Lower School Newsletter – Aug 7, 2024

Congratulations to the following returning faculty and staff who have taken on new roles this year.

• Jess Henry — Interim Director of the Lower School
• Lisa Hoff — Kindergarten Teacher
• Shannon McCarty — Director of the Learning Center
• Candi Porter — 2nd Grade Teacher
• Michele Scadron — Kindergarten Teacher
• Allie Smith — 4th Grade Teacher
• Blake Smith — 1st Grade Assistant Teacher

As we do each year, we have faculty and staff who depart over the summer due to retirement, relocation, or new career or educational opportunities. We are grateful for their service to Flint Hill and wish them well in their future endeavors. 

• Shannon Titmas — Lower School Learning Specialist

We are delighted to welcome new Lower School faculty/staff to the Flint Hill family.

Administration

Joshua McClymont — Director of Fine Arts

Joshua has over 25 years of theater arts experience. He recently served as Director of Fine Arts at the Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette, LA, for 10 years. Over the years, Joshua has directed and produced a range of plays and musicals. he received his Master's of Science in Education in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and has his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from Miami University of Ohio.

Stephanie Phillips — Assistant Director of the Lower School 

Stephanie has worked in private education for the past 12 years. She has served in a variety of roles and spent most of her time teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade students. In addition to her academic roles, she has been heavily involved in summer programming working as a head counselor, programming director, and day camp coordinator. Stephanie loves all things nature and can frequently be found outdoors, seeking out a hike or long nature trail walk every weekend with her dog, Ellie. She is an animal lover in general. Stephanie has a B.A. in interdisciplinary liberal studies with a minor in elementary education from James Madison University and an M.A.T. in elementary education from James Madison University.

All-School Staff

Jazz Chantarawongsakul — Controller

Jazz previously worked as the Controller at National Cathedral School for almost 18 years. Jazz has her MBA from Marymount University and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Lower School Faculty and Staff

Kathryn Crawford — LS Social Studies Department Chair and 6th Grade Social Studies and Homeroom Teacher 

Kathryn has worked in education for 11 years in California, Honduras, Belize, and Virginia as a P.E. instructor, history and English teacher, librarian, and basketball coach. She loves marathoning and college basketball! Kathryn has a M.A. in History from George Mason University, Graduate Certificate in Digital Public Humanities, and a B.A. in History from the Catholic University of America.

Isabella Eastman — LS Substitute Teacher and AfterCare Specialist

Isabella has worked at Flint Hill since the fall of 2023 as an AfterCare specialist and substitute teacher. She has a B.A. in Psychology from George Mason University. She was born and raised in Hawaii, lived there until high school graduation, and has a middle name that is 18 letters long (Kealiialohiokalani)! 

Carlos Hernández — LS Science Department Chair and 6th Grade Science Teacher

Carlos has worked in education for over 20 years at four different institutions, both public and private. He was the science curriculum specialist for Sarasota County in Florida. He has worked in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) as well as English Speakers of Other Languages (ESL/ESOL). Carlos collects and fixes old video game systems and has quite a collection. He enjoys traveling, scuba diving, and hiking. He has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of South Florida and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (Science focus) from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Katie Hull — LS Nurse

Katie has worked in several fields of nursing such as acute care, general and trauma surgery, and private school nursing with 4th-12th grade. She has an R.N., B.S.N. in Nursing and a B.S. in Psychology from George Mason University as well as an A.D. in Nursing from John Tyler Community College. She loves playing board games with her fiancé. 

Sarah Kelsey — LS Learning Specialist

Sarah has worked in education for over 16 years, including public schools in Missouri for 10 years and preschool in Fairfax for six years. She also taught preschool classes at the Smithsonian National Zoo for four years. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northwest Missouri State University and an M.S. in Special Education. Sarah has traveled to 34 states, played piano for 8 years and competed in state competitions. She has owned two dogs: one named Comet and the other named Hailey. 

Samantha Parente — 6th Grade Teacher

Samantha has worked in private education for 8 years both as a staff member and teacher. She worked as the 5th/6th grade teacher at Pinecrest School in Annandale for the past three years. Samantha loves spending time with her husband and two daughters (and 90-pound bernadoodle). Samantha has a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in International Business Administration from Elon University and a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education from University of Phoenix.

Ben Stern — Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Ben has worked at Miner Elementary School in Washington, D.C., for the past three years in a variety of roles including 1st and 2nd grade classroom teacher. He attended Potomac for two years before making the right decision and becoming a Husky! Ben loves cooking and basketball and has a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Denison University.