Leadership Mary ShaffnerMary ShaffnerMary Shaffner is the Founding Executive Director of District of Columbia International School. She led […] Staff BioDeidra BaileyDeidra BaileyI began my career in education as a 2009 Teach For America (TFA) corps member […] Staff BioChristina CancelliChristina CancelliChristina Cancelli has been in education for over a decade, ranging from military, urban, and […] Staff BioShane DonovanShane DonovanThis is my 11th year teaching. I’ve taught physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and now computer […] Staff BioIndia FinnIndia FinnI am excited to be the high school dean of students. I have been dedicated […] Staff BioLaura FlanaganLaura FlanaganI am a graduate of the College of William and Mary and hold a Master’s […] Staff BioNathan GarneauNathan GarneauI have been an educator for 17 years with a focus in math. This will […] Staff BioSandra GutiérrezSandra GutiérrezOriginally from Lima, Perú, I moved to the US at the age of fifteen with […] Staff BioGrace GyemfiGrace GyemfiHello DCI Family! I am thrilled to have joined such a diverse community of educators, […] Staff BioDean HarrisDean HarrisPrior to DC International Public Charter School I was a sixth-grade teacher at Washington Yu […] Staff BioDenise LyonsDenise LyonsMy experience in Education started in 2008, when I joined the founding team of Washington […] Staff BioMelody MaitlandMelody MaitlandHello everyone! I’m excited to start my seventh year at DCI. This year I will […] Staff BioChristopher NaceChristopher NaceI am excited to take on the role of Director of Student Support Services for […] Staff BioJesse NickelsonJesse NickelsonJesse Nickelson has been a professional in education for over 25 years. As a teacher, […] Staff BioLaura RyanLaura RyanI earned my BA in Public Policy from the College of William and Mary and […] Staff BioAllison SanduskyAllison SanduskyAt DCI, I work to ensure that all of our students feel safe and welcome […] Staff BioJillian Levine-SissonJillian Levine-SissonJillian Levine-Sisson (known to students, staff and families as Ms. J) is originally from Bethesda, […] Staff BioMaya StewartMaya StewartGreetings DCI community! After earning a degree in Communications from Arcadia University in 2009, I […] Staff BioNicole WelshNicole WelshI am proud to say that I have been a DCI Dragon since we opened […] Staff BioArlisa WilliamsArlisa WilliamsI have a MA in Education from Virginia Tech and a BA in African American […] Staff Bio Arts Cassandra AllenCassandra AllenI am excited to join the DCI team as a HS Music teacher. Music has […] Staff BioRonald ChaconRonald ChaconI am 1.5 generation (Afro-Salvadorean American), having come to the United States as a child. […] Staff BioZachary DiamondZachary DiamondI have always had a passion for music, and I’ve always been a musician. I […] Staff BioSamuel H. Dodson IVSamuel H. Dodson IVMy Name is Samuel H. Dodson IV and I am oh so many things. A […] Staff BioGrace HuGrace HuGraduated from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and NYU Performing Arts Administration MA Program, I have […] Staff BioArnaud LeclereArnaud LeclereARNAUD LECLERE (b. Paris, France) I am a visual artist who received my MFA from […] Staff BioJose ReyesJose ReyesI am honored to be returning to DCI for a fifth year as a faculty […] Staff BioAndy StoffelAndy StoffelI attended Georgetown University where I studied Culture & Politics, focusing on Theatre and Conflict […] Staff BioTanya ThomsonTanya ThomsonSalut! I teach visual arts in French and English here at DCI and am excited […] Staff BioZilin Ma-Wolfe (Lydia Ma)Zilin Ma-Wolfe (Lydia Ma)At DCI, I teach HS music. In addition to course load teaching high-school level music […] Staff Bio Counseling Rachel AkinsRachel AkinsRachel is excited to join the DCI community as the 9th and 10th grade counselor […] Staff BioSean BlandSean BlandI am so happy to be joining the DCI Student Support team! As a DMV […] Staff BioCameron CuttlerCameron CuttlerGreetings, I am Cameron J. Cuttler, hailing from Raleigh-Durham North Carolina, where I grew up […] Staff BioRebecca FerrerRebecca FerrerI have worked in DC Charter schools for the past few years and am very […] Staff BioMya Zavaleta FordMya Zavaleta FordI am excited to be part of the