Faculty & Staff
Teachers who are extraordinary individuals
Our faculty believe “the unexamined life is not worth living” and desire to communicate with passion what is true, beautiful and good. We are a group of teachers and staff who are committed to the daily improvement of their own spirits, bodies and minds and ready to lead students toward the same lifestyle. We at WCA strive to set ourselves apart from the frenetic busyness of the postmodern age by focusing on what is eternal, rather than temporal.
Great Teachers are Great Artists
Washington Christian Academy’s faculty is a gifted, diverse, and dedicated group of teachers from a variety of backgrounds. United by their faith in Christ and commitment to Christian education, they combine impressive knowledge of their subjects with real passion for teaching. WCA teachers are committed to the success of each of their students, calling them to high standards in a climate of abundant grace and caring. Nearly half of our faculty have advanced degrees. Great teachers are great artists, and ours have sculpted an experience that kindles a sense of wonder and delight that fosters a taste for what is good and noble.
Lower School Faculty Members
Upper School Faculty Members
Administrative Staff
Lower School Faculty Members
Margie Haygood
Arvina Gadre
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Arvina Dalaya Gadre
Kindergarten
About
Arvina Dalaya Gadre has extensive teaching experience which spans the globe – she taught in India for 10 years before immigrating to America. She has been a Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade Class teacher covering a span of 26 years. Arvina was also a substitute teacher for seven years.
Education: BA English Honors, BEd. in English and Social Studies, and MA in English Literature from Delhi University and Annamalai University, India
In her spare time Arvina enjoys writing poetry and plays. She also likes to cook, do embroidery, and scrapbook. She is a Master Naturalist at the Audubon Naturalist Society, is very involved at her church, and is a scout leader.
Bridgette Bell
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Bridgette Bell
First Grade
About
Ms. Bell has been dedicated to Christian education and has spent over 10 years working in early elementary education, primarily within the private sector. Her longest tenure has been at the Kindergarten level. Throughout her teaching journey, she has served in various roles, including Kindergarten teacher, Physical Education instructor, and middle school substitute teacher. These diverse experiences have given her a well-rounded perspective that she brings into the classroom each day.
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Communication – Hofstra University
- Master of Business Administration – Regent University, Magna Cum Laude
Beyond the Classroom
Outside of school, Ms. Bell enjoys giving back to her community as a volunteer track and field coach. She is also passionate about fostering a love of reading in young learners and finds great joy in helping students grow both academically and personally.
Beth McCaw
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Beth McCaw
Second Grade
About
Ms. Beth McCaw has been teaching since 1988 with extensive experience in Christian School education. She recently relocated from Oklahoma.
Education: BA in Elementary Education, Magna Cum Laude Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
In her spare time Ms. McCaw likes to read, hike and spend time with her family... especially her grandchildren.
Alison Sellner
Kerine Simms
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Kerine Simms
Fourth Grade
About
Ms Simms has significant teaching experience for over 8 years, and will be embarking on her third year of teaching at the Elementary Level. She has experience in teaching both private and public schools. She spent five years as a paraeducator teaching all grade levels at a Middle School with MCPS, giving her a well-rounded perspective on students’ educational growth across grade levels.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude in Elementary Education and Special Education from Notre Dame University of Maryland.
Leisure and Recreation: Aside from her career, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, going to church, teaching Sunday School, (over 13 years)and relaxing to soothing Gospel music. In addition, she enjoys gardening during the Spring and Summer season.
Bonnie Girdler
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Bonnie Girdler
Fifth Grade
About
Mrs. Girdler has been teaching a variety of Lower and Upper School classes for over 20 years. Her wide range of teaching experience includes Middle School Math and High School Literature, which makes her an ideal teacher for 5th grade and the bridge to our Upper School.
Education: BS in Bible and English, Magna Cum Laude from Baptist Bible College, Clarks Summit, PA
In her spare time Mrs. Girdler enjoys reading, playing piano and spending time with her family.
April Schlegelmilch
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April Schlegelmilch
LS Math Resource; LS Science Lab
About
Mrs. Schlegelmilch is entering her 13th year of teaching, 8 years in middle school science and 4 years in elementary education. This is her 3rd year teaching elementary math resource classes at WCA.
Education: B.S. in Education from Kent State University and a M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University.
In her spare time: Mrs. S likes to garden, read, travel, bake, spend time with her family, and serve in her church cafe.
