Wyncote’s teachers are friends and helpers, as well as givers of facts. Sometimes, students may need an extra boost to do their best. We provide that encouragement and support along with the one-on-one attention that our individualized learning method provides.
- Josh Bornstein
- Barbara Chesnik
- Kirk Hittinger
- Dr. Gwen Zegestowsky
- John Poole
- Pete Tambourino
- Diane Vernon
- Bruce Weiner
- Caroline Weiner
- Amy Houser
- Kathleen Fleck
Josh Bornstein
As both a musician and math teacher, Josh is able to encourage his students to use both sides of their brains. When it comes to teaching math, Josh strives to see that students know not only the facts, but to use the skills that they develop in the classroom to problem solve and think logically outside of class. As for music, Josh strives to help his students to think creatively and develop artistic talents that will help them to become more well-rounded individuals.Josh has honed both of these talents in himself. He is a graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Math Education.
Prior to becoming a math education major, Josh spent two years at Temple studying jazz theory and performance with the accomplished Greg Kettinger. Today, the combination of these two diverse areas of study serves Josh well – he has been a math teacher at Wyncote since 2001 and performs locally as part of the acoustic trio, Steamboat Annie, with his girlfriend Kelly Callan and her brother, Johnny Callan. Josh’s math students enjoy knowing that they have a resident “rock star” as one of their teachers!
The fact that he is able to get to know all the students, not just in the classroom, is appealing to Josh. He also appreciates the tightly-knit faculty at Wyncote. “It’s all about the kids, and I’m proud of what they accomplish,” says Josh. “I seriously look forward to every day. I love the fact that every teacher communicates, laughs, and shares a common purpose at Wyncote. There are really happy kids who like coming to school and try every single day. How much more can we ask?!”
Barbara Chesnik
Barb’s ties to Wyncote were so strong that even when she took time off to start a family, she made sure that she remained connected to the school by substitute teaching and serving as the yearbook advisor.
Now back at Wyncote full time as high school English teacher, Barb describes her experiences at Wyncote Academy as “incredibly positive,” and appreciates the small size of the Wyncote community.“The school’s size allows students to be individuals. You get to know their personalities both in and out of the classroom. That allows you to be a better teacher and better meet their needs,” she says. Barb says that her primary goal as an English teacher is to instill a love of reading in her students.
Outside of school, Barbara focuses on being a mom and wife. Her husband Mark is also a teacher, at LaSalle College High School, where he teaches religion. Their two sons, Joey and Timmy, keep them quite busy with many activities including karate and soccer.
When not teaching or taking care of her family, Barb is studying for her Master’s degree at Chestnut Hill College. She also has degrees from Pennsylvania State University and Susquehanna University.
Kirk Hittinger
“The best part about Wyncote is getting to know all of the students as unique individuals, and knowing that you can try to help make a difference in their lives,” says Kirk, Wyncote Academy’s Head of School. “I also like the fact that every day is totally different and exciting. You never know what you will find waiting for you when you walk through the front door each morning…”
Kirk graduated magna cum laude from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. He earned his Master of Sciences degree in Educational Administration at Gwynedd-Mercy College, where he graduated summa cum laude. Before his tenure at Wyncote, Kirk spent two years teaching jewelry and metalsmithing at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts at Bucknell University. Kirk first began teaching at Wyncote Academy in 1990 and was named Head of School in 1997.
When Kirk is not at Wyncote, he spends time pursuing his talents in the fine arts, most recently concentrating on paintings and paper collages. He also enjoys going to the theater and indulging his love of classic films. Reading and science fiction are also among Kirk’s personal interests.
An avid collector of Pez dispensers, Kirk prides himself on the growing collection – now numbering over 3,000 – that fills his office at Wyncote. Kirk and his pez collection have been featured in several national magazines, on The Ultimate Collector television show on HGTV, and Don Polec’s World on Action News!
Kirk is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Association of Independent Schools, and the Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools.
Most importantly to Kirk, he is the proud father of Alberto, a member of the Wyncote Academy Class of 2008!
Dr. Gwen Zegestowsky
Dr. Gwen Zegestowsky, licensed Psychologist, completed her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at Widener University in 2008. She has a Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Organizational Leadership from Widener University School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science from Drexel University in Behavioral and Health Counseling.
Prior to coming to Wyncote in February of 2008, Dr. Zegestowsky completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Widener University Counseling Center. She has experience in working with adolescent, adult and family populations, providing traditional therapeutic services, psychoeducational assessment and diagnostic assessment. She is currently and adjunct instructor at Drexel University and has clinical interests in career choice, development and satisfaction.
On the weekends Dr. Zegestowsky can be found reading historical fiction on her porch, running, practicing Yoga and eating in restaurants as often as possible with her husband.
John Poole
A pianist, synthesist, composer and producer, John Poole brings his illustrious talents to Wyncote Academy several afternoons each week, working with students who have an interest in broadening their musical talents. A veteran musical performer, John has vast experience working with many well known performing artists, including John Ritter, Jennifer Warnes, and Leslie Uggams. John was also studio keyboardist for Hanna Barbera Productions on such animated classics as the original Scooby Doo and Josie and the Pussycats.The many unique experiences of John’s career allow him to share a distinctive perspective with his students.
As director of the school’s music elective program, John says, “I find the teaching and learning atmosphere at Wyncote Academy challenging and enriching.”A graduate of the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, John’s musical background is rich and diversified. In addition to positions in the Los Angeles film, television, and recording industries, John was also a member of the 438th Army Band.