dynamic DCI community. I received my BA […] Staff BioJennifer GrayJennifer GrayI am happy to be joining the Counseling team at DCI!!!! I have been a […] Staff BioKatie GreenKatie GreenI grew up in New York City, riding the subway, eating lots of pizza and […] Staff BioShannon JeffriesShannon JeffriesThis year, I will serve as the College and Career Coordinator at DCI. Prior to […] Staff BioJane O’HaganJane O’HaganHi! I’m Jane O’Hagan and I am the 8th grade counselor during my third year […] Staff BioLatrisha Wright, LGSWLatrisha Wright, LGSWHi, I’m Latrisha Wright, the 6th grade Counselor here at DCI. I am excited to […] Staff Bio Design Ingrid ChavezIngrid ChavezI am very much looking forward to joining the DCI community as a teacher of […] Staff BioShane DonovanShane DonovanThis is my 11th year teaching. I’ve taught physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and now computer […] Staff BioJennifer GobrailJennifer GobrailI have extensive experience improving the education of Maryland’s students through leadership in STEM, authorship […] Staff BioBrian LounsburyBrian LounsburyFrom a very young age, I enjoyed science, art, and building things. Taking a round […] Staff BioStephen MuskettStephen MuskettMy name is Stephen Muskett and I am a science teacher at DCI. I have […] Staff BioKenya C. RameyKenya C. Ramey“She who learns, teaches.” As a 4th generation educator, my pedagogy is influenced by the […] Staff BioAttalah ShabazzAttalah ShabazzI am a Washington, DC native. Southwest raised, DC made me. I am currently studying […] Staff Bio English Alexa ArboledaAlexa ArboledaI arrived at DCI wide-eyed and bushy tailed in August of 2018 as an Urban […] Staff BioEmmet BattenbergEmmet BattenbergI will be joining DCI as a Teaching Resident where I will work in the […] Staff BioDanielle A. BoudreauxDanielle A. BoudreauxI hold a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in English Literature and Creative […] Staff BioJenae CarterJenae CarterStaff BioEmily CulpEmily CulpI am a sixth grade English teacher as well as grade level lead for the […] Staff BioCorbin CurtisCorbin CurtisI was born and raised in a small rural town in Ohio. I earned my […] Staff BioKatie GarrisKatie GarrisI am so excited to be back at DCI for Year 2! At DCI, I am […] Staff BioCatherine HendrixCatherine HendrixAs a daughter of diplomat parents and a traveler since my birth in Singapore, I’m […] Staff BioLiz KleinrockLiz KleinrockA DC native, Liz (she/her) is thrilled to return to teach in her hometown after […] Staff BioLivia MatteucciLivia MatteucciI am thrilled to be entering my second year of working at DCI as an […] Staff BioLiz McCarthyLiz McCarthyAfter spending the last two decades as an educator with DC Public Schools, I am […] Staff BioEzra MillerEzra MillerI hold a BA in Comparative Literature as well as an MAT in Secondary English […] Staff BioElena RossElena RossI am Elena Ross and this will be my fourth year teaching in DC. I […] Staff BioMichael ThomasMichael ThomasI hold a B.A. in History from Ursinus College as well as a M.Ed in […] Staff BioMegan Ver DuinMegan Ver DuinI am excited to begin my first year teaching English at DCI! Prior to DCI, […] Staff BioKristy WatkinsKristy WatkinsOriginally from Columbus, MS, I moved to Texas after graduating from Mississippi State University and […] Staff BioYolanda WhittedYolanda WhittedI am a proud Chicagoan who is grateful to teach English at DC International School. […] Staff Bio English Language Development Jessica CsomaJessica CsomaI’m very excited to join the DCI community! Originally from Germany, I’ve been living in […] Staff BioMini MacnabMini MacnabI am so excited to be a part of the DCI family and I am […] Staff BioJanei PetersonJanei PetersonStaff BioSarah SilverSarah SilverHello, great to be here! Originally from central California, I attended high school and college […] Staff Bio Health and Physical Education Nicholas ClementsNicholas ClementsIn January 2019, I started working at DCI as the Sports Performance Coordinator. In this […] Staff BioDanielle DouglasDanielle DouglasI am excited to join the DCI family for the ’19-’20 school year. I am […] Staff BioHenry GarciaHenry GarciaGrowing up in both the Dominican Republic and the United States, I have always loved […] Staff