Grade Level Organization:
Maury Elementary School is divided into grade levels according to the following grade groupings:
- Early Childhood: Pre-school (Pre-K3) and Pre-kindergarten (Pre-K4)
- Primary: Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd
- Intermediate: 3rd, 4th, and 5th
Maury offers courses in the following Special Subjects: Art, Health/PE (2 teachers), Library, Music, and Think Tank (Science).
All grades are supported by a Special Education team.
Full-time staff also includes a social worker and a school psychologist. The school is also served by a DCPS speech-language pathologist and a DCPS occupational therapist.
Mike Schuster is the Health and Physical Education teacher at Maury Elementary School, joining the Maury community in 2023. Originally from Falls Church, Virginia, Mr. Schuster earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond before completing a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Mr. Schuster is passionate ... Read More
Ms. Chester joined Maury in 2023. She is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of children and families. She believes in the power of student relationships, and is trained in de-escalation and Responsive Classroom.
Karli Maloney moved to D.C. in 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from University of West Florida, her teaching certification through Moreland University, and is currently working towards her Masters in Early Childhood Education through Moreland University. She enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and watching sports. In her free time, she finds a ... Read More
Ms. Hirad has been teaching Kindergarten in DCPS since 2018. Before joining the district, she taught English for four years. She holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, and a Certificate in English As a Second Language. Ms. Hirad is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Mathematics for Educators. Ms. Hirad ... Read More
Jill (Yill) Ruchala joined Maury in 2024 as a 3rd Grade ELA Instructor after working most recently as a Teacher Partner and Literacy Tutor at Oyster-Adams ES, and previously as a substitute teacher in DCPS. She has taught learners of many ages in Mexico, South Korea, Myanmar, and the Czech Republic, besides teaching ESL to ... Read More
Emmanuel Appiah joined the Maury community in 2016. He grew up in Woodbridge Virginia, and received both his BA in Mass Communications from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2014 and MAT in early childhood education from the Relay Graduate School of Education in 2019. He has been teaching for 8 years in the ... Read More
Alexandra McAuliffe joins Maury as a fourth-grade reading and writing teacher in the 2024-2025 school year. She brings nearly 10 years of experience working with students and families from the cities of Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC. Originally from Connecticut, Mrs. McAuliffe earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Latin American Studies from the College ... Read More
Derek Tyler joined the Maury community as a fifth-grade math/science teacher in 2026. He has dedicated 21 years to education, including the last 10 years with DC Public Schools, where he taught fifth grade mathematics, science and computer science. Prior to that, he spent 11 years with Prince George’s County Public Schools, where he served ... Read More
Bettina Schewe (aka “Ms. Bettina”) has worked as an Educational Aide at John Lewis ES for the past two years. Previously she served as the Library/Technology Aide at Brent ES. Bettina grew up in Germany where she obtained a law degree. In 1996 she moved to Washington, DC. When her daughter started preschool in 2006, ... Read More
Eboni Chapman joined the Maury community in 2016 as a Kindergarten aide. She was born and raised in the D.C. Capitol Hill area. Ms. Chapman and her daughter are Maury alumni. She has worked for DCPS for 13 years and has been Mrs. Battles’ aide for 11 years. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, shopping, ... Read More
Ms. Sim joined the Maury community in 2021. She is from Wilmington, Delaware but relocated to the DMV area after graduating college. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Master’s in Education Instructional Technology from the University of Maryland University College. Ms. Sim has a ... Read More
Anna Peterson joined the Maury community in 2022. She grew up in Los Angeles California, and received her B.A in Communications from University of Utah. She decided after graduation to follow in both her parents’ footsteps and become a teacher. Prior to arriving in D.C., Ms. Peterson taught for 8 years in Salt Lake City; ... Read More
Haley Lynott joined the Maury team in 2022 as the 1-3rd grade Special Education teacher. She was born and raised in Pennsylvania and earned her B.S. in Education from Millersville University. Prior to Maury, Ms. Lynott was a classroom teacher and special education teacher working with students within early childhood for eight years. She loves ... Read More
Teacher Thomas joined Maury in fall 2026. They have been teaching in DC since 2020. Originally from NJ, Teacher Thomas has taught students from 2 years old in San Diego, California all the way to 8th grade in Ward 7 of D.C. Outside of the classroom, Teacher Thomas is a regular at Little District Books ... Read More
Danielle Goldberg is a DCPS Occupational Therapist whose work assignment includes Maury Elementary. She started working with Maury students in 2024.
