No Place Like Home

Proving you can go home again, 16 Agnes Irwin alumnae currently coach, teach, and work at the place they first called home as students.  Here they share with us why the calling to return to their alma mater feels almost sweeter the second time around.

Sarah Schoettle ’99

Middle School Math Teacher
Middle School Varsity Soccer Coach
Started In Kindergarten In 1986

What are you proudest of during your time as a student at Agnes Irwin? What about as a teacher?

As a student, I learned how to work hard and advocate for myself. As a teacher, I’m proud to be someone students feel they can come to when they have a problem.

What is special about this school that makes it a great place to work?

The people! I love my colleagues, the students that I teach, and the partnership I have with parents to help support their daughters.

What does Irwin’s mean to you today?

I am proud to work at AIS. It’s an amazing school that really knows, understands, and cares for its students. It pushes students to be their best selves in all aspects of life while also being supportive. It is creative, fun, and girl-centered.

Meghan Burnett ’99

Director of Donor Engagement
Started at Agnes Irwin in Ninth Grade in 1995
Has worked at AIS since 2024

What is your favorite Irwin’s tradition?

The Holiday Assembly, hands down! The gym is filled with the whole school singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and the pre-vacation silliness and excitement is palpable. I love it especially because there are seldom few times as an adult you get that last-day-of-school feeling—that sense of accomplishment and anticipation as you await the start of winter break. Plus, the Bel Cantos singing “O Holy Night” makes me cry every time. It’s the best day.

What did you do for SSP?

I went to France with Monsieur Ross my sophomore year, which was filled with time in Paris and a homestay in Nimes, complete with visits to Arles and Avignon and a remarkably memorable trip to the Perrier factory. During my junior year, I volunteered sorting donations at Mercy Hospice, a women’s and children’s shelter in downtown Philadelphia, which was also a really meaningful experience.

When you got to college, were there things—skills or behaviors—that you possessed that other students didn’t have? What were they?

y writing skills were incredibly well-honed at Agnes Irwin. I knew how to critically read a text and synthesize the information for an essay. I was armed with exceptional research skills, and my writing had a clear voice and point of view that allowed me to communicate a compelling and concise argument. It’s something I’m so grateful for.

Noelle Harmon ’04

Second-Grade Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Kindergarten in 1991
Has worked at AIS since 2020

What makes you so passionate about all-girls education?

Agnes Irwin empowers girls and shapes them into women who are capable and confident enough to create influential change in the world. The world needs women who are bold enough to take up space and attain powerful positions.

What brought you back to teach at AIS?

I started working at Agnes Irwin during the pandemic. Private schools, at that time, were offering something that public schools weren’t—the opportunity to teach in person. Being physically present with students was very important to me.

What feels different about the school now than when you were a student?

There is a much more diverse student body. I remember being the only Black student in my class for many years, which felt very isolating. When I started teaching at Agnes Irwin, I instantly noticed there were more girls and families of color, which is a huge, positive change.

Chrissy Duffy Milliken ’13

First-Grade Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Ninth Grade in 2009
Has worked at AIS since 2020

What was your experience like as a student at AIS?

I had been struggling academically at my previous school. When I joined Agnes Irwin, the learning support team helped me identify a comprehension disorder and put systems in place to help me excel as a student. Irwin’s put me in the driver’s seat of my own education, and it felt like things finally clicked for me. I went on to get multiple higher education degrees because the school instilled in me this confidence in my own abilities that I’d been missing.

What research from the Center for the Advancement of Girls (CAG) have you implemented in your classroom?

Giving girls “voice” and “choice.” In the Lower School, our curriculum is inquiry-based. There’s never only one way to get to the right answer. You can choose the way that makes sense to you. Beyond just making the choice, we encourage students to reflect on the choices they made—whether that’s emotionally, behaviorally, or academically—which can help them refine their choices in the future.

What was your senior assembly topic?

I spoke about sexual assault on college campuses. It was in the wake of videos on social media glorifying frat parties and binge drinking and the start of the tipping point in the way the U.S. addressed college sexual assault. As a young woman headed into that world, I wanted to educate my peers and younger classes about the potential risks and ways to stay safe.

Courtney Malloy ’00

Afternoon/Evening Receptionist
Started at Agnes Irwin in Kindergarten in 1987
Has worked at AIS since 2026

What songs do you most vividly remember singing with Mr. Savar?

