Head of School
M.Ed. St. Lawrence University/ Ed. Administration and Counseling
ED.D. University of Delaware/ Educational Leadership
Charlie’s career in independent schools spans forty years, with twenty six years as Head of School leading the Orchard School (IN), Cincinnati Country Day School (OH), and, most recently, Saint Edward’s School (FL). Prior to heading schools, he taught and coached at The Peddie School and then served in various capacities as a teacher/administrator at The Tatnall School. As a result, Charlie has worked in and with a variety of types of schools serving nursery through high school-aged students, including boarding and day schools, religious and non-sectarian schools, as well as co-ed and all-male schools. These schools represent a wide range of educational philosophies, ranging from progressive educational approaches to the very traditional. The common thread running through all of his school experience is Charlie's commitment to student-centered learning and his whole-student approach to education. At the same time, he has sat on the boards and accreditation committees of state and regional accrediting associations and has evaluated close to 30 schools, many in the capacity of Visiting Team Chair. Charlie has designed and led several workshops over the last 25 years, notably the Independent School Management Leading the Changing Middle School workshop, which he designed and taught for 21 years instructing and mentoring over 500 MS Heads. Additional workshops he has produced for independent schools include Teaching for Thinking, Identifying and Developing your Leadership Style, and Long Range Strategic Planning. Charlie has taught graduate and undergraduate classes in administration and adolescent development at Butler University. Recently, he initiated a monthly newsletter for Heads of School, HEAD to HEAD, which reaches every NAIS School in the country. Charlie and his wife of 40 years, Gail Houston Clark, recently moved to Nantucket to contribute their collective talents to the Nantucket Lighthouse School community. They have three children and five wonderful grandchildren.
Director of Education/Co-Founder /Faculty Member
B. A. Wesleyan University/Studio Art and English
M.Ed. Antioch NE Graduate School
Lizbet has worked with children and schools for 20+ years.She co-founded the Lighthouse School in 2000 with Elizabeth Sundell.She directs curriculum and program development, supervises the faculty, and works with Lighthouse children, staff and parents. Lizbet is married to Chris Fuller and son Eli happily attends Lighthouse.
Administrative Director
B. A. Gordon College/English Literature
Masters work at Harvard University Extension School
Cheryl spent 10 years in marketing and product development for companies, such as the International Data Group and Monster.com. Upon moving to Nantucket with husband Jeff and new daughter Maggie, she began working with the NLS Capital Campaign on a part-time basis. In a short time, she became the school's first Administrative Director. Cheryl oversees NLS business and development, supervises the administrative staff, and works closely with the NLS Board of Trustees. Maggie is now a Primary Class student. Cheryl's sister is NLS Primary 5/6 teacher Sandy Mitchell.
Program Director and Faculty Member
B.S. Bethany College
M.Ed. Butler University
As a twenty-eight year veteran independent school teacher with experience teaching in several lower and middle schools, Gail understands the learning continuum grades K-8, particularly in her area of the language arts. Upon graduating from Bethany College (WV), she taught K, second and third grades before pursuing a master's degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on reading and writing. Since then she has taught fourth and sixth grade English, Science and Drama for fifteen years. For several years, Gail served as the sixth grade team leader at the Seven Hills School (OH). Gail is highly skilled at assessing students’ progress and meeting their needs. For several years, she taught Teaching for Thinking workshops every summer and tutored individual students. Gail is committed to engaging children in their learning through experiential and project-based learning. She is excited to apply her skill and experience toward developing the Lighthouse Middle School program. She is married to NLS HOS, Charlie Clark. They have three children; playing with their five grandchildren is always a highlight!
B.A. Bridgewater State College/English/Education
M.Ed. Northeastern University
Nancy has had a range of work experience in counseling, education,and business.Most recently, she worked as the Front Office Manager at Nantucket Behavioral Health Services. She manages the Lighthouse School office and 'womans' our front desk.
Events Manager
In 2004, Natalie began her new career path in event planning and spacial design. "I like working with people and creating wonderful experiences that they will always remember". In 2007, Natalie started her own business, Liaison Consulting, that specializes in designing, fundraising and managing events on any scale. She has helped her clients develop events such as: Private Art Shows for Galleryblue, Chamber After Hours, promotional cocktail parties for Arts: Nantucket, Concert Series for Nantucket Arts Council, to Fall Harvest Fairs, Teen Dances and private fundraisers. She has recently worked with the American Red Cross with humanitarian aid fundraising.
