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
    • Preschool Admissions
    • Preschool Tuition & Fees
    • Elementary Admissions (K-5)
    • Elementary Tuition & Fees
  • Preschool
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Parent’s Day Out for 2-Year-Olds
  • Elementary (K-5)
    • International Baccalaureate Program
    • Curriculum
    • Before and After School
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
  • Parent Resources
    • Summer at Seneca Academy
    • Seneca Academy Parenting Series
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Resources for Talking to Children About Race
    • Seneca Parent Portal
  • Giving
    • Auction & Gala: Celebrating 40 Years
    • Donate to the Annual Fund
    • Corporate Matching Inquiry
  • 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

Priscella Celentano, Director of Admissions and Communications
University of Connecticut

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

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

ACADEMIC STAFF

Amy Beam, Preschool 3s Teacher
Goddard College

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

Erin Comaskey, Grade 6 Teacher
B.S. Early Childhood Education/English, The College of New Jersey
M.A. Educational Psychology, McGill University
Ed.D. Entrepreneurial Leadership, Johns Hopkins University

Monica Darvish, Grade 3 Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education, 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

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

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

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

Lauren Oswald, Grade 1 Teacher
B.S. Elementary Education, East Stroudsburg University

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

Cathy Richardson, Grade 4 Teacher
B.Ed. Primary Education, De Montfort University

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

Annie Ballena
Liz Crow
Anja Hoehler
Cathy Lawler
Martha Lopez
JoAnn Manson
Mariam Rana
Ann Marie Tolman
Paula Waldt

FOX/KIT CLUB

Amy Beam
Jen Landoll
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
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
Photography by Christopher Knowles | Site Design by Bethany Ruth | Content © 2023 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!