I loved “What Should We Do with a Drunken Sailor?” I can picture Mr. Savar at the piano in the music room—now the Lower School Library—singing “Shave his belly with a rusty razor!” as we all laughed hysterically.

What was something that Irwin’s gave you that you didn’t really appreciate until later?

My confidence. I didn’t think twice about raising my hand in my first big lecture class during my freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania. There was never any hesitation or fear of looking stupid if my answer was wrong because I knew I would learn the right answer from the professor or a classmate.

What are some things that you see in school now that feel different than when you were a student here, and what are some things that feel exactly the same?

Some things that are different are the types of classes that are available to students now, which is great because that means that the school is growing and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to providing young women with a well-rounded education.

The thing that feels the same is how much fun the girls have just being with their friends. When I see a group of girls giggling together, I get flashbacks of spending a free period in the senior lounge or the Pepsi Pit and laughing non-stop with my friends. The ability to truly enjoy being together—that hasn’t changed at all.

Natalie Jones Brennan ’05

Director of Upper School Admission & PK–12 Tuition Assistance; Middle School Learn to Row Coach
Started at Agnes Irwin in Sixth Grade in 1998
Has worked at AIS since 2018

What are you most proud of during your time as a staff member?

I love having the opportunity to get to know the girls and families who are applying to the school. I am in a unique position where I hear from parents who are deeply invested in their daughters’ futures and who are sharing, often vulnerably, what matters most to them: their daughter. I firmly believe that an Agnes Irwin education can change the trajectory of a student’s life, and witnessing those outcomes is one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of my role.

Was there a person or a moment at Irwin’s that really shaped you and who you became?

Dr. Barnett’s Japanese History course during my senior year had a particularly lasting impact on me. His class taught me how to take effective notes, study thoughtfully for exams, and write with a more analytical and critical eye.

More importantly, he taught me that high school is not about making excuses for a late assignment or turning in work that does not reflect your best effort. Instead, it is about challenging yourself, taking ownership of your learning, and striving to do your very best. Those lessons stayed with me long after I graduated and continue to influence who I am today.

Your daughter is starting kindergarten in the fall of 2026. What are you hoping Irwin’s will teach her?

I am excited for what AIS will offer her and the ways the school will educate her whole self. I am confident she will experience a learning environment where she is consistently encouraged to speak up, take up space, and trust her ideas without hesitation.

Maddie Aguirre ’19

Varsity Swimming Assistant Coach
Started at Agnes Irwin in First Grade in 2007
Has worked at AIS since 2024

When you started your journey as an AIS student, who were you when you first arrived here and who were you by the time you left?

I started as a kindergartener who didn’t brush her hair and never sat still. My parents always said I was eager to learn everything I could and create as much chaos as possible while doing it. When I graduated from Irwin’s, I was not much better at sitting still, nor at containing the chaos, but I did finally learn to brush my hair. I credit my Agnes Irwin teachers for fostering my love of learning.

What was something that Irwin’s gave you that you didn’t really appreciate until later?

I didn’t appreciate the opportunities for public speaking until much later. Throughout my years at AIS, I performed in plays, talked in class and assemblies, culminating with my Senior Assembly. It was not until well into college that I realized what an advantage I’d been given. At work, I am able to fearlessly contribute in meetings and give presentations to high-level executives without batting an eye.

What is so fun about coaching AIS students?

I love coaching the current students because they have the same love for sports as I do and are dedicated to both their studies and being an athlete. I like to think I can relate to the girls and offer some real-world perspective on how their classes will help them in college and beyond.

Celeste Tarbox Hall ’06

Second-Grade Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Kindergarten in 1993
Has worked at AIS since 2023

In what ways did Agnes Irwin teach you to be a leader?

Irwin’s taught me that you can be a quiet and calm leader, and lead by example. I tell my students that there’s a leader in all of them; it just might come out in different ways. You may not be the loudest, but your leadership can impact others just the same.

When you started your journey as an AIS student, who were you when you first arrived here and who were you by the time you left?

When I arrived, I was a quiet, shy third child, wearing hand-me-down uniforms, and I left after 13 years incredibly confident and ready to take on the world. I got to college and quickly realized Dr. Barnett’s history classes were way harder than any freshman seminar, and I had the experience of being the only girl raising her hand in class. I think the biggest thing I took away from Irwin’s was my confidence.

Was there a teacher at Irwin’s who inspired you to become a teacher or influenced the way that you teach?

