English
Arabic
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
SpanishAdministration
Jenny Engel, M.S., Ed., BCBA, LBA, Director
Ms. Engel is excited to lead another inspiring year as Director of The Maddux School. Prior to her arrival at The Maddux School, Ms. Engel helped found Ivymount’s Early Childhood Clinic for young children recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, while concurrently serving as Division Director of the Elementary Autism Program. She has been an administrator, supervisor and teacher in general and special education for nearly twenty-five years.
When Ms. Engel arrived at Ivymount’s Model Asperger’s Program in 2014, she worked collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team there to ensure all students received a welcoming and supportive but challenging environment through which they would reach their highest potential.
At the highly-regarded New England Center for Children in Southborough, Massachusetts, Ms. Engel held a variety of positions, including consultant to local public school systems/programs to ensure students received the support they needed to succeed within their home schools. She particularly enjoys working as part of a team providing all students the opportunity to shine.
Ms. Engel is a Board Certified & Licensed Behavior Analyst. She earned her Master of Science in Special Education degree from Simmons College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Art from Colby College.
Andrea Mullins, M.Ed., Director Emeritus
Ms. Mullins is the founding Director of The Maddux School and has over thirty years of professional experience working with students with learning and reading disabilities, ADHD, social challenges, autism spectrum disorders and a range of mild to moderate special needs of all kinds. Ms. Mullins served as a classroom teacher for seven years before advancing to increasingly-involved administrative roles.
She served as Coordinator of Early Childhood Programs at The Ivymount School and Director of the Lower School at The Ivymount School for ten years and consulted to area preschools on building inclusive classrooms. In 2004, she developed a unique MSDE-approved curriculum and founded The Maddux School to fill a niche for students who need specialized instruction but do not necessarily require or qualify for special education.
In her current capacity, Ms. Mullins serves as Director Emeritus, consulting at all levels of The Maddux School. In the coming year, she will continue supporting the vision for the school’s progression and growth by providing guidance on topics of early childhood education and school leadership and administration.
Ms. Mullins earned a Master of Education in Special Education from Lesley College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark University. She continues to maintain Maryland State Department of Education Advanced Professional Certification in Elementary Education and Middle School and Special Education in Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
Lynn Cannon, M.Ed., Social Learning Coordinator
Ms. Cannon leads The Maddux School’s social learning arm through the development and implementation of a unique curriculum across all classes, Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade.
As a special educator and administrator, Ms. Cannon has over fifteen years of teaching experience in settings including The Lab School of Washington, The Model Asperger Program at Ivymount School and Take 2, a specialized summer camp for highly verbal and intelligent children with social learning disorders.
Ms. Cannon is a nationally-recognized author with the publication of The Conversation Club, a curriculum designed to teach children how to engage in successful conversation with peers by teaching the “how” and “why” of conversation. In addition, she is a co-author of Unstuck and On Target!: An Executive Function Curriculum to Improve Flexibility for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Solving Executive Function Challenges: Simple Ways to Get Kids with Autism Unstuck and on Target, curricula designed to promote cognitive flexibility and goal-directed behavior in children.
Ms. Cannon earned a Master of Education degree in Special Education from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Psychology from the College of William and Mary.
Lynn Danzi, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA Education Coordinator
Ms. Danzi is The Maddux School’s Educational Coordinator, who is responsible for curriculum; supervision of instruction; and behavior management across all four classrooms.
With over fifteen years of educational experience in and out of the classroom at Ivymount School, District of Columbia Public Schools and as an independent contractor, Ms. Danzi has served as a teacher, supervisor, parent educator, curriculum creator, and program coordinator. She brings an extraordinary range of experiences and expertise to her new role and is well-versed in the supports needed by Maddux School students as they navigate the academic and social domains central to our school’s focus.
Marissa Kuhn, M.S., Learning Resource Specialist
As The Maddux School’s Learning Resource Specialist, Ms. Kuhn focuses on assessment, intervention, and extension across all the grades, as well as on assisting with day-to-day classroom instruction.
Ms. Kuhn brings a breath of experience teaching and inspiring young children with a variety of learning differences. Prior to teaching at The Maddux School, Ms. Kuhn served classes and individual children for six years in Baltimore, New York, Omaha and other areas throughout the country.
Ms. Kuhn holds a Maryland Professional License as a Special Education Teacher, certified in Grades 1 through 8. She completed the IDA-Accredited 60-hour Orton Gillingham “Plus” Phonological Awareness and Reading Fluency Strategies Course. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Creighton University and a Master of Science in Special Education from McDaniel College.
