Staff Directory | Directorio

School Year 2011-2012

Administration
Monica Liang-Aguirre, Principal
Ibis Villegas, Assistant Principal (Primary Campus)
Sandi Baer, Interim Assistant Principal (Intermediate Campus)

Instructional Support
Sandra Gutierrez, Instructional Coach
Melissa Mohammed, Technology Coordinator
Christina Morado, Instructional Coach (Intermediate)
Rick Quinones, Instructional Coach (Primary)

Student Support
Fran Arch, Counselor
Claudia Ayllón, Social Worker (Primary Campus)
Harriet Kuhn, School Psychologist
Teresa Maisonet-Menendez, Special Education Coordinator

Melissa Shaw, Social Worker (Intermediate Campus)

After-School Programming
John Horne, OST Coordinator

Connie Oliver, OCA Director
Silvia Segovia, OCA Assistant Director

Office Personnel
Carla Anderson, Administrative Assistant (Primary Campus)
Myrna Irizarry, Administrative Assistant (Primary Campus)

Susana Oviedo, Administrative Assistant (Intermediate Campus)
Ana Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant (Intermediate Campus)
Edith Shorts, Business Manager

School Nurse
June Robinson, Primary Campus
Elsie Geffrard and Deborah Owens, Intermediate Campus

Instructional Staff (Primary Campus)
Early Childhood Center (ECC ): Veronica McKillop
Pre-K A: Magdalena Saavedra, Spanish/ Roxane Kovin, English
Pre-K B: Gina Ramirez, Spanish/ Melissa Grant, English
KA: Carolina Clarens, English/ Mawilcri Santos, Spanish
KB: Melissa DaCosta, English / Sonia Coca, Spanish
KC: Kaitlyn McKechnie, English / Elisa Fruh, Spanish
1A: Tamara Crespo-Posso, Spanish / Rosalie Garrett, English
1B: Rafael de las Heras, Spanish / Alexis Leonesio, English
1C: Elisa Landa, Spanish / Crystal Taveras, English
2A: Caroline Finn, English / Roxana Bustios, Spanish
2B: Mike Benson, English / Sonia Canales, Spanish
2C: Nilda Ramos, English / Vivian Secaida, Spanish
3A: Carme Garcia Lafuente, Spanish / Pamela Ross, English
3B: Ana López, Spanish /, Richard Golland, English
3C: Vanesa Gracia, Spanish / Allyson Connolly, English

Special Education: Ann Wilson & Madeleine Kleinman

 

Art: Fiona Murphy
Library: Laura Kleinmann
Music: Sylvia Zwi
PE: Stephen Springer

Instructional Aides/Interns:
Sandra Fridley, Maria Fuentes, Jimmie Gibson, Maritza Hernandez, Ofir Hurtado, LaQuoesha Jackson, Juan Larios, Edgar Martinez, Karen Morales, Paula Pettigrew, Lindsey Puhlman, Sarah Sheffield

Instructional Staff (Intermediate Campus)
4A: Ed Dixon, English / Oscar de la Puente, Spanish
4B: Malcolm Rivers, English / José Bustios, Spanish
4C: Missy Alden, English / Daniel Sanchez, Spanish
5A: Lavina Carrillo, Spanish/ Juan Ucles, English
5B: Pablo Girón, Spanish/ Carrie Roling, English
5C: Maribel Jimeno, Spanish/ Anne Brainard, English

Middle School
English Humanities: Katie Bunger, Paul Gerber
Spanish Humanities: Robert Ames, Eduardo Gamarra
Math: Kristin Douglas, Arlene Pérez
Science: Nereida Franco, Jason Hoeksema
Chinese Language: Hanru Li
English as a Second Language: Evelyn Manzano, Brian Muldoon
Special Education/ Read 180: Alexandria Lemus, Greg Newbold
Art: Yanitza Tavarez
Library: Leslie Smith
Music: Joseph Klapper
PE: Ana Martínez-López

Staff Bios

Nancy “Missy” Alden is a fourth grade teacher who came to Oyster-Adams in 1998. She earned in her BA in 1976 from Winthrop University and her MAT from Trinity University in 1998. Mrs. Alden’s mother is very proud that her daughter was confirmed in the Episcopal Church-in Hyde Park, New York-in the presence of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt.