Coming back to work for [Lower School Director] Melanie Slezak has been a full-circle moment for me. She was early in her career at AIS when I started in kindergarten, and she helped me with reading support. Now I get to work alongside her every day. She is someone I deeply respect, and I’m aligned with her values and her ethos—it’s so meaningful.

Abbe Wright ’03

Assistant Director of Communications
Started at Agnes Irwin in First Grade in 1991
Has worked at AIS since 2026

What songs do you most vividly remember singing with Mr. Savar?

Mr. Savar was hugely influential in the way he taught me—and all of us—to love music. I always enjoyed belting out “Corner of the Sky,” especially that evocative lyric about the way dreams have of sticking to the soul. But the song that reminds me most of him is ABBA’s “Thank You for the Music.” “Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing...Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing...!” It feels like the embodiment of who Mr. Savar was and the musical way he moved through the world.

How did your time at Agnes Irwin prepare you for the role you have now?

Working in the Marketing and Communications department, I get to tell the story of Agnes Irwin every day—on social media, in newsletters and the magazine, to prospective families, current families, and alumnae. Having attended the school for 12 years, I am well-versed in what makes AIS so special. I feel so lucky to get to shout about this school from the rooftops.

What was your senior assembly topic?

I spoke about how women’s fashion illustrated their place in society, examining corsets in the Victorian era, the rise of hemlines in the 1920s, and the emergence of pants during World War II. I paired the speech with visuals that demonstrated my thesis. However, I procrastinated finishing the slides so much that one faculty grader wrote, “Your final product was impressive, even if your process for producing it was hectic.” Sounds about right!

Brooke Norrett Corr ’95

Senior Director of Alumnae Relations
Started at Agnes Irwin in Fourth Grade in 1986
Has worked at AIS since 2011

Was there a person or a moment at Irwin’s that really shaped you and who you became?

I remember in fourth grade, the love for reading came to me, almost as if a switch had been flipped. We did a reading challenge in Mrs. Hill’s classroom where, for every book you read, you got to add a square to the body of a caterpillar that circled the whole ceiling. I came in second place! I read so many books that year, and I haven’t stopped since.

What is special about this school that makes it a great place to work?

In my role, I get to meet so many alumnae of all different ages. I can have a conversation with somebody that graduated 60 years ago or 10 years ago, and we immediately find common ground, just based on our shared experiences and traditions of having attended this school.

Are you still in touch with friends you made at AIS? How have those friendships shaped you as you all have grown up?

Yes, I still am in touch with women from my class. It’s wild—I think I’ve known some of them for almost 40 years. Sometimes it’s hard to not look at them like they’re 9. I’ve also made some really great friends with other women from different classes through my role as Director of Alumnae Relations.

Caitlin Sweeney ’99

Fourth-Grade Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Kindergarten in 1986
Has worked at AIS since 2019

What research from the CAG have you implemented in your classroom for your students?

I’ve incorporated positive messaging at the beginning of things that feel “high stakes” to the girls, like noting their amazing progress right before the start of a math test. It’s my hope that it has an impact on how they perceive their work and learning.

Was there a class at Irwin’s that really impacted you?

In Upper School, I had the freedom to explore my passions further. I took an elective called Media Arts, which I loved because it felt so different from my other classes—it was really fun! I liked any opportunity to shine outside the traditional coursework because it reassured me that all kinds of talents were important.

In what ways do you feel like Agnes Irwin taught you to be a leader?

Because of the small class sizes, your teachers really knew you, which meant that, as a student, you felt seen and like you mattered. If I know that I matter, then I feel confident to put myself out there and lead.

Allison Hough ’01

Director of Development
Started at Agnes Irwin in Fourth Grade in 1992
Has worked at AIS since 2021

How did Agnes Irwin help you become the person you are today?

At Agnes Irwin, I never questioned my abilities. I never put a cap on what I could achieve. You are surrounded by girls in every leadership position at school. Everything that needs to be done by students is done by girls. To this day, I never question whether something is more of a man’s role. I don’t even think about it. I am not sure if I would view things that way had I not attended a girls’ school.

What excites you most as you think about the future of the school?

I love that the school has a dedicated curriculum around building leaders. Included in that are age-appropriate ways of working with others, the importance of collaboration, and restorative practices for conflict resolution. Girls are given the tools to have hard, honest conversations with each other. Those skills produce even stronger leaders—women who are successful and confident, but who can also give voice to what is going well and what isn’t going well and find ways to move forward.

You interact with lots of different alumnae in your role. Is there a common thread that every former Irwin’s girl possesses?

