The 2013-2014 school year at Sacred Heart is here, and with it I am thrilled to announce some new, exciting changes to our teaching and administrative staff. While we are always saddened by the departure of our dearly, beloved teachers who have served admirably at Sacred Heart, my commitment to your children is to provide the highest form of quality education every year they attend our school, and I hope that you will agree with me that this year is a great year to be a student at Sacred Heart. So without further ado, let me introduce the new names that will take part in making Sacred Heart one of the most progressive academic institutions in Washington, D.C.
Pre-Kinder 4 and Kindergarten Team
Gricell Medley, Teacher – A bilingual native of Panama, mother, and experienced early childhood educator, Gricell will be covering for our English teacher, Alison DeLombard, who is currently on maternity leave. Gricell has experience in teaching at another Catholic school in DC and comes highly recommended by the school principal.
Veronica Alcántara, Classroom Aide – A bilingual native of the Dominican Republic and aspiring teacher, Veronica has already become a fixture at Sacred Heart, first as a temporary receptionist towards the end of last school year, and over the summer as a summer school pre-Kinder and Kindergarten teacher.
1st and 2nd Grade English Teacher
Grace Bogosian – A credentialed teacher and highly recommended by esteemed professors from Boston College’s Roche Center for Catholic Education, Grace arrives with a certificate in Teaching English Language Learners as one of her many qualifications. She will be replacing our beloved Ms. Abergel who is returning with her family to Europe.
3rd and 4th Grade English Teacher
Gregory Landrigan – A highly experienced educator who spent the past three years teaching in the communities of New York City’s competitive urban school district, Gregory is fluently bilingual in Spanish and English and is returning with his family to his native Virginia. He brings with him a repertoire of proven strategies, including the effective use of technology and SmartBoards in the classroom to enhance instruction and improve learning.
5th Grade Spanish and English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
Maria Quintanilla – A native of the Dominican Republic, credentialed and highly qualified to teach Spanish and English to all students, Maria completes our vision to make Sacred Heart a Bilingual Immersion Program from pre-Kinder to 5th grade for all of our elementary school students. Maria is also a fixture at Sacred Heart as she has served as our part-time, middle school Spanish teacher last year. She will split ESL duties with Mrs. Mazzini to replace the departure of Ms. Jolly.
Middle School Spanish Teacher
Megan Masciola – This year our Middle School Spanish Team will look completely new and consist of Megan Masciola, and a teacher to be named later as she completes the second round of her interview in two weeks. Megan comes highly recommended by the CAP Corps/Americorps program with fluency in Spanish to co-teach middle school and assist our students who are learning Spanish as a Second Language in the lower grades.
A teacher currently undergoing the final round of the interview process will be announced and ready to start in the first weeks of September. Until then, Ms. Masciola will lead the middle school Spanish classroom.
Middle School Science Teacher
Lauren Barnett – A highly recommended applicant entering the first year of her two year commitment as a member of the ACE Program of the University of Notre Dame, Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Kentucky, is a Registered Nurse, and has a strong background in Chemistry. Lauren will round out what is already an incredible middle school team that continues to prepare our students for the best high-schools in Washington, D.C.
Music Teacher
Sandra Granobles-Alzate – A bilingual native of Colombia, Sandra brings many incredible talents as a musician and educator. A graduate with honors from the University of Valle in Cali, Colombia, in addition to strengthening Sacred Heart’s religious music program, Sandra will be teaching music theory and sheet music reading, and directing the return of the Sacred Heart School choir as the first component of our Performing Arts strategic vision.
Project Manager
Edward Kryschtal – A staple of the Sacred Heart School community, Edward will be leading and coordinating many of the ambitious projects we have embarked upon to make Sacred Heart one of the most innovative schools in D.C. Included in these innovative projects are the development of a Green Technology program such as roof-top gardens and alternative energy research, health and nutrition education including the coordination and management of the Revolution Foods lunch program, community service programs, and integrating multiple learning intelligences affiliated with the performing arts to teach science, math, and other critical areas of instruction.
Office Manager
Renee Lobos-Lopez – Renee returns to her Sacred Heart roots where she formerly attended and graduated from. Now she will join us as the Office Manager and face of the Sacred Heart School community as she greets all of you when you enter the office. Renee has vast experience in the areas of customer service and systems management, is an active team-mom in sports programs with her husband and children, and a liaison for families needing assistance. Renee will be training the week before school begins with our beloved and talented Carolina Quijada “Ms. Q”, who will be graduating from George Washington University and pursuing her career goals.
Please join me in welcoming the latest additions to our fabulous team of educators. Many of them will be in attendance at our Back to School Barbecue to meet you and your children this Saturday, August 17th, from 12:00noon to 3:00pm. I hope you will be able to join us.