Meet Our Faculty

“Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character. “

I first fell in love with science while studying Biology as part of the International Baccalaureate Programme in my hometown of Yonkers, NY. Designing labs and analyzing data provided me with moments of joy, frustration, and unending curiosity. What I enjoyed most was the collaboration science required to carry out experiments. Leading study groups and sharing resources with my classmates helped me realize that I wanted to become a teacher.

I went on to major in Adolescent Education and Biology at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Shortly after, I began a teaching fellowship at Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY that allowed me to teach full-time and attend graduate school at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York, NY.

Working at RCDS helped me realize my role as a teacher extended beyond the classroom. It didn’t matter how much I knew about science if my students weren’t able to connect with and trust me. I found purpose in participating in committees, affinity groups, and even co-founded a mentoring group for girls of color called Uplift. Each year, my vision as a teacher changes based on the students I am fortunate to spend time with and get to know. I believe that for students to learn best, they need to feel affirmed and supported.

"As a science teacher, I work hard to create an environment that is fun, engaging, and provides a safe place for children to explore their natural imagination, curiosity and creativity. "

I am dedicated to incorporating visual and performing arts into the lessons I teach, making challenging content more meaningful and leaving a strong, lasting impression.  My passion for science, the arts, and the natural world have helped me develop as a professional and connect with my students.  After teaching science at The Lab School of Washington for 17 years, I am very excited to join the community at Potomac School. 

I grew up in Mclean, VA,  and as a child I loved riding my bike to the local creek, hopping rock to rock, catching crayfish, and exploring the woods.  That creek happens to be the same one that runs through our campus--Pimmit Run.  My summers were spent living abroad in Cairo, Egypt where I would enjoy two months of exploring the city, the ancient sites, and the Red Sea.  That experience led to a deep love of culture, history, and the beauty of our planet. 

Outside of teaching science, I enjoy spending time with my family (my wife, four teenager and a rescue dog), gardening, playing and composing music, soccer, and adventuring in the outdoors.  

"I am extremely proud and excited to become a member of the faculty of The Potomac School."

I look forward to working with and getting to know all of the teachers, staff, students and families of the School.

Prior to coming to The Potomac School, I taught special education in the emotional disabilities program at Walt Whitman High School from 2008-14. I was the defensive coordinator for the football program for over five years and was also an assistant coach for the wrestling program for three years. I also coached baseball for eight years for the KOA sports program, based out of Bethesda.

I am a 2001 graduate of Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda. After Whitman, I attended a post-graduate year at Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, Maine. (A quick fact about Bridgton: it is the oldest and only one year post-graduate program in the country.

I graduated from High Point University in North Carolina in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. Following High Point, I enrolled in Johns Hopkins University School of Education, where I received my master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in mild to moderate disabilities.

In addition, it is fun to note that I am first cousins with another excellent faculty member at The Potomac School, Claire Berg.

“In 2007, I spent a year in Istanbul on a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship and taught high school math in a Turkish private school.”

I hail from Boston and have earned two degrees in secondary mathematics education--a bachelor’s from Boston University and a master’s from Framingham State College. After graduation, I worked for several years in a Massachusetts public school where I taught all levels of math, from Algebra 1 through AP Calculus. In 2007, I spent a year in Istanbul on a Fulbright Teacher Exchange Scholarship and taught high school math in a Turkish private school. I loved my time abroad, contracted the travel bug and, after a few years back in Massachusetts, took off for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I spent three years teaching integrated and IB math at an international private school in Malaysia while exploring Southeast Asia.

I feel so fortunate to have had caring, inspiring and motivating teachers when I was growing up – from my third-grade teacher, who believed in my abilities; to my only female high school math teacher, who was proof that women could be both caring and smart; to my adventurous French teacher who taught me how to discover the world. I bring everything that I’ve learned from them to my students with the hope of challenging, inspiring and motivating the next generation.

“My high-school choir teacher was so inspiring that after one semester of college I changed my major from the social sciences to music education.”

