Our Staff
Rachel Wade
Owner / Director
Mrs. Rachel holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education. She taught first grade for five years before taking time off to raise her children, Jackson and Claire. Her connection to Country Day School began when Jackson enrolled at age two, followed by Claire a few years later. In 2017, Mrs. Wade joined the CDS faculty as a pre-k teacher and stepped into the role of director in 2022. Her passion for early childhood education and desire that those who enter our school feel loved and develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime inspires her to continue Country Day’s legacy on the Eastern Shore.
Mrs. Ashleigh has been a part of our CDS faculty for nine years as a pre-K teacher, our Little Engineers after school instructor, and in 2023 she became our office manager. Mrs. Ashleigh has a passion for all things STEM and loves watching our little learners discover new things. If you have called or emailed CDS, chances are you have been greeted by Mrs. Ashleigh.
Ashleigh Barkley
Office Manager
Teachers
Cindy Burke
2 year old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
3 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Cindy joined our faculty in 2023 after four years of volunteering and substituting at CDS. She fell in love with CDS when her children began attending. She is looking forward to another amazing year with lots of fun, learning, and creating!
Pam Corte
18 month old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
2 & 3 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Corte has been teaching at CDS for twenty-three years. Mrs. Corte’s children both attended CDS and it became a very special place to their family. Mrs. Corte is committed to loving her littles and ensuring that their first school experience is full of fun and learning.
Shawn Eastman
4 & 5 year old class ~ 5 days a week
Mrs. Eastman has been teaching
pre-k at CDS for nineteen years. She has a master's degree in early childhood and elementary education. She taught second grade for nine years before finding her “happy place” in pre-k. Mrs. Eastman is the 2024 Nappie Award winner for “Best Preschool Teacher in Baldwin County."
Leah Emley
4 year old class ~ 5 days a week
We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Leah to our pre-K team! As the mother of three CDS graduates, she has been a valued part of our school community for many years. She has also faithfully served as a long-term substitute at CDS and we are excited for her to bring her warmth, creativity, and love for children to her classroom.
Kolby Hammond
Kindergarten Aide
We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Kolby as our kindergarten aide! She is the proud mother of two children and has faithfully served as a Country Day School substitute over the past year. Her joy, enthusiasm, and love for children makes her a wonderful addition to our kindergarten classroom.
Sarah Haigh
4 year old class ~ 5 days a week
Mrs. Sarah has been teaching at CDS for three years. Before joining our 5-day team she was a long-term substitute and assisted Mrs. Peden as our kindergarten aide. Mrs. Sarah loves teaching preschool and seeing her students light up with joy when they learn something new.
Susy Morgan
2 & 3 year old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
3 & 4 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Susy joined our CDS staff in 2025 after being a valued substitute for two years. She is passionate about creating a fun, nurturing environment where young children can grow, play, and feel truly loved. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, making memories, and finding joy in everyday moments.
Becky Harrell
2 & 3 year old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
3 & 4 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Becky graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in Science and has been teaching at CDS for twenty-two years. Mrs. Becky loves playing, creating, learning and exploring with her preschoolers.
Erin Peden
Kindergarten ~ 5 days a week
Mrs. Peden has a bachelor's degree in elementary education and over ten years of kindergarten experience. She has taught in Virginia, Texas, and Mississippi. Kindergarten is her passion and her favorite thing to do is to teach her students how to read!
Kayla Poulos
2 & 3 year old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
3 & 4 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Kayla has been teaching preschool for seven years, six of which have been at CDS. She loves hands-on learning through reading, art, music, and sensory play. Her goal is for her students to engage and enjoy their learning environment.
Janna Schmidt
3 & 4 year old class ~ 5 days a week
Mrs. Janna is the proud mother of three CDS graduates, and has previously served as our Spanish teacher and kindergarten aide. We are thrilled to welcome her to our 5-day team and can’t wait for her to bring her love for children and passion for early childhood education to her own classroom. Her warmth, experience, and enthusiasm will be a blessing to her students and our school community.
Summer Snow
4 year old class ~ 5 days a week
Mrs. Summer holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and taught second grade before taking time off from teaching to raise her children. She enjoys incorporating art and music into learning and looks forward to helping her students grow emotionally, academically, and socially. This is her second year teaching pre-k at CDS.
Traci Watson
18 month old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
Mrs. Traci has been teaching our youngest learners at CDS for twenty-four years. She loves to watch her little ones learn and grow throughout the year and partnering with parents to ensure that their child’s first school experience is a positive one.
Janna Williams
2 year old class ~ Tues. & Thurs.
3 year old class ~ Mon., Wed., Fri.
Mrs. Janna has been teaching preschool at CDS for six years. She loves to play, sing, and explore with her little learners. Mrs. Janna loves to create and explore with her little ones.
Dee Pace
Mrs. Dee has a vocal music degree and has taught children's choir for over 30 years, and preschool music for the past 10 years. She has a passion to watch children learn their inner rhythm and beat. She is looking forward to "making music" with our 3-day and 5-day students.