Some Important Facts about our Teaching Staff

•   100% of our teachers have prior teaching experience with children or adults.
   

•   96% of A+ teachers have Masters Degrees in their specialty. 
   

•   100% of A+ tutors have current state teaching credentials, or are accomplished in their fields and have solid
     teaching experience.
   

•   Our faculty ranks are growing rapidly.  Please check back frequently for new members who have joined
     A+ Academics.

Our Faculty and Staff

• Ruth E. Allen, B.S., M.Ed. Mrs. Allen has been a math teacher for a number of years in the Prince William County Public Schools, with her last assignment at Stonewall Jackson HS, Manassas, where she taught regular and Pre- IB math.  She teaches Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry and the Math section to the G.E.D exam at A+.  She and her family reside in Manassas.
   

• Frederic Bouchet, B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Dr. Bouchet's educational background is in mathematics and economics.  He teaches math at Stonewall Jackson HS, Manassas, both regular and IB levels.  Dr. Bouchet teaches
  Algebra I and II, Trigonometry and the Math section to the SAT prep classes at A+.  He and his family reside in Manassas.
   

• Laura A. Case, B.S. in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Case received her teaching diploma from the University of Texas at Austin and taught in the San Antonio Independent School District as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher before transferring to the Austin Independent School District where she taught 3rd grade.  Mrs. Case holds current Texas certification in elementary education.  She teaches math and language arts in grades 1 - 5 at A+.  She and her family reside in Haymarket.
   

• Ellen P. Cecil, B.A., M.S.  Mrs. Cecil's degrees are in French and Project Management. She is owner of PC Basic Plus, a computer skills training company.  She has taught computer basics for a number of years.  Mrs. Cecil teaches PC Basics Plus to students and adults at A+.  She and her husband reside in Gainesville.
   

• Catherine A. Conlon, B.A., M.A. (English and Journalism).  Ms. Conlon received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University, Harrisonburg and her master's degree from American University, Washington DC.  She recently taught high school English (gr 9-12) in Fairfax County and will be teaching middle school English in Prince William County in the fall 2008.  She teaches English and Writing at middle and high school levels at A+.  Ms. Conlon resides in Gainesville.
   

• Margaret (Peggy) Ferguson, B.A.  with a specialty in Math Recovery.  Ms. Ferguson received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Rider University in Lawrenceville NJ and teaches Title I Math in the Prince William School System.  She primarily teaches remediation math for low-achieving students in grades 1-5.  She continues to teach math and math recovery at A+ for the elementary school student.  Ms. Ferguson resides in Warrenton.
   

• Regina M. Gallagher, B.A., M.Ed.  Ms. "O", as her students know her, taught at an area elementary school as the ED teacher for four years and prior to that, taught middle school special needs students in the Fairfax County Public School system.  Ms. Gallagher will be teaching special education students in grades K-3rd in the PWCS system in the fall 2007.  She teaches special needs students in grades 1st through 12th at A+.  She and her family reside in Bristow.
   

• Tamara (Tammy) M. Hall, B.A. in Elementary Education.  Ms. Hall's undergraduate degree was conferred by Radford University, Va and she is completing requirements for her Masters in Education in 2008.  Ms. Hall teaches 2nd grade in the Fairfax County School System and has taught since 2002. She teaches reading, math, social studies to students in 2nd through 4th grade at A+ as well as beginning ESL in those grade levels.  She resides in Gainesville.
   

• Tynesia Hand-Smith, C.I.D. with certification in Interior Design.  She has completed upper level studies in Architecture.  Mrs. Hand-Smith created the interior look for A+ Academics and she designs interior for builders’ model homes in the metro area.  She teaches Model Building at A+.  She and her husband reside in Washington, D.C.
   

• Merryn E. Hawthorne, B.A. (Elementary Education).  Mrs. Hawthorne, a certified Math Specialist, teaches 2nd grade in the City of Manassas public schools.  Prior to that position, she taught upper elementary grades in Prince William and Fairfax County public schools.  She is completing her studies at George Mason University for her Master's in Education degree.  Mrs. Hawthorne teaches Language Arts and Math in grades 2 -5 at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Janet S. Holender, B.A.  Mrs. Holender has taught in the primary grades in Massachusetts and Florida for a number of years, most recently at The Vista School/Atlantic Academy in Coral Springs, FL as a 2nd grade teacher. She holds permanent certification in K-6.  Mrs. Holender teaches 1st and 2nd graders at A+ in Language Arts and Math.  She and her husband reside in Gainesville.
   