I have been a musician most of my life, since reluctantly starting piano at age seven and enthusiastically beginning the violin at nine. I have had the privilege of studying with excellent teachers and playing and singing in outstanding ensembles. My high-school choir teacher was so inspiring that after one semester at the University of Kansas I changed my major from the social sciences to music education. I wanted to help students experience the joy that music had brought me. Upon hearing my plans, my high-school counselor dolefully announced that I was wasting my potential. He couldn’t have been more wrong. Every day, I get to share the joy of playing music with students of many ages and abilities. Through my teaching, I strive to help students improve their technical and expressive skills so they can better convey emotions without words. Making music makes us part of a human endeavor that started with the earliest man and will continue as long as there are people. Waste my potential? Hardly! Helping my fantastic students reach their potential is a wonderful career.

"Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling, being in nature, and participating in my children's sports and activities."

I'm excited to be part of the Potomac School community. I have previously taught French and Spanish at an independent school for boys in Canada, in Fairfax County Public Schools, and at The Langley School, where I also served as the world languages department chair. I graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor's degree in international relations and also received bachelor's and master's degrees in education. In addition, I obtained my Magistere in French Language at the Centre Experimental de Civilisation Francaise associe a La Sorbonne in Paris. Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling, being in nature, and participating in my children's sports and activities.

"Let what you love be what you do."  - Rumi

For the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of supporting students' educational growth in both special education and kindergarten classrooms.  I'm thrilled to bring my love of teaching and creativity to the Potomac School community.  Working with our youngest learners is a gift - their joy and curiosity are contagious!  Truly, there are no bad days in Kindergarten! 

Before teaching, I owned a fashion accessory business and worked on marketing campaigns for nonprofits, publishers, and Nordstrom.  I hold a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the State University of New York - Fashion Institute of Technology.

When I'm not in the classroom, you can find me designing jewelry, riding my Peloton, tailgating at UVA, or snuggling with my toy poodle, Gelato. 

"Growing up in China's remote Xinjiang province, my childhood memory is filled with communities of different cultures and languages.  I had always dreamed of becoming a teacher one day, helping people of diverse backgrounds to interact, connect, and become friends with each other."

I graduated from Beijing Normal University with a BA in English, before coming to America to study at the University of Delaware for a MA in Teaching English as a Second Language. With the career goal of language teaching, I became certified in both ESOL and Chinese language after graduation. In past years, I have taught at both public and private schools in Maryland and Virginia. In March 2019, I was brought to Potomac as a long-term substitute, and in August 2022 as a faculty member. When I first taught at Potomac, I was constantly inspired by the creativity of the students and the professional ethics of colleagues and administrators here.   

When teaching in classrooms, I strive to create a warm, comfortable and positive environment to motivate my students. To develop students’ language proficiency, global awareness, cultural curiosity, and interest in learning Chinese, I place a strong emphasis on creating rich language learning experiences in my classroom where students engage in group discussions, hands-on activities, contests, short film clips, blogs, and games. Language learning is meant to be fun.  

With the splendid Chinese civilization of 5000 years, and an open, dynamic and cooperative academic environment here at Potomac, I am thrilled to welcome each student to the Chinese classes, and we will have some productive yet fun years ahead together!

"I am looking forward to sharing my insight on the college admission process with the Potomac community while being an integrated member of our school community."

Early on in my admissions career, I realized the importance of putting the person above the process by personalizing and humanizing the admissions process and having honest conversations with parents and students. I am pleased to be able to create meaningful and lasting relationships in my new role in Potomac’s College Counseling Office.

As a high school student at Northfield Mount Hermon School, I worked closely with my teachers and mentors and always appreciated the time, care, and interest they took in my activities. I am looking forward to sharing my insight on the college admission process with the Potomac community while being an integrated member of our school community.

Originally from the Boston area, I attended and graduated from The University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in history in 2005. Upon completion of my undergraduate program, I worked in college admissions in the Boston area, first at Boston University and then at Emerson College. In 2011, I received my Master of Education in higher education administration from Northeastern University. After one too many New England winters I decided to move to Washington, DC, and began working in the undergraduate admission office at American University, where I worked for nearly four years, recruiting and guiding parents and students from around the world through the admission process. My professional affiliations include The Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and the Potomac and Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling (PCACAC).

On a more personal note, despite living in DC for the past five years, I am still a devoted and die-hard Boston sports fan; go Pats! I also enjoy visiting Nantucket and the White Mountains whenever I am back in the New England. Closer to my new home, I try to take advantage of all that DC has to offer and am looking forward to attending many events here on campus at Potomac.