Jo Antonette Heitstuman is a DCPS Speech-Language Pathologist whose work assignment includes Maury Elementary. She started working with Maury students in 2019. Ms. Heitstuman’s father was in the military. So she grew up moving often, but spent the most time in California and Japan. She received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from University of ... Read More
Kaitlin Cunningham Gonzalez teaches special education across fourth and fifth grade. She began teaching at Maury in 2021, starting her sixth year in the educational field. She inspires her students to find joy in learning through taking risks and problem-solving in project-based learning. Mrs. Cunningham Gonzalez is originally from New York. She earned her bachelor’s ... Read More
Danielle Brasure started teaching at Maury Elementary as a substitute teacher starting in December 2018. She was a long-term substitute when Ms. Bomba was on maternity leave the year Maury moved into the new school building (SY 19-20). Ms. Brasure also worked in a virtual classroom from January 2021 – June 2021 teaching kindergarten during ... Read More
Kaylee Mina joined Maury in 2021 as the Music teacher. Ms. Mina grew up on Long Island, New York and in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She considers herself to be an East Coast native. She received her Bachelor of Music in General and Instrumental Music Education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She is passionate about ... Read More
Kristin Murray brings more than a decade of experience in education and has taught students in Washington, D.C., South Korea, and Thailand. Most recently, she served as the Inner Core Department Chair and Art Teacher with DCPS, where she led mural projects, developed creative arts programming and events, and helped students connect their learning to the ... Read More
Science Resources – Grades K-2 Stephanie Conant joined the Maury community in 2017 as the Think Tank teacher. Ms. Conant grew up in Wisconsin and Northern Virginia. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Environmental Science from Luther College, in Decorah, Iowa. Next, she served as an AmeriCorps and FoodCorps service member in northeast ... Read More
Ms. Falls joined Maury in 2018 as the Health and Physical Education teacher. She had previously worked in DCPS at the high school level. While teaching high school, she also served as a coach and an assistant coach for several sports, including basketball, soccer, golf, and flag football. She holds a Bachelor of Science in ... Read More
Shirley Battle has taught at Maury since 1992. “What I like most about teaching is interacting with children, building relationships with families, and the awesome reward of observing students learn new skills. The love of children and the power of education inspired me to become a teacher.” Mrs. Battle is a native Washingtonian and a ... Read More
Rebecca Sanghvi first joined the Maury community in 2015 after teaching DC since 2009. She has served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach. Most recently, she was the instructional coach of literacy at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School at Park View. She is excited to be returning to the Maury community in fall 2026! ... Read More
Heidi Frye joins Maury as a fourth-grade math/science/social studies teacher in the 2026-2027 school year. She brings 14 years of teaching experience in both general education and special education, spanning kindergarten to fifth grade. Ms Frye received her bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech before moving to Washington, DC to complete her master’s degree in education ... Read More
Math VanNessa Duckett joined the Maury community in 1999. Since then, she has been an elementary classroom teacher with experience ranging from early childhood to Grade 5. She took a brief leave of three years to go to Tyler Elementary to mentor new DCPS teachers and to manage a Proving What’s Possible grant. Ms. Duckett ... Read More
Sameya Adem-Frazier joined the Maury community in 2021 as a first-grade teacher. As an educator, Ms. Adem-Frazier considers it a privilege and an honor to shape the hearts and minds of students: “It is my goal to instill a love for learning in my students, which ultimately helps them become independent and responsible learners that ... Read More
Pre-K & Kindergarten Rachel Austin joined the Maury community as a parent in 2023, and as an educator in 2025, teaching Special Education for PreK and Kindergarten students. She started her career as a teacher in 2010 through Teach for America, teaching PreK and Kindergarten in Prince George’s County for 5 years. She moved to Tubman Elementary ... Read More
Math/Science Ms. Cedillo has been part of the third grade team at Maury since 2021, teaching math and science. Before moving to DC, she taught middle school science and social studies in her home state of Texas. In Texas, she also taught pre-service STEM and elementary school teachers at the University of Texas in Austin ... Read More
Math Interventionist Ryan Townsley joined the Maury community in 2024. He grew up in Houston, Texas, and received his B.A. in English from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and his MSEd in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University. He began teaching in 2014, and has taught across the elementary grades, but enjoys teaching upper ... Read More
Janine Levin has taught PK3 at Maury since 2010. Ms. Levin started her teaching career at Brent Elementary where she remained for 10 years. She then spent one year working as a Master Educator for DCPS. In that role, she visited every public elementary school in D.C. and observed and evaluated Pre-K teachers. It was ... Read More
