Middle School Faculty

Originally from southern New Jersey with a strongly rooted Trinidadian heritage, Lekisha Le Blanc accepted the role of Middle School Principal with much enthusiasm and anticipation and a promise to “put all of my efforts into building and maintaining a school community of which everyone can be proud.” A graduate of Duke University with a degree in Biological Anthropology and Anatomy and a minor in philosophy with the intention of pursuing a doctorate in Education in the UCLA Educational Leadership Program, Lekisha has experience working with middle school aged children in the areas of math, physical, life and earth sciences, reading, writing and test preparation. Her multi-faceted career in the field of education has afforded her the opportunity to combine her particular passion for the math and sciences and her desire to guide young minds.

Lekisha's goal as an educator has always been to put her best efforts into instilling and maintaining a genuine curiosity for learning amongst her students. Although having very fond memories of the many talented and engaging instructors she encountered during her own middle school experience, Lekisha also has very vivid memories of those who seemingly took little to no enjoyment from their profession. Veering as far away as possible from the latter in her approach, she ignites student interest by not only expressing an affinity for the subject matter herself, but also by implementing a well integrated and even individualized curriculum to meet a child's specific needs in the classroom and to support their progress in learning. Her intentions for the middle school students of TCS are the same. “It's my hope that as a unit, we can recognize and foster the talents that each of us possesses as individuals and that will undoubtedly serve to propel TCS Middle School into a successful inaugural year and beyond.”

As an avid dancer for over twenty years, in her spare time Lekisha still practices tap, African, and hip-hop dance. In addition to the math and sciences, she has also had the pleasure of engaging students in the disciplines of language arts, step/drill team, nutrition, dance, and speedwriting. Growing up, Lekisha played three instruments, the viola, bassoon, and flute, and most recently has become intrigued by the piano.

Lekisha has made it clear that she is very excited about sharing her many skills and talents with the students and faculty at TCS and is looking forward to wearing the many different “hats” that her role as Principal will surely require. She appreciates the warm welcome she has received from The Country School community and is looking forward to working with us for many years to come.

Taryn Chaifetz - Science Teacher

• B.S., Indiana University, M.S., Indiana University

Chelsea Jarecke - Humanities Teacher

• B.A., University of California Irvine, M.A., Loyola Marymount University

Nicholas Crews - Latin Teacher

• B.A., Cambridge University, M.Phil., Cambridge University

Monali Khandagle - Mathematics Teacher

• Ph.D., University of Poona, Post Doctoral Fellow UCLA

Mayra Svendblad - Spanish Teacher

• B.A., California State University Long Beach