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, Library, Music, Spanish (World Language), and Think Tank (Science).
All grades are supported by an Intervention team and 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.
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 for six years. 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. ... Read More
Ms. Ruchala is new to Maury for 2024-25! Bio updating shortly.
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
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 elementary most ... 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 11 years and has been Mrs. Battles’ aide for 9 years. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, shopping, ... Read More
My name is Mrs. Sim, and I am proud to be a Maury Cougar!! I joined the Maury community in 2021. I am from Wilmington, Delaware but relocated to the DMV area after graduating college. I received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and a Master’s in Education ... 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
ELA Lauren Mooney joined Maury as a third grade reading and writing teacher in 2022. Before teaching at Maury she has taught in DCPS for three years and in North Carolina Public Schools for nine years. Mrs. Mooney earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in reading education from UNC Chapel Hill. ... Read More
Patricia Wong is a DCPS Occupational Therapist whose work assignment includes Maury Elementary. She started working with Maury students in 2021.
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
1st-3rd Grade Kaitlin Cunningham Gonzalez teaches special education across the first, second, and third grade levels. 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 ... 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
Lauren Bomba has taught art in “Studio Maury” since 2012. “I feel so lucky,” she says, “to have begun my career as an art educator at Maury—a school and community that celebrates and supports the arts.” Ms. Bomba was born in Washington, D.C. but considers North Carolina home. She graduated from Appalachian State University in ... 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. F 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
Ms. Campbell was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is an honors graduate from the College of Education at Florida A&M University. She is passionately committed to her journey in urban education and is an experienced early childhood educator. She has worked with young children since the age of 15 when ... Read More
Nicholas (“Nick”) Lilja joined Maury as a second-grade teacher in 2021, beginning his fourth year teaching with DCPS. He became a fourth-grade teacher in 2024. Mr. Lilja grew up in Maryland. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Penn State and graduated with his Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education from American University. Some ... 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 Caitlyn Burns teaches special education across the pre-k and kindergarten grade levels. She joined the Maury team in 2019 as a paraprofessional in a PK4 classroom and joined the special education team as a teacher in 2020. Before joining the DCPS and Maury communities, she spent time teaching in the public charter ... Read More
Math/Science/Social Studies Mrs. Cedillo has been teaching third grade at Maury since 2021. She grew up in Wichita Falls, TX. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Princeton, Mrs. Cedillo returned to Texas to teach, and later obtained her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at The University of Texas in Austin. She also ... Read More
Mr. Appiah was born in Woodbridge, Virginia and was raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore with a B.A. in English; Telecommunications. In his free time, Mr. Appiah enjoys running, spending time with his family, and reading.
Instructional Coach Lindsay Bowers joined Maury Elementary in 2015, before which she taught for five years in Fairfax County. Ms. Bowers loves the Maury community and watching her students grow throughout the school year. Ms. Bowers grew up in Fairfax, VA. She started her educational journey at James Madison University where she earned her bachelor’s ... 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
My name is Mrs. Boyd-Justice I joined the Maury community in 2019. I am a DCPS Paraprofessional with Early Childhood PK3. I started the field of the educational journey 1992 as a junior/senior counselor for children 5 to 13 years old and continued my passion as an educator to this very day. I was born ... 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/Social Studies 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 ... 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