BioJamie HallJamie HallI am extremely excited to start my first year at DCI and be part of […] Staff BioRyann HendricksRyann HendricksRyann Hendricks is excited to be joining the DCI family as Physical Education teacher. After […] Staff BioJocara KnightJocara KnightI live in Maryland and received my bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University. I have […] Staff BioRobert TurnerRobert TurnerI’m from Gaithersburg, Maryland, and I earned my Bachelor’s degree at St. Andrews University. I […] Staff Bio History Zhengyu ChiZhengyu ChiI graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a MA degree in Applied Second Language Acquisition. […] Staff BioSarah CooneySarah CooneyHello! I’m Sarah Cooney, a veteran middle school teacher of 16 years, who has taught […] Staff BioNicholas CurwenNicholas CurwenI earned my BA in Political Science and Spanish with a Minor in East Asian […] Staff BioJohn GassJohn GassI earned by BA in History from the University of Missouri-Columbia and my Masters in […] Staff BioPaul HernandezPaul HernandezI graduated from Princeton in 2009 with an undergraduate degree in History. Years later I […] Staff BioDelano LamyDelano LamyI earned my BA in International Studies and Spanish from the University of South Florida […] Staff BioTahoma LewisTahoma LewisBonjour! Well, you guessed it I speak French. I’m a Washington, DC Metropolitan native, currently […] Staff BioRoy RogersRoy RogersI am a native of the Washington DC region, growing up on the Virginia side […] Staff BioRebecca SchouviellerRebecca SchouviellerI’ve taught high school history, psychology, and economics since 2010. Most of that time was […] Staff BioTaylor WrightTaylor WrightI am overjoyed to join the DCI family as a social studies teacher this year. […] Staff Bio Language | Chinese Apple GaoApple GaoI graduated from and was hired by Yunnan Normal University. Later on, I was chosen […] Staff BioYuanyuan GaoYuanyuan GaoI’m from Shanghai, China. I got my Master’s degree at the University of Georgia in […] Staff BioElaine LiElaine LiI am originally from China. I moved to the United States during high school. In […] Staff BioMickey LiuMickey LiuI am a native Mandarin Chinese speaker from Taiwan. I just finished a graduate program […] Staff BioXian LuXian LuStaff BioXiaomin SunXiaomin SunI received my M.Ed in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from Sun Yat-sen University […] Staff BioJingyi WuJingyi Wu你好!I received my master degree from University of Maryland concentrating on world language education. Before […] Staff BioRunsheng ZhuRunsheng Zhu你好(Hello)! I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Master of Education […] Staff Bio Language | French Mounia ElmezrichiMounia ElmezrichiBonjour! My name is Mounia Elmezrichi, I joined DCI’s faculty in February 2017. I am […] Staff BioAmber HerissonAmber HerissonI am so excited to begin my fourth year here at DCI in a new […] Staff BioPaul KutnerPaul KutnerAfter working for 14 years in independent schools in New York, New Jersey and Maryland, […] Staff BioFranck Moncherit MakouangouFranck Moncherit MakouangouI am from the Republic of Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, in Western Central Africa […] Staff BioAnna MartinAnna MartinBonjour! My name is Anna Martin and I come from a bilingual, tricultural (French-American-Iranian) background […] Staff BioWeedner NorméusWeedner NorméusBonjour! I am so excited to start my first year at DCI alongside this exceptional […] Staff Bio Language | Spanish Rodolfo CastropolandRodolfo CastropolandAfter serving for the past 12 years teaching and developing a soccer program for the […] Staff BioCarmen GarciaCarmen GarciaI was born in Puerto Rico and come from a family of teachers. The devotion […] Staff BioOrielena Lopez-AyonOrielena Lopez-AyonHola. My name is Orielena López-Ayón and I am from Havana City, Cuba. I have […] Staff BioAna MartinezAna Martinez!Hola! I’m Sra. Martinez the current Spanish phase 3B instructor. I was born and raised […] Staff BioAna OrtegaAna OrtegaI’m originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic but raised in Washington, D.C. I attended a […] Staff BioLeticia RodriguezLeticia RodriguezHola! My name is Leticia Rodriguez and I am a native of the Republic of […] Staff