Laura Delaney joined Maury in 2017 after gaining nine years of experience working as a school social worker in DCPS and charter schools. Mrs. Delaney loves working in schools because she can work with children, educators, and families all in one setting. Mrs. Delaney is a native Washingtonian, and grew up in Northwest D.C. She ... Read More
Emily Paterson joined the Maury community as a parent in 2010 and began working here in 2012. She loves teaching preschool and fostering a joyful classroom community. She has a Master’s of Art in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. In her spare time she likes foraging, hiking, playing with her dogs, and hanging ... Read More
ELA Stefanie Gordon joined Maury in 2015, teaching Special Education ELA. Before joining the Maury staff, she taught Grade 2 at a charter school in D.C. as well as special education in other DCPS schools. Ms. Gordon comes from a family of educators—both grandmothers, mother, and two younger sisters—so it was natural she would become ... Read More
Jamila Pichon joined the Maury community in 2008 as a proud Cougar parent. She became a regular substitute teacher in 2016, and eventually a full-time PK teacher in 2018. Ms. Pichon holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Maryland and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Relay Graduate School. Ms. Pichon ... Read More
Kim Wright-Spurlock has been teaching at Maury since 1995 and teaching pre-K 4 since 2001. “What I like most like about teaching is watching children when they get it—that ‘aha!’ moment is priceless. Knowing that you have touched a person’s life by helping them become educated in different areas is very inspirational.” Ms. Wright-Spurlock is ... Read More
Hello, my name is Mrs. Justice, and I am an Early Childhood Paraeducator at Maury Elementary School in Washington, DC. I have been with Maury since 2019 and bring over 28 years of experience working with children in early childhood education, childcare, and youth development. Throughout my career, I have worked as a youth counselor, ... Read More
Rachel Schwartz started teaching at Maury, as a kindergarten teacher, in 2020. She is passionate about working closely with her students and their families to create a meaningful learning experience for each student. “I love to watch my students grow throughout the year and strengthen their confidence in themselves and their learning.” Mrs. Schwartz grew ... Read More
Katie Linn joined the Maury community, as a second-grade teacher, in 2016. Ms. Linn earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lynchburg University and her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Marymount University. Before joining Maury she taught in Virginia and North Carolina. In her free time, Ms. Linn likes to cook, ... Read More
Reading / Writing Katherine (“Katie”) Spellacy has taught at Maury since 2016, teaching fifth grade for one year before moving to third grade. Before joining the Maury community, Ms. Spellacy worked at Capital City Public Charter School for ten years and Bell Multicultural High School for six years. Ms. Spellacy grew up in St. Paul, ... Read More
Reading Abby Sparrow joined the Maury community, as a fourth-grade teacher, in 2014. Before that, she taught Grade 7 and 8 English Language Arts for six years at a DCPS middle school. Ms. Sparrow is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and earned her ... Read More
Math/Science Shanna Willams-Carr teaches Grade 3 Math/Science/SS. She began her career at Maury as a Math Resource Teacher. Before joining Maury, she spent ten years at Smothers Elementary School (DC) as a classroom teacher and an instructional coach. Ms. Carr grew up in the Bronx and moved to the D.C. area to attend University of ... Read More
Ms. Wolfe joined Maury in 2013 as a reading specialist. She has since taught a K/1 combo, kindergarten, and, starting in 2018, first grade. “It is a joy to see students grow throughout the year and the boost of confidence that comes with that. I want my students to be self-empowered, independent learners.” Ms. Wolfe ... Read More
Lille Zucconi started at Maury, as a second-grade teacher, in 2019. Ms. Zucconi is a D.C. native. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University and her Master of Arts from Loyola University. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and experiencing the District’s rich cultural institutions and history that she can share ... Read More
Norah Rabiah began at Maury Elementary in 2011 as the Instructional Coach. Prior to 2011, she was the assistant principal and a classroom teacher at Murch Elementary in D.C. She began her career in Michigan. Ms. Rabiah is from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Michigan ... Read More
My name is Sheila Guinyard. I have been part of the Maury community for over twenty years. I begin with Elementary Grade 2 then PK4 along with other Elementary Grades. The last 9 years I have been graced with continuing the journey with Early Childhood. I am the first of 3 female siblings, an auntie ... Read More
Shaaren Pine has been part of the Maury community since 2011 (as Amma to her then-PreK4-er). She has co-hosted Knitting Club since 2014, and spent a year doing 1st grade math intervention in 2016 before being asked by the then-principal (CAG) to come on full-time. She took a year off and was asked by the ... Read More
Angela Stover’s journey into education began in 2001 as a Para in a DCPS Kindergarten class. She transitioned to the Maury Community in April 2008, in a Bilingual pre-k 3/ 4 classroom. Ms. Stover really enjoys working with younger students. Her belief is that everyone deserves a good foundation to start their educational journey. Ms. ... Read More
Hi Super Scholars! My name is Mrs. Williams. I am SO excited to be a part of the ECE team! Most importantly, I am THRILLED to be your teacher aide. It’s going to be a fun year full of lots of learning and new adventures and I can’t wait to see what the year has ... Read More
