic learning by helping students develop the positive social values of being respectful, safe, and brave. Personal responsibility and accountability are taught and practiced from a young age. The children support each other’s learning in many collaborative projects and activities. Community is the keystone of our program. As a public charter school, we will meet Pennsylvania State Academic Standards and testing requirements, and comply with health and safety regulations and educational laws applicable to Pennsylvania Charter Schools. Special education services will be fully available and will be provided in full accordance with the law. Curriculum Overview Download

Substitute Teacher Michele Schock < Back Substitute Teacher Michele Schock earned her Bachelor's degree in Accounting from DeSales University. Following a 17 year career at Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Michele decided to be a stay at home mom to her 3 children. During this time she earned her Associate's degree in Special Education from Lehigh Carbon Community College. When her children were school-aged, Michele embarked on her 10 year paraprofessional career. She is excited to join the COS community and utilize more of her teaching skills as a substitute teacher. Michele's past volunteer efforts included a week in 2006 in Biloxi, MS chaperoning teen youth while rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina; after-school homework assistance for 3rd-6th grade students; and 20 years of experience teaching, planning, and implementing lesson plans for children ages 2-16 at her church. In her spare time Michele enjoys crocheting, crafting, gardening and reading. She also enjoys traveling with her family to some of her favorite states including Colorado, Vermont, Maine, and Tennessee. mschock@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Seventh Grade Class Teacher Greg Kapner < Back Seventh Grade Class Teacher Greg graduated from Temple university with a degree in anthropology. After college, he purchased a pizzeria which he owned and operated for about 14 years. A few years ago, inspired by his teenaged employees, Greg sold his business and transitioned from businessman to teacher. He is excited to have found his way to Circle of Seasons. Greg enjoys traveling and spending the day at the park with his young son. gkapner@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Special Education Teacher Colleen Dreisbach < Back Special Education Teacher cdreisbach@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Special Education Teacher Kaitlyn Pearson < Back Special Education Teacher Kaitlyn graduated from Millersville University with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Social Studies. Her desire to work with children has always been present, but her passion for teaching began when she volunteered in her cousin’s special education classroom in the eleventh grade. She played a very active role in college organizations and was a member of Best Buddies, which is a world known organization who fosters friendships between students with and without intellectual disabilities. In her free time she enjoys learning guitar, reading, hiking, watching hockey games, cooking, and spending time with family as well as friends. She is so glad to officially work for a school where the development and care of students is the number one priority. kpearson@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Sixth Grade Class Teacher KellyAnn Purugganan < Back Sixth Grade Class Teacher KellyAnn Purugganan, or M. Purugganan, earned a Master of Science in Forest Resources from University of Idaho and a Master of Education in Middle School Education from Kutztown University. Her Level II teaching certificate includes both Math and Science for grades 4 through 8. Teaching is a second career for her, following her retirement from 19 years as a federal wildland fire manager. Outside of school she enjoys reading, swimming, yard work, and long hikes with her nephews and her dogs. kpurugganan@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Seventh Grade Class Teacher Wendy Gornicz < Back Seventh Grade Class Teacher Wendy Gornicz, or "Mrs. G." received her Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Delaware, and began teaching Nature Education which included rock climbing, ropes courses, and zip-lining in the Pocono Mountains. After getting married and starting a family she decided to stay home and began a 14-year-long adventure that included five children! In 2016, when her youngest started kindergarten, she attended graduate school and earned her masters degree and teaching certificate in Middle Level Science (Grades 4-8) at Wilkes University while substitute teaching in several districts here in the Lehigh Valley. Graduating in 2019, Mrs. G. worked as a short-term substitute serving the Parkland School District in several capacities as high school Biology and Biomedical Science teacher, Keystone Testing Co-Coordinator, and middle school Study Skills facilitator. She subsequently earned her high school teaching certification in Biology. Mrs. G. loves music of all kinds, being outside, hiking, camping, kayaking, going to the beach, and observing the beauty of nature and science! She loves spending time with her family and is actively involved in her church as well. She loves that each year at Circle of Seasons is filled with wonder, great learning opportunities, and lots of fun memories! wgornicz@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

First Grade Assistant Annika Twombly < Back First Grade Assistant atwombly@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

French Teacher Irene Blough < Back French Teacher Irene Blough earned her Bachelor’s Degree in French from St. Joseph’s University and her Master’s Degree in French from Temple University. She has been teaching a combination of French and Spanish for the past twenty years. She is honored to join the staff at Circle of Seasons whose staff approaches teaching with love and devotion, as well as with the enriching methodology of the Waldorf education. She is excited to begin this journey with her new colleagues and students, and is delighted to have the chance once again to delve back into French, to learn some German from her new colleague, the famous, Sprau, and to continue to share what she has learned from her experience with Spanish. This year, some of her favorite activities have been put on hold; dancing, traveling, and singing in a choir, but she is grateful that her mother has recently joined her and her husband in their home. She is now improving her Greek cooking, enjoying being in the garden, and going for more walks. She is looking forward to starting to teach at Circle of Seasons because she can’t wait to experience what it’s like to see kids happy to come to school and to watch them develop their gifts in a setting that values nature and creativity. iblough@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Spanish Teacher Allison LeCoultre < Back Spanish Teacher Allison received her Bachelor of Arts from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Since graduating 18 years ago she has worked in both social service nonprofits and schools as a youth evaluator, case manager, TSS, teacher, and mentor. Through all of her experience, Allison developed the strong belief that a child-centered approach coupled with empathy and compassion are integral components of working with children. She is so excited to join the staff at Circle of Seasons where those values are so clearly embodied. In addition, Allison is incredibly passionate about Waldorf education as she has seen firsthand her own two children flourish and genuinely love school at COS. In her spare time, Allison loves to spend time with family and friends, travel, read, learn, cook, bake, listen to music, write and spend time outdoors. alecoultre@circleofseasons.org < Previous Next >

Title IX Information At Circle of Seasons, we strive to create an equitable and welcoming learning environment for all students. As stated in our school's vision, we honor the diversity of humanity and thus believe wholeheartedly in the spirit of Title IX. The US Department of Education defines Title IX as follows: Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. ("Title IX and Sex Discrimination" ) In response, Circle of Seasons has adopted the following non-discrimination policy: Circle of Seasons Charter School values diversity and welcomes students and families, and talented faculty and staff, from diverse backgrounds. COS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, veteran status, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion, national or ethnic origin, height or weight, marital status, family status, ancestry, mental or physical disability, or any protected class that may be required by law in its employment practices, educational policies, programs, activities, or other school administered programs. Questions or concerns regarding this or other policies should be directed to the administration. (Policy 103 ) Acting Title IX Coordinator Joey Huber jhuber@circleofseasons.org 610-285-6267 TITLE IX POLICY Title IX Team Training Presentations