Welcome, New Faculty & Staff!
Shauna Carado
Physical Education Teacher
Shauna joins us from Julius West Middle School where she has been a health and physical education teacher since 2014. She also served as the girls’ softball coach and chaired the Wellness Committee, as well as coached girls' basketball at Richard Montgomery High School. During summers, Shauna works as a day camp instructor at Christ Episcopal School in Rockville. Previously, Shauna was a health and physical education teacher in a wide range of grades, K-12, for two Pennsylvania school districts. She holds a B.S. in health and physical education from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a M.Ed. in health and wellness from American College of Education.Physical Education Teacher
Cheryl Crain
Second Grade Homeroom Teacher (Long-term Sub)
Cheryl, a creative and dedicated educator with more than 20 years of experience teaching children and adults, joins Norwood’s second grade team from Concord Hill School in Chevy Chase where she has been a first grade teacher since 1999. Before that, Cheryl worked as a preschool, first grade, and fifth/sixth grade science teacher at Hellenic American Academy in Potomac and was the director of a childcare center in Bethel Park, PA. Cheryl also worked as an occupational therapist at Georgetown University Medical Center. She holds a B.S. in education from West Virginia University and completed work towards a master’s degree in occupational therapy at the University of North Carolina. Cheryl is a certified Responsive Classroom educator.
Stephen Crisp
Lower School Music Teacher (Long-term Sub)
Stephen, our long-term music substitute while Hannah Epstein is on maternity leave, brings a wealth of experience in music education, including as a vocal coach at Nerd Singing and Imagination Stage, both in Bethesda, and a musical director at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church. He was also a vocal arts director and choreographer at Camp Arena Stage and the director of the drama department at Mason Intermediate School in Mason, OH. He has performed in, choreographed, and directed a myriad of shows from Seussical the Musical to South Pacific to Annie. Stephen earned a B.F.A. in musical theatre from Minnesota State University and an M.M. (contemporary commercial music pedagogy) from Shenandoah Conservatory.
Kelly Dickinson
Media Resource Specialist
Kelly comes to us from National Cathedral School where she has worked since 2011, first as an assistant librarian and most recently as the middle school librarian. Additionally, she serves as a middle school advisor, sits on the Middle School Advisory Curriculum Planning Committee, and serves as co-advisor of the Middle School Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Prior to NCS, Kelly worked as a children’s department intern at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Homestead. She holds a B.A. in English literature from Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA, and a master’s degree in library and information sciences, with specialization in services to children and youth, from the University of Pittsburgh.
Media Resource Specialist
Kelly comes to us from National Cathedral School where she has worked since 2011, first as an assistant librarian and most recently as the middle school librarian. Additionally, she serves as a middle school advisor, sits on the Middle School Advisory Curriculum Planning Committee, and serves as co-advisor of the Middle School Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Prior to NCS, Kelly worked as a children’s department intern at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Library of Homestead. She holds a B.A. in English literature from Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA, and a master’s degree in library and information sciences, with specialization in services to children and youth, from the University of Pittsburgh.
Bridget Donofrio
Third Grade Homeroom Teacher
Bridget is joining the third grade team from St. Bartholomew School where she was a second grade teacher and a member of the curriculum committee for the past three years. She also worked as a lead counselor at Beauvoir Summer, as an English language instructor at a university in Ukraine for two years, and taught grades 2-4 at St. Monica Academy in Pasadena, CA for six years. She earned a B.A. in classical liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College, studied French at Middlebury College Language Schools, and has accelerated certification in teaching from Notre Dame of Maryland University. Bridget is a certified Responsive Classroom educator and holds certification from the Maryland State Department of Education for Elementary Education 1-6.
Mia Fisher
Middle School Drama Teacher
Mia is a passionate, creative, and award-winning theatre arts educator, performer, and director. For the past five years, she has been the head theatre arts and speech director at Frankford Middle School in Plano, TX. Previously, for two years, Mia was the head theatre arts director and music composer at a middle and senior high school in Dallas. She was an audition and vocal coach for a theatre company in Richardson, TX; created jingles and radio ads for an advertising agency; toured and performed literary classics in Houston-area public schools; and implemented after-school theatre education programs. Mia has a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from the University of Houston. Her daughter, Maris, is a new Norwood first grader.
Middle School Drama Teacher
Mia is a passionate, creative, and award-winning theatre arts educator, performer, and director. For the past five years, she has been the head theatre arts and speech director at Frankford Middle School in Plano, TX. Previously, for two years, Mia was the head theatre arts director and music composer at a middle and senior high school in Dallas. She was an audition and vocal coach for a theatre company in Richardson, TX; created jingles and radio ads for an advertising agency; toured and performed literary classics in Houston-area public schools; and implemented after-school theatre education programs. Mia has a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts from the University of Houston. Her daughter, Maris, is a new Norwood first grader.
Alexia Gunn
Site Director, Horizons at Norwood
Alexia has extensive experience in education, both as a teacher and program manager. Most recently, she was the math department chair and a math teacher at Arrowhead School in Upper Marlboro. Before that, Alexia was with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program for seven years. She was also a site director with Center City Public Charter Schools in D.C. and a teacher at Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School and The Steppingstone Academy, both in Boston. She is a KIPP DC volunteer, supporting program development, fundraising, and special projects. Alexia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education, both from Simmons University.
