School Name

We are excited to welcome new faculty and staff members to our Country Day Community this school year! 

Kayla Davis, Learning Specialist PK-2: With over a decade of enriching teaching experience, Kayla is deeply passionate about literacy and lifelong learning. Her career has spanned various educational settings, from preschool to 2nd and 4th grades, in both public and private schools. Kayla is passionate about guiding students through the transformative process of discovering their reading capabilities. Recently she served as a Senior Education Specialist at the YokyWorks Foundation. She brings extensive expertise in phonological awareness, phonics, and fluency using Orton-Gillingham and structured literacy methods. Kayla is looking forward to nurturing confidence in students and equipping them with the necessary tools to excel on their literacy journey. 

Camille Jaap, Fifth Grade Teacher: We are excited to announce that Camille Jaap will be assuming the role of Fifth Grade teacher next year. Many of know Camille from long-term subbing in JPK this year. Camille is an enthusiastic educator who recently completed her MAT in Early Childhood Education (PreK-4) at Duquesne University and she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in History from Pennsylvania State University. Camille's professional journey includes long-term subbing at Country Day in JPK and the Junior School in STEM. She also obtained valuable teaching experience at Upper St Clair School District, where she served as an Extended Day Teacher. Additionally, Camille excelled in roles at Eastside Family YMCA in Erie, PA. as head swim coach. Camille's dedication to education and her multifaceted experiences in teaching and coaching underscore her commitment to empowering learners and fostering holistic growth in academic and extracurricular settings. 

Adam Janssen, Instrumental Teacher: This year we will share an instrumental teacher with the Junior School. Adam Janssen will join CDS from the Junior School, where he joined the faculty as an instrumental music teacher in 2023. Adam is a 2015 graduate of CMU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance (Trombone) and a recent graduate of Boston University with an M.Ed in Music Education with a concentration in Instrumental Music Pedagogy & Urban Education. He has additional experience in Music Production from Berklee College of Music. Prior to Shady Side, Adam taught Band, Strings, and General Music at Propel Schools McKeesport & Homestead since 2018. He was also the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYOP) Int. Ensemble Director from 2020-22. Adam began his teaching career at Moon Area School District as a Music teacher. Adam has plenty of professional performances, publications, compositions, and arrangements as a musician. We can’t wait to hear the exciting instrumental music Adam will bring this year.

Alison Kitchin, Kindergarten Teacher: Alison Kitchin is a seasoned educator with twenty years of experience, hailing from Pittsburgh. Most recently, she completed her tenure teaching fourth grade at N.B. Cook Elementary School of the Arts in Pensacola, Florida, and is now returning to Pittsburgh with her family. At N.B. Cook Elementary, an arts magnet school, Alison integrated the arts into the curriculum, enriching students’ learning experiences with fine arts opportunities. Alison holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts degree in Education from George Mason University. Throughout her career, she has taught students from Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. She has worked in various capacities, including teaching, advising, and coaching children and adults from infancy through college. Prior to moving to Florida, Alison was actively involved at Nokesville Elementary in Virginia as a co-lead and science lead teacher and contributed to the opening of Piney Branch Elementary. Alison’s expertise will be a great addition to our Kindergarten team with Beth Knicely.

Kelly Sweeney, Fifth Grade Teacher: Kelly is a dedicated and experienced educator with a strong background in early childhood education. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and obtained her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from DePaul University. With ten years of teaching experience, including seven years at Immaculate Conception St. Joseph School (ICSJ) in Chicago, IL, Kelly has taught 2nd and 3rd grades and recently served as a Differentiation Specialist for 4th and 5th graders. Before joining ICSJ, Kelly taught 2nd grade at The Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) Prep in Dayton, OH. Her diverse experiences and commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment make her a valuable addition to our fifth-grade team! 

Micaela Tucker, Learning Specialist 3-5: CDS is fortunate to have Micaela joining from the Junior School, where she was a Learning Specialist for Grades 2&3. Micaela joined the Junior School faculty as a third-grade teacher in 2020. Prior to SSA, she taught at various elementary schools in Pittsburgh, New York City, and Connecticut. Her experience also includes teaching special education. We are excited for the expertise Micaela will bring to the Learning Specialist position.