Alyssa Verdi

Owner & Lead Guide, Discovery Studio

Alyssa Verdi is Ascend’s founder and is a former public school teacher. Alyssa holds a Master’s of Education K-12 degree and has over 12 years of experience working in both the public and private sectors. She is passionate about providing an alternative to traditional education in order to serve the local communities.

Keri Pelak

Lead Guide, Voyager Studio

Keri joined the Ascend team in September of 2022 as the Lead Guide in our Lower Elementary studio (now called the Voyager Studio). Keri started her career off by providing early intervention services to children in the local community for several years. From there, she decided she wanted to go into full-time teaching. In 2011, Keri graduated from Felician University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Elementary Education.

As of now, Keri is working on obtaining her Montessori Early Childhood Certification. She is a lifelong learner who loves self-education.

“Working with children has always been a passion of mine. It wasn’t until my son started kindergarten that I began working at our local school. After feeling as though there was something missing from the public school experience, I decided to homeschool with a small group of friends. Homeschooling has opened my heart to an entirely different approach to education; but I still wanted more and that’s why I have decided to join Ascend. I am beyond grateful for this wonderful opportunity to become part of the team.” -Keri Pelak

Keri currently lives in Dingmans Ferry with her husband and two children. She loves the outdoors; and you can often find her hiking, doing yard work, or at the beach. Her family loves to bake, and as a family they also enjoy exploring new places and traveling.

Liz Nathan

Assistant Guide, Spark Studio

Ms. Liz’s Hero’s Journey brought her to Ascend in the fall of 2021. She has over 15 years of experience guiding children ages 3-6 at the Ann Street School. She is excited to be part of a team that looks at the child as their own special genius; where she can help guide them to learn to learn, learn to do, and learn to be. She has raised two children of her own who are now continuing their own journeys in the working world. Volunteering has always been an important part of Liz’s journey. Among other activities, she has held positions with the Boy and Girl scouts as treasurer and committee chair, as a teacher and Sunday School Superintendent at a local church, and as a class parent and PTA member in the Delaware Valley school system.

Liz earned a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in engineering. She has held positions in the paper and packaging industry doing research and development; as well as leadership in production facilities. She is very excited about the challenges ahead as she works in this new educational setting with our young heroes.