Sr. Robert Ames attended schools in the Panama Canal Zone. Sr. Ames matriculated to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned his BA and JD there. He worked in law for five years before earning his MAT at AmericanUniversity. Sr. Ames has been teaching 11 years, and is licensed and Highly Qualified in Spanish (K-12), ESL (K-12) and Elementary Education (1-6). Sr. Ames lives with his wife, Noemí Rodríguez, and two daughters, both of whom are enrolled at Oyster-Adams Bilingual. Sr. Ames enjoys SCUBA diving, cooking, travelling, reading, photography, Latin dancing, biking, and above all, spending time with his family.

Fran Arch has been the school counselor at Oyster-AdamsBilingual School since 2008. A native Washingtonian, she was raised in Maryland and comes to us from Montgomery County Public Schools. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Maryland in College Park. She lives in Maryland with her husband Larry Arch, a Rockville attorney, and her daughter, Nicole, who is 20 and a senior at University ofMaryland, College Park. She also has two dogs, Cuppy and Duffy.

Claudia Ayllón, se incorporo a la familia de Oyster –Adamsen el 2010. Este año está sirviendo como trabajadora social en Oyster. Previamente Claudia trabajo en las escuelas publicas de Prince Georges por dosaños y también trabajo en la escuela secundaria Bell por 6 años. Claudiaatendió a la Universidad Católica donde obtuvo su Maestría en Trabajo Social. Claudia pasa su tiempo libre muy ocupada con su niño de 5 años, y su esposo.

Sandi Baer, Interim Assistant Principal for the Intermediate Campus, has been at Adams since it became Oyster-Adams. She was the first English teacher for the Middle School and has been an administrator for four years. Ms. Baer has degrees from the University of Illinois, Northwestern University and American University. Before becoming an educator, she managed communications for various organizations, including a presidential campaign. Just like when she’s at school, Ms. Baer can also be found running outside of school – either after her twin two-year-old boys or for exercise.

Michael Benson is a 2nd grade English teacher. 2011-2012 is his second year at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Philosophy and earned his teaching credential at the University of San Francisco. He taught for nine years in public school near San Francisco, CA. Before moving to Washington, he and his wife, Hilary, traveled for 17 months in Latin America visiting 15 countries.

Anne Brainard is the 5C English teacher. She came to Oyster-Adams in 2008-2009. S he has a BA in US and American Studies from Trinity College and a master’s degree in teaching from American University. Mrs. Brainard loves seeing sports flourish, especially girls’ sports. She says that as a Title IX veteran, it is great to see legacy!

Katie Bunger began teaching seventh and eighth grade English Humanities at Oyster-Adams in the fall of 2008. Before joining the O-A community, she attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in English and Public Relations. She also attended American University where she received a Master’s Degree in teaching. When Katie is not in the classroom, she enjoys running, trying new recipes, practicing Spanish with Sr. Gamarra and cheering on the Oyster-Adams sports team.

Jose Bustios is the 4th grade Spanish teacher.

Roxana Bustios is the 2A Spanish teacher. She came to Oyster-Adams in 2008-2009. She has a BA from the Catholic University of Lima, Peru and a master’s degree George Washington University. Sra. Bustios was born and raised in Peru in a bilingual home. Her mother was American and her father Peruvian.

Sonia Canales is a 2nd grade Spanish teacher. 2011-12 is her third year at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School. Canales worked as an assistant teacher at Oyster, from 1990-1995. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Elementary Education in 1995 at UDC, and then Masters Degree in Business Administration at Strayer University 2007. She also obtained a second Masters Degree in Teaching/Learning the “Spanish Language and Its Culture” in the University of Granada, Spain 2010. She likes to travel around the world in nice cruises. She is originally from El Salvador, CA. Canales believes that every child should have the opportunity to attend college; therefore, she always calls her students “Mis univesitarios.”