Site Director, Horizons at Norwood
Alexia has extensive experience in education, both as a teacher and program manager. Most recently, she was the math department chair and a math teacher at Arrowhead School in Upper Marlboro. Before that, Alexia was with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps program for seven years. She was also a site director with Center City Public Charter Schools in D.C. and a teacher at Benjamin Banneker Public Charter School and The Steppingstone Academy, both in Boston. She is a KIPP DC volunteer, supporting program development, fundraising, and special projects. Alexia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in education, both from Simmons University.
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Diana is a creative and energetic early childhood educator devoted to offering diverse activity plans and experiential learning opportunities to enhance individual development. For the past 15 years, Diane has served as head toddler teacher at Franklin Montessori School in Washington, DC. In this role, she created lesson plans and classroom management strategies, developed a developmental checklist, conducted student assessments, helped to implement a successful nature program, and was dedicated to differentiated instruction and diverse activities to help every child succeed and find joy in learning. Diana is fluent in German, speaks French and Farsi, and is currently studying online for her B.A. in early childhood education from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN.
Third Grade Homeroom Teacher
Hannah will be joining us from New York City where she has taught fifth and sixth grades at The Neighborhood School for the past five years. While there, she chaired the Diversity Committee, Professional Development Committee, and the Anti-Racist Inquiry Group. Previously, Hannah taught third and fourth grades at the International School of Brooklyn, taught English and social studies to students in grades 1-5 at the Lycée Français de New York, and was a middle school teacher at Children’s Day School in San Francisco. Hannah holds a B.A. from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and an M.A. in elementary inclusive education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Casey Kunkel
Science Teacher (Long-term Sub)
Claire Lynch
Lower School Art Teacher
Claire has taught art to a wide range of age groups (pre-school through college) and enjoys cultivating an environment of creativity and exploration where students develop their artistic voice. Most recently, she served in various positions within the Residence Life Department of the Maryland Institute College of Art, working directly with students to build supportive and creative communities. She was a 3D art instructor for Potomac School Summer Programs and also worked for two summers as a design thinking coach for under-served high school students in Baltimore, teaching them how to use the design thinking process to empower them to create social change in their direct communities. Claire has a B.A. in studio arts from Stanford University and an M.F.A. from MICA’s Rinehart School for Sculpture.
Stephanie Orji
Second Grade Homeroom Teacher
Stephanie joins us from Shanghai Little Bridge School, a bilingual private school in Shanghai, China, where she has worked for the past two years as the dean of students and the second grade English team leader, as well as an ESL teacher. Before that, Stephanie was a second grade teacher for three years and the assistant director of the after school program for one year at Dickey Hill Elementary School in Baltimore. She has a B.S. from Cheyney University, where she was a presidential scholar and the University’s first NCAA Track and Field National Qualifier; an MPA from West Chester University; and an M.S. in education from Johns Hopkins University.
Second Grade Homeroom Teacher
Stephanie joins us from Shanghai Little Bridge School, a bilingual private school in Shanghai, China, where she has worked for the past two years as the dean of students and the second grade English team leader, as well as an ESL teacher. Before that, Stephanie was a second grade teacher for three years and the assistant director of the after school program for one year at Dickey Hill Elementary School in Baltimore. She has a B.S. from Cheyney University, where she was a presidential scholar and the University’s first NCAA Track and Field National Qualifier; an MPA from West Chester University; and an M.S. in education from Johns Hopkins University.
Director of Admission and Enrollment Management
Alex is an experienced independent school administrator who most recently served as director of enrollment and marketing at Williamsburg Northside School (age 2-grade 8) in Brooklyn, NY. Previously, for three years, he was the founding head of school at AltSchool (grades K-8) in New York City. Alex was also the director of middle and upper school at City and Country School in New York, as well as director of technology and eighth grade dean at Collegiate School, also in New York, for 11 years. He earned a B.A. in psychology from The George Washington University and an M.A. in instructional technology and media from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Wendy Wilson
Kindergarten Teacher
Wendy has more than two decades of experience as a lead teacher in four independent schools: Collegiate School in Richmond, Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, MI, McLean School in Potomac, and Park Tudor School in Indianapolis. While Wendy has taught in a wide range of grades, PK-5, she spent most of her years in PK-1 classrooms. Most recently, at Collegiate School, Wendy served on team charged with creating and teaching a hybrid early childhood program of play-based and direct instruction for four- and five-year-olds. Wendy has a B.S. in elementary education from Indiana University. Her daughters, Shelby and Ellie, are new Norwood fourth and seventh graders.
Kindergarten Teacher
Wendy has more than two decades of experience as a lead teacher in four independent schools: Collegiate School in Richmond, Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, MI, McLean School in Potomac, and Park Tudor School in Indianapolis. While Wendy has taught in a wide range of grades, PK-5, she spent most of her years in PK-1 classrooms. Most recently, at Collegiate School, Wendy served on team charged with creating and teaching a hybrid early childhood program of play-based and direct instruction for four- and five-year-olds. Wendy has a B.S. in elementary education from Indiana University. Her daughters, Shelby and Ellie, are new Norwood fourth and seventh graders.
Located in Bethesda, MD, Norwood School develops students in grades PK-8 into confident lifelong learners who have the academic, character, and leadership skills to succeed in high school and beyond. Recognizing that children are multi-faceted, Norwood provides many opportunities for safe risk-taking, exploration, discovery, and growth in a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive school community.
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