The alumnae that I meet are very proud of their connection to Agnes Irwin, and they all reference that in slightly different ways. Some say it made them great writers, or wonderful leaders, or the only woman in their field. Everyone’s path is distinct, but the common denominator is that they spent their formative years in a supportive, encouraging, challenging environment, and they credit the school as the foundation from which they went on to do amazing things in their careers and lives.

Lauren Mayer Sweetser ’08

Middle School History & English Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Kindergarten in 1995
Has worked at AIS since 2019

What was your experience like as a student at AIS?

My experience at AIS was both nurturing and academically challenging. I felt encouraged to develop my own voice and interests while also being pushed outside my comfort zone academically.

Did Agnes Irwin imbue you with a joy of learning that you’re passing on to your students?

Yes! I can think of teachers in every division who made learning feel exciting and meaningful. Some inspired me through subjects I already loved, while others helped me appreciate the value of persistence in subjects that were harder for me.

What is special about this place that makes it a great place to teach?

One thing that makes AIS a great place to teach is that students genuinely want to learn. They ask thoughtful questions, care about ideas, and are willing to engage deeply with material. The faculty culture is also incredibly collaborative and supportive.

Rosie Kalis ’16

Alumnae Relations Associate; Assistant Varsity Field Hockey Coach
Started at Agnes Irwin in Ninth Grade in 2012
Has worked at AIS since 2021

What is your favorite Irwin’s tradition?

My favorite tradition is AIS/EA Day. Everyone loves it because the school spirit is on overdrive and the hype leading up to the games is so exciting. The last time we won, I was a sophomore on the field hockey team, and I know what it feels like to win as a player. Now, as a coach, I look forward to it every single year because I want the girls to experience that awesome feeling of victory.

What was your senior assembly topic?

Title IX, the law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding. I spoke about the ways it transformed women’s sports, offering athletes like Serena Williams, who was in the first generation of women who benefitted from the increased investment in women’s athletics, more access to competitive training and sports scholarships.

What’s something that Irwin’s gave you that you didn’t really appreciate until later?

Attending Agnes Irwin was the first time I was in a girl-centered environment, and I didn’t appreciate how important that was to me until after I left. The female friendships I made at Agnes Irwin shaped my entire girlhood. When I was surrounded by my field hockey teammates in college, which somewhat replicated the experience of being at AIS, I knew enough to know that what I’d had at Irwin’s was incredibly special and very rare.

Katie Wenger ’14

Varsity Softball Pitching Coach
Started at Agnes Irwin in Sixth Grade in 2007
Has worked at AIS since 2020

What was your experience like as a student at Agnes Irwin?

AIS challenged me academically in all the right ways. It pushed me to think deeper, ask better questions, and never settle for surface-level answers. Those habits shaped my college experience and continue to guide me today.

How did Agnes Irwin help you become the person you are today?

Agnes Irwin teaches you to advocate for your own success. When I was struggling in algebra class, my teacher, Joy Connelly, continuously told me that help was available, but I had to be the one to seek it. When I worked up the courage to ask for help, she took time outside of class to teach and support me. This taught me to lean on support systems, advocate for my own needs, and ultimately succeed in the classroom.

What did being a student-athlete at AIS teach you?

I learned what it means to be a representative of your school. When you had the AIS jersey on, you didn’t just represent yourself; you represented the entire community. Good sportsmanship and respect were paramount. This type of mentality certainly helped me when playing in college and after graduation as I consider my own personal brand and reputation.

Emily Readinger Zachary ’08

Kindergarten Teacher
Started at Agnes Irwin in Ninth Grade in 2004
Has worked at AIS since 2019

What research from the CAG have you implemented in your classroom for your students?

Risk-taking in a comfortable setting. I provide the environment to safely take risks so that the girls can more easily tackle challenges outside the class setting. When kindergarteners speak in front of a big group at our Invention Convention, those skills have been cultivated in the classroom.

Your daughter just finished PreK. What are you seeing that she’s being given in the classroom?

As a teacher, we say, “Every child is working on something.” In my daughter’s case, she needed to work on resiliency. Thanks to the Leadership Toolkit in the Lower School, she’s being taught what it means to bounce back after a disappointment.

What was something that Irwin’s gave you that you didn’t really appreciate until later?

Agnes Irwin gave me the skills to grow into an independent person. I love the life I’ve built today. I think that’s a testament to Agnes Irwin, because the school gave me the space to be my own person and to like who I became. That’s what I want to give my students.