Lavina Carrillo is excited to join the Oyster Adams Community this year as a 5th grade Spanish teacher. Her experience as a teacher includes teaching 2nd, 5th, 9th-12th grade students in Panama City, Panama, and adults in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lavina holds an undergraduate degree from University of Miami and graduate degree from George Washington University. When she is not in school, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the movies, visiting museums, and reading a good book.

Allyson Connelly is a third grade English Teacher at the Oyster Campus. The 2011-2012 school year is her first year teaching at Oyster-Adams. Ms. Connelly is excited to be a part of the Oyster-Adams community. Ms. Connelly is originally from Bethesda, MD and now currently living in Washington, D.C. Ms. Connelly graduated from Wake Forest University in North Carolina with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education.

Oscar De La Puente is the 4A Spanish teacher. He came to Oyster-Adams in 2009-2010. He has a BA in Political Science and is working on a master’s degree in ESL. Sr. De La Puente says that when he came to the United States, he was a second language learner. Since he grew up in a bilingual community after moving to the US, he wants to highlight the importance of being fully bilingual.

“Ed” Dixon is the 5A English teacher. He came to Oyster-Adams in 2006-2007. He has a BA in US and African History from Earlham College and two master’s degrees-one from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in South Asian Studies and one in Bilingual Special Education from George Washington University. Mr. Dixon recently starting diving and sailing and he is looking forward to retiring to the Caribbean.

Kristin Douglas has been at Oyster Adams for 3 years. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and earned a BA in Urban Studies. She then earned her MA in Teaching at American University. In addition to her love for math, Ms. Douglas also enjoys yoga, hiking, summer travel, and her book club. She is passionate about architecture, other big feats of engineering, and foreign currencies and enjoys connecting these to the middle school math curriculum.

Caroline Finn is a 2nd grade teacher in her third year at Oyster-Adams. She attended schools in Europe and in South, Central, and North America. She has taught Special Education, elementary, and adult learners in New Mexico, Florida, Spain, and Maryland. Carol has undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary, special, and multicultural education, and Healing Arts from the University of Denver, the University of Florida, and Tai Sophia Institute. With her two children, she loves to travel, hike, climb, read, and laugh.

Mrs. Nereida V. Franco has been working at Oyster-Adams for 5 years: 4th grade, 6th grade Humanities, and 6th and 7th grade Science. In the past, Mrs. Franco taught in the Spanish Immersion Program in Arlington VA, as well as 1st grade and English as a Second Language to 3rd graders in Puerto Rico. Mrs. Franco began her studies in education in Puerto Rico, and graduated from Roosevelt University in Chicago Illinois.

Elisa Fruh is in her third school year here at Oyster teaching Kindergarten. She was born and raised in Santiago, Chile were she studied early childhood education at the P. Universidad Católica. She also studied theatre as well as English. Elisa loves traveling and getting to experience different people and cultures. She finds it a great pleasure to be part of a diverse community like Oyster.

Eduardo D. Gamarra enseña Humanidades al Séptimo y Octavo Grado. Él tiene 18 años de estudios universitarios y ha obtenido los grados de Profesor de Primera Enseñanza, Profesor de Educación Secundaria, Maestría en Lengua, Literatura, Psicología y Filosofía, Licenciatura en Psicología Clínica y Social; y, así mismo , el grado de Doctor en Educación. Ha enseñado por más de 40 años y en Oyster-Adams, 19.

Carme Garcia de la Fuente is a 3rd grade teacher at Oyster-Adams. She has been teaching Spanish at the school since 2009-10. She has three degrees and a post-graduate certificate: BA in Language and Audition Pathology, BA in Elementary Education, MA in Language and Literature, and post-graduate in New Technologies in Education. La profesora is from Barcelona and is at the school through an exchange program.

