Seneca Academy

Preserving the Wonder of Childhood

  • About
    • Letter from Head of School
    • Mission, Vision, and Philosophy
    • Strategic Plan
    • History
    • Virtual Tour
    • Calendar
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment
    • Head of School Appointment
  • Admissions
    • What Our Village Says
    • Preschool Admissions
    • Preschool Tuition & Fees
    • Elementary Admissions (K-5)
    • Elementary Tuition & Fees
    • Tours and Open Houses
  • Preschool
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Parent’s Day Out for 2-Year-Olds
    • Infant/Toddler Playgroup
    • Summer at Seneca Academy
  • Elementary (K-5)
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Parent Resources
    • Seneca Academy Parenting Series
    • Infant/Toddler Playgroup
    • Seneca Parent Portal
    • Back to School 2024-2025
  • Giving
    • A Starry Night: Seneca Academy’s Annual Gala
    • Donate to the Annual Fund
    • Corporate Matching Inquiry
  • Contact Us
    • Tours and Open Houses

Meet Our Staff

Elementary teachers and students examining a creek bed full of leaves

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Michelle Parker, Head of School
B.A. Psychobiology, Swarthmore College
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, George Washington University

Erin Comaskey, Assistant Head of School
B.S. Early Childhood Education/English, The College of New Jersey
M.A. Educational Psychology, McGill University
Ed.D. Entrepreneurial Leadership, Johns Hopkins University

Priscella Celentano, Director of Admissions and Communications
University of Connecticut

Jill Holmes, Director of Business Operations
B.S. Accounting, Susquehanna University

Melissa Karasek, Director of Learning Support
B.A. English, George Washington University

Sue Ann Salimbene, Preschool Director/Preschool 4s Teacher
B.A. Business and Economics, Marymount College

Bethany Jabre, Marketing and Information Technology Manager
B.A. English Literature, Wheaton College (IL)

ACADEMIC STAFF

Cathie Barret, Preschool 3s Teacher
B.A. Hons. Art History, University of East Anglia (UK)
A.A.S. Early Childhood Development, Anne Arundel Community College
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education, Towson University

Mandy Becker, Preschool 3s Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, High Point University
M.Ed. Elementary Education (Literacy Concentration), High Point University

Pilar Busto, Spanish Teacher
A.A. Fashion Design, Hong Kong Design Institute (Hong Kong)
B.A. Language Teaching, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (Argentina)

April Febrey, Parent’s Day Out Teacher
Trinity Washington University

Elise Healy, Grade 4 Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Kalila Henry, Grade 3 Teacher
B.S. Sociology/Anthropology, Towson University
M. Business Administration, University of Maryland University College
M.A. Teaching, American University

Anja Hoehler, Preschool 3s Teacher
Social-Pedagogical Vocational School, Stuttgart, Germany

Jen Landoll, Kindergarten Teacher
B.A. Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Polly Mahoney, Grade 2 Teacher
B.S. Education, Wheelock College

Jennifer Mitchell, Music Teacher
B.A. Music Education, James Madison University
M.A. Clarinet Performance, University of Memphis

Cindy Park, Kindergarten Teacher
B.S. Early Childhood Education, University of Maryland College Park
M.A. Education (Reading Concentration), Johns Hopkins University

Susan St. John, Preschool 4s Teacher
B.A. Business Administration, Glassboro State College

Kendall Strickler, Grade 1 Teacher
B.A. English, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
M.A. Teaching, Johns Hopkins University

Don Vogel, Elementary Mathematics Teacher
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland

Nicole Widner, Grade 5 Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, Salisbury University
M.Ed. Reading Education, Towson University

Amy Wood, Art Teacher
B. Fine Arts, University of the Arts
M. Fine Arts, Cranbrook Academy of Art

ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF

Ann Alicea
Mikayla Campbell-Robertson
Heather Charkatz
Liz Crow
Clarisse Gonzales
Julia Herman
Cathy Lawler
Martha Lopez
JoAnn Manson
Elizabeth Schomburg
Meredith Spitzmiller
Paula Waldt

Learn More about the
International Baccalaureate Organization

Seneca Academy is an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) World School that fosters children’s natural curiosity and ignites a love of learning through a collaborative, inquiry-based program in a dynamic and welcoming community.

15601 Germantown Road, Darnestown, MD 20874
Phone: (301) 869-3728 • Fax (301) 869-3348

International Baccalaureate Organization logo
National Association of Independent Schools logo
Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools logo
Fully authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a Primary Years Program World School
A proud member of the National Association for Independent Schools
Accredited by and a proud member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools
Site Design by Bethany Ruth | Content © 2025 Seneca Academy
Thank you!

You have successfully submitted your Parent’s Day Out application for the 2020-2021 school year! Once again, we appreciate you being a part of the Seneca Academy village.

 

Thank you so much for your sponsorship of Seneca Academy’s 2020 auction and gala, “Around the World.” Because of you and other generous supporters, we are able to continue serving the children and families in our school as well as the community at large. We appreciate your gift to help us preserve the wonder of childhood for years to come!

 

Thank you so much for your donation to Seneca Academy’s 2020 auction and gala, “Around the World.” Because of you and other generous supporters, we are able to continue serving the children and families in our school as well as the community at large. We appreciate your gift to help us preserve the wonder of childhood for years to come!