Welcome to The Siena School : Our Team

Staff

Erik Heyer, founder and executive director, is a highly respected education leader. Mr. Heyer was on the founding team and management committee of Victory Schools, a national leader in the charter school and public education reform movements. Victory's schools have been recognized for their outstanding academic quality by the U.S. Department of Education, TIME magazine and numerous national and local leaders. Mr. Heyer also helped to create nationally recognized partnerships to reform low-performing public schools in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Wilmington, DE. In 2003, he was awarded a Broad Fellowship in the Broad Foundation Superintendents Academy, one of the nation's most prestigious education leadership training programs. He began his career in finance with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, before joining the founding team of New Mountain Capital, one of the nation�s premier private investment firms. Mr. Heyer holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. in Systems Engineering with high honors from the University of Virginia. He currently serves on the professional advisory board of the Atlantic Seaboard Dyslexia Education Center and is a trustee of Calvert Education Services, one of the nation's oldest homeschooling organizations.

Jillian Darefsky, school director, English language arts teacher, is an experienced educator and school leader, having previously served as a founding school coordinator. In this role, Ms. Darefsky oversaw all day-to-day school operations and administration. She has implemented highly regarded curriculum and instructional models, with a focus on language-based learning disabilities. Ms. Darefsky has special expertise in the use of assistive learning technology. She is a member of the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the International Dyslexia Association. Ms. Darefsky earned a B.A., with honors, in English Literature with Psychology from the University of Surrey, a Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties/Dyslexia from Hornsby International Dyslexia Centre and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Canterbury Christ Church University College. She holds a Master's in Specific Learning Difficulties with merit from Middlesex University.

Clay Kaufman, assistant head of school, math and history teacher, has been an educator and administrator in the Washington DC area for over 20 years. In his long career at The Field School he served in a variety of capacities, including teacher, college counselor, director of admission, math department chair, accreditation chair and community liaison and design committee member during the school's move to a new campus in 2002. As a teacher, he has implemented hands-on, experiential learning and developed integrated curricula in the humanities and math/science, and has experience working with students with learning disabilities. Mr. Kaufman has been selected for a variety of leadership roles, including: the E.E. Ford Fellowship for private school leadership; the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in Ankara, Turkey; the National Endowment for the Humanities Independent Scholars program and Summer Seminar; and past-president of the Independent Schools Mathematics Association of Washington (ISMAW). He holds a B.A. in American Studies from Yale University, and a M.A. in Government from Georgetown University.

Bekah Atkinson, director of admissions, has worked in schools serving students with language-based learning differences for over ten years. She was previously director of admissions and registrar at the Pershing and Chelsea Schools in Silver Spring, where she oversaw all aspects of enrollment, recruitment, assessment, retention, and financial aid. She also served in a variety of administrative leadership roles at Grace Episcopal Day School and The Gow School in South Wales, NY. In addition to supporting admissions functions, her roles at these schools included: directing and managing summer school programs; directing extended day, after-school and enrichment programs; and supporting business office functions. Ms. Atkinson also has extensive experience in athletics, having coached and/or participated in high school and collegiate soccer, lacrosse, swimming and diving programs. Ms. Atkinson holds a B.S. in allied health sciences from Marietta College, where she began working towards an advanced degree in education administration.

Faculty

Elizabeth Augustine, reading teacher, was previously a reading teacher for students with language-based learning disabilities. Prior to teaching, she was a programmer with AT&T Corporation and an import/export coordinator for a Japanese trading company. Ms. Augustine holds a B.A. in English Literature from Rutgers College and a certificate in computer programming from The Chubb Institute.

James Coleman, art and physical education teacher, has significant personal experience participating in and teaching the arts and athletics. He is an accomplished contemporary artist and has been featured in multiple solo and group exhibitions in and around Washington, D.C. Mr. Coleman has taught general art for grades 6 - 8 at The King's Academy. He is also an experienced athlete, having played many competitive team sports. Mr. Coleman previously worked as an assistant at the Speed Zone speed and agility clinics for kids. He currently serves as a Jujitsu instructor and coach, and has competed at an elite level. Mr. Coleman holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from the University of Mary Washington in art history & art studio.

Amanda Davis, Spanish teacher, has over 10 years teaching experience as a Spanish, French and English teacher. She previously worked in the Montgomery County Public Schools. Ms. Davis holds a B.S. in education (English and Spanish) from the University of Kansas and a M.A. in Spanish from Middlebury College, Madrid campus. She received her French certification at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Ms. Davis was a recipient of a foreign language fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Deidra Henderson, science and math teacher, was previously a science and math teacher at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill. As a distinguished member of the Trinity faculty, Ms. Henderson served on the admissions committee, chaired the school�s diversity task force and was elected faculty representative to the board of trustees. She served as science/math team leader, student advisor, class scheduler, drama club director, science expo coordinator and tutor. Ms. Henderson received training through Mel Levine�s All Kinds of Minds � Schools Attuned Program and has worked specifically to implement strategies for students with learning and attention difficulties at Trinity. She has been an active community volunteer, serving as an EMT. Ms. Henderson holds a B.S. in chemistry from James Madison University.

