Instructors
Jennifer August
As an artist, Jennifer August is captivated by the light play of contrasts characterized by strong lines and soft pauses. Her CHEER Academy art students will be immersed in a carousel of learning modules that stretch the imagination and fill the spirit.
In 2015, Jennifer was recognized by the Rehoboth Art League as teacher of the year for art outreach and STEAM (STEM+Art) classes. As a graphic designer, she has created brands for national and emerging companies. In 2018, the American Art Therapy Association awarded its legislative service award to Jennifer for her work in bringing about licensure for Art Therapists in Delaware. She now works as a Licensed Professional Art Therapist in Delaware and Maryland, treating all ages in her Lewes practice, The Art Therapy Way.
The CHEER Academy courses will be art-for-wonderful art, and not shoulder into mental health realms. Come create!
Bob Burakiewicz
Bob Burakiewicz is a seasoned Retirement Income Planner with over 30 years of experience helping retirees and pre retirees protect their savings an enjoy peace of mind in their retirement years. As the founder of Optimum Retirement Group, Bob specializes in “Safe Money” strategies that protect lifetime income without market guesswork. Known for his warm, down-to-earth style, Bob uses humor and clear language to make topics simple. Bob will take it slow, keep it fun, and never talk over your head. You will leave each class saying, “I can do this?”
Heather Capezio
Heather Capezio is an artist and art educator, leading groups through hands-on art experiences throughout Delaware. She creates mixed media, using texture and natural elements in static art pieces, as well as creating wearable art with pyrography and paint.
Heather Capezio collaborates with art groups throughout Delaware. She is a member of Mispillion Art League and Milton Art Guild, as well as the Developing Artist Collective. She displays with Wilmington-area art groups and has participated in Wilmington’s Art Battle. She regularly enters work into gallery shows for both group and individual displays. She is certified in Creative Aging curriculum through DE Division of Arts, and studies new techniques to continually grow her skills and art knowledge.
Laurie DeLaski
Laurie DeLaski is a retired Certified Industrial Hygienist and Safety Professional and taught worker safety for more than 40 years. She began her Tai Chi journey after retiring and moving to Lewes, DE. The practice greatly reduced her stress, allowing clearer thought and greater inner peace. Laurie wanted to provide that experience to others and increase her own practice by teaching Tai Chi. She is a certified teacher at Silver Lotus Institute and is also certified by Dr. Paul Lam, a world-renowned expert in the benefits of Tai Chi.
Joe Florio
Welcome! I bring years of teaching, ministry, and relationship centered leadership to Glimpses of God’s Character. With a Master’s in Biblical Studies from Alliance Theological Seminary and more than two decades of teaching children and adults in faith based settings, I strive to create engaging, welcoming spaces where Scripture comes alive and honest questions are encouraged. My ministry experience includes mentoring Native American youth and adults, leading adult small groups, and serving communities through practical care. I am also the author of two faith based children’s books, Faith, Blossoms, and Honey Bees! and My Dream Farm! My hope is to guide others toward a deeper awareness of God’s presence in everyday life through exploring God’s identity.
Deb Hunt
Deb is a retired Special Education teacher and certified IIN Health Coach. A long life health and fitness enthusiast, she has practiced mindfulness for years. When she became caretaker for her mother, she joined her in a Tai Chi class. The benefits Deb felt drove her to immerse herself in the practice. Deb has a number of teaching certificates through the Tai Chi for Health institute, including Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Tai Chi for Arthritis 2, seated Tai Chi, and Tai Chi for Hearth condiitons. Deb has a level 1 certification in Qigong from Nick Loffree. She has Level 1 and 2 certificates in Qigong and Tai Chi from the Silver Lotos Training Institute.
