Meet Our Faculty

"A graduate school research project afforded me the opportunity to observe and analyze art classes in Japan for grades K through 5. I completed a research project on the developmental stages of Japanese children’s art according to media."

Ever since my childhood, I have been drawn to making art and exploring the outdoors. With little time in the school day devoted to my favorite pursuits, the day in the classroom felt long. Third grade, however, was different. That was the year I attended an experimental school.The school believed that children are innately aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and that they are best equipped to self-select a curriculum that meets their learning style. Rotating between art, science and physical education, third grade was a dream. Upon reflection I now see how the experimental system would have failed me in the long run, and my parents were finally forgiven for pulling me out.

Yet it was not until undergraduate and graduate school that my education was once again geared toward my life passions: art-making and outdoor recreation. I had enthusiastic support for: sharing ideas about art and artists, discussing one’s own and other’s art-making experiences, talking about the nature of art and artists, and examining the work of artists both past and present. A Semester at Sea program my sophomore year gave me insight into arts and cultures from many countries around the world as well as the itch for more travel. Junior year I attended art school in Rome, Italy, where my art history books came to life with so many of the painters, sculptors and architects I had studied. A graduate school research project afforded me the opportunity to observe and analyze art classes in Japan for grades K through 5. I completed a research project on the developmental stages of Japanese children’s art according to media. I still use some of the fresh and inventive techniques learned from this research in my classroom today.

Although I continue to use many strategies taught in my own college art education courses, I have also changed my ways of thinking over the years. In my fourth year of teaching, I became a parent. Observing my children make art gave me new insight and heavily influenced my teaching. Whether arranging stones, sticks and sand in unusual ways or bringing invented worlds to life with Play-Doh, I realized there was no shortage of imaginative ideas. The ongoing narrative dialog that took place during creative play showed that they naturally discussed the creative process. It was the most honest art I had witnessed. I no longer wanted to impose my adult ideas for art-making on the purest form of art: children’s art. Instead my place in the process was to provide enthusiastic support for their exploration while setting up artistic situations that inspire them.

As my students search, discover and invent, they never cease to provide fresh observations and inspire me with their creative ideas and art. A circular relationship exists where we are learning from each other. Sharing ideas, discussing works in progress, providing feedback and working on methods to refine works with a supportive and interested audience are vital to the growth of all artists. As an artist/teacher, the more immersed I am with my own art, the greater understanding my students gain from the art processes of others. Being an artist/teacher at The Potomac School, I am where I have always wanted to be: working with a community of artists and often enjoying the beautiful outdoor campus.

"The classical ideal of sound body and sound mind has always appealed to me, and it is one I seek to instill in my students and athletes here at Potomac."

The classical ideal of sound body and sound mind has always appealed to me, and it is one I seek to instill in my students and athletes here at Potomac. Teaching Latin and coaching cross-country and track have given me a unique opportunity to work with students over the span of several years.  Remembering the challenges of balancing academics and athletics in both high school and college enables me to identify with the typical Potomac student experience. Furthermore, teaching and coaching is a wonderful way to honor the tremendous support and dedication that my own teachers and coaches provided me. Having grown up in the area and attended a Jesuit high school and Quaker college, I feel at home here at Potomac both in terms of locality and ideology.

The early childhood years are where we teach students to dream while they are awake. Albert Einstein once said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge.  Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

During my very first visit to the Potomac Lower School, I knew it was a perfect place for me. I saw students being encouraged to invent algorithms and write their own kindergarten how-to books. When I got an opportunity to join in on the fun while being served a bamboo salad on the playground, I was hooked.  Imagination requires the use of our whole brain, which increases our students' problem-solving abilities, social-emotional development, and empathy quotient.  I love that the Potomac Lower School encourages students to use their imagination to speak their dreams into existence.

I knew that I wanted to be an educator since I was five years old when my favorite at-home activity was pretending to teach my siblings and my teddy bears.  I consider it a badge of honor that most of my life has been spent in schools.  After college, I began my teaching career as a middle school mathematics teacher and found my love of early childhood while in graduate school.  Shortly after completing my doctoral studies, I became the founding Head of School for an early childhood school that grew into a preschool to a Grade 8 parochial school during my eighteen-year tenure.  

I love the natural curiosity, the kindness, and the willingness to take academic risks of our youngest learners. I am elated to be back to exclusively focusing on the Lower School, where we teach students to dream while they are awake.

My husband, Mark, and I have five children and two grandchildren.  Our youngest son, Donovan, will be an incoming Potomac 9th grader.

"I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and my Master of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill."

Prior to coming to Potomac, I taught beginning and advanced painting, as well as digital art, at the Albert Einstein High School in Montgomery County. I also served as their yearbook adviser. I earned my bachelor's degree in Spanish and education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and my Master of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In addition, I have had my work exhibited in half a dozen shows.

"It is refreshing every day to come to work with a group of students who want to learn."