Rosalie Garrett is currently in her second year teaching first grade at Oyster. She moved here from San Francisco, California where she taught 5th grade. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of California Berkeley and then her bilingual teaching credential from San Diego State. She completed a summer program in Querétaro, Mexico where she studied at a University and then taught 5th grade in Atlacamulco, Mexico. She has been working every summer to learn Spanish, studying in Cuenca, Ecuador, Oaxaca, Mexico, and Cuzco, Peru.

Mr. Gerber, who teaches English in the middle school, was born to a family of teachers in a small Connecticut town. Between then and now, he has studied and worked in New York, London, Colombia, Mexico, and Haiti. Still, he counts Echo Hill among his favorite places.

Vanesa Gracia first came to Oyster in 2007. She left and returned to Oyster-Adams in 2009 to be a third grade Spanish teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Master’s degree in Languages. Sra. Gracia has taught in several countries, mostly in Europe. She says that knowing how things work in different countries has been a great experience.

Melissa Grant is the Pre-Kindergarten English and Special Education Teacher in PreKB. 2011-12 is her fourth year at Oyster and in Washington DC! Prior to moving to DC, she taught early childhood special education and early intervention in New York City. She earned an undergraduate degree in Theatre at the University of Michigan and a Masters degree in Early Childhood Special Education and Child Life at Bank Street College of Education. Ms.Grant loves discussing and debating education issues, New York City, and her family.

Richard Golland has been teaching third grade at Oyster-Adams since August 2008. Mr.Golland has a M.A. in elementary education from American University, a M.A. ininternational relations and economics from Johns Hopkins S.A.I.S., and a B.A.in history with a minor in Spanish from Brandeis University. Mr. Golland has lived in Spain, Germany, Bosnia, Italy, Japan, and China. He is married to Lei Zhang and his son, Sean, was born in October of 2008.

Sandra Gutiérrez joined the Oyster Adams faculty as an Instructional Coach last year. Prior to becoming a part of the the OA community, Sandra worked as professional development facilitator and coach for the Center for Applied Linguistics, helping teachers incorporate best instructional practices for dual language learners. Sandra has undergraduate and graduate degrees from George Washington University and Wesleyan University. When she is not at school, she is raising two bilingual kids with her husband, doing yoga, or reading a good book.

Jason Hoeksema is the current 7th and 8th grade science teacher. He started teaching at Oyster Adams back in 2007, at the inception of the middle school. He attended Calvin College, located in Grand Rapids, MI, and received his undergraduate degree in Science, Mathematics, and Elementary Teaching. Just this past spring, he earned his Masters degree in Physics from George Washington University. Jason has a passion for outdoor education, finding opportunities for growth and responsibility within the context of nature.

Maribel Jimeno was born in Spain but has lived in the UK, Australia and the US. She was a busy advertising executive in London but changed careers after she moved to Australia and little Elena arrived. Just before that, she traveled around theworld with her husband and her windsurf equipment for 8 months. She completed a graduate degree in Education in Perth, Australia and worked as a Spanish teacher over there for 4 years. She has lived in DC since 2007 and has worked at Oyster Adams since 2009. She absolutely loves 5th graders!!!!!!!!!! and soccer.

Joseph Klapper is the music teacher at the intermediate campus.

Madeleine Kleinman is excited to join the Oyster-Adams team for the first time in 2011-2012! She teaches Special Education to students in grades Pre-K through Second. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Special Education from the University of Maryland. Ms. Kleinman works to help those students who need additional support in school to do their very best. As a student of Spanish herself, she has traveled throughout Latin and South America in order to better understand and advocate for bilingual students.

Laura Kleinmann has been the librarian at the Oyster campus for 17 years. She finds her job to fit perfectly because she loves children and books (don’t ask her in which order) and is bilingual. Ms. Kleinmann attended Smith College, the University of Mexico and the University of Maryland. She has a Masters in Library Science but considers her 6 years in Mexico to have provided her with the best part of her education.

As of the 2011-2012 school year, Roxane Kovin has taught at Oyster for 35 years! This was her first teaching job after graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has a Masters of Education in Educational Computing from University College. Mrs. Kovin initially got hired as a substitute teacher for a 2nd/3rd grade Spanish teacher who was out on maternity leave. She just happened to hang her coat in the principal’s office a month before graduating from college, and the principal, Mr. Frank Miele, hired her on the spot. He offered her no future guarantees, yet 35 years later she still teaches Pre-K!!