Suzanne M. Jackson
Suzy is an accomplished teacher, artist, and crafter. She has taught paint night classes and private craft parties for many years in her home state of NJ. She also takes commissions online at her Facebook and Instagram shop, OMG Crafts. Her experience includes acrylic and watercolor painting, crocheting, sewing, and many other mediums. She recently relocated to Long Neck to live with her fiancée, her soon to be father-in-law, her two-year-old mini golden doodle, and her four-month-old Cavachon. She works as a bus driver for Harbor Lights CHEER Activity Center, where she enjoys interacting with her clients and coworkers. She is currently enrolled in an art therapy certification course. Suzy is excited to offer Watercolor Basics this spring and help students of all experience levels learn techniques and apply them to their classroom projects.
Lester James
I was born in Reidsville Georgia into a family of 11. At the age of two, my parents moved us to Hartford Connecticut. After graduating high school, I decided it was time to try something new, so I joined the Marine Corps. My 20 plus years in the Marines, helped shape me into the person I am today. I had the opportunity to travel the world and meet people from all walks of life. I’ve come to appreciate this beautiful country we call America. In the Marines is where I also learned to play the great game of chess. I have been playing chess competitively and for fun for over 40 years. I’ve played in close to 100 tournaments, I have won a few and of course lost a few, but teaching chess is where I find my most enjoyment. I feel chess is more than just a board game – I believe it can teach many life lessons. Both in life and in chess, you must think carefully about your moves and consider the consequences before making them.
Gregory Kompes
Gregory A. Kompes (MFA, MS Ed.), founder of The Writer Workshop, is an award winning and bestselling author of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. He served as a Subject Matter Expert during the development of SNHU’s MFA program, where he now teaches fiction courses and serves as a thesis advisor.
Abigail McCallister
Abigail McCallister is a Spanish teacher whose interests include poetry, fictional writing, Latin American culture and Spanish language. She received her master’s degree in Spanish Literature and Foreign languages from the University of Delaware, where she received a grant to present papers at Cincinnati University; before that, she presented papers in several countries including Chile, Costa Rica and Honduras, among others.
She has been a Spanish teacher at different levels, especially middle school and high school levels. She was an International Baccalaureate teacher at an international school in Central America where she also served as the drama club IB coordinator. In addition, she has taught Spanish in a variety of courses including Spanish composition, Spanish for medical providers, Spanish courses at Delaware Tech, University of Delaware and she has served as an invited adjunct in two universities in El Salvador. Abigail is a professional writer and poet who has had the opportunity to participate in international events; currently she has published her books on Amazon.
Her main dream is to provide her students with communication strategies so that they can build cultural bridges effectively with people from other cultures.
Dennis O’Neal
Dennis started teaching and calling square dancing in Frisco, Colorado in 2006. He is a member of the Callerlab, the largest organization of Square Dance Callers in the world. He is currently teaching/calling for two clubs on the Eastern Shore, “The Pine Steppers” and the Dorchester Swingers”. Square Dance is “Friendship set to Music”, it’s a lively and social form of fold dance.
Barbara Popiel
Barbara is a passionate yoga teacher (RYT-200) with over 15 years of experience guiding students toward strength, stillness, and self-discovery. Rooted in the wisdom of yoga’s eight-limbed path, her teaching blends mindful movement, joyful energy, and heartfelt connection. Drawing from her own experiences with fitness, injury, and healing, Barbara teaches with compassion and clarity. She emphasizes anatomy, alignment, and self-awareness – encouraging each student to move in a way that feels authentic and supportive. In her classes, modifications are celebrated as signs of growth, not limitation. After many years of mentoring and managing in the corporate world, Barbara chose to follow her heart and dedicate herself fully to teaching yoga. She believes that yoga is not just practice, but a lifelong journey toward balance, resilience, and joy. Off the mat, Barbara finds peace in her home gym, out walking, or tending her garden. Her greatest joy comes from time spent with her family-especially her grandchildren, who remind her daily of the beauty in presence and play.
Donna Reynolds
Donna Reynolds has been teaching Texercise at the CHEER Long Neck Center for some time now. This program was introduced to CHEER Center in Long Neck by retired Texercise Instructor Linda Payne, who taught the class for 10 years. The class is 1 hour and will be taught by Donna Reynolds, a retired Recreation Therapist and Physical Educator.