Faye Lichbach, cooperating teacher, has 20 years teaching experience in the areas of math, science, English, and English as a second language. She is highly experienced with curriculum and instruction for students with learning disabilities. Ms. Lichbach was previously the math teacher in the Melvin J. Berman Academy's Sulam program for students with different learning needs. In her prior positions, Ms. Lichbach created a student-run store and adopted curriculum for students with learning needs. She holds a B.A. in liberal arts from Northeastern Illinois University with honors.

Charles Ostle, music teacher, has eight years of experience as a music instructor and is a highly accomplished professional musician. Mr. Ostle has taught a wide range of individual and group lessons for students (ages 3-16) at area music schools and camps. He currently serves on the faculty of the International School of Music in Bethesda and is an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University as a dance accompanist. Mr. Ostle is the band leader and drummer of a local jazz fusion band that earned 1st place honors at the Takoma Park Jazz Festival. He holds a Masters of Music in jazz percussion performance from the University of Maryland at College Park and a B.A. in music performance, cum laude, from Towson University.

Holly Prozzo, elementary teacher, is dually certified in elementary education and instruction for students with disabilities (grades 1 � 6). She student taught in the New York City public schools, working as a cooperative team teacher in several elementary schools. Prior to graduate school, Ms. Prozzo worked for Operation Smile managing medical missions in over 18 different countries. She is an accomplished runner, completing six marathons to date. Ms. Prozzo holds an Ed.M. in elementary education and learning disabilities from Teachers College at Columbia University and a B.A. in English and Spanish from the University of Connecticut. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society.

Jessica Roake, English language arts, is a writer and educator with over seven years of teaching experience. Before relocating to Washington D.C., Ms. Roake led nonfiction and essay writing workshops at Columbia University and a number of New York City primary and secondary schools. Ms. Roake designed innovative enrichment courses for Manhattan's prestigious LREI school, where her classes included comic book making, music and movement, fiction writing, and pirates! She also served as an after-school teacher at LREI, tutoring students and providing a structured, creative and stimulating environment for children aged five to fourteen. Honored for her work in film, radio, and writing, Ms. Roake is currently at work on her first book. Ms. Roake earned her M.F.A in Nonfiction Writing from Columbia University and her B.A. in Media Studies from Scripps College.

Martha Silk, elementary teacher, has been tutoring students with dyslexia, language-based learning differences, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ADHD and reading comprehension challenges for over 10 years. Ms. Silk has worked with students from age six through adult, and has special expertise in auditory processing issues, math, dysgraphic issues in print and cursive, strengthening working memory, reading comprehension and directional language. Her extensive training includes coursework with William Stixrud & Associates, Lindamood-Bell, Stevenson Skills and ASDEC. Ms. Silk served as a resource teacher and tutor at St. Bernadette School and is a part-time instructor at Montgomery Community College. Ms. Silk is a highly active community volunteer serving organizations such as the University of Maryland Disabilities Support Services, Holy Cross Hospital, and Our Lady of Good Counsel High school. She is currently treasurer of the Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County. Ms. Silk holds a B.S. in mathematics from Spring Hill College.

Lucie Wilson, math teacher, previously taught elementary and middle school math in the Montgomery County Public Schools. Ms. Wilson has also been highly active as a volunteer in the local school community serving as treasurer and board member of the Garrett Park Cooperative Nursery school, and as a leader of her local elementary school PTA. She transitioned to teaching after an accomplished career in the technology industry serving as a systems engineer, network administrator and trainer for such companies as IBM, Klein Technologies and Quality Systems, Inc. Ms. Wilson holds a M.S. in computer science from the Johns Hopkins University, and a B.S. in industrial engineering with high honors from Lehigh University. She is presently completing a M.A. in education from the Johns Hopkins University.

Peter Wright, social studies and history teacher, is an experienced educator and human services professional. He was previously a social studies teacher for students with language-based learning disabilities. Mr. Wright has also taught reading, language, writing and literature to students with emotional and learning disabilities in a therapeutic residential treatment facility, and served as an educational Team Coordinator in the Central Berkshire Regional School District. He holds a M.S. in education from American International College, and a B.S. in education and B.A. in sociology from North Adams State College.