Harriet Lurensky Kuhn is the School Psychologist assigned to Oyster-Adams Bilingual School and has worked in DCPS for 20 years. This is her second tour of duty at O-A as she served our school from 1997-2002 and then returned in 2007 until present. She attended Simmons College in Boston where she earned a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A from Catholic University in Psychological Services and went on to complete a Master of Education in Bilingual Special Education from George Mason University. She loves children and animals and runs a weekly Humane Education program at O-A.

Elisa Landa is a First Grade Spanish teacher. 2011-2012 is her ninth year at Oyster-Adams. She has taught Kindergarten and First Grade. She was born and grew up in Veracruz, Mexico. She graduated from Universidad Veracruzana and received her master’s degree from George Mason University. She worked for the“Secretaria de Educacion Publica” and she was a founder of a public school in her country.

Alexis Leonesio is a First Grade English teacher at Oyster. She transitioned into teaching as a Kindergarten Teacher from a nearby Charter school in the fall of 2009. She received a B.A. in History at the University of Maryland College Park and M.A.T. from American University. After college, “Ms. L” worked as a grant writer for a small non-profit called the Student Support Center. This job offered her many opportunities to visit different schools in the D.C. area to help students get the resources they need. After being inspired by so many “superhero” teachers in their classrooms, Ms. L got the calling to teach early childhood and has loved it ever since.

Alexandria Lemus has taught at Oyster-Adams since the Fall of 2007. She has worked with every grade in the school, from Pre-k to 8th. She graduated from Duke University in 2007, earning a BA in Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations, and in Literature (GO BLUE DEVILS!!!). She laterearned a Masters in Education from George Washington University. She is passionate about animal welfare and finding forever homes for homeless animals, like she did with her own Maya Pup.

In 1991, Ms. Li got her bachelor’s degree in Chongqing Normal University, China, with the major of Foreign Language Education (English). She had 16 years’ strong experience as a foreign language teacher in secondary and elementary schools in China. Ms. Li got her Master’s Degree in the University of Maryland in 2011 with the major of Foreign Language Education (Chinese). Since 2009, she has been teaching in O-A, and now she has more than 80 students who are in three different learning levels.

Monica Liang-Aguirre has served as principal of Oyster-Adams since 2008. She started her teaching career as a high school Spanish teacher in the South Bronx of New York City. In 1996, she co-founded a dual language charter school in Phoenix and served as its principal for 10 years. Monica is a graduate of Oberlin College and Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and holds advanced degrees in educational administration and international education policy. She tries to spend the little free time she has with her husband and three children.

Ana López grew up in New Jersey speaking Spanish and Gallego with her family from Galicia, Spain. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate studies at Brown University in Providence, R.I. , receiving a B.A. in Human Development (Education Studies) and a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. She has a passion for languages and also knows French and American Sign Language (ASL). The 2011-2012 school year is her first year at Oyster-Adams and she’s very excited to be a part of this bilingual community.

Teresa Maisonet-Menendez, special education teacher. She completed her BA in the University of Puerto Rico and her graduate work in the Catholic University of America, DC. Teresa has taught from Head-Start all the way to the Department of Correction. Her warmest memory is when she, as a teenager, joined a literacy project teaching senior citizens how to read and write.

Ana Martinez Maestra de Kinder entre el 2001-2004. Viaja a India y a España. En 2005 regresa como maestra de 3º. Trabaja en otras escuelas de DC y España. Hace un club de teatro en Adams. En 2009 comienza como maestra de Educación Física en Adams.Enseña natación. Estudió en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid y en el Kings College de London. Tiene dos hijos, Luna de 17 y Lio de 1 que son el centro de su universo.

Evelyn Manzano is an ELL/Special Education teacher at Oyster-Adams.