• Jennifer L. Hoskins, B. A&S.  Ms. Hoskins has been an interpersonal relations trainer for employees in the sales professions in Colorado and Virginia.  She is now affiliated with a national financial company in Herndon.  Ms. Hoskins teaches periodic workshops in Social Etiquette and Table Manners to youngsters ages 7-15 at A+.  She resides in Gainesville.
   

• John Houston III, B.A., M.B.A. (Economics and Finance).  Mr. Houston has taught Economics and Finance at the community college level for a number of years.  He is project manager for Global Security & Engineering Solution, L-3 Communications in Fairfax, VA.  Mr. Houston teaches Real Life Finance and Money Management to middle and high school students and adults at A+.  Mr. Houston also teaches Small Business techniques to future entrepreneurs at A+.  He and his family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Gail H. Johnson, B.S., M.Ed.  Ms. Johnson formed A+ Academics, Inc. In 2005.  She has completed studies for her doctorate in educational leadership and is certified to teach Elementary Studies in Virginia.  She has taught grades 5 and 7 in Prince William County Public Schools and grade 6 in Mississippi.  She teaches Math and Language Arts to upper elementary/middle school students at A+.
   

• Bart Jones, B.A, B.A., M.A. Mr. Jones received his first B.A. in Philosophy from St. Mary's University, Baltimore and followed with a B.A. in Theology from that school in 1962.  He studied Greek and Latin at Catholic University, Johns Hopkins University and in the summer of 1966 received a Fullbright-Hayes study grant for teachers of Latin in Rome Italy through American University.  Mr. Jones earned his Masters in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Maryland and taught Latin for 9 years at Gonzaga High School (D.C.) and was a Guidance Counselor for 29 years in the Prince George’s County public schools.  Mr. Jones teaches Latin I, II, III, and IV at A+ Academics.  He resides in Warrenton.
   

• M. Karen Kallmeyer, A.A. (Architectural Technology).  Mrs. Kallmeyer is a life-long Fine Arts practitioner and has been an instructor to both children and adults for the past 12 years in Northern Virginia.  She has studied under numerous artists.  Mrs. Kallmeyer enjoys working with students as they discover the various methods of artistic expression for themselves.  She teaches Art during the summer at A+.  She and her husband reside in Haymarket.
   

• Hope M. Kopasek, B.A., M.A.  Ms. Kopasek's degrees are in modern languages and instructional systems design.  She teaches English as a Second Language (ESOL) in Prince William County Schools and teaches Spanish I and ESOL students and adults at A+. Ms. Kopasek is multilingual in four languages.  She resides in Manassas.
   

• Marguerite B. Lee, B.A., M.Ed. with specialty training in the International Baccalaureate Programme and certified in the gifted program.  Mrs. Lee received her Masters of Education from George Mason University and her B.A. from the University of Richmond.  She has taught high school English and Literature at several Prince William County schools – Stonewall Jackson HS and Battlefield HS where she currently teaches 10th and 11th grade English.  She teaches English to middle and high school students at A+ Academics as well as the English portion of SAT Prep class.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Priscilla M. Lee, B.A., M.Ed.  Mrs. Lee has taught Korean language classes in the Arlington County School System for a number of years through their Continuing Education Department.  A native of Korea, Mrs. Lee teaches Korean from beginner through advanced levels at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Kristen A. Mahoney, B.A.  Mrs. Mahoney recently completed nine years teaching 4th and 5th grades at an area PWCS elementary school.  She was known as Ms. Ostrander to many of her former students. A graduate of Catawba College in Salisbury, NC in elementary education, Mrs. Mahoney continues to work on her master's in education.  She teaches all subjects to 4th and 5th graders at A+. She and her husband reside in Culpeper.
   

• Marisa Hui May, B.A., M.B.A.  Mrs. May has been bilingual since infancy, and has taught Chinese to American businesses and the military. Her career has included working in the tourism industry here and abroad. She teaches Mandarin Chinese at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Amber E. Melvin, B.A.  Ms. Melvin's degree is in Elementary Education and she is a Virginia certified teacher in PreK-6.  Ms. Melvin is a kindergarten teacher in a local Prince William County school.  She teaches 1st graders at A+ in Language Arts and Math.  She resides in Gainesville.
   

