Joshua Henry: AP Government, US VA Hist, World Hist 1 HN

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Lewistown, Pennsylvania.  After college, I returned to my hometown to start my teaching career in 2001. I taught there for six years before relocating to the DC area in 2007. I also worked in local government and coached basketball and tennis. I continued coaching tennis after I moved to Fairfax County, but am retired from that a few years ago.

Where are you coming from?

I most recently taught at Langley High School and was there for the past nine years.

Where did you go to college?

I graduated from Susquehanna University where I majored in History.

How many years have you been teaching?

This is my 21st year teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I lead walking and biking tours in Washington DC in the evenings and summers.  

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?

Engaging with students about the events going on in the world.

What do you like about McLean so far?

I have enjoyed the positive energy among students and staff.  Everyone has been very welcoming.  It is nice to be back in the building and working with students after the past several years.

Lindsay Boerger: World Hist 2, US/VA Hist HN

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Ashburn, Virginia, so just next door in Loudoun County.

Where are you coming from?
I am coming from Marshall HS, where I was a student teacher last year.

Where did you go to college?
I went to Virginia Tech for my BA in History, and I am finishing up my Masters degree at George Mason this fall.

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my first year teaching! Before becoming a teacher I worked on Capitol Hill as an IT Trainer for the U.S. House/Senate.

What is an interesting fact about you?
An interesting fact about me is that I am a big traveler, and am currently planning my spring break trip to Portugal. 😊

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is that I get to work with my students and help them grow, personally and academically, every single day. Also that every day is different, and the constant changes of the school year are exciting.

What do you like about McLean so far?
What I like most about McLean so far, and this is tough because I like so many things, is that I have an amazing department in Social Studies. Everyone is very helpful to one another and we really work well as a team when collaborating or hashing out ideas. Also, goes without saying, my students are phenomenal and make this job so fun. I couldn’t be happier to be here!

Adam Newburger: Geometry

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Maryland, only about 20 minutes away from McLean.

Where are you coming from?
I recently finished my bachelors and masters at the University of Mary Washington. I got my undergraduate degree in math and my masters in education. So I’ve spent a lot of time in Fredericksburg as I got both of those degrees.

How many years have you been teaching?
I taught last year as a part of my masters program but I am happy to be at McLean now.

What is an interesting fact about you?
Something interesting about me is that I love to beatbox and I used to be the beatboxer for my a cappella group in college.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite part about teaching is meeting so many different people and hearing what they are passionate about.

What do you like about McLean so far?
Everyone at McLean has been so welcoming! I have had great interactions with many members of the faculty and have also got to learn a ton about the students in my classes.

AJ Blackford: Chemistry

Where are you originally from?
A small town outside of San Antonio, TX called Boerne.

Where are you coming from?
The last 3 years I taught 7th grade science at Thoreau Middle School in Vienna.

Where did you go to college?
I went to Texas A&M University.

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my 5th year of teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I can’t flex my left calf.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
The stories. Every year there is ~150 new students who each have their own unique story which I get to play a small, but hopefully meaningful, part in.

What do you like about McLean so far?
The football games. McLean students do a great job of coming out and cheering!

Jennifer Beach: Assessment Coach

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Maryland.

Where are you coming from?
I was an English teacher at West Springfield, and at McLean I am the Assessment Coach.

Where did you go to college?
BA from University of Pennsylvania, MAT from Johns Hopkins, PhD from University of Maryland.

How many years have you been teaching?
29 years.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I have three rescue dogs and love all dogs.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about working in education is the students: hearing their insights and ideas, helping them succeed, and being part of their school community.

What do you like about McLean so far?
I love the kindness and friendliness of the staff and the students, and the sense of school spirit and community.

Cameron Chase: SPED

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from New Jersey.

Where are you coming from?
I am coming from New Jersey.

Where did you go to college?
James Madison University

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my first year!

What is an interesting fact about you?
I lived in Spain for a summer.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
There is never a boring day.

What do you like about McLean so far?
The amount of support is great!

Susan Connor: World Hist 1, US/VA Hist HN

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Manistique, Michigan and up until I went to college I moved between Michigan and Wisconsin a handful of times.