Cheryl Miller, B.A., Administrative & Community Engagement Coordinator
Ms. Miller is thrilled to be part of The Maddux School team, assuming full responsibility for a variety of functions at The Maddux School including parent communication, licensing and compliance, organizational management, event planning and supporting the functions of the Director. In addition, she works with the Ivymount Organization where she supports the Development team by engaging with families, planning, and executing fundraising events.
As a key player in the Ivymount School administration for over 12 years, Ms. Miller has served as a teacher, student services specialist, development associate, communications liaison, event planner and community engagement coordinator and brings to her new role extraordinary enthusiasm, patience and delight in working with young children.
Ms. Miller earned a Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Pre-Kindergarten Class
Diana Sankar, B.A., Teacher
As one of the co-teachers in the pre-kindergarten class Ms. Sankar brings over 4 years of teaching experience to The Maddux School! With solid experience instructing students of various ages and learning profiles, including one year as a 1:1 ABA Instructor at Ivymount School, Ms. Sankar brings extraordinary patience, playfulness and creativity to this unique role.
Ms. Sankar earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The George Washington University.
Chantell Mayo, B.S., Teacher
Ms. Mayo joins The Maddux School as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, with over 15 years of experience working with neurodiverse children. She comes to Maddux from the Early Childhood Clinic at Ivymount School, where she worked as a 1:1 ABA instructor as well as head teacher. Ms. Mayo is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging environments that celebrate each child’s strengths and nurture their social, emotional, and academic development.
Ms. Mayo earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavior Analysis from Savannah State University.
Brittany Roman, B.S., Associate Teacher
Ms. Roman is thrilled to bring her experience of working with children of all ages to The Maddux School Pre-Kindergarten class. With experience as a childcare provider and registered behavior technician at Ivymount School, she has supported students of different ages and learning profiles in the development of communication, play, and pre-academic skills. With her background as an RBT she is most excited about fostering emotional and social growth in her students.
Ms. Roman earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson University.
Kindergarten Class
Autumn Epps, B.S., Teacher
As a co-teacher on the kindergarten team Ms. Epps leads students toward mastery of their academic and social emotional goals every day. With over ten years of classroom experience including implementing behavior plans, Ms. Epps is eager to execute our multisensory, multidisciplinary program, encouraging and enabling students to reach their highest levels of learning.
Ms. Epps earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Morgan State University.
Rebecca Brennan, B.A., Teacher
Ms. Brennan brings great enthusiasm and a passion for learners of all kinds to The Maddux School. She has a large variety of experiences in teaching, program leadership and play therapy.
Ms. Brennan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Women’s Studies from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University.
Christina Gallagher, A.E., Associate Teacher
Ms. Gallagher is a valued member of the kindergarten team, supporting the co-teachers in planning, implementing and assessing lessons with our young learners. Experienced in providing childcare as well as teaching young children pre-academic skills for reading, writing, math & science, and demonstrates creativity, patience and commitment to early childhood learning.
Ms. Gallagher holds an Associate degree in Education from Camden County College and has nearly completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and a minor in Women’s Studies from Richard Stockton College in New Jersey.
First Grade Class
Alyson Stagnitto, M.A., Teacher
Ms. Stagnitto continues to lead the First Grade class at The Maddux School. She holds Standard Professional I certification in Elementary Education 1 – 6 and Generic Special Education Infant to adult. Ms. Stagnitto earned a Master of Arts in Education from the College of Saint Elizabeth and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Tampa.
Ms. Stagnitto has been teaching for over fifteen years, including eight at The Maddux School and three as Head Teacher in Ivymount School’s multiple learning needs program. She is certified in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading, writing and spelling and is routinely recognized for her work ethic and exceptional understanding of children’s needs.
Marisa Welsh, M.Ed., Teacher
Ms. Welsh is one of the first-Grade co-teachers at The Maddux School. With extensive teaching experience in general education preschools, programs for children with severe disabilities, and The Maddux School itself, she brings a fresh perspective and energy to the children and her teaching.
Ms. Welsh earned a Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Medicine, Health & Society from Vanderbilt University.
Carla Kasun, B.A., Associate Teacher
Ms. Kasun has over thirty-five years of experience in special education, behavioral intervention, residential counseling and therapeutic recreation with children and adults. As a certified yoga instructor, she has been instrumental in developing the yoga program at The Maddux School, and provides direct yoga instruction to young children.
With over 15 years at The Maddux School, Ms. Kasun is excited to serve in the first-Grade classroom as an associate teacher, and teaches yoga weekly to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first grade & second grade students. Prior to her employment of over twenty years at Ivymount Upper and Lower Schools, Ms. Kasun earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Maryland and further studied biology at St. Mary’s College.
