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Get to Know Our Awesome New Team Members at SVES!
Alison Donahue, Second Grade
I am delighted to join the Sunrise Valley second grade team this upcoming school year! I just moved to Virginia from Boston where I received my bachelor's degree in elementary education from Emmanuel College and my master's degree in literacy instruction from Lesley University. During my time in Boston and the Greater Boston area, I completed my student teaching in third grade and went on to work with grades K-3 students in a diverse comprehensive learning center. As a teacher, my focus is to differentiate my lessons to meet the needs of all my unique learners and to create a comfortable and fun learning atmosphere for all students.
In my free time, I enjoy writing in my journal, reading, browsing Pinterest, taking spin classes, trying new restaurants, and spending time with 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!
Mary McBride, Third Grade
I am excited to join the third grade team at Sunrise Valley Elementary! After receiving my master's degree in elementary education and curriculum from George Mason University, I taught 6th
grade AAP at Poplar Tree Elementary. Before then, I was a substitute teacher for six years at FCPS elementary
schools, where I was able to gain experience in just about every classroom
setting. My goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where I
hope to guide students to become lifelong learners.
My children, graduates of FCPS, are off to their college
adventures, one at the University of Tennessee and the other at the University
of Virginia. Our summers and breaks are spent traveling to new destinations as
I attempt to visit every state. Coinciding with that goal, I work on my photography skills.
Meghan Ayubi, Fifth Grade
I am so excited to return to the
Sunrise Valley family teaching 5th grade AAP this year! This will be my
6th year at Sunrise Valley, where I previously taught fourth grade. Last year I
took a long-term leave of absence because my husband and I welcomed triplet
baby girls, who just turned a year old! We also have a very inquisitive, busy
4-year-old son who is quite proud of his instant big brother status. This school
is very special to my family and me, and we are so happy to live close by and
be a part of this amazing community.
I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education in 2000 and have a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. This
will be my 18th year of teaching, mostly all in upper elementary
(4th-6th). I taught for 7 years in Strongsville, Ohio and for 5 years in
Arlington, Virginia before joining FCPS in 2012. I am currently working toward
my AAP certification. I firmly believe that as elementary teachers it is our
job to ensure that learning is meaningful, engaging, and fun for all students,
for we are building the important foundation of lifelong learning.
Outside of teaching, I love
reading, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. I look
forward to working with you this year!
Amy Elfin, Sixth Grade
I
am thrilled to begin my first year of teaching at Sunrise Valley! I
recently graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education
and a concentration in bilingual education. I have previously taught students
in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Australia. As an educator, my goal is to
empower each of my students to take academic risks, explore their passions, and
become curious, informed, compassionate citizens.
When
I am not teaching, I work as the Camp Director at Traveling Players Ensemble, a
non-profit educational theater company that specializes in classical theater
and outdoor skills. Outside of work, I love to read, travel, watch hockey, and
draw. I cannot wait to join the Sunrise Valley community!
Avery Bouffard, Music
I am so honored to become part of the wonderful Sunrise Valley community! I recently graduated from Messiah College with a degree in music education K-12 with a concentration in guitar studies. I have created music in
a variety of different styles including flamenco, classical, jazz, and even
played banjo in the West Shore Symphony. As a new teacher at Sunrise Valley, I look
forward to creating an interactive learning environment where all students have
the opportunity to be successful.
During my time student teaching, I taught music at an
elementary school in Pennsylvania. In addition to teaching general music
classes, I have taught beginner band lessons, chorus, and adapted music
classes. My passion for teaching has really blossomed over the past few years
and I am delighted to begin at Sunrise Valley.
In
my spare time, I enjoy being outside with my little Maltese, learning more
about different cultures, and eating meals surrounded by family and friends.
Robin Wohl, Special Education
I am excited to join
the Sunrise Valley community. As the new K-3 enhanced autism teacher, I am
looking forward to building relationships with students, teachers, and parents.
I have a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of South Alabama.
I have over 15 years' experience teaching students with a variety of special
needs. My goal as an educator is to be mindful of each student's needs and learning styles in order to meet his/her learning goals. I
try to make learning exciting and fun!
I live in Leesburg with my husband and two daughters Avery, 5 and Kaley, 2. I have two black cats,
Semmie and Cosmo, and a Yorkie dog named Bella. I love to cook, travel, and
spend time with my family and friends.
Meily Grigg, Kindergarten
I am delighted to join
the school community at Sunrise Valley Elementary this upcoming year. I come to Sunrise Valley Elementary by transfer from Greenbriar West Elementary in Fairfax, where I worked as a
special education instructional assistant supporting second and fifth grade
students from 2016-2018. Prior to Greenbriar West, I was an instructional assistant at
Fairhill Elementary where I supported second grade students with learning and
emotional disabilities. I have a degree in performing arts from Texas
A&M University and will graduate from George Mason University with a master's degree in special education in May 2019. My experiences in the
classroom have allowed me to put all my studies to use and to learn from the
wonderful students and staff I have encountered along the way. I believe that collaboration is the most effective and most rewarding way to
prepare instruction that truly inspires, enlightens, and meets the individual
needs of all our students. I have closely collaborated with teachers
and specialists at previous schools to service the needs of all students and
to equip them with strategies and tools to help them succeed in their academic
journey. I look forward to collaborating and celebrating successes with the
staff, administration, and student community at Sunrise Valley.
Zareen Siddiqui, PHTA
I am very excited to join Sunrise Valley community as a PHT assistant! I have a bachelor's degree in arts, bachelor's degree in education, master's degree in philosophy, and master’s in education from Karachi
University in Pakistan. I began my career as a teacher in Pakistan and taught there for 15 years. I’ve worked with kindergarten students to tenth grade students. I am married and have 3 beautiful daughters. I love
spending time with my family! My hobbies include reading and listening to
music.
I look forward to working with my new coworkers and students. I
consider my coworkers and students to be just like my family. My message is
love and to spread it as far as one can. My goal as an educator is to create a
classroom environment where students get more than a simple education. A
classroom environment where students will engage in such experience that
will help develop a growth mindset. I hope to teach my students to love and respect everyone.
Kristin Lauver, Kindergarten
I am excited to join the Sunrise Valley community! A native
of suburban Maryland, I recently moved to Herndon. As an educator, I aim to
create a respectful and caring classroom community that values effort and
academic risk-taking. It’s amazing to be a part of children’s learning and to
see how much growth students make during their kindergarten year.
After attending the University of Maryland, College Park, I
began a career in architecture. However, after several years in that field and
a number of wonderful volunteer experiences in the classroom and childcare
settings, I realized my passion for teaching and learning. I returned to school
to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in early childhood education at Trinity
University in Washington, D.C. I have also taught kindergarten at Woodburn
Elementary in Falls Church and in Prince George’s County, MD.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy hiking and backpacking with my
husband, blogging about our adventures in various national parks, volunteering
in the community, and trying various regional cuisines. My next personal goal
is to learn how to play the acoustic guitar.
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