Kathy Hall
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Kathy Hall
LS Math Resource
About
Mrs. Kathy Hall After working as a physical therapist who specialized in pediatric neurodevelopment for 10 years, she became a dedicated Christian educator with over 25 years of experience. Her diverse background has given her a deep holistic understanding of the student and how to support the student in her learning journey. She is looking forward to her 11th year of teaching at WCA. This year she will teach middle school and high school public speaking, 7th grade computer and typing and continue working in the US resource department as well as sharing her love of math with the lower school students. In her spare time she enjoys hiking in the mountains with her husband Tim, swimming, writing haikus, reading books outside on her deck and spending time with her adult children and granddaughters.
Education: BS in Physical Therapy from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY Cambridge University CELTA certificate
Linda Blackistone
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Linda Blackistone
LS Language Arts Resource
About
Mrs. Blackistone taught Kindergarten at WCA for 5 years at the Arcola campus. After a short break, she returned to teach first grade a few hours a week to allow that teacher to teach music. After WCA opened a preschool, she taught the three year old preschool class for 14 years until the program ended. She is entering her 26th year as a lower school resource teacher.
Education: B.S in Early Childhood Education Magna Cum Laude from University of Maryland and a M.Ed from the University of Maryland in Nursery-Kindergarten Education.
In her spare time: Mrs. Blackistone likes to spend time with her husband of 53 years and the families of their two daughters. She enjoys baking and singing in her church choir. In warm weather, she enjoys being outdoors gardening, hiking, and relaxing on her porch or by the water. In the cold weather, she enjoys staying indoors wrapped in a blanket.
Heather Woodburn
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Heather Woodburn
LS Art
About
Mrs. Heather Woodburn teaches K-12 Art. Heather’s background is graphic design/advertising. For the past 13 years she has taught Art at various homeschool co-ops, art camps and paint events.
Education: BS in Graphic Design from the University of Maryland, College Park.
In her spare time: She loves to spend time with her family and friends, to read and try new recipes, to hike, camp and kayak, and to goof around with her goats.
Elizabeth Gordon
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Elizabeth Gordon
LS Art
About
Mrs. Gordon teaches K-12 Art. She has over ten years of experience teaching art in private schools and an even longer history with WCA since she graduated from here. In her spare time, Mrs. Gordon enjoys spending time with her husband and three children (the youngest was born this summer), reading, crafting, thrift storing, and exploring new places.
Education: BA in Studio Art from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Bill Krueger
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Bill Krueger
LS Band & Music
About
Mr. Bill Krueger has conducted music programs in schools and churches for over 35 years. Mr. Krueger's primary instrument is the trumpet, and he also plays guitar, bass guitar, and hand percussion instruments. Mr. Krueger is the WCA Fine Arts Department Coordinator and coordinates the weekly Chapel services.
Education: BA in Music Education from Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts and an MA in Music Education from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts.
In his spare time Mr. Krueger enjoys spending time with his family, playing trumpet with the Rockville Brass Band, and leading the Worship Team at First Baptist Church of Rockville.
Greg Watkins
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Greg Watkins
LS Choir & Music
About
Mr. Watkins teaches choir, drama, piano and Lower School music. He is an award winning artist who brings with him over 20 years of experience in working with children and directing music and musical theater programs in schools and churches. His primary instruments are piano and voice. He is most proud to have served 11 consecutive years as artistic director of The MusicianShip Washington Youth Choir where he was responsible for cultivating a dynamic choral music program for middle and high school students across the Washington metropolitan area and producing a high-quality performance troupe that has shared platforms with artists including Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Linda Eder and Demi Lovato to name a few. Prior to beginning his time at WCA, Mr. Watkins served as an Administrator (Director of Social Emotional Learning and Student Affairs) at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. He is intentionally passionate about building healthy relationships with the community of students and families he is blessed to serve.
Education: 4-Year Arts Endorsement from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, B.M. in Music Education from Howard University and a M.Ed. in Policy and Leadership from American University.
In his spare time and beyond the classroom, Mr. Watkins enjoys personal time of meditation and serenity while sitting by a nice, relaxing body of water. He also enjoys traveling, bowling, ziplining, laughter with friends, and supporting LIVE theater.
Christopher Parker
Olivia Needham
Myrrh Hsu
Pay-Lu Mertus
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Pay-Lu Mertus
LS Aide
About
Pay-Lu is a dedicated Teacher Aide at Washington Christian Academy. With a passion for creativity and education, she brings a unique blend of artistic talent and nurturing guidance to the classroom. Originally from Haiti, she has been married for 15 years and is a proud mother of two boys. Her love for hands-on work and child development inspires her daily work with students.
Education: After graduating from high school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Pay-Lu attended Université Quisqueya, where she studied Architecture and developed a strong foundation in design. She further honed her technical skills by earning a certification in AutoCAD. Upon moving to the United States, she pursued her interest in early childhood education by taking courses in Early Childhood Development at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.
