The SBC Team
SBC is a group effort and it takes many hands (and many hats) to make light work. Meet those people!
Christine Canarelli-Waller (Founder, Board President, Program Director, Chief Policymaker, Instructor)
Founding SBC is a combination of two things Christine has spent much of her adult life doing: working with children and organizing successful communities. Whichever hat she has worn from ECE teacher to playgroup organizer for 100+ families to spearheading county wide fundraising drives to homeschool mom, Christine’s biggest assets have been creative thinking and the desire to provide better options for those around her. She is so proud of the incredible team that has come together in pursuit of the vision she and Meaghan have of what SBC will offer for homeschooling families. Outside of her roles at SBC, Christine resides in Warren County, NJ with her husband, three children, dog, and chickens. (And yes, in true homeschool fashion, they hatched them themselves!)
Meaghan Myers (Founder, Board Treasurer, Program Director, Graphic Designer, Instructor)
Meaghan has a degree in Secondary Education, English, Communications, and experience in English as a Second Language. Her previous experience as a public middle school and high school teacher has greatly influenced her decision to homeschool her two children, as she attempts to follow them on their learning journeys, letting them lead the way as much as possible. She's been educating herself in all things Montessori, from primary, lower elementary, and beyond, to help her children lead the way.
Sophia Feller (Board Secretary)
Fia has many years experience in office management and working for community non-profit organizations. Her favorite job by far (and best career move) was to become a community garden manager and a Master Gardener, teaching children and adults about plants, insects, and gardening. Fia is the mother of three grown children and a granddaughter that she spends as much time with as possible. She shares her home with her two young grandsons (and their parents).
Courtney Rucando (Assistant Board Secretary, Social Media Specialist, Enrichment Coordinator, Instructor)
Courtney has a degree in Early Childhood Education (K-8) and History. She was a former public middle school teacher who stepped aside in order to homeschool her two children. Courtney is passionate about children’s education and all things books, which (as luck would have it) go hand and hand.
Erika Svolos (Membership Coordinator, Tween/Teen Director, Instructor)
Erika has spent most of her life involved in music, has achieved a BM in Music Therapy from Marywood University, a NJ Music Teacher Certification through the NJ alternate route program, and MA in Music Therapy from Montclair State University. Erika has also had the privilege of working in various unique settings as both a music therapist and a music educator over the past twenty-three years in the field. She was also the flute specialist for the Jersey City Public Schools Performing Arts High School, directed music performances for the Special Olympics Project Unify rallies, acted as general music teacher for a homeschool co-op, and so much more. Erika has been homeschooling since 2021 and has loved learning alongside her kiddo.
Sarah Price (Enrichment Coordinator, Sprout/Sapling Lead Guide, Instructor)
Sarah has a degree in liberal arts with certifications in elementary education and teacher of students with disabilities. She previously taught special education in public school focusing on students who are multiply disabled, and also in ABA instruction. She has three young boys whose need for movement and the great outdoors has influenced her move to homeschool.
Emily Curran (Enrichment Coordinator, Instructor)
Emily has a Ph.D. in History and Culture. In addition to educating her own two children, she teaches college History courses and tutors K-12 English/Language Arts. She loves the flexibility homeschooling gives her to go on adventures and spend lots of time outdoors with her kids.
Jessica Jiménez (Instructor)
Jessica is on the instructional team. She's from Venezuela and moved to the USA in June 2016. She's been homeschooling since 2020, as COVID gave her the final push to continue learning at home. Their family does a Montessori, Waldorf, forest, and Reggio inspired style. She's run a summer camp for young children for 3 years, and had a nature pod for two years, but has since joined the SBC team.
Meredith Lippai (Instructor)
Meredith is on the instructional team. She is a Certified Holistic Health Coach (AADP), Certified Yoga Teacher, Fitness Group Certified, and the creator of the LWE Tribe Online Course for Finding Happiness with Endometriosis. She's an incredibly level-headed and calming presence, which is perfect for the sprouts and saplings she's working with. She loves sharing her love of movement with her 3 kids, going on adventures, and spending time with SBC!