Kaitlyn McKechnie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Japanese from Bates College in Maine. In 2007, she joined Teach For America and taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at a charter school in Northeast DC. While in the corps, Mrs. McKechnie received her Masters Degree in the field of Early Childhood Education from George Mason University. Today, Mrs. McKechnie is going on her third year as an English teacher at Oyster-Adams. This year she is part of the new recycling team at Oyster. She is excited to work to help make Oyster a greener school!

Melissa Mohammed has been the Technology Coordinator at Oyster-Adams since September 2008. She also teaches in the middle school. Ms. Mohammed earned her B.A. at Swarthmore College in 1990 and her M.Ed. at Goucher College in 1996. Prior to working at Oyster-Adams, she worked at the university level. From 1991-1997, Ms. Mohammed was a middle school English teacher in the state of Maryland where she still holds Advanced Professional teaching certification in Secondary English.

Christina Morado joined the Oyster Adams faculty as an Instructional Coach in 2008. Prior to becoming a part of the the OA community, Morado taught in New York City and Los Angeles for 9 years, as both a middle school and high school English and social studies teacher. Morado has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia University. Morado’s spare time includes crafty pastimes, looking for and consuming good reads, and biking around the capital.

Brian Muldoon joined Oyster Adams in January 2011 and teaches English to English Language Learners (ELLs) in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Brian graduated from American University’s School of International Service. He has a master’s degree in International Development from George Washington University. Brian has taught in Washington, DC for 12 years. Before moving to Washington, Brian was a Peace Corps Volunteer. When he is not teaching English, Brian enjoys improving his Spanish, German, Filipino, Japanese and American Sign Language.

Fiona Murphy is an Irish artist who has lived and taught in Italy, Brazil and Cuba. She has a degree in fine arts and a higher diploma in interior design and architecture. Fiona worked at the the International School of Havana before moving to the United States in 2008. She first worked at Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington before joining Oyster Adams in 2010. Fiona teaches art through Spanish at Oyster primary campus.

Mr. Greg Newbold was the Math Specialist and worked with grades Pre-k through sixth grade. He now works in the middle school with grades 4 through 8th with an emphasis on mathematics. Mr. Newbold earned Associate, Bachelor’sand Master’s degrees and enjoys working in Mathematics with individuals of varied backgrounds. Mr. Newbold has worked in DCPS for nearly two decades and is most excited by the idea of a delicious meal in a warm environment.

Arlene Péréz is the 7th/8th grade math teacher.

Prior to taking the position as an instructional coach in 2010, Rick Quinones was a classroom teacher at Oyster for nine years, teaching grades 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Rick has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a Masters of Teaching Elementary from the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. During his free time, Rick likes to take classes at his gym, try new cooking recipes, and watch documentaries.

Carrie Roling loves teaching 5th graders because they understand so much about their world and yet are able to envision change. Roling grew up in Missouri and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Truman State University and a master’s degree in TESOL from American University. She taught ESL for DCPS since 2001 and joined Oyster Adams in 2007, the same year her son, Solomon, was born. Carrie’s family grew from two to five when she married Juan, last summer. Writing is a personal hobby and one of her favorite subjects to teach.

Pam Ross has taught since 1989 and has taught at Oyster-Adams for twelve years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College with a major in Russian Language (1984) and Masters ofScience in Education with a specialty in early childhood education from Bank Street College of Education (1991). She has also completed course work at George Washington University in the area of Bilingual/Special Education. In 2005 she was a recipient of the ING Unsung Heroes Award and in 2009, she became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT). She loves gardening, science and hiking.

Magdalena Saaverdra Nació en Puerto Rico donde estudió su Bachillerato en Educación Elemental de la UPR. Su familia, iglesia y Tuna Universitaria apoyaron su talento y pasatiempo: el canto y guitarra. Es miembro fundador de Coral Cantigas. Casada, madre de 3 ex-alumnos de DCPS, suegra y abuela . Vivió en Bogotá, Puerto Rico, Maryland y Washington, DC. Obtiene su maestría en Trinity College. En 1989 llegó a Oyster. Ahí publicó su proyecto Canta Conmigo, 2 CD’s para niños.