Where are you coming from?
I am coming from Austin, Texas.

Where did you go to college?
I went to the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my eighth year teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?
An interesting fact about me is that I love to travel and many of my trips tend to be focused on hikes that can be done in certain locations. The most interesting hike/trip I’ve done so far is making the trek to Everest Base Camp 2 years ago.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is getting to interact with so many different people and personalities! I never have a day that is the same as the day before so I am always challenged and entertained!

What do you like about McLean so far?
I love the sense of community that McLean has. I have taught at a few schools prior to this, and from the start I felt incredibly welcomed by students, staff, and parents.

Annie Desmarais: Chemistry

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Vienna, VA.

Where are you coming from?
Before moving to McLean I lived in Charlottesville, Virginia. I moved to Charlottesville to attend UVA and lived there for four years.

Where did you go to college?
I went to James Madison University for my undergraduate years and majored in biotechnology. For graduate school I attended the University of Virginia.

How many years have you been teaching?
This will be my fourth year teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I am an FCPS graduate. I grew up just 15 minutes from McLean and attended James Madison High School in Vienna.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is getting to know students and seeing them grow throughout the school year and beyond.

What do you like about McLean so far?
I love the community feel and school spirit!

Annie Daggett: World Hist 1 HN, US Government

Where are you originally from?
I was born in Vietnam – but my hometown is Devon, Pennsylvania (right outside of Philadelphia, go birds)

Where are you coming from?
I just finished my Masters at Georgetown University in Education Transformation, policy and advocacy

Where did you go to college?
I got my bachelors in History with a teaching license and minored in policy studies at Elon University in North Carolina.

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my first year!

What is an interesting fact about you?
I am actually nationally ranked in Candy Crush.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
Getting to know my students better to understand how to teach them best!

What do you like about McLean so far?
Love the school spirit and how involved the students are.

Jeanne Margaret Disney: ESOL

Where are you originally from?

I am from Kansas.

Where are you coming from?

My husband and I  moved here from Manhattan, Kansas in August, 2020. I worked at South Lakes High School for most of last year.

Where did you go to college?

I attended the University of Kansas for my Bachelor’s degree and Ph.D. and  Baker University for my Masters.

How many years have you been teaching?

This is my 25th year in education.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I enjoy travelling and have visited 29 countries. I hope to make it to my 30th country next year!  

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?

I love interacting with the students and being given the opportunity to witness them learning and achieving on a daily basis. It is a very exciting job to have!  

What do you like about McLean so far?

All of the students and staff are so friendly and welcoming. I appreciate the positive atmosphere that exists here.

Mary Leah Frank: English 9 HN, English 11

Where are you originally from?

I am originally from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  It’s 20 minutes from Scranton, the setting for “The Office.”

Where are you coming from?

Before teaching at McLean, I taught for two years in Montgomery County and then worked for two years in University Relations at the University of Notre Dame.

Where did you go to college?

I went to the University of Pittsburgh for my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

How many years have you been teaching?

This is my fourth year of teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I have a Bernedoodle named Makara, which means “my friend” in Gaelic.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?

I love hearing students’ insights and discoveries during class discussions!

What do you like about McLean so far?

I love working with a group of students and teachers who have set the bar high for themselves.  I also really value the emphasis placed on respect and kindness, as I believe that this allows us to maintain our wellbeing and accomplish our goals more efficiently.

Raquel Friedman: Special Education

Where are you originally from?

I grew up in NOVA and went to high school in Fairfax County (Robinson).

Where are you coming from?

I just graduated from UVA where I got my bachelor’s in Youth and Social Innovation and my master’s in Special Education.

How many years have you been teaching?

This is my first year teaching.

What is an interesting fact about you?

My mom is from Peru and I grew up spending about a month there every year.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?

I love helping students develop important life and job skills so that they can be as independent as possible after graduating high school.

What do you like about McLean so far?

The students. And how passionate people are about their jobs. The staff here really care about the students.

Emily Geary: Temporary Assistant Principal

Where are you originally from?
I am from Radnor, PA just outside of Philadelphia.

Where are you coming from?
I am coming from another FCPS school, Irving Middle School.

