It is an honor to serve as Principal of Copper Beech Elementary School! I am proud to be a part of the Abington School District and work alongside the administration, educators, families, and community stakeholders who are committed to building a culture of care and achieving academic excellence for all students.

I believe building strong foundational skills in literacy and math is the cornerstone for achieving excellence in our young scholars. I have held various roles over the course of my 23 years as an educator. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Education from Millersville University and a Master of Education Degree from Holy Family University; as well as certifications in School Administration, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Reading Specialist.

Most recently, I have served as Elementary Curriculum Specialist and Interim Assistant Principal at Copper Beech Elementary School. I have six years of administrative experience as an Assistant Principal in Philadelphia.  At the beginning of my career in education I worked as a special education teacher, teaching students with multiple disabilities and autism.  I also worked as an elementary classroom teacher for ten years.  Later, I became a Reading Specialist and an Intervention Coordinator for our school’s Response to Intervention Program.  

During my free time, I enjoy reading, biking, skiing, cooking, and spending time with my family.  My husband and I have a teenage son who loves music and keeps us both young at heart!

I share the mission and vision of the Abington School District to promote student excellence and achievement and develop 21st Century skills in our young scholars.  I am committed to working with students, families, and school staff at Copper Beech to provide a nurturing, caring school environment, where all students can achieve.

Email Ms. Kimberly Stokes

I am pleased to serve as your Assistant Principal for the 2023- 2024 school year! I am delighted to be a part of the Copper Beach community, where I can foster a sense of belonging with excellence as the standard for all. I plan to partner with the staff, students, and families of the Copper Beech community to achieve this goal.

It has been a privilege to work in the Abington School District for the past 21 years. I started my professional career at Overlook Elementary School, where I served as a teacher in the primary and intermediate grades for 19 years. Afterward, I worked with the Middle School administrative team to improve the climate of the building as the School Climate Officer. 

My academic background started at Millersville University, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After teaching for a few years, I attended Gwynedd Mercy University for my Master of Science as a Reading Specialist. Lastly, I returned to Gwynedd Mercy for my certification in School Administration.

As a homebred Abington community member, rekindling connections with families I attended school with is wonderful. In addition, it has also been a pleasure to learn about new families and form long-lasting relationships. While the academic success of students is integral for their future, their ability to connect with teachers, administrators, and classmates has a life-long impact. I believe that students have to find safe spaces and build trustworthy relationships with those they encounter on a daily basis. I am here to be the connector and bridge between academic achievement and fostering a sense of community. 

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, baking, and going on adventures. My husband and I love giving back to our community.  It is our hope to set a good example for our children while they grow up in the twenty-first century.

With that said, it is my goal to serve the Copper Beech community with excellence where everyone belongs.

Email Ms. Simone Doctor

Hi Copper Beech families! I am an Elementary Curriculum Specialist at Copper Beech and the district’s Department Chair for APEX (gifted education). Prior to this, I served as Assistant Principal at McKinley Elementary, and was also an elementary teacher and an APEX teacher within the Abington School District.   

My dual roles allow for multiple opportunities to support the students of Copper Beech. I truly believe my role as an educator is to help every child feel success, both academically and socially, hopefully on a daily basis.  One of my main goals as an educator has always been to help create an environment where kids want to come to school and where they understand that effort is recognized and appreciated, both in and out of the classroom.

Our Copper Beech staff continues to be dynamic and dedicated to our children, and I encourage the our families to reach out with any questions or concerns as we work together.   Here’s to another successful school year!

Email Mr. Rob Howe

It is with great illustrious pride to begin this school year as a Curriculum Specialist at Copper Beech Elementary School, where “Together is a Wonderful Place to Be!”. The 2022-2023 school year marks my twentieth year in education. I am excited to collaborate with the parents and staff in upholding Copper Beech’s strong commitment to academic excellence and sense of community.

Prior to becoming a Curriculum Specialist at Copper Beech, I was a special education teacher within Abington School District. Prior to that, I was the Lead Service Coordinator at Elwyn Early Intervention Services, Assistant Director of the Saturday Program at the Center for Autism, and Special Education Supervisor within a Philadelphia Charter School.

My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University, a Masters of Science in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Walden University, Masters of Arts in Teaching Special Education from Walden University, certification in Educational Leadership from Delaware Valley University, and I am a Licensed Behavior Specialist. I am presently pursuing my certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analysis from the Florida Institute of Technology.

During my free time, I enjoy reading, working out on my Peloton, being active within the community with my sorority, and spending time with my family and friends.  This school year, my husband and I will celebrate eight wonderful years of marriage.

As a lifelong learner, I truly believe that education is a failure if it cannot be used to solve the problems that confront us in daily life. With that, I am eager to continue serving the community and helping our students succeed in the classroom both academically and socially. Here’s to a wonderful and successful school year at Copper Beech Elementary!

Email Ms. Yolanda Morris