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Olubukunmi Peters, Kindergarten
I’m delighted to join the Kindergarten team at Sunrise Valley. This will be my fifth year with FCPS. I hold a masters degree in education from GMU and a bachelor’s in design from FIT.
This year, I look forward to creating an inclusive learning environment for my students to connect with one another and feed their curiosity of the world around them.
In my free time, you can find me wandering through the forest eating wild berries, at local parks spending sweet time with my nieces, or west of Route 7 shopping for vintage clothing.
Lorraine Tran, Counseling
I'm super excited to be joining the staff at Sunrise Valley Elementary School. I earned my master's degree in counseling & development with a concentration in school counseling from George Mason University. Last year, I split my time between Flint Hill Elementary and Shrevewood Elementary. This school year, I will continue to share my time with Flint Hill while being the part-time school counselor at Sunrise Valley.
As a school counselor, I am a firm believer in fostering a growth mindset and cultivating resiliency. My goal is to support the well-being of all students, whether that be academically, socially, or emotionally. I am a lifelong learner and enjoy learning and immersing myself in different cultures. In my free time, I like to catch up with friends and family, especially my 5-year-old nephew. I am anticipating an exciting 2020-2021 school year, and I look forward to collaboratively working with all of you!
Megan Sharkey, Fourth Grade
I am thrilled to be joining the Sunrise Valley Elementary School community! I have a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and will be entering my sixth year of teaching. I have taught fifth grade for two years and sixth grade STEAM for three years, including experience teaching in advanced classroom settings. I am passionate about fostering and empowering lifelong learners in my classroom. My husband and I are excited to have recently relocated back to Virginia from Washington state. Some of my hobbies include being active in the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, experimenting in the kitchen, and I recently took up golf. I am looking forward to bringing my enthusiasm for learning to Sunrise Valley Elementary.
Ellen Meyer, Special Education
I am so excited to teach at Sunrise Valley Elementary School this upcoming year. I’m originally from the Midwest but have lived in Virginia for over 7 years. I have a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a focus in special education. I recently received my master’s degree in special education with a certificate in applied behavior analysis from George Mason University.
I’ve taught special education in FCPS for 6 years in both a noncategorical classroom and an enhanced autism classroom. I love the joy, laughter, and creativity that is involved in teaching special education. I am continually inspired by my students’ unyielding perseverance. I am grateful for the role I get to play in their education and love seeing them succeed.
When I’m not teaching, I love hiking, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends. I look forward to working with you all!
Hanna Nguyen, Second Grade
Hello, Sunrise Valley community! I am so thrilled to join the second grade team this upcoming year. I am a graduate of FCPS. I attended Garfield Elementary School from K-6 and went to South County Middle and High School. I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education and my master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. By chance, I was able to go back to Garfield Elementary to complete my student teaching where I taught fourth grade. It was surreal to work with and observe teachers that inspired me to teach! I’ve been a fifth grade teacher there for the past three years. I recently moved to Sterling, and I’m excited for this new opportunity to teach a primary grade here at Sunrise Valley.
As an educator, my goal is to make learning meaningful and engaging to empower my students to become curious thinkers. My focus is on building supportive relationships while differentiating my lessons to meet the needs of all my unique learners.
In my free time, I enjoy cooking different recipes, trying out new taco restaurants, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.
I am looking forward to working with the wonderful staff members at Sunrise Valley, and I can’t wait to meet my upcoming second grade students and their families!
Lisa Caminiti, Special Education
I am so excited to join the Sunrise Valley Elementary School team. Originally from the New York City area, I am relocating from California after 4 years of teaching special education in the San Francisco Bay area.
After graduating from Hunter College in NYC with a degree in sociology, I attended Pace University and obtained a master’s in special education and have been teaching ever since.
I began my teaching career in Brooklyn, New York and have loved the last 10 + years working with special education students in both the RSP and self-contained settings in a variety of unique and diverse cities.
Although I'm a city person at heart, I am also a big fan of hiking and spending time outdoors and love exploring new cities and towns. I am new to Virginia and excited to experience everything this new home has to offer.
Dawn DeBaere, Art
I began my life as an artist in Northern Illinois. As a young girl, I watched my older sister work on her art projects for hours. I began to imitate her assignments and make them my own. As I grew older and took art classes myself, I knew that I wanted to be an artist.
I have always loved children. I began babysitting at a young age. As I got older, I began painting murals in children’s rooms and nurseries for family and friends.
I attended Illinois State University where I received my bachelor's degree in art education. I then taught two years at an elementary school in Northern Illinois.
Later, I moved to Las Vegas and taught art for six years at a year-round elementary school. I also continued my education with a master's degree in creative arts in learning from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
I have been an active member of the National Art Educators Association for the past 12 years and have attended 10 of the annual professional development conferences around the country.
I am an active member of the Loudoun Sketch Club, a group of plein air painters that meet weekly.
This will be my fourth year teaching elementary art in Fairfax County. I also taught for seven years in Loudoun County.
In my free time, I love to go hiking and take photographs that I later use to make watercolor paintings. I have been able to travel to Italy, Ireland, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Mexico, and Australia. I enjoy incorporating my experiences into my lessons.
Renee Sheridan, Third Grade
My name is Renee Sheridan, and I am so excited to be the new 3rd grade teacher at Sunrise Valley! I grew up here in Fairfax County and graduated from Virginia Tech with my bachelor’s degree in history (go Hokies!). I am currently attending graduate school at George Mason to earn my master’s degree in education. I have experience working with kindergarten, 1st grade, and 4th grade, both in a general and special education settings. Some of my passions outside of teaching include animals, Disney, and baking. I cannot wait to work with your students this year!
10824 Cross School Road Reston, VA 20191 | Main Office: 703-715-3800
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