In her spare time: Pay-Lu enjoys expressing her creativity through crafts, baking cakes, and making sweet treats. Her love for working with her hands extends beyond the classroom, whether she’s designing art projects or whipping up delicious desserts for her family and friends.
Eli Choi
Mary Dennis
Upper School Faculty Members
Jann Allen
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Jann Allen
US Faculty; US Resource Coordinator
About
With over two decades of dedicated service to education, Mrs. Allen brings a unique blend of academic and real-world teaching experience to our school community. She serves as both a 6th and 7th grade grammar instructor and Upper School Resource Department Coordinator.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Afro-American Studies with a minor in French from Smith College complimented by a Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University. She also studied at La Sorbonne Université IV and Institut d'études politiques de Paris.
Before joining our faculty, Mrs. Allen gained invaluable hands-on experience homeschooling for 24 years, developing insights into individualized learning approaches and family-centred education. Her specialized training in peacemaking/conflict resolution and Redemptive Compassion reflects her commitment to creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Mrs. Allen has volunteered with Good Samaritan Advocates and Love In The Name of Christ of Montgomery County, two ministries which reflect her passion for local missions, advocacy, and community involvement. Mrs. Allen also enjoys Latin dance, cooking, and extending hospitality to family, friends and neighbours.
Daniel Amoako
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Daniel Amoako
US Math
About
Mr. Amoako is a dedicated educator with over 10 years of teaching experience, much of which he gained in England. His international background brings a rich and diverse perspective to the classroom, offering students a unique and engaging learning experience. Passionate about helping students become high achievers, he is skilled at making mathematics accessible and exciting for learners of all abilities. His extensive experience spans both elementary and high school levels, and he has worked with students from a wide range of cultural and academic backgrounds. In addition to his teaching role, Mr. Amoako has also served in a pastoral capacity, ensuring the wellbeing and safeguarding of his students.
Education: Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) -Mathematics, Open University, UK; Masters of Business Administration (MBA-Finance Option), University of Hull, UK; Bachelor of Commerce Degree, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
In his spare time, Mr Amoako enjoys reading christian literature, listening to music, and working out.
Meron Araya
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Meron Araya
US Math; Math Department Coordinator
About
Ms. Meron Araya teaches Algebra 2, Honors Algebra, Precalculus, Business Math, Physics and Introduction to Engineering.
Education: MSc. Civil Engineering, Idaho State University M. Div Trinity International University Deerfield, Illinois
In her spare time: She enjoys cooking, reading, and working out.
Eli Choi
Paul Burden
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Paul Burden
US Economics & U.S. Government
About
Mr. Burden has spent most of his professional life in the technology field, 13 years of which was with Microsoft. He is passionate about instilling a sense of curiosity in his students and hopes to inspire them to be lifelong learners. In his free time you will likely find him on the golf course.
Education: BA Sociology FSU, MS Political Science Johns Hopkins University - Honors
Claudia Garcia
Erica Granada
Karl Heiser
Barbara Krueger
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Barbara Krueger
US English & Electives
About
Mrs. Krueger has been teaching in a variety of school and non-profit settings since 1981. While teaching, she has also held a number of summer and year-round administrative positions at two Christian camps in New England. WCA is her first Christian School position. While here, she has taught 3rd grade, Middle and High School Life Science/Biology, and English. Currently, Barb is teaching 6th through 9th grade English. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her friends from all over the United States, as well as her family and 7 grandchildren.
Education: B.A in Secondary Education and English, with a minor in Bible, from Gordon College (Wenham, MA).
Bill Krueger
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Bill Krueger
LS Band & Music
About
Mr. Bill Krueger has conducted music programs in schools and churches for over 35 years. Mr. Krueger's primary instrument is the trumpet, and he also plays guitar, bass guitar, and hand percussion instruments. Mr. Krueger is the WCA Fine Arts Department Coordinator and coordinates the weekly Chapel services.
Education: BA in Music Education from Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts and an MA in Music Education from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Massachusetts.
In his spare time Mr. Krueger enjoys spending time with his family, playing trumpet with the Rockville Brass Band, and leading the Worship Team at First Baptist Church of Rockville.
Christopher Parker
Rex Phung
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Rex Phung
US Computer Applications
About
Mr. Phung teaches AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, 8th Grade Computer Science, and Introduction to Engineering.
Education: B.A. in Music Education from Ohio State University, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instructional Technology Specialist from Framingham State University, Massachusetts.
Nicole Shaheen
Arvina Dalaya Gadre
Kindergarten
About
Arvina Dalaya Gadre has extensive teaching experience which spans the globe – she taught in India for 10 years before immigrating to America. She has been a Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade Class teacher covering a span of 26 years. Arvina was also a substitute teacher for seven years.