Where did you go to college?
Undergrad: The college of William & Mary (GO TRIBE!!!); Graduate: Virginia Tech.

How many years have you been teaching?
I was a history teacher for 7 years, and then was an After School Program SPecialist for two years

What is an interesting fact about you?
An interesting fact about me is that I played Division I lacrosse at the College of William & Mary.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about working in the field of education is that I have the ability to have a positive impact on the lives of the students I work with. Building relationships with students and helping them grow to reach their potential is what gets me excited about work each day.

What do you like about McLean so far?
The people! The students and staff at McLean have been so welcoming and helpful over the past few weeks. I am so excited to be a part of the Highlander community!

Ashley Hastings: Biology HN

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Front Royal, Virginia, and have lived in the NOVA area since 2010.

Where are you coming from?
I am coming from Warren County High School in Front Royal.

Where did you go to college?
VIRGINIA TECH! GO HOKIES!

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my 8th year teaching, my first here in Fairfax County.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I love to travel! The pandemic has put a damper in that, but I have started to venture out again!

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
Watching “Lightbulbs” go off, it’s about the students learning a concept and connecting those dots to the bigger picture.

What do you like about McLean so far?
I love the sense of community and belonging, especially things like the Mcleadership club. That is a unique experience to here!

Tim Marden: SPED

Where are you originally from?
Originally I am from Maryland, but growing up I also lived in Minnesota and California (and then went to college in New Jersey).

Where are you coming from?
Last year I taught at a small high school in Lancaster County, Virginia – Lancaster High School.

Where did you go to college?
I went to Rutgers University for my BA in Economics and a Master’s degree in Art History. I also have a Master’s degree in Education from Rowan University (also in New Jersey).

How many years have you been teaching?
I have been teaching for approximately 18 years (this being my 19th).

What is an interesting fact about you?
I am not sure about this question but I can honestly say that I am interested in many things and have done many different things in my life so far.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
One thing I like about teaching is that each day (and year) is different from the one before.

What do you like about McLean so far?
The students are awesome at McLean and this makes my work more enjoyable.

Denise Wilmont Roberts: SPED

Where are you originally from?
I am from Maryland. I moved to Fairfax in 2016.

Where are you coming from?
I was recently a Special Education Teacher at Fairfax Villa Elementary and prior to that Westbriar Elementary in Vienna.

Where did you go to college?
I went to the HBCU; Bowie State University in Bowie, MD.

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my 14th year of teaching and my 1st year working in a high school.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I recently (about 3 years ago) took up tap dancing. I love it!

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching, has always been meeting new students and creating a positive relationship with them in which they view me as their support system.

What do you like about McLean so far?
I have been warmly welcomed by all here. There is a great sense of community in this school, and I am glad to be able to be a part of it!

Meg Flaherty: English

Where are you originally from?
I’m from a tiny town in southern Virginia. (My family once made it onto the front page of the
local newspaper because a neighbor complained that we didn’t mow our lawn enough!)

Where are you coming from?
I’ve taught in the DMV area for the last eight years, most recently in Washington, D.C..

Where did you go to college?
William and Mary for my B.A. and Middlebury College for my M.A.—both in English Literature

How many years have you been teaching?
This is my twelfth year of teaching… though a full year of virtual teaching seemed like it lasted for three!

What is an interesting fact about you?
I hope to adopt a Corgi and name him Henry Handsomepants.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
I love the energy of classroom discussions. Literature can teach us so much about the world and ourselves!

Was it difficult coming into the school year two weeks in?
In moments, sure. There’s a bit of a learning curve with any new job, but I have lovely colleagues helping me acclimate.

What do you like about McLean so far?
My students!

Morgan Popma: Librarian

Where are you originally from?
I’m originally from California.

Where are you coming from?
I recently taught English in Loudoun County.

Where did you go to college?
University of California, Berkeley.

How many years have you been teaching?
I was an English teacher for 10 years before I became a librarian. I love [that I made] the switch.

What is an interesting fact about you?
I am a Green-Bay Packers Fan, but have never been to Wisconsin.

What’s your favorite thing about teaching?
I like teaching because I like building relationships with students

What do you like about McLean so far?
Everybody has been really polite and nice and it has been a great atmosphere to be in.