Learning about the past has always intrigued me, and I think sharing that curiosity with my students is the most rewarding part of my job. With the help of Potomac, I have had many opportunities to travel and hone my craft. Most recently, last summer I spent a week in England exploring the mystery surrounding the death of King Richard III. He was one of the most hated kings in English history, and he had a dramatic death, but the discovery of his body 450 years gave his story new life. This trip, like many others, gave me a newfound focus and passion that I was able to share with my students.

Over the past 13 years, Potomac has certainly helped foster my love of teaching and learning. I have loved every moment. From the children, to the parents, to my fellow teachers, I have found a real home. It is refreshing every day to come to work with a group of students who want to learn.

My education background has always been English language arts/history. After receiving my bachelor's degree in English/creative writing from San Diego State University, I decided to pursue my graduate degree in British literature/history. Upon graduating from SDSU, I immediately found a love for teaching 6th graders, and this is the age group I have been working with ever since. Sixth graders are fun, energetic, and always keep me on my toes. There is never a dull moment in my classroom, and not one day has ever felt like the one before. I consider myself lucky to have such a profession and love of learning.

“To find your passion in life is to know you would do that one thing for free, every day, for the rest of your life. To make your passion your job every day is the ultimate dream.”

Since I was 9 years old, I’ve known that Theatre Arts was my passion. Every day, I am blessed to have my passion as my actual job…what better way to live this life we’ve been given?

Creating tangible art from the pages of a script, building life on stage from a blank space and watching students breathe life into characters, are my great joys as an educator. There is no better moment than seeing a student’s confidence grow before your eyes…to watch their “light” turn on..to see them recognize their true power within. 

Drawing upon my professional experiences from performing on Broadway, off Broadway, national tours and regional theatre, I love imparting this knowledge to my students as they embark upon their own professional careers and theatrical journeys!

As a faculty member at Potomac, I am incredibly honored to work with such distinguished educators as we all work towards the same goals…fostering a rooted foundation while giving wings for our students to fly!

“I want students to love learning, to take pride in their accomplishments, to persevere when met with challenges, and to know I will always support them.”

Potomac is a special community. Every day I appreciate the students and the excitement they bring to the classroom. My colleagues feed my professional energy with their creative ideas and support of one another. And, of course, we’re surrounded by beauty on campus.

Growing up in Ohio and attending a small all-girls middle and high school, the teachers I loved and remember to this day were the ones who connected with me and pushed me beyond my comfort zone to do my personal best. More than that, however, they shared their passion and inspired me. I hope to do the same for my students.

At the University of Mary Washington, I majored in both in English and American studies, which led me to The College of William and Mary for my master’s in education. Since then, I’ve enjoyed 25+ years working in all aspects of education. My teaching career afforded me the opportunity to work with students of all ages - from preschool and high school and all grades in between, the common thread is the awe of wonder found in all my students. I want students to love learning, to take pride in their accomplishments, to persevere when met with challenges, and to know I will always support them.

In my free time, I love reading, walking our dog, and traveling with my family. From Kenya and Machu Picchu to America’s National Parks and North Carolina’s Outer Banks, being outdoors fuels my spirit.   

"Commitment behind desire breeds success. This is the foundation of my teaching and my coaching."

I'm a local guy who grew up in Prince George’s County, MD, where I attended Central High School in Seat Pleasant. After graduating, I enrolled at Bentley College in Waltham, MA, where I played NCAA Division II basketball and majored in computer science. After my freshman year, I decided to transfer closer to home and attend the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. At UMBC, I redshirted my sophomore year before joining the university’s Division I basketball program for three years. During that time, I changed my major to sociology but continued to take computer science and information-systems classes. Upon graduation, I worked as a developer and database administrator at AT&T in Herndon and as head JV boys basketball coach and assistant varsity coach at Oxon Hill High School. The next year, I was hired as the varsity boys basketball coach at Crossland High School in Temple Hills, MD. This was a time when I found my true passion for working with young adults. After six years in the computer world, I changed careers and became a full-time teacher, which was a perfect match with my coaching aspirations. It's one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Currently, I reside in Clinton, Maryland with my wife Paulette. We have four grown children - one daughter Leah, and three sons Levi Myles, Darryl and Steven, plus three grandchildren - DJ, Aniyah and Mackenzie.

I am a native of Richmond and attended St. Christopher's School for my entire K-12 education. Afterwards, I went to William and Mary to earn a degree in Business Analytics with a specific focus on Data Science and Finance. I have spent the past few years in Tennessee working at The Webb School. I taught several classes in the math department, ranging from Algebra 1 to College Algebra and Trigonometry. I also taught both AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics. Outside of the classroom, I was a coach and worked in the school's boarding program.

I am excited to be joining the Potomac faculty in the Mathematics and History Departments this fall. I will also be working to support the school's growing EFEB curriculum. The work that many of the students in this program have done has made a real impression on me and was a major factor in my decision to join this community. I am always excited by teachers and students who want to do unique and challenging things with their curriculum, and I can't wait to be a part of their growth.