Founder Andrea Shoap:  

School Director and Lead Secondary Teacher

Andrea Shoap is White Clay Learning Center’s Founder, Director and leading teacher of our intermediate group. She graduated from Penn State in 1988 with a  Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a minor in Biology. Andrea went directly into teaching and taught in various grades for a few years in the Kennet and Avon Grove school districts, as well as in the Tower Hill School in Wilmington, DE. Andrea and her husband Michael then spent two years at the Iraklion Air Force Base on the island of Crete, where Andrea was a fourth grade and Kindergarten teacher for the Department of Defense.

 Andrea and Michael returned home to the U.S. in 1992. She opened up her preschool in 1993 just after her first child was born in order to provide the best of schools for her children, as well as other families who were interested in an individualized alternative approach to education. After several years of evolving and perfecting her program, White Clay Learning Center became an accredited K-12 nonpublic school in 2000. Andrea has since taken masters level courses in learning differences and has guided her school in the direction of certified Attuned Schools. Such schools are trained in identifying, differentiating and enhancing learning strengths and weaknesses in all of their students. 

  Andrea and her husband Michael have three children, who all spent their elementary and middle school years at White Clay Learning Center. Andrea and her husband stay very involved with their three active teenage children, the eldest of whom plays football for Johns Hopkins University. She also is also a lover of hiking, running, horseback riding and yoga.

  andrea@whiteclaylearning.org

Lare Gilpin-Learning Specialist and Lead Lower Primary Teacher

  Lare is a native resident of Chester County. A few members of her family are also involved in the field of Education as well. After completing high school Lare immediately attended West Chester University and double majored in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Wanting to see what else was out there, after two years, she transferred to attend the Special Education and Child Development Program at the University of North Carolina: Charlotte. She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Special Education. Directly after graduation Lare started a graduate program in Multiple/Severe Disabilities, Educational Psychology & Special Education in Atlanta at Georgia State University. She graduated with a Master of Education in May 2010.

  During these years of schooling Lare had several experiences with children of all abilities and disabilities. She has knowledge of a variety of teaching tools and styles, assistive technology devices and is confident in teaching a range of curriculums including but not limited to Reading and Language.

  Lare joined the team at White Clay Learning Center in Fall 2010 and has played a versatile role as a Special Educator to embrace Reading Specialist, Language Specialist and assist both Andrea and Paula in their classrooms as well.

  In her spare time Lare thoroughly enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, traveling, cooking and has recently started photography.

  Her desire of teaching is reflected by learning. Knowing the importance of continuing development in the education field Lare attends training/certification classes, seminars, speakers, conferences and volunteer opportunities on a continuous basis.    

  lare@whiteclaylearning.org

Abagail Branham-Behavioral Specialist and Lead Upper Primary Teacher 

Abigail Branham joined White Clay at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year.  Abigail works as a behavior specialist and assistant teacher primarily with the intermediate group at White Clay.  She also works with students in our primary classroom supporting a Lego Therapy group that incorporates Yoga for kids and relaxation techniques to facilitate interpersonal cooperation, physical and emotional flexibility, and intrapersonal and physical balance.  

  In 1998, Abigail completed her BA with a major in Psychology at Houghton College in upstate New York.  Following her undergraduate education, she lived in Massachusetts, the Pocono area, and finally moved to Philadelphia where she held positions in various service driven industries.  Realizing her passion for lifelong learning and working with children prompted her to pursue PA teaching certifications in Elementary and Special Education.  Abigail recently completed her dual certification at Immaculata University where she has earned graduate level credits towards a Master's Degree in Education and/or Special Education for the future.  

  Abigail spent the 2010-2011 school year at Caln Elementary School in the Coatesville Area School District where she completed her student teaching, and was asked to stay through the end of the school year as the daily building substitute.  While at Caln Elementary, she gained invaluable experience working with a diverse student body, grades K-5.  

  abby@whiteclaylearning.org