BioGinna Salamán-SanchezGinna Salamán-SanchezGinna Salamán es maestra de español y escritora puertorriqueña, radicada en los Estados Unidos. Salamán […] Staff Bio Math Laura-Ashley AlegbeleyeLaura-Ashley AlegbeleyeI was born and raised in the DMV (PG County, MD)! After high school, I […] Staff BioCasey L. AmbroseCasey L. AmbroseGreetings and Salutations!!! I am Casey L. Ambrose a native of Memphis, TN. I am […] Staff BioNatalie BarbieriNatalie BarbieriHi! My name is Ms. Barbieri. I have been teaching since 2006. I love being […] Staff BioBethany BlackwoodBethany BlackwoodI am excited to make the transition to DCI from Chicago, where I have been […] Staff BioDarco BrownDarco BrownI am a New York City native recently transplanted to Washington, D.C. I’m a serious […] Staff BioMC ChenMC ChenHello! My name is MC and I am looking forward to joining DCI’s team this […] Staff BioKennedi CrosbyKennedi Crosby“I am more than meets the eye. I graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana twice […] Staff BioJorge Granados-de la RosaJorge Granados-de la RosaI am a DC native who grew up in the Columbia Heights Neighborhood and returned […] Staff BioCarly KlinenbergCarly KlinenbergHello! Originally from Los Angeles, CA, I came to DC by way of St. Louis, […] Staff BioXae-Rashi MakaiXae-Rashi MakaiAs a lifelong Doer of Things, I’ve always been heavily engaged in whatever activities I […] Staff BioDan NealisDan NealisI have worked in education for the past 9 years, ranging from teaching English abroad […] Staff BioAude Newton, Ph.D.Aude Newton, Ph.D.In 2014, I came to DCI from Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom PCS after an […] Staff BioJon PallisJon PallisI am originally from Connecticut and got a B.S. in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from […] Staff BioJonathan PyoJonathan PyoI received my BS in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University and my MS in Education […] Staff BioNadine QuirosNadine QuirosHi! I am excited to become part of the DCI community. I grew up in […] Staff BioKrishna RampersaudKrishna RampersaudBIO NEEDED Staff BioBrittany RiegBrittany RiegHello! This is my third year teaching 7th grade math at DCI. I completed my […] Staff BioMonique SimMonique SimI am a first-generation college graduate and daughter of refugees with a passion for educating […] Staff BioRyan SteinbachRyan SteinbachHi! This is my second year at DCI. I currently teach middle school Math, coach […] Staff Bio Science Amy BrockAmy BrockHello! I am Amy Brock. I received my BS in Biology at Mars Hill University, […] Staff BioLaura ChaseLaura ChaseI am from sunny Southern California, and moved to Maryland in 2018! I talk loudly, […] Staff BioEdward CoutherEdward CoutherI majored in Biology/Pre-Medicine at Virginia State University and received my Masters Degree in Education/Curriculum […] Staff BioCharlene CummingsCharlene CummingsI am very excited to be teaching at Biology at DCI this year! I am […] Staff BioImani FennellImani FennellMy name is Imani Fennell and I am excited to be a part of the […] Staff BioKyle ForsythKyle ForsythI was born on the West Coast and moved to Arkansas when I was 10. […] Staff BioMichael GaskinsMichael GaskinsI was born in Washington D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County Maryland. Before joining […] Staff BioMaureen MitchellMaureen MitchellHi! I am Maureen Mitchell, and I will be teaching 8th Grade Science at DCI […] Staff BioShreyas PatelShreyas PatelGreetings DCI Community! I am so excited to start my second year working with our […] Staff BioDave PayneDave PayneI grew up in Grass Valley, CA, just outside of Lake Tahoe. After graduating high […] Staff BioNaomi SchatzNaomi SchatzI am excited to be back in the DC area, after living here for 2 […] Staff BioDoreen SmithDoreen SmithI’m happy to be teaching science at DCI. I grew up in Los Angeles and […] Staff Bio Special Education Natalie BarbieriNatalie BarbieriHi! My name is Ms. Barbieri. I have been teaching since 2006. I love being […] Staff BioOdalis BatallanOdalis BatallanI earned a B.S. N. degree from New York University in 1985 and a M.A. […] Staff BioKimberly ColleyKimberly ColleyI grew up in the District of Columbia and began my teaching career after receiving […] Staff BioRobin