Second Grade Class
Skylar Paulik, B.S., Teacher
Ms. Paulik is a co-teacher in the second-grade classroom at The Maddux School. She has over seven years of experience working with children from infants to third graders of varying abilities in both public and private settings. Having previously resided in Vermont, Connecticut and Texas, she is excited to establish roots in Maryland and contribute her love of whole-child teaching to the second-grade class.
Ms. Paulik earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood & Elementary Education from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
Cherelle Waters, B.A., Teacher
Ms. Waters has been at The Maddux School for four years and has over 10 years of experience teaching students. Prior to joining The Maddux School, she supervised, guided and supported the development of young children in the fast-paced environment of Capitol Hill. She is a highly motivated leader and prides herself on her dependability and sense of responsibility in fostering the academic, emotional and social growth of her students.
Ms. Waters earned a Bachelor of Science in Child & Adolescent Studies from Bowie State University and a certificate in Mental Health from the University of Minnesota.
Arianna Hertz, M.A. Teacher
Ms. Hertz is positively ecstatic about beginning her first year at The Maddux School. She is a highly motivated life-long learner who prides herself on her ability to take and implement new teaching techniques and variations whenever possible. Ms. Hertz looks forward to a classroom full of collaboration alongside her co-teachers, hoping to bring in new and invigorating thoughts that build upon previously laid plans working to improve and grow alongside her students.
Ms. Hertz is a recent graduate of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at The George Washington University and has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Ithaca College.
Related Service Providers
Lisa Boxbaum, M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech Therapist
Lisa Boxbaum serves as Speech Therapist in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes. She comes with a wide range of experiences providing individual and group speech-language treatment for children with neurodevelopmental delays, pragmatic difficulties, voice disorders, and clinical assessment and intervention for oral-motor and sensory challenges related to feeding and swallowing. Ms. Boxbaum is a Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist in both Maryland and New York. She earned a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science with a Concentration in Speech-Language Pathology and a minor in Judaic Studies from The George Washington University.
Amy Greenberg, M.S., OT/L, Occupational Therapist
Ms. Greenberg has been at The Maddux School for over 17 years and leads small and large occupational therapy groups in the First and Second Grade classes. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is licensed by the State of Maryland Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.
Ms. Greenberg is trained in implementing the Handwriting without Tears and Keyboarding Without Tears programs and has special interest in supporting student playground success through a combination of sensory-motor and social-learning skill development. Ms. Greenberg earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Boston University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland. In 2018, she obtained additional certification in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics through the Tourette’s Association of America.
Brittany Davis Martin, M.A., CCC-SLP, Speech Therapist
Ms. Martin has happily been at The Maddux School and Ivymount School for 5 years. She has a variety of clinical, administrative and research experiences supporting children and adults with speech, social communication and literacy disorders. Both in groups and in individual therapy, she has provided treatments addressing expressive, receptive, pragmatic language challenges, motor skills weaknesses, fluency and articulation obstacles, and social skills deficits in schools and clinical settings.
Ms. Martin earned a Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University, a Certificate in Early Intervention from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Hearing and Speech Services from the University of Maryland.
Graciela Echeverria, M.S., OTR/L, Occupational Therapist
Ms. Echeverria, or Ms. E, is thrilled to begin her second year at The Maddux School as the occupational therapist for pre-kindergarten. Ms. E brings experience of working with children across a wide age range and with diverse physical, sensory and cognitive needs. Her expertise includes supporting development in fine motor skills, self-regulation, executive functioning, and activities of daily living. In pre-kindergarten, she leads small and large group occupational therapy sessions, incorporating the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum to strengthen fine motor skills and Zones of Regulation curriculum to foster self-regulation. Ms. E also serves as Ivymount School’s occupational therapist for the Aspire Program.
Ms. E earned a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Towson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Special Subjects
William Astrove, B.A., Teacher
Mr. Astrove is delighted to begin another year with The Maddux School, supporting all classrooms and helping to launch our pilot Club Maddux after-care program. With over 12 years of teaching and child care experience, he enjoys fostering the curiosity and energy of young children and excels in guiding them in friendship-building, managing big emotions and practicing academic skills.
Mr. Astrove earned a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies & Sociology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and maintains Level 6 Child Care Certification through the Maryland State Department of Education.
Lyssa Fukuhara, B.A., Teacher
Ms. Fukuhara returns to The Maddux School as a Teacher in all classrooms, providing academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support wherever and whenever needed. She is accomplished in the flexibility and pace that such a position requires, having previously led and co-led classrooