Aneesah Blount will begin her 8th year at Van Ness and 12th year teaching this school year. At Van Ness, Aneesah has been featured in several videos that highlight best teaching practices. She has also co-facilitated professional developments and coached kindergarten teachers in Literacy. Previously she worked at Appletree Early Learning Public Charter School in Washington, DC. She worked as both a PK3 and PK4 teacher. During her 4 years at AppleTree she led and mentored several teaching fellows through their fellowship year. In this role she led professional development workshops, monitored teacher effectiveness and worked with her colleagues to help them interpret classroom data. She holds a B.S. in Family Science from the University of Maryland and a M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from the University of Delaware and a Doctorate of Education in Education Policy and Leadership.

Michelle Johnson has taught Kindergarten through 5th grade over the course of her teaching career. Prior to coming to Van Ness ES, she taught 2nd grade at Seaton Elementary School, where she was awarded the prestigious Milken Educator Award. Before coming to DC Public Schools, Michelle worked as an elementary educator in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and Prince George’s County, MD. Michelle participated in the DCPS Common Core Reading Corps, developing a literacy curriculum that is used district-wide. She served as a Capital Commitment Fellow for DCPS and trains fellow teachers on the Whole Brain Teaching strategies she successfully uses in her own classroom. Michelle’s highly effective teaching has been featured in three DCPS Essential Practices teaching videos for fellow educators. Her innovative maker approach has also been featured in Transcend and Edutopia videos and articles. Michelle graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Political Science from the University of Tennessee and has a MPS degree in Political Management from George Washington University.

My name is Ms. H, and I am an enthusiastic and energetic teacher with over two years of experience. I am excited to continue growing here at Van Ness Elementary School. My motto is, “Children are like sponges, and I am here to ensure they soak up the right information.” There is nothing more rewarding to me than helping children learn and grow.

In addition to my teaching experience, my education supports my ability to be an effective teacher. I earned my bachelor's degree in social work from Wilberforce University, the nation's first private HBCU.

Maggie Lombardo has been a proud DCPS teacher for six years. Originally from North Carolina—where she earned her degree in Education at UNC Chapel Hill—Maggie relocated to DC in 2016 to work as a 5th grade teacher at John Eaton ES. She taught there as a 4th and 5th grade educator in an all-content as well as a departmentalized model. There, she found her passion for social-emotional learning and teaching the whole child. She trained through Breathe for Change and Responsive Classroom to better her practice and became the SEL Co-Lead at her previous school. She is excited to join the Van Ness Team in the wonderful work they are already doing! After school, you can find Maggie studying—she’s completing her Masters in High Incidence Disabilities at the University of Kansas—or recharging in nature.

Mili Cattan graduated from George Washington University with a Masters in Elementary Education. Her undergraduate degree is in Interior Architecture. Mili has worked with kids in various settings including Sunday school and summer camp. This is Mili’s second year as a classroom teacher!

Kristi Kay joined Van Ness in 2024 after teaching at Tubman Elementary for seven years. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from LSU and recently earned a Masters in Reading Science from Mount St Joseph University. Kristi is a certified reading specialist and is passionate about teaching literacy. Outside of school, Kristi enjoys trying new restaurants around DC, organizing, reading, and watching football.

Bio coming soon!

Mr. Berry has served as a Partner Teacher at Van Ness for the past seven years. Before joining Van Ness, his passion for service inspired twenty years of teaching or leading community-based workforce development initiatives. With a BA in English and Communication from UMGC, Mr. Berry values lifelong learning and agrees wholeheartedly with the sentiment of W.E.B. Du Bois that education must not simply teach work; it must teach life. With this guiding principle, he strives to make learning a delightful and engaging experience. Mr. Berry revels in the exploration of creativity by finding joy in making and design. Lego, books, and fine art are all close to his heart.

Bio coming soon!

Crystal Sadrzadeh will begin her sixth year of teaching this school year. She has been both a lead and partner teacher, working with Kindergarten and 1st grade when she first started at Van Ness in 2017 and went on to work with 2nd grade. She also taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at a dual-language Charter in DC. For over a decade now, Crystal has been serving as a volunteer teacher and mentor as part of community-building activities that empower young people to become active agents of change in their communities. She continues this work with children and youth ages 3-19 within the District. Crystal holds a B.A. in Sociology and Elementary Education from The College of William and Mary. Crystal is a lover of interior design and decorating, plants, travel, and trying out new recipes!

Ms. Young is originally from South Carolina and currently in her 6th year of teaching. After relocating to Virginia, she graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies: Elementary Education. She has spent the past 5 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. Throughout her career, she has taught in both military installation schools and Title 1 schools, gaining valuable experience in diverse educational settings.

In addition to her teaching experience, Ms. Young has held leadership roles such as PBIS Lead, where she supported school-wide practices to promote a safe and positive learning environment for all students, addressing their social, behavioral, instructional, and emotional needs. She also served as Youth Development Lead, focusing on designing and implementing programs aimed at developing students' social, emotional, and leadership skills.

Having recently moved to Maryland to be closer to family, Ms. Young enjoys spending time with her dog, Diamond, exploring new food spots, and cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles!

Raquel Sarvis has been a lead and partner teacher at Van Ness for the past six years, working with PK4, first grade, and second grade. She completed her year of practicum teaching in second grade at a DCPS school prior to joining Van Ness. Ms. Sarvis was an early childhood teacher at a child development center in NW Washington, DC. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and a M.Ed from Trinity Washington University. For 2 years, Ms. Sarvis supported students after school by providing additional intervention and this past year was a member of the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT).

Elizabeth Ward joined Van Ness in the 2017-18 school year as a first grade teacher, and is excited to take on her fourth year at Van Ness in second grade for the 2020-2021 school year. Prior to Van Ness, she worked as a Pre-Kindergarten school readiness teacher in her hometown of Stamford, Connecticut. Elizabeth is passionate about making learning engaging for all students and educating the whole child. At Van Ness, Elizabeth has participated in and led afterschool programs including: DC Scores (soccer coach) and BOKS. During her undergraduate studies Elizabeth worked in a variety of educational settings including Concord Hill School, Sacred Heart Bilingual Catholic School, and Murch Elementary School. Over the course of her studies, Elizabeth was exposed to several teaching and volunteer opportunities working with a diverse group of students including Washington Yu-Ying’s REEF program, Girls on the Run, and DC Reads. Elizabeth also served as a global education volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Elizabeth holds a B.A in Early Childhood Education from Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) and will be finished with her Masters in Literacy/Reading Intervention through Concordia University’s graduate program in the fall.

Fidji-Ruth Endene will begin her seventh year of teaching this school year. She has been both a lead and partner teacher in 2nd and 5th grade. Fidji holds a B.S in Biology from Bowie State University and an M.S in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University.

S.Y. 2024-25 will be my 28th year In the educational field. This will be my 9th year teaching with DCPS. I am a D.C. native and proud graduate of Calvin Coolidge Sr. High School. I have spent my educational career serving the DMV area in many different capacities. I have acted as. Team Lead, Reading Specialist, Testing Coordinator, Title I Coordinator and Assistant Principal to name a few of my roles over the years in DCPS, PGCPS, and ACPS. I have spent my last 6 years at Thompson Elementary as a 4th grade classroom teacher. I am also a proud father of two beautiful daughters, who are, and will be successful graduates of DCPS (with my oldest as an alum of Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts). In my spare time, you can find me in a couple of different settings. 1- on a golf course trying to perfect my game; 2- cycling across the DMV; 3- Officiating basketball around the area; 4- taking in a good play or concert; 5- traveling the country looking for my next experience. I look forward to building a great relationship with the Otter community, to share and receive experiences that will contribute to my growth, as well as enhance the lives of the students, parents/families, and co-workers.

Anna Melchionni is a first-year teacher and a recent graduate of Catholic University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. She has been at Van Ness as a 4th grade student teacher and as a substitute teacher. Her other experiences include interning at Stuart-Hobson Middle School and Elsie-Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School, along with working as a phonics tutor. Outside of the classroom, Anna has played basketball for most of her life and now enjoys running.

Maya Butler-Hall is a dedicated educator with six years of experience fostering curiosity and academic growth in young learners. Passionate about innovative teaching, Maya has participated in professional development through the International Baccalaureate Program and continues to work with Quantum is Elementary at George Mason University, enriching her approach to science education. She is committed to creating engaging, inquiry-driven learning environments that inspire students to think critically and globally.

Ms. Miller is excited to join the Van Ness Elementary School community as a first-year teacher. She graduated from Hampton University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a concentration in Elementary Education. She also holds a Virginia Collegiate Teaching License. During her time at Hampton, Ms. Miller completed student teaching placements in both first and fifth grade, where she developed a strong passion for fostering growth, curiosity, and confidence in young learners. A proud native of Prince George’s County, Maryland, Ms. Miller began her own educational journey at a DC Public Charter School before continuing her middle and high school years in PG County. Her diverse educational background helps her connect with students and families from all walks of life, and she is eager to contribute to the vibrant Van Ness community.

Davon Barnett joined Van Ness in 2024 from Leckie ES where he recently completed his 20th year in education. He holds BA from Duquesne University and MA degree from Carnegie Mellon University in public policy.

Magen Barnett joined Van Ness in 2017 as a specialized instruction teacher. Prior to Van Ness, Magen served as a special education teacher at Tyler Elementary School where she worked in both inclusion and self-contained settings. She has expertise in a number of evidence-based reading and math interventions, including Spell Read and Do the Math. Magen holds a BA from Howard University and MA in Elementary Inclusive Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Ms. Kyles has over a decade of experience teaching pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in DC Charter and DC Public Schools. For seven years, she served as a Family Engagement Team Lead at both Garrison Elementary and Excel Academy as well as a Flamboyan REAL Family Engagement Teacher Trainer. Ms. Kyles is excited to officially join the Van Ness family for a full school year as a special education teacher. Ms. Kyles is originally from Memphis, TN and graduated with a B.A. in Public Policy from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2010.

Joscary De La Cruz joins us as a special education teacher in the 2021-22 school year. Joscary has taught and supported grades Kindergarten through 4th grade in Brooklyn and Manhattan, New York. During her final year at Excellence Boys Charter school, she was a second grade lead teacher, where their second grade classrooms had the highest math scores in the Uncommon Schools network.

Joscary started her career in education as Jumpstart Corps member in the inner city of Boston. During college, she embarked on service trips to Dominican Republic where she visited and contributed to local schools and an orphanage. Joscary also volunteered as a Peer Health Exchange member teaching health practices to middle school students in Boston local public schools. After college, she joined Breakthrough NYC, a nonprofit that transforms the lives of talented students from low-income backgrounds by providing educational support from middle school through college, where she coached and supported freshmen during their first year in high school. During the summer, Joscary and a few colleagues launched a tutoring organization called Summer Glide, in an effort to prevent summer slide and support local public school families with free tutoring and readiness for the school year.

She grew up in New York City and is excited to become a DC resident. Joscary holds a BA in Communications from Boston College and an MA in Teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education. During her free time she likes to travel, try new restaurants, and spend time with friends and family.

Ms. Kane is entering her 8th year of teaching. Before joining Van Ness, Ms. Kane taught in Title I school districts outside the Philadelphia area. She taught 4th grade for a year before transitioning into a special education role where she has been for the last 6 years. Throughout her career, she has taught 2nd - 5th grade Special Education Learning Support as well as taught Life Skills classes during the last two summers. She has a dual bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from West Chester University. In 2022, Ms. Kane graduated from Cabrini University with a Masters degree in Teaching and Learning.

Coach Shawn is in his 8th year of teaching. At his previous charter school he served many roles over the years —teaching PE and guiding 2nd, 4th, and 5th graders as a classroom teacher. Whether students are in the gym or diving into academics, Coach Shawn aims to make learning engaging, active and fun while still holding students to high expectations. Outside of work Coach Shawn enjoys spending time with his 2 month old son Shai, watching sports events and getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. I am so excited to be joining the team!!!

Ocean Mason holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing and a minor in Spanish from George Mason University. During undergrad, Ocean studied abroad for a semester and attended Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. They studied the Spanish language and taught ESL to sixth graders. In 2015, Ocean joined AmeriCorps as a literacy tutor at KIPP:DC in Northeast, Washington, DC. In 2017, Ocean completed their Capital Teacher Residency at KIPP:DC and received their certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. In 2018-2019, Ocean taught PK-5th grade as a Visual Arts Teacher and Staff Yoga Instructor at Stanton Elementary in Southeast, Washington, DC. In 2019-2020, Ocean was a part-time Yoga & mindfulness teacher for the Van Ness community as well as a part-time Yoga, Mindfulness, and Visual Arts teacher at Hendley Elementary in Southeast, DC. Ocean is a registered 200 hour yoga instructor and received extensive training in Children's Yoga, Mindfulness, and Trauma-Informed Classrooms. Ocean began practicing yoga as a young teenager and has made it a part of their life's pursuit and looks forward to continuing this healing practice with the community at Van Ness Elementary. Ocean grew up in Washington, DC, but currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia with their husband, Kenneth.

Melinda Holly has been teaching as a public school music educator for 12 years in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She holds a BA and MA in music education from West Chester University and Montclair State University, respectively. A vocal music specialist, Melinda has also taught general music classes that integrate world music studies, social justice, and cultural responsive pedagogy. At her previous school she led school-wide musical productions and world culture exhibitions, which she instituted. In 2019, she had the opportunity to teach English and drama abroad in Yuncheng, China. Outside the classroom, she enjoys teaching private instrumental music lessons to children of all ages. Melinda aims to leverage arts education and the language of music towards realizing the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of all students. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels, practicing jiu jitsu, and hiking with her dog Athena.

Aryssa Damron is the Van Ness ES librarian. She previously served as the children's librarian at the Southwest Neighborhood Library and the Capitol View Library in DC. She has her MSLS from the University of Kentucky and a BA in English from Yale University. She's active in professional development organizations like ALSC, and is serving on the 2025 Caldecott Committee. She loves reading, writing, theatre, and her cat, Koshka. Her favorite recent reads include The Skull by Jon Klassen, The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters, and BIG by Vashti Harrison. She is so excited to be an Otter.

Ms. Gong has supported mental health in schools for six years as a psychologist and counselor. She has a BA from Hunan Normal University, MA from Tennessee State University, and an expected PhD from University of Memphis in 2022.

Lori Chase is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years experience working with children, youth, and their families. She is skilled in managing caseloads, providing individual counseling, facilitating groups, teaching, implementing large-scale interventions, and organizing events. She has worked for more than eight years within the public education system both in Washington, DC and Seattle, Washington. Working overseas in places like Uganda and Jerusalem, she gained knowledge in international social work and cross-cultural interactions enhancing her work with diverse families in the United States. Lori holds a Masters in Social Work from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington. Lori enjoys running, being in nature, and spending time with her husband and little girl who is constantly reminding her to see the world anew through her curious eyes.

Ms. Faulk is a licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience supporting children, youth, and families. For the past six years, she has served as a school social worker, providing behavioral and emotional support to students and collaborating with educators and families to promote student well-being. Her strengths include case management, counseling, crisis intervention, and organizing events that foster engagement and connection. Drawing on experience in school, hospital, and community settings, Ms. Faulk offers a well-rounded perspective that enhances her ability to support student needs, strengthen school-home connections, and advocate for inclusive practices. She is known for her empathetic and caring approach and her deep commitment to building strong relationships with students and staff. Ms. Faulk earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Salisbury University and holds licensure in Washington, DC. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, watching movies, and cooking. We are excited for Ms. Faulk to join Ms. Lori as our 2nd Social Worker on staff!

Kenya Massie joins Van Ness in the 2022-2023 school year as a Behavior Tech. Prior to joining DCPS Kenya served with AlphaBEST Education at Van Ness and DC bilingual Public Charter School. Where she focused on youth development , creative problem-solving and community strengthening.

Nia has worked in the behavior field within DCPS since 2014, supporting both elementary and high school students. Her approach is deeply influenced by over 25 years of experience in martial arts, which has shaped her passion for helping youth develop self-control, discipline, and strong character. She is committed to guiding students toward becoming healthy, self-sufficient, and successful individuals.

Kenneth Graham joined Van Ness in school year 2019-20 as custodial foreman. Kenneth has worked for DCPS for 26 years and is a Washington, DC native who attended DC Public Schools. He played college football and baseball at Syracuse University and went on to play pro-baseball after graduating. Kenneth is happy to be part of the Van Ness family and loves working on facilities and maintenance teams.

Sheldon Jules has worked in DC Public Schools for 16 years. He has worked at both Shaw Junior High and Anacostia High School prior to coming to Van Ness Elementary School as a founding staff member in 2015. Sheldon worked as a scaffold/warehouse worker for the Millstone Corporation and has experience as a construction laborer.

Bio coming soon!

Bio Coming Soon!

Stephanie joined Van Ness during the 2019-2020 school year. She started teaching 13 years ago in Atlanta through Teach for America. Since then, Stephanie has taught K-5 as a founding teacher at Excel Academy, at dual language schools, and a turnaround school in the District. Throughout Stephanie’s teaching career, Stephanie has served as a member of the Chancellor’s Teacher Cabinet, Flamboyan Home Visit Trainer, Teaching for Change Telling Stories Participant, and Girls on the Run Coach. Stephanie believes in developing strong relationships with families while fostering independence and critical thinking within her students. Stephanie holds a BA in Psychology and Government and Law from Lafayette College and MA in Early Childhood Education from American University. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys biking, gardening, and cooking.

Alexandria Monroe began teaching 14 years ago as a Capital Teaching Resident at E.L. Haynes. Since then she has taught grades Pre-K through 4th in Washington D.C. and Maryland. In addition to her role as a teacher she has served as a Math Committee Chair, Scholastic Bookfair Coordinator, and an MTSS point person during her time in the district. Alexandria believes in leveraging data to make intentional instructional choices and enjoys deep data dives with her colleagues (yes, she really does find that fun). Alexandria has a B.A. in Child Development from Spelman College and an M.Ed in Education from Towson University where she primarily focused on strategies for developing self-regulation and executive function skills for elementary students with ADHD (and ADHD-like behaviors). She is currently pursuing her Instructional Leadership Certification from Harvard GSE. When Alexandria is not in the classroom she can be found at various parks and pools with her daughter or at a local coffee shop powering through her ever growing “Must Read” list.

Maquita Alexander is the principal of Van Ness Elementary School. Prior to joining DCPS, Ms. Alexander served as the Executive Director at Washington Yu Ying PCS, the only Chinese Immersion International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program school in Washington DC. Washington Yu Ying is a high performing, inquiry-based school with a highly diverse student body. Yu Ying opened in the fall of 2008. Under Ms. Alexander’s leadership, Yu Ying has become one of the most sought-after schools in the District of Columbia with its standardized test scores in the top 10% citywide year after year.

Ms. Alexander has over twenty-eight years of teaching and administrative experience, including fifteen years in the Fairfax County Public School system, seven of which she served as an elementary school teacher. She has a Master of Arts in Educational Technology Leadership from George Washington University, a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an administrative certification in Curriculum and Administration from George Mason University.

Aly Roberts has been teaching with DCPS for fifteen years and is overjoyed to be moving into the role of Assistant Principal this school year. Prior to this role, Aly taught grades K-3rd at Van Ness and helped develop the Whole Child Model. Aly has served as a Teacher Selection Ambassador, a Consulting Teacher, and was a member of the Chancellor’s Teachers Cabinet, as well as a Fellow Advisor for the DC Teaching Fellows Program. She was a member of the inaugural DC Teach Plus Education Policy Fellowship. Aly is the recipient of a Rubenstein Award for Highly Effective Teaching. She holds a BA in Communication and M.Ed in Elementary Education from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Aly is also a mom of three and knows first hand how important the relationship between home and school is. She believes in the mission and vision of Van Ness and is looking forward to continuing to nurture creative, compassionate, constant learners across our school community this year. In her spare time (of which these isn’t a lot these days) she enjoys yoga, long walks, and traveling with her family.

Danielle Proctor was born and raised in Washington, DC. Danielle received a BS in Science with a concentration in Biology from Virginia Commonweath University (VCU) and Master of Public Health from Capella University. Danielle has worked with DCPS for about 5 years and is very excited about her new role as the Manager of Strategy & Logistics (MSL). In her spare time, Danielle enjoys hanging out with family/friends, traveling, and singing with her community gospel group, Kevin Terry and Predestined.

Myya Seldon is the Coordinator of Strategy & Logistics (CSL) at Van Ness. Prior to officially working for DCPS, Myya has been an active part of our school’s community. She also serves as Vice President of the Van Ness PTO board, Chair on the Van Ness LSAT and the Van Ness Girl Scout Troop 44133 SHARE Chair. She is mom to fifth grade Otter (Giselle) and an Otter alum (Paris) now in high school. Her family has proudly been at Van Ness since 2016. Myya holds a BS in Communications and Minor in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University. She also owns a creative marketing agency. During her free time, she loves reading autobiographies, traveling overseas and spending time with her husband and daughters. She believes in the power of being kind and making everyone feel welcomed.