Education: BA English Honors, BEd. in English and Social Studies, and MA in English Literature from Delhi University and Annamalai University, India
In her spare time Arvina enjoys writing poetry and plays. She also likes to cook, do embroidery, and scrapbook. She is a Master Naturalist at the Audubon Naturalist Society, is very involved at her church, and is a scout leader.
Rob Thomson
Arvina Dalaya Gadre
Kindergarten
About
Arvina Dalaya Gadre has extensive teaching experience which spans the globe – she taught in India for 10 years before immigrating to America. She has been a Kindergarten, Third Grade, and Fourth Grade Class teacher covering a span of 26 years. Arvina was also a substitute teacher for seven years.
Education: BA English Honors, BEd. in English and Social Studies, and MA in English Literature from Delhi University and Annamalai University, India
In her spare time Arvina enjoys writing poetry and plays. She also likes to cook, do embroidery, and scrapbook. She is a Master Naturalist at the Audubon Naturalist Society, is very involved at her church, and is a scout leader.
Greg Watkins
Read Bio
Greg Watkins
LS Choir & Music
About
Mr. Watkins teaches choir, drama, piano and Lower School music. He is an award winning artist who brings with him over 20 years of experience in working with children and directing music and musical theater programs in schools and churches. His primary instruments are piano and voice. He is most proud to have served 11 consecutive years as artistic director of The MusicianShip Washington Youth Choir where he was responsible for cultivating a dynamic choral music program for middle and high school students across the Washington metropolitan area and producing a high-quality performance troupe that has shared platforms with artists including Diana Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Linda Eder and Demi Lovato to name a few. Prior to beginning his time at WCA, Mr. Watkins served as an Administrator (Director of Social Emotional Learning and Student Affairs) at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC. He is intentionally passionate about building healthy relationships with the community of students and families he is blessed to serve.
Education: 4-Year Arts Endorsement from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, B.M. in Music Education from Howard University and a M.Ed. in Policy and Leadership from American University.
In his spare time and beyond the classroom, Mr. Watkins enjoys personal time of meditation and serenity while sitting by a nice, relaxing body of water. He also enjoys traveling, bowling, ziplining, laughter with friends, and supporting LIVE theater.
Jason Wenner
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Jason Wenner
US History; History Department Coordinator
About
Mr. Wenner teaches Modern American/World History (12th), Government (10th, 8th), and Economics (10th). His teaching makes extensive use of current events and draws upon a wide range of contemporary expert opinions regarding the strategic significance of events. Mr. Wenner aims to provide an education that prepares students to take their place as a next generation of diplomats, analysts, and in other leadership positions in business/government.
Education: M.A.T., Secondary Social Studies, Loyola University, Baltimore, Maryland. B.S., General Studies, Clarion University, Clarion, Pennsylvania.
In his spare time, Mr. Wenner enjoys exploring a wide range of topics, with particular emphasis on international relations, national security, and business/finance. He also enjoys working out, trail biking, kayaking, and fossil hunting.
Ann Marie Wimberly
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Ann Marie Hill
US Math
About
Ann Marie is in her 27th year of education. She has taught a variety of grades from first to ninth grade in several public and private schools in Montgomery County, with a specific focus on mathematics for the last 22 years. This year she will be teaching middle school math to 6th through 8th grade students here at WCA. In her spare time, Ann Marie works as a manager and trainer at a gym. She also loves cross country and track and field, spending time outdoors, and with family.
Education: BS in Education from University of Maryland, College Park. MA - Ed from Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.
Heather Woodburn
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Heather Woodburn
LS Art
About
Mrs. Heather Woodburn teaches K-12 Art. Heather’s background is graphic design/advertising. For the past 13 years she has taught Art at various homeschool co-ops, art camps and paint events.
Education: BS in Graphic Design from the University of Maryland, College Park.
In her spare time: She loves to spend time with her family and friends, to read and try new recipes, to hike, camp and kayak, and to goof around with her goats.
Administrative Staff
Michelle Wilgenburg
Bart Den Boer
Brenda Vos
Zachary Martin
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Zackary Martin
Theology, History, Psychology, Theology Department Coordinator
About
Education: B.A in Political Science from Ohio State University, M.A in Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary, and currently completing his Ph.D in Religion and Culture from Catholic University of America. Mr. Martin is writing his dissertation on uses of worldview as a concept within American evangelicalism over the past century.
Mr. Martin and his wife Kate live in Urbana, MD with their son, Isaac. They love going on long walks, going to movies together and taking impromptu trips to the beach. Mr. Martin enjoys music of all genres, occasional video gaming, and reading.