Meet Our Faculty

"After receiving a master's degree in library science at Catholic University, I found my niche as librarian at a county elementary school and then at Langley High School where I served as head librarian for the last 17 of my 20 years there."

I am happy to be working part-time in the Lower School library after retiring from Fairfax County Public Schools. Early in my career I taught preschool and second grade. After receiving a master's degree in library science at Catholic University, I found my niche as librarian at a county elementary school and then at Langley High School where I served as head librarian for the last 17 of my 20 years there.

I’m thrilled to join the second grade team at The Potomac School! I’ve been an educator for more than 20 years, teaching in DC Public Schools, DC charter schools, American University, and George Mason University. I hold a Master’s in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and I’m passionate about creating engaging, holistic learning experiences for children. In addition to teaching, I’m a stress management and mind-body medicine professional and have taught yoga and meditation to children and adults for many years. I'm passionate about holistic health practices and I am a full spectrum doula. Originally from Connecticut, I’ve lived in Washington, DC since 1996. I enjoy spending time with my two teenagers and our rescue dog, Ziggy, reading, and walking in the woods and I’m passionate about traveling to historic civil rights landmarks in the South and learning the stories they hold.

“The world needs all kinds of minds.” — Temple Grandin

This quote resonates deeply with my approach to teaching. I strive to be the kind of educator who makes every student feel a sense of belonging and confidence in their unique abilities and perspectives. Each child has something valuable to contribute, and it is my goal to create a classroom environment that celebrates that diversity.

I grew up in Ohio and earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Miami University. I spent eleven years teaching in public schools there, where I developed a strong foundation in student-centered learning.

Ten years ago, I moved to the Washington, DC area and continued my work in education, expanding my experiences beyond the traditional classroom. I served as the camp director at the National Zoo and later worked as an intelligence educator for the federal government.

Most recently, I’ve returned to my roots in the classroom. For the past two years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching fourth grade at Browne Academy in Alexandria. Now, I am thrilled to be joining the middle school team at Potomac. It’s clear to me already that this is an extraordinary community of faculty, staff, and students, and I am honored to be part of it.

Outside of school, my family and I love to stay active and explore the outdoors. We enjoy hiking, kayaking, and traveling—anything that brings us together in nature and new experiences.

"Apart from history, I am an avid fly fisherman in search of the next “tug” from a rainbow or brown trout or, if lucky, an Atlantic salmon."

I have always had an interest in history. And, although I enjoy all areas of history, I am mostly committed to fulfilling my passion to study the history and historiography of Ancient Rome and Greece. I find that history teaches students skills--writing and analysis, among others--that will commute to other classes and undoubtedly aid the student in their futures endeavors.

Apart from history, I am an avid fly fisherman in search of the next “tug” from a rainbow or brown trout or, if lucky, an Atlantic salmon. I find fly fishing to be relaxing and meditative. It provides a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and affords me the opportunity to interact with our natural environment.

I was drawn to Potomac immediately after meeting a few Upper School administers and feeling the enthusiasm and zeal they emitted while explaining the school. Then, after my initial visit to McLean to see the campus and meet the faculty and students, I was completely sold on Potomac because everyone seemed happy. I cannot wait to meet the students and be a part of the Potomac School this fall.

"I have the unique experience of working closely with a dedicated team of teachers, an enthusiastic parent body, many staff members who also quietly support our mission, and most importantly - our young, eager students."

My days are never dull. As there is always something requiring my attention, I have ample opportunity to hone the skill of multi-tasking in order to best support our Middle School. I strive to do this each day with a smile, energy, dedicated effort, humility, and a sense of humor.

I love the traditions at Potomac, particularly those in the Middle School: May Day, Class Plays, Greek Olympics, Medieval Bazaar, Field Day, Tuesday morning gatherings and more. Through these events, our students have the opportunity to showcase and share their learning by practicing the critical skill of speaking comfortably to groups of both peers and adults.

My husband and I have two grown daughters who fortunately both live nearby. We spent many years living overseas for my husband’s job with the US government. We thoroughly enjoyed the years we spent in Korea, Germany, Finland, and Poland; however, we are happy now to keep our roots planted firmly in the Northern Virginia area.

"It’s important for children to see that the adults around them are curious learners."

Creative thinking is like a muscle that must be exercised daily! As an art educator, I guide my students to grow and stretch these skills through enriching interdisciplinary art projects and experiences that bring the world of art into the classroom. Introducing children to a new medium, like binding a sketchbook or designing a papier-mâché sculpture, is the most rewarding part of my work in art education. I strive to design lessons that set up students for success but also motivate them to think critically and explore new artistic directions. My curriculum is centered on authenticity and creativity. I often use picture books as the springboard for my art lessons, and I encourage open-ended inquiry of materials with an emphasis on the learning process of creating art, rather than on the finished product.

When I’m not teaching, the activities that bring the most joy are my international travels, spending time in the mountains and on the water, and making my own art. I’m a mixed media artist, primarily creating works on paper and making sculptures with fabric or metal. I’ve exhibited my artwork in solo and group shows in Massachusetts, New York, and beyond. I have found it invaluable to my teaching practice to explore my own artistic interests outside of the classroom. It’s important for children to see that the adults around them are curious learners, and overcoming my own artistic obstacles makes me compassionate towards students when they get frustrated with a new technique.

I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, where my childhood interests in writing stories, drawing, and spending time in nature flourished. After graduating from art school at Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking in 2005, I moved to Western Massachusetts to launch my career in art education. For nine years I had the unique opportunity designing and teaching workshops and classes in a variety of mediums to children, families, and teachers from across the country and around the world at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. I served as an adjunct professor for two years teaching introductory printmaking at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. That role opened my eyes to even more possibilities in art education. I completed a Masters of Arts in Teaching and licensure in Visual Art grades pre-K through 12 from Mount Holyoke College in 2017. Since starting at Potomac, I've tried to take full advantage of the rich art and culture the DC area has to offer!

"My favorite aspect of the Potomac community is the strength of relationships I am able to develop with the students I coach."

A native of Maryland's Eastern Shore, I attended boarding school at Saint James School in Hagerstown, Maryland before earning my Bachelor of Arts in History from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.  I developed a love of teamwork and competition during my scholastic and collegiate career both in the classroom and on the playing fields and I am grateful for the life lessons l learned through academics and athletics.

After beginning my professional career as a wealth advisory representative for RBC Wealth Management, I began coaching youth, high school, and club lacrosse in 2010.  At Potomac, I am an Assistant Director of Admission, the Head Boys Lacrosse Coach, and an Assistant Coach with the football team.

I live in Washington, DC with my wife, Alison, and our cat, Pippa.  We enjoy cooking, hiking, traveling, and celebrating the joys of life together.  In my free time, you will find me on the golf course, playing with my nieces, or reading in our hammock.

"I love teaching and coaching and Potomac allows me to do both. I can be teaching first graders how to throw overhand in the morning, coaching an eighth grader on the finer points of how to shoot a layup in the afternoon and spending the evening explaining how our JV basketball team is going to execute a full court press. I love all of it!"

I am still an avid athlete and enjoy running, weight lifting and golf. I graduated from George Mason University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My greatest accomplishments are rising triplets and pitching in three college world series while playing softball at George Mason.