Daniel Sánchez is originally from Asturias, Spain, where he taught languages in middle and high school for 20 years. He has worked in a variety of capacities on education programs of the Spanish Education and Culture Ministry. Daniel Sánchez holds a Masters degree in English and American Studies and postgraduate studies in Translation, Applied Linguistics and Teaching of Spanish as a second Language. Daniel Sanchez came to Oyster-Adams in 2009 to teach 4th grade Spanish Language Arts and Math. He says that, “A bilingual school is the ideal environment for a child to be educated.”

Mawilcri Santos has worked as a Spanish teacher for four years and has taught kindergarten for two of these. She has an MAT from Regent University. Señora Santos is a passionate believer in bilingual education who says she is a “life-long learner” and “always trying to find ways to enhance her profession.”

Vivian Secaida is the 2C Spanish teacher and she arrived at the school in 2011-2012. She has a BA in Political Science and Peace and Justice Studies from Wellesley College. She is a runner.

Leslie Smith became a member of the Oyster Adams faculty as a librarian in 2008. Previous to working at Oyster she taught high school and college Spanish in North Carolina for 5 years. Leslie has a Masters in Spanish and Latin American Literature and Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During school she worked in Latin American collection development and a school library/public library hybrid. Leslie spends her spare time letterpress printing, doing puppet shows and biking around town.

2011 marks Mr. Springer‘s first year at Oyster Elementary. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with a BS in PE/Health. Presently, he is working on his Master’s in Sports Psychology. Mr. Springer has traveled to many parts of the world where he has lived and worked such as Africa, Mongolia and Guam. he has also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger from 1989-1991, Kenya 1999-2001 and The Gambia 2006-2007. He encourages everyone to consider doing a tour in Peace Corps.

Yanitza Tavarez has taught Art (in Spanish), 4th-8th Grade at Oyster Adams since August 2009. A native New Yorker (with parents from the Dominican Republic), she attended New York’s renowned Pratt Institute (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theory, Criticism, and History of Art, Architecture and Design; Masters of Industrial Design) and is currently completing a Masters in Secondary Education at George Washington University. Bringing an exciting variety of professional work experiences to Oyster Adams, find out more about Sra. Tavarez at http:www.yanitzatavarez.com.

Crystal Taveras is a 1st grade English teacher. 2011-2012 is her second year at Oyster-Adams Bilingual School. She graduated from American University with a bachelors in Health Promotion/Health Fitness and received a Masters degree in Education from the George Washington University. She has taught for five years in public schools in Virginia and Washington DC. She is a native of Providence, Rhode Island and speaks Spanish and Portuguese also.

Juan Ucles was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. He attended College at  the University of Clarion in Pennsylvania then  attended the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania where he received his masters. He has been working with D.C. Public Schools since 1988. He worked at Ross Elementary School for 21 years and has been at Oyster Adams for the last two. He believes every child can learn and will learn if we tap into their interests and abilities.

Ibis Villegas has served as Assistant Principal at Oyster-Adams since 2007. She earned a B.S. degree from the City University of New York (Magna Cum Laude), in Bilingual Education. Ms. Villegas earned an M.Ed. as a Fellow at Columbia University. Born and raised in NYC, she is proud to belong to a family that has been fully bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish and English for three generations. Passionate about global education, she implemented a globally focused curriculum at the Butler Global Campus of the Community Academy Public Charter School in D.C. Ms.Villegas is the proud mother of two children and considers being a parent the most important job she’s ever had. She dedicates her personal time to her husband and to teaching dance-based aerobics, as a certified Zumba instructor.

Ann Wilson has taught at Oyster Adams Bilingual School for two years since 2009-2010 including one year where she served as Special Education Coordinator before returning to the classroom because she really missed the students! Previously, she taught in Virginia and at The Lab School of Washington. Ms. Wilson has a Master’s Degree in Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities from American University and a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from George Washington University. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Hamilton College. Ms. Wilson spent 13 years of her childhood in Guatemala.