Mimi Blackwell grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She attended Sewickley Academy, graduating in 1985 and went on to William Smith College where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and met her future husband, Tom. In 1994, she received her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh and practiced family law in the western part of the state for 7 years. Following the birth of her first child, John (GFS '11 and attendiing Wilmington Friends School), Mimi moved to West Chester. The family welcomed Hannah ( GFS '13) in 2002. Mimi came to GFS as a parent when John entered the 3 year old program. When Hannah began her preschool career at GFS in 2005, Mimi took on the role of Event Planner and is now Director of Communications. She also serves as a member of the Diversity, Clerking, and Curriculum Committees at GFS.
When not planning an event, attending weekly Meeting for Worship with the Lower School students, or tweaking the GFS website, Mimi can be found on the ski slopes with her family (husband Tom is a volunteer ski patroller) or helping to coach Hannah's lacrosse team. Mimi loves to travel, whether it is to upstate NY for a weekend at the family farm or to Europe where she can confuse locals using rudimentary French. In 2011 she visited South Africa with fellow members of the GFS community to do volunteer dental work with her mom and build houses with Mosaic, South Africa.
Stephanie Lantz was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She attended the University of Miami (FL) and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College. Stephanie also holds a Masters of Education from Cabrini College and an Instructional I, Teacher Certification.
Since 2002, Stephanie has served as a consultant in the areas of development and special events. Some of her clients have included ACHIEVEability, National Kidney Foundation of the Delaware Valley, and Penn Literacy Network. Stephanie has also worked in the educational sector as the Religious School Educational Director at Beth Israel Congregation in Chester Springs. Most recently she served as the Development Director at ALS Hope Foundation.
A woman of many interests, Stephanie is an avid tennis player, a Pilates and Core Barre instructor, and a Rotarian! She has served on several boards including 4KIDsNEEDs (a foundation she established) and Chester County Public Library. Currently, Stephanie is participating in the Hadassah Leadership Program.
Susan McCardell has been the business manager at Goshen Friends School for nearly 20 years. She received her B.S. in business from West Chester University. After her mother-in-law, a member of Goshen Monthly Meeting, placed Susan's oldest child on the Preschool waiting list as soon as he was born, there was no turning back! While her three children attended Goshen, Susan served as a volunteer in the Goshen Parent Community. In 1993, she began working as a part-time bookkeeper and soon she was promoted to the full-time position she now holds.
Susan is a great resource for GFS history and lore. She had the pleasure of knowing our founder, Barbara Dixon. Susan oversaw the construction of the Extended Care room and Lower School building. She serves on the General Committee and several other committees.
Christian Pepe is Goshen's Grounds and Maintenance Supervisor. He attends Montgomery County Community College and is pursuing a degree in engineering. While at Strath Haven High School, Christian participated in regional and national robotics competitions. Always on the go, Christian also works as a landscaper .
Barbara Polinski was born in California and raised in Pennsylvania. When she married her husband,Tom, in 1967, they moved to New Jersey, New York, and then back to Pennsylvania in the late 1970's.
Barbara spent many years in corporate administration until 1976 when her son, Drew, was born. She loved being a stay-at-home mom and spent many hours volunteering at her son's schools, first at Goshen Friends School in the 1980's, supporting his academic, sports, and social interests. Barbara was also able to indulge some of her own interests. Barbara enjoys sculpting, craft art, and jewelry design, to name a few. When her son was in high school, Barbara returned to work in administrative positions with a computer company, a CPA firm, and her husband's business. In 2008, Barbara joined the Goshen Friends administrative staff and acquired another wonderful family here where she had spent so many happy hours with her own little Preschooler.
Barbara and her husband and have spent over 40 wonderful years together and have enjoyed parenting, traveling, golfing, and fishing from Maui to the Keys. They share their home with their Gordon Setters. Their son and his lovely wife, Dawn, expanded their family with two beautiful daughters. Tom and Barbara know the joys of grandparenting--it is truly "grand"-- and life's great!
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