• Tara L. O'Neill, B.A., M.Ed. (Special Education).  Mrs. O'Neill teaches 3rd grade at an elementary school in Prince William County and conducts an after-school program for parents whose language is not English.  She teaches Math and Language Arts to students in grades 3-5 at A+.  In addition, she works with ESL students and teaches preparation for the TOEFL exam at A+.  She and her husband live in Gainesville.
   

• Luz R. Payne, B.A (Bilingual Ed)., M. Ed. Mrs. Payne is bilingual in Spanish and English and is certified to teach PK-6, ESL (English as a Second Language) to grade 12; as well as grades 6-8 in Language Arts.  She teaches in an area Prince William school where she is Lead Teacher for the ESL program. Mrs. Payne teaches Spanish I and II and adult ESL classes at A+.  She and her husband reside in Nokesville.
   

• Susan Rodriquez, B.A. (Social Studies/History).  Mrs. Rodriquez is a certified teacher in social studies at the middle and high school levels and currently teaches social studies at an area Prince William County middle school.  She teaches social studies in grades 5-8 at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Robert (Bob) V. Sallada, B.S.E., M.B.A.  Mr. Sallada is a former Naval officer test pilot and past commander of the Engineering Test Pilot School & Carrier Squadron. He was a finalist in the last Apollo astronaut selection process.  Mr. Sallada's expertise was also used in civilian industry by Lockheed Corp and Douglas Aircraft Co.  Mr. Sallada teaches Physics, Calculus, and Chemistry at A+.  He resides in Gainesville.
   

• Claudia Sattler, 7 yr Diploma from Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelm University, Bonn, Germany.  She taught German to English speakers living in Germany before coming to the United States.  Mrs. Sattler teaches beginner through advanced German to students and adults at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• Judie Lynne Sferro, B.A., M.Ed. Mrs. Sferro's degrees are in English and Elementary Education and her Masters is in school counseling.  She has taught primary language arts and math for a number of years and is permanently certified.  She teaches Math and Language Arts in grades 2-4 at A+. She and her husband reside in Gainesville.
   

• *Rosanna Funiciello Smith, B.A., M.B.A.  Mrs. Smith holds dual citizenship in Italy and the United States and travels to her native country frequently.  She studied international business and teaches beginner through advanced Italian at A+.  She and her family live in Haymarket.
   

• Jason Stern, B.A.  Mr. Stern received his bachelor's degree from George Mason University in elementary education and taught 1st grade in an area elementary school this past term.  Mr. Stern is certified in the PALS reading program and will be teaching 1st grade in PWC for 2007-2008.  He teaches all subjects in grades 1st and 2nd at A+ as well as PALS reading.  He resides in Warrenton.
   

• Rolande Dumont Summers, B.A., University of Poitieu, France.  Mrs. Summers, a native of France, has taught the French language to English speaking adults and children in various locales in the United States since immigrating here.  She teaches beginner through advanced French to students and adults at A+.  She and her family reside in Gainesville.
   

• *Marsha L. Tisch, B.A. in Fine Arts and Interior Design from Interior Designers Guild in California.  Mrs. Tisch has had a distinguished career in interior design in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Palos Verdes and now paints on commission from her studio in Haymarket.  Mrs. Tisch teaches art at A+.  She and her family reside in Haymarket.
   

• Dawn L. Tuzo is owner of DLT Services which specializes in accounting and customer services for area companies.  She has over 20 years' experience in all phases of office management and data control.  She is office manager at A+.  She and her family reside in Haymarket.
   

• Pamela S. Upperman, B.A., M.Ed. in French and English Education.  Mrs. Upperman received her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College (VA) and her Master's Degree from the University of Virginia.  She taught high school English, French and Spanish in the Manassas City Schools and the Manassas Park City Schools for the past 17 years.  Mrs. Upperman teaches upper level English, Spanish and French and the Language Arts section to the SAT Prep at A+.  She and her husband reside in Gainesville.
   

• Patricia S. Widener, B.S., M.Ed. with Reading Specialist certification. Mrs. Widener's received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from Campbell University and her Master's and post-Master's credentials from George Mason University and Virginia Tech.  She taught 1st and 2nd grade in the Fairfax County Public Schools and subsequently became the lead reading teacher at two elementary schools for FCPS.  She holds the Postgraduate Professional License (VA) and teaches 1st and 2nd grade math as well as reading in grades 1 - 6 at A+.  She and her husband reside in Gainesville.

  *On sabbatical leave
   

  List Updated July 2008

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