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Leadership and Faculty
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
United Friends School has highly educated, qualified, progressive faculty and staff who are not only among the best in their field, but also committed to Quaker principles and practice
School Leadership
Daena Berdougo Remondelli
Head of School
Email: dremondelli@unitedfriendsschool.org
M.S. Education, Fordham University
B.S. Business Management/Accounting, Keene State College
Daena Berdougo Remondelli is a champion of lifelong learning for herself and for her faculty and staff. She has rich experience as an educator and school administrator with the ability to recognize challenges as opportunities for growth. Prior to her career in education, Daena spent several years working as a Derivatives Analyst at Bears Stearns in New York City. In pursuit of a more meaningful career working with children, she attended Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education. After receiving her Master’s degree, Daena taught in early childhood and elementary classrooms both in New York City and Philadelphia before becoming Head of Gwynedd Friends School. During her six years of leadership at Gwynedd Friends, Daena developed a deep connection to Quaker education. Her background in educational leadership includes work in strategic planning, finance, admissions, marketing, fundraising, and curriculum development. Daena serves as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Association of Independent School’s Commission for Accreditation and sits on the Finance Committee for The Friends Collaborative. Outside of work, Daena enjoys photography, traveling, pilates, running, and is always in training for her next half marathon. Her daughter was a UFS Middle School student (class of ’23) and an alumna of Gwynedd Friends School.
Ann Manta
Associate Head of School, Quakerism
Email: amanta@unitedfriendsschool.org
M.Ed. in Early Education, Montessori Certificate
Ann studied at Chestnut Hill College where she earned an Early Childhood Education degree and Montessori Certification. Ann has also completed extensive graduate work in reading from Temple University and Arcadia University. Prior to having children, Ann taught first through third grades in the Philadelphia School District. She began her tenure at Gwynedd Friends School first as a parent and then in 1999 she became a teacher in the preschool. She spent 22 years as the lead Kindergarten teacher and since 2017, she served as the Assistant Head of School. As a teacher she creates a nurturing classroom environment that inspires student’s love of learning. Ann has been long involved in the United Friends School community, first as an alum parent and then as a Trustee. She is an attender of Gwynedd Friends Meeting, is passionate about Quaker education, and has facilitated several Quaker practice and Meeting for Worship workshops for Friends Council on Education.
Amy Wall
Advancement Director
Email: awall@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.S. Early Childhood Education, Lock Haven University
B.S. Special Education, Lock Haven University
Amy is an experienced educator and child enrichment specialist with a lifelong passion for working with children. With a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Lock Haven University, Amy has honed her skills in teaching and child development. She began her teaching career in a summer Learning Support program and went on to teach Kindergarten at Selma Elementary in Johnston County, NC and Lincoln Heights Elementary, a magnet school, in Wake County, NC. Her dedication and commitment to child enrichment are further evident in her role as affiliate and program director of Stretch-n-Grow, a children’s enrichment program that she has been providing to children for over twenty years. Amy’s experience in education and child development is not limited to her teaching roles. She has also acted as an events coordinator and assistant to the director of The Boys and Girls Club of Clinton County showcasing her organizational skills and ability to work with children from diverse backgrounds. Over the past fifteen years, Amy has played an integral part of the UFS community, starting as a Stretch-n-Grow provider and then transitioning into the role of Physical Education teacher. After ten years of teaching, Amy took on the challenge of teaching Kindergarten, where she stayed for two years before taking on her current role. Amy’s deep love and appreciation for the United Friends School community is evident in her unwavering commitment to creating a nurturing and enriching environment for all families. In her role as Learning Support Coordinator, Amy is dedicated to providing the necessary resources and support for all students to reach their full potential. As Admissions Director, Amy is dedicated to ensuring that all families who join the UFS community feel welcomed, supported, and valued.
Faculty
Delilah Maestri ’00
Preschool Lead (Mott Class)
Email: dmaestri@unitedfriendsschool.org
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, Hunter College
B.F.A. Emerson College
After living in New York City, Delilah returned to United Friends School (alumna ’00), with several years of rich teaching experience from early childhood programs located in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Delilah fosters a classroom environment that allows for creative and expressive teaching and learning. She also brings extensive knowledge and an informed perspective on pedagogy grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion, benefiting both faculty and students. Delilah lives with her husband Nicholas, her dog Mr. Sandwiches, and two cats on a farm in Pennsburg. She spends her free time cooking, gardening, swimming, and enjoying art and music.
