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
  • 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
  • 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
    • Resources for Talking to Children About Race
  • Giving
    • 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

Priscella Celentano, Director of Admissions and Communications
University of Connecticut

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

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

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

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

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

ACADEMIC STAFF

Alec Aronow, Physical Education Teacher
B.A. Communications, Temple University

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

Lorin Burden, Art Teacher
B.S. Textile Marketing, University of Maryland

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

Elise Healy, Grade 5 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

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

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

Lauren Oswald, Grade 2 Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education, East Stroudsburg University

Ellen Pulupa, Spanish Teacher
B.A. Spanish/Education, University of Maryland

Elizabeth Schomburg, Grade 1 Teacher
B.S. Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Frostburg State University
M.Ed. Special Education, Frostburg State University

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

Don Vogel, Math 5/6 Teacher
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland

ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF

Mikayla Campbell-Robertson
Bella Celentano
Liz Crow
Cathy Lawler
Martha Lopez
JoAnn Manson
Mariam Rana
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 © 2023 Seneca Academy

Sign up now to attend an open house!

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!