FroehlichRobin FroehlichBorn and raised in Maryland, I ventured out for college to attend Boston University in […] Staff BioSabre GoldmanSabre GoldmanI have been teaching for 15 years and can not imagine doing anything else. I […] Staff BioCelia GomezCelia GomezI’ve been passionate in my commitment to three things: maximizing individual student performance, inspiring students’ […] Staff BioRenee KempRenee KempAfter completing a B.S. in Biology at Morgan State University I returned home to New […] Staff BioJustin LaRocqueJustin LaRocqueGreetings! I hold a B.A. in Art Education Pre K-12 and an M.S.in Special Education; […] Staff BioFatoumata MagassaFatoumata MagassaRecognizing my love for education and the desire to acquire and share knowledge with others, […] Staff BioPaul MillsPaul MillsMy name is Paul Mills. I am delighted to be entering my fourth year working […] Staff BioFrankie SeabronFrankie SeabronStaff BioAaron StoneAaron StoneI have been at DCI since year 1 and am just as excited for year […] Staff BioCelia “CT” TaylorCelia “CT” TaylorI was born and raised in the beautiful state of Kentucky and moved to Maryland […] Staff BioClarissa WrightClarissa WrightHi! My name is Clarissa Wright and this is my 12th year in education. I […] Staff BioJennifer WashingtonJennifer WashingtonHello, Hola! 你好, Bonjour! My name is Jennifer Washington and I am a Middle School […] Staff Bio Technology Carlos AlfaroCarlos AlfaroStaff BioCarsten BinsnerCarsten BinsnerMy name is Carsten Binsner, I was born and grow up in Berlin, Germany. After […] Staff BioHenry DotsonHenry DotsonI earned my BA in International Studies from the University of Washington. At DCI, I […] Staff Bio Education Support Tony AyalaTony AyalaMy name is Tony Ayala. I go by Mr. Tony. I am the new Discipline […] Staff BioBrian BarksdaleBrian BarksdaleStaff BioDanette BenitezDanette BenitezStaff BioMarquia DockeryMarquia DockeryMarquia has 8 years working in the education field as a teachers assistant and 4 […] Staff BioNicholas GalfoNicholas GalfoI graduated with a dual degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Buffalo State […] Staff BioSabrina HollidaySabrina HollidayI have my high school diploma and many years of certifications related to working with […] Staff BioPedro LunaPedro LunaI have worked in various roles in community based organizations. I’m an immigrant from San […] Staff BioLisgrey MaldonadoLisgrey MaldonadoI have been working with kids for about 4 years now. I have worked with […] Staff BioMeghan MonroeMeghan MonroeI am an energetic, friendly and loud Speducator who loves her two doggies, her wife, […] Staff BioPoyee PangPoyee PangI was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Ohio, making me a Buckeye […] Staff BioMary ThomasMary ThomasI’m Mary Thomas, the School Librarian and Extended Essay Co-Coordinator. I started at DCI in […] Staff BioIris VenturaIris VenturaHello! I am Iris, I was born in El Salvador and am a DC Native! […] Staff BioDouglas WhiteDouglas WhiteBIO NEEDED Staff Bio Business Team Miriam BonillaMiriam BonillaI have worked as an administrator in Washington, DC for over 15 years and have […] Staff BioAndrea ContrerasAndrea ContrerasStaff BioNora EscobarNora EscobarStaff BioLauren GamesLauren GamesI earned my BA in International Affairs and Spanish from West Virginia University and my […] Staff BioMelody GarciaMelody GarciaStaff BioErika GuevaraErika GuevaraMy name is Erika Guevara and I am a receptionist/attendance officer at DCI. Staff BioAna GuzmanAna GuzmanStaff BioMelina Jimenez-FloresMelina Jimenez-FloresA native Washingtonian, I earned my BS in Legal Studies and MS in Environmental Management […] Staff BioLuisa JuarezLuisa JuarezI was born and raised in Washington, DC and attended DC Public Schools including the […] Staff BioCarlos NavasCarlos NavasI was born in Washington, D.C., but my parents are from El Salvador. I have […] Staff BioSarah NeubergerSarah NeubergerI’m thrilled to be a part of the DCI community as the Experiential Learning Coordinator! […] Staff BioSabrina NuñezSabrina NuñezI’m proudly born and raised in Washington DC. I graduated from Florida International University with […] Staff BioDonna ZelayaDonna ZelayaMy name is Donna and I was born and raised in DC to parent who […] Staff Bio