Today, John has a home studio in Ardmore, where he teaches and records for his company, Join In! Productions. He is first call pianist at select venues throughout the Main Line area.
In his off time, John enjoys spending time with his wife, also a pianist and teacher, and his son and daughter.
Pete Tambrourino
Pete Tambourino wears several different hats at Wyncote Academy – social studies teacher, math teacher, Athletic Director, and coach. Pete is a graduate of West Chester University, where he earned his Bachelor of Sciences in Education degree and his professional certificate in social studies. His concentration was history and his minor was economic geography. Pete recently completed his Master of Sciences in Education degree at Neumann College.
“Wyncote allows me the time to develop a rapport with the students beyond the role of the traditional,” explains Pete. “My role at Wyncote has expanded over the years to include coach, mentor, and friend to my students.”
Pete spends his free time with his wife Kelly and his young daughter, Julia. An avid sports fan, Pete enjoys refereeing, coaching, playing, and watching sports. His favorites include baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. He also likes to read mysteries, rent movies and play trivia games.
Pete stays young through his lifelong love of comic books – particularly anything related to Spiderman – and building with Legos! Pete has an extensive collection of intricate Lego models, including replicas of almost every Star Wars spaceship. Pete also designs and creates his own Lego constructions, including an expanding collection of super heroes!
Diane Vernon
Following her retirement as the founding Head of School at Wyncote Academy, Diane decided to remain with Wyncote Academy, stating, “The energy and outlook of the students keep me young!”As Wyncote’s Director of Admissions, Diane finds immense pleasure in seeing the students grow and learn in the unique educational setting that Wyncote offers – the very environment that she helped to establish and create. Diane also serves as a member of the Wyncote Academy Board of Directors.
The mother of four grown children, three foster children whom she cared for in infancy, and six grandchildren, Diane spends her free time quilting and attending Abington Friends Meeting. She is a former member of the board of directors of The Quaker School at Horsham and has served on the school committee at Abington Friends School. She has taught Sunday School for 18 years.
In addition to graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College, Diane also possesses a Master of Arts in Education from Arcadia University.
Bruce Weiner
“Working with a diverse student population is the best part of my job,” says art teacher Bruce Weiner. A talented ceramic artist, Bruce earned both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from the Temple University Tyler School of Art. He also studied sculpture and painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Bruce has been a member of the Wyncote faculty since 1980. Bruce also studied at the Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. At the Moravian Tile Works, he learned the techniques of Henry Mercer’s tile design and production, and completed research on the 19th Century Arts and Craft Movement in America. The techniques Bruce learned at the Tile Works have been incorporated into his art curriculum at Wyncote, where students now learn to design, manufacture, and produce their own tiles and mosaics.
In addition to teaching at Wyncote Academy, Bruce is also a locally exhibiting artist with several works in private collections. During his career as an artist, he also worked with The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, the Cheltenham Art Center, and the Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Science.
Bruce and his wife, Caroline, Wyncote Academy’s language arts teacher, reside in Abington with their two daughters.
Caroline Weiner
Caroline’s teaching career began along the breathtaking beaches and emerald waters of the United States Virgin Islands, where she taught her first pupils – a kindergarten class of thirty students. Now, many years later, Caroline left the sun and sand of the Caribbean and is making her mark at Wyncote Academy teaching language arts to middle school students.
Caroline graduated with honors from the University of Delaware, where she earned her Bachelor of Sciences degree. She also graduated summa cum laude from Arcadia University with a masters degree in education. Teaching at Wyncote Academy since 1988, Caroline directs the middle school English, reading, and study skills curriculum.
“I enjoy teaching at Wyncote because of the nurturing environment, small class size, and the diverse population,” says Caroline.
In her spare time, Caroline is also an accomplished dancer, instructing dance classes at a local dance studio. She and her husband, Wyncote art teacher Bruce Weiner, reside in Abington with their two daughters.
Amy Houser
Amy is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agriculture with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Resource Management. Prior to teaching science at Wyncote, Amy was an Environmental Engineering Technician at a civil engineering firm in Bucks County. Feeling the need for a career change, Amy enrolled in Delaware Valley College’s Teaching Intern Certificate Program, where she earned her Level I Certification in General Sciences.
During her tenure at Wyncote, Amy has involved herself in many of Wyncote’s most challenging and unique activities. In the fall of 2010, less than two months after she began teaching at Wyncote, Amy joined the Outdoor Education Program for the annual week-long trip to Assateague Island. Her expertise in environmental science made the trip an exciting learning experience for all of the students, as they studied the beaches, dunes and wetlands.
Amy also sponsors the annual Science Fair each spring, where Wyncote students express their scientific curiosity in a variety of unique and varied projects.
“Wyncote offers its students a truly customized education and unique learning environment. At Wyncote, students are provided with tons of opportunities and experiences that other schools couldn’t even dream of offering.”
When Amy is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, cooking and taking on new adventures. Amy lives in Roxborough with her husband Vern and their two boxers.
Kathleen Fleck
Kathleen joined the staff and became a part of the Wyncote family in April of 2011. She is the welcoming, friendly face you first encounter in our reception area, greeting guests and visitor. Kathleen is also the friendly voice you first reach on the telephone!
When she is not working at Wyncote, Kathleen spends her time taking care of her energetic, on-the-go family. She and her husband have three children, all dedicated athletes. Kathleen and her family spend a tremendous amount of time at high school and community sporting events, including baseball, softball, volleyball, water polo and swimming. Kathleen is also a spinning fitness instructor at a local fitness center.