Nicole Johanson
Preschool Assistant (Mott Class)
Email: njohanson@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. History, The College of Saint Elizabeth
A.A. Early Childhood Education, Raritan Valley Community College
Nicole has worked with children of all ages, ranging from infants up to elementary, both in after school programs and daycare. Nicole loves to explore the arts with children and express creativity in teaching and learning. She moved to Quakertown seven years ago with her husband Matthew, her dog Elvis (and has since adopted Elvis’ sisters) and cat Iris. She spends her free time hiking with her dogs, crocheting, painting, baking, and cooking for her friends and family.
Shonne Jurin
First/Second Grade
Email: sjurin@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. Elementary Education, Purdue University
Shonne joined the UFS faculty after teaching second grade for 10 years at Loudoun Country Day School in Leesburg, VA. During her career, Shonne has taught children in grades K-4. Her goal is to inspire a sense of community in her classroom by highlighting how important it is to care for one other. Shonne believes that when students feel motivated and cared for, they can achieve almost anything. Shonne’s family lives in Perkasie and her daughter attends UFS (class of ’27).
Betty Cheung
Learning Support Teacher, Librarian
Email: bcheung@unitedfriendsschool.org
M.Ed. Education, Holy Family University
B.A. Psychology, Villanova University
Reading Specialist Certification
Betty holds Pennsylvania certifications in Elementary Education (K-6) and Reading Specialist. She has been teaching at UFS for 10 years, first teaching third and fourth grade for three years before moving to the librarian, lower school math, and now learning support teacher roles. Prior to that, she was a third grade Associate Teacher at Germantown Academy and was the Kindergarten teacher at The Goddard School. Betty’s most important goal as an educator is to teach her students to become lifelong learners. She values the use of technology in education an essential tool and thus enjoys finding and incorporating new technologies into her lessons. Betty and her husband, Mike, live in Schwenksville and her son is a UFS Kindergarten student. Betty is fluent in Cantonese.
Bethany Schwendy
Middle School Math (Helman-Osborn Class), Sixth & Seventh Grade Advisor, Music
Email: bschwendy@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. Music Education, Messiah College
Bethany came to United Friends School in 2017 to serve as its music teacher and fell in love with the community. She loves to encourage students to explore their musicality through voice, movement, instruments, composition, and general play. In 2021, Bethany added to her role at UFS, becoming part of the middle school team as a math teacher. Bethany is passionate about engaging students in their mathematical studies. Group discussion and collaboration, encouragement of creative thinking, and student-centered pacing are commonplace in middle school math at UFS. Witnessing students take ownership of their learning as they deepen their understanding of more complex mathematics continues to be a distinct privilege for Bethany. She works closely with students navigating the middle school years and becoming leaders within the school community. When not at UFS, you can find Bethany playing board and card games with her family, running (slowly), or under a blanket reading a good book.
Daphne Naudascher
Eighth Grade Advisor and Middle School Humanities (Helman-Osborn Class)
Email: dnaudascher@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.S. University of Kentucky
Daphne has Pennsylvania Teaching Certification. She began her involvement at UFS as a classroom parent in 1998. Daphne brings her love of learning through literature to her classroom. She leads lively discussions about literature that motivates her students when they write their own creative works. Daphne and her family live in Spinnerstown.
Kelsey Rosa
3rd-8th Grade Spanish Teacher/Advancement Assistant
Email: krosa@unitedfriendsschool.org
B. A. International Language-Business (Spanish), The University of Scranton
Kelsey graduated with a B. A. in International Language-Business (Spanish) in 2019. During college, she studied abroad in Sevilla, Spain, where she completed independent sociolinguistics research. She also tutored residents of Scranton, PA extensively in English as a Second Language. Prior to joining the UFS faculty, she worked as a medical Spanish interpreter in the Lehigh Valley. Kelsey believes learning a second language can be almost as natural as learning a first language, and guides her students toward proficiency in Spanish using comprehension-based teaching methods. In her free time, she likes writing and connecting with nature. She currently resides in Bethlehem.
