Lower School Newsletter – August 9, 2023

New Roles, Departures, and New Hires

New Roles

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

• Shannon McCarty - Interim Director of the Learning Center
• Eve Shade - Art Director

Departures 

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. 

• Laura Day - Enrollment Data and Systems Coordinator
• Aixa Snell - Lower School Social Studies and Science Department Chair and Sixth Grade Teacher

New Hires 

We are delighted to welcome new Lower School faculty/staff and members of the Senior Leadership Team to the Flint Hill family.

Shawn Arrington - Director of Information Technology

Shawn has worked in independent schools for over 25 years in North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Most recently, Shawn worked at the Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 14 years, serving as chief information officer, teacher, advisor, and coach. He has a B.S. in physics and mathematics from Longwood University and an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Alabama - Birmingham. Fun fact: Shawn enjoys binge-watching TV shows with his wife and two young adult children.

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Olivia Bartley - Lower School Learning Specialist  

Olivia has worked in education for over five years in Montessori, nonprofit, and private organizations. She is a former Peace Corps education volunteer in Togo (West Africa). She has a B.A. in international studies from George Mason University, and she is pursuing an M.S. in educational psychology from Purdue University Global. Fun facts: Olivia has studied abroad in Ecuador and the Philippines. She loves to bake and cheer for the Steelers on Sundays! This summer, she took a road trip to Colorado and Montana with family. 

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Alexis Bennett - Kindergarten Assistant  

Before her two years of substituting at Flint Hill, Alexis was a co-teacher at the private school Montclair Community Pre-K. She has an A.A. in social science. Fun fact: Alexis has lived in four different states within the United States and has taken a road trip across the country.

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Nicole Carey - Lower School Counselor  

Nicole has worked in education for 15 years in different mental health support roles involving assessment, referral, coordination with educators, training, and direct support for public school administrations and private schools. She has a B.A. in child development from Mills College, an M.A. in developmental psychology from Columbia University, an M.Ed. in community counseling from Howard University, and a Psy.D. in clinical psychology from American School of Professional Psychology. Fun facts: Nicole has lived on both the east and west coast, loves to hike and see movies, and spends as much time as she can with her family. 

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Tracie Epes - Director of Counseling

Tracie has worked with children and adolescents for over 25 years in public and private schools, therapeutic settings, and community agencies. Prior to joining Flint Hill, she worked at The Madeira School for 15 years as the director of counseling. She has a B.A. in psychology from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and an M.S. and Ed.S. in counseling from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro. Fun facts: Tracie enjoys baking cupcakes and creating different flavors and designs. She loves playing and watching soccer, walking in the woods with her dog, Phoebe, and spending time with family and friends.  

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Jason Klem - Assistant Director of College Counseling  

Jason has worked in college admissions for six years. He represented Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, for five years and spent two years as a Washington D.C.-area regional coordinator, developing a solid understanding of the high schools in the region. He has a B.S. in applied psychology from Ithaca College. Fun facts: Jason loves to explore new areas by walking, hiking, and running. He has completed multiple marathons.

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Madeleine Lopez - Director of the Lower School  

Madeleine has taught several elementary grade levels and held numerous academic leadership positions for 20 years, both in public and private schools. She has a B.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University, an M.A.T. in Elementary Education from Manhattanville College, and an M.Ed. in private school leadership from Columbia University. Fun fact: Madeleine is an only child but now has a large family and loves to spend time with them.

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Aaron Proctor - Director of Academics

Proctor (he goes by his last name) served as a teacher - mostly in psychology and mathematics - and administrator for over 20 years at various schools. He has a B.S. in economics from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. in psychology from Capella University. Fun facts: He prefers to be called Proctor as his first name and he loves rugby.

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Michele Scadron - Kindergarten Assistant  

Michele taught students in grades K-2 at Waples Mill Elementary in Fairfax County Public Schools for over 30 years. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education (K-4) from George Mason University and an M. Ed. from George Mason University's Institute for Educational Transformation. Fun facts: Michele enjoys spending time with family. She is passionate about caring for monarch butterflies and their habitats.

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Maxwell Simpson  - Enrollment Systems Manager

Maxwell has worked in higher education settings for about eight years, including recruitment and operational positions. He has a B.S. in communications from Old Dominion University and an M.S. in cybersecurity from Marymount University. Fun facts: Maxwell is a triplet and loves to play competitive pickleball.