Jon Smith
Jon Smith, PMP, serves on the boards of five genealogical societies and holds multiple leadership roles, including Secretary and Education Chair of the North Carolina Genealogical Society. In addition, he serves as the Education Chair for the Sussex County (Delaware) Genealogical Society and the Howard County (Maryland) Genealogical Society, President of Family Historians On-Line, and the Genealogist for the North Carolina Cline Family Association. In addition, Jon serves as an instructor of Genealogy for Howard County Community College in Maryland.
Jon regularly provides presentations to genealogical societies, primarily across North Carolina, and recently spoke at the North Carolina Genealogical Society’s Annual Conference.
All sixteen branches of Jon’s family settled in the Hickory, North Carolina area by 1790 and remained there. As a result, he frequently encounters cousins in that area during his research and collaborates in a close-knit research group of eight cousins, since everyone relates to each other in multiple ways.
Jon earned his master’s degree from Florida State University with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His genealogical interests center on DNA analysis, particularly endogamy, artificial intelligence applications, and the development of analytical tools for family tree research and evaluation.
Lyndsie Smyser
Lyndsie fell in love with cardio drumming as a form of exercise nearly 5 years ago after taking a class at a local gym in Maryland, and has been taking classes both in person and virtually ever since! In January of 2025, she moved to Delaware and completed her “Drums Alive” certification to become a Cardio Drumming instructor. She has also completed the “Golden Beats” Drums Alive training, which is specific to teaching seniors. Lyndsie loves working with Cardio Drumming students of all ages, and teaches locally at several Senior Centers and libraries. Her goal is to make her classes challenging for those who really want to work out, but accessible to everyone through modifications. She loves Cardio Drumming because it’s so much fun, that it doesn’t even feel like exercise!
Amy Stiefel
Amy has 20 years experience teaching and living within the path of yoga. She received her Yoga Alliance Certifications in 2005/2006 and received her Yoga Therapy credentials from International Association of Yoga in 2021 and has taught over 1,000 classes through the years! Amy is dedicated to sharing the essence of yoga: a traditional yoga philosophy and practice available to everyone. The primary focus is on safety, and teaching careful alignment combined with conscious breath & a quiet mind. All classes are encouraging and supportive. You will always feel welcomed, accepted, and celebrated for your Authentic Self. No judgement, no competition. Just show up! That is the hardest part…Amy is looking forward to guiding you on a wonderful journey of health and self-transformation!
Gary Tompkins
Gary is a retired RN and has been practicing Tai Chi since 1987. He has previously worked with masters in Austin, TX and Denver, CO and is currently studying with instructors from Silver Lotus Training Institute in Lewes DE. He is certified by Silver Lotus in Qigong and Beginner Tai Chi Forms and by Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute in Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention. Gary is also a Reiki master practitioner and a woodworker making bowls. His passion for Tai Chi stems from his initial Tai Chi experience where he developed and gained better coordination, balance, strength and energy. His desire is to share Tai Chi experience and help others to develop in similar ways.
Kelly Valeski
Line dancing found me in 1997 at a country music festival, and the moment I stepped onto the floor, I was hooked. The music, the movement, and the energy of the dance floor sparked something in me that has never faded.
In 2011 I started teaching beginner classes at a local senior center and the rest is history. Working with beginners quickly became my true passion. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching students gain confidence, master steps, feel that sense of accomplishment, and grow into dancers ready to take on the next level.
Today I share my love of dance with all levels at local venues, community events, and fundraisers. My mission is to create a friendly, upbeat atmosphere where anyone can step onto the floor, shake off the stress of everyday life, build new friendships, and feel the joy that dance brings.
Gretchen Wolfe
Gretchen is a retired first grade teacher who began her Tai Chi journey because she was interested in finding a way to relieve stress and improve her flexibility and balance. Through learning and practicing Tai Chi she was able to not only improve her health, she found great joy in the practice. Gretchen wanted to share the joy with others and attended programs to become certified to teach. She is certified by Silver Lotus in the teaching of Qigong and Beginning Tai Chi forms and certified by Dr. Paul Lam in the teaching of Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.