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Ali Aiken
Kindergarten to 8th Grade Art Teacher
Email: aaiken@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.S. Art Education, Shippensburg University, ESL Certified
Ali earned her B.S. in Art Education at Shippensburg University and is certified to teach ESL. She joins the staff at United Friends School after 11 years teaching K-5 Art Education and 2 years as a stay at home mother. Ali loves illustrating children's books and attempting any and all forms of art making. She believes art is essential in education and fills her classroom with warmth and inspiration. She lives with her family in Green Lane and can often be found creating and crafting.
Cathy Laboski
Science and Outdoor Learning K-8th grade
Email: claboski@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.S. Education, West Chester University
Cathy earned her B.S. in Education at West Chester University and is PA certified in French and English Language Arts. She came to United Friends School after spending more than 15 years teaching children of many ages, as a French, Science and substitute teacher and as a literacy coach and private tutor. She believes in education through creative, collaborative projects, exploration and hands-on activities, and her goal is to inspire natural curiosity about the world. She lives with her family in Quakertown and loves any activity in nature, especially hiking, kayaking, and gardening.
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Gill Hustus
Young Preschool Lead (Hicks Class)
Email: ghustus@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. Speech Communications, Kutztown University
Private Teaching Certification, Bucks County Community College
Gill holds a private teaching certification. She brings Montessori experience to United Friends School, fostering independence, creativity, and a love of learning in young children. Gill loves incorporating art, music, and the outdoors into her teaching. A former preschool soccer coach, she brings energy and joy to every interaction with children. Outside of school, Gill enjoys gardening, beach trips with her children, and cheering for the Phillies.
Josie McClure
Josie is passionate about helping students discover their strengths, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Josie’s teaching philosophy centers on seeing each child as an individual and creating a classroom where curiosity, creativity, and exploration thrive. Through hands-on, engaging lessons, she strives to make learning meaningful and joyful for every student. Josie lives in Perkasie with her husband and their four children. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, hiking, trips to the beach, and cheering on her children at their various sports activities.
Nicole Fix
Fourth/Fifth Grades
Email: nfix@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. English, DeSales University
Secondary Education Certification, DeSales University
Nicole has completed extensive graduate coursework in creative writing, curriculum and instruction, and literacy. She brings over 20 years of experience teaching English Language Arts and Humanities, including at Bucks County Technical High School and Circle of Seasons Charter School, where she embraced hands-on, project-based, and Waldorf-inspired approaches to learning. Nicole is passionate about nurturing a love of reading and believes in teaching to the whole child, integrating the arts, outdoor exploration, and social-emotional growth. She lives in Kutztown with her two teenage children, two lively dogs, and three cats. In her free time, Nicole is frequently seen watching her kids play baseball and dancing. She also enjoys reading, visiting the beach, farmers' markets, and spending time in nature.
Molly Sweitzer
Preschool Assistant (Mott Class)
Groundskeeper
Email: msweitzer@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.S. Biology, Kutztown University
BFA Studio Art, Kutztown University
A seasoned educator, farmer, and botanical designer, Molly brings a wealth of experience in regenerative agriculture, garden education, and project-based learning. Molly served as Site Manager at the Rodale Institute, where she led strategic initiatives in organic farming and community education. Her previous roles include Farm Manager, Marketing Specialist, and Owner of Molly Pollen Botanical Design. A gifted communicator and garden designer, she’s presented educational workshops across the region and authored articles on sustainable gardening. In 2014, she was named Rodale Institute’s Employee of the Year, and in 2013, Hydroponics Woman of the Year by Maximum Yield magazine. She is conversationally fluent in Spanish and passionate about helping children connect with nature, creativity, and the rhythms of the earth.
Joanna Walker
Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten
Email: jwalker@unitedfriendsschool.org
B.A. Elementary Education, Gwynedd-Mercy College
A longtime early childhood educator, Joanna brings nine years of experience teaching Kindergarten at Circle of Friends in Newtown, where she was known for her joyful presence, dedication to child-centered learning, and strong connections with families. She was honored as Bucks County Teacher of the Year by PENNAEYC, a recognition of her excellence in early childhood education and commitment to nurturing young learners. From Quakertown, Joanna is excited to be joining a school community closer to home. Her passion for teaching shines through in every conversation, and her glowing recommendations speak volumes about the positive impact she has on both students and colleagues.