Falls Church City Public Schools has started the new academic year by welcoming a group of new teachers and staff members. The newcomers participated in a three-day onboarding and orientation session designed to introduce them to the district’s collaborative culture and focus on student-centered education.
Superintendent Dr. Terry Dade attended the orientation, greeting each new employee and outlining his vision for teamwork within the district. “The needs of students come first, and we meet those needs through unsurpassed collaboration,” Dr. Dade told the group. He highlighted that success in education is achieved through collective effort rather than individual work.
New staff members have joined schools across the district:
At Jessie Thackrey Preschool, Bushra Al-Eryani joins as a preschool teacher, with Maria Burrell as special education paraprofessional. Erynn O’Mahen also joins as a paraprofessional.
Mount Daniel Elementary School welcomes several educators including Katy Anderson (second grade), Carrie Oteyza (kindergarten), Kimberly Leong (math specialist), Anja Jacobi (administrative assistant), Geysa Disla Bone (parent liaison), Katherine Secrist (first grade), Benedict Ochulu-Wengi (special ed paraprofessional), Stephanie Swanson (special education teacher), Lorinda Kendrick (paraprofessional), Farishta Arifi (special education paraprofessional), Martha Blandon (custodian), Shukria Ghaznavi (paraprofessional), Casie Disantis (reading specialist), Elsa Castro (food service) and Sandra Galvin (custodian). Additional hires include Karimah Albert as paraprofessional and Brittany Stevens as behavior specialist.
Oak Street Elementary School adds Keeley Sickles (fourth grade teacher), Dylan Haynes (fifth grade teacher), D’Angelo Rivera (permanent substitute), Abby Tolkan (special education administrator), Caitlin Schumacher (special education paraprofessional), Kimberly Leong again as math specialist, Kelly Harris (school finance assistant), Chike Onyewuchi (special education teacher), Jacqueline Rocha and Caroline Buttz as counselors. Other new staff are Teresa Rodgerson, Katherine Rotolo, and Meredith Grasso.
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School welcomes Tom Kendrick, Andrew Gonzales, Emily Ives, Taja Washington, Amy Attiliis, Jessica Eylem, JoAnna Hickmott, Jill VanDervort, Crystal Liller, Quiletta Dunston, Joseph Keimig, Caroline Byrne, Ali Glover and Peter Duffy in various teaching and support roles; Denise Rodriguez joins as MYP coordinator.
At Meridian High School: Joseph Langley becomes administrative assistant; Heather Colbert and Cassandra Peters join English; Brittney Livesay enters science; Richard Tiene is special education teacher; Joshua Slager teaches math; Morton Zederkof is special ed; Chad Steffey leads band; Christopher Cantrell covers computer science; Andrea Hanna handles English/social studies; Armin Bonifacio is special ed. Joanna Quirine serves as director of student activities while Megan Stetson will be special education administrator.
Systemwide additions include bus drivers Jose Mejia and James Stewart.
The orientation activities were part of FCCPS’s efforts to integrate these educators into their school community from their first day on the job.
