Seneca Academy

Preserving the Wonder of Childhood

  • About
    • Letter from Head of School
    • Mission, Vision, and Philosophy
    • History
    • Virtual Tour
    • Calendar
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Employment
  • Admissions
    • Preschool Admissions
    • Elementary Admissions (K-6)
  • Preschool
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Fees
    • Parent’s Day Out for 2-Year-Olds
  • Elementary (K-6)
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Summer Camp at Seneca Academy
  • Parent Resources
    • Parenting Series
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Resources for Talking to Children About Race
    • Seneca Parent Portal
  • Giving
    • Donate to the Annual Fund
    • Corporate Matching Inquiry
    • Save Seneca Donations
  • Contact Us

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

Melissa Karasek, Educational Director
B.A. English, George Washington University

Carol Schnatz, Director of Preschool Operations/Program Coordinator
B.A. Sociology & Secondary Education, Furman University

Priscella Celentano, Director of Admissions and Communications
University of Connecticut

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

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

ACADEMIC STAFF

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

Consuelo Campos, Spanish Teacher
B.A. Early Childhood Education, Blas Canas Univ. (Santiago, Chile)

Nicole Foronda, Grade 3 Teacher
B.A. English Literature, University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. American History, Catholic University of America

Pam Hauck, Kindergarten Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Elise Healy, Grade 1 Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, West Virginia Wesleyan College

Kim Hutcherson, Physical Education Teacher
B.A., Health and Physical Education, Frostburg State College
M.Ed., Secondary Education and Physical Education, Towson State College

Jen Landoll, Preschool 3s Teacher
B.A. Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cathy Lawler, Grade 4 Teacher
B.A. History, Carleton College
M.A. Teaching, Brown University
M.S. Education – Reading, Johns Hopkins University

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

Kelly Nuñez, Grade 1 Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, Washington Adventist University

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

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

Paula Waldt, Grade 5 Teacher
B.A. Psychology, Bridgewater University

ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF

Christian Celentano
Liz Crow
Vicky Gandarillas
Martha Lopez
Marti McAllister

FOX/KIT CLUB

Christian Celentano
Sue Ann Salimbene

Learn More about the
International Baccalaureate Organization

Seneca Academy provides an engaging, challenging, inquiry-based education in a nurturing and diverse environment as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) World School.

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

International Baccalaureate Organization logo
Accredited by and a proud member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools
Photography by Christopher Knowles | Content © 2021 Seneca Academy
Thank you!

Thank you for submitting an RSVP to one of Seneca Academy’s Open Houses for the 2021-2022 school year!

If you signed up for a virtual open house, you will receive an email the morning of your chosen date with a Zoom link.

If you signed up for the adult-only, in-person open house in February, you will be contacted by our Admissions Director, Priscella Celentano, to schedule a specific time.

We look forward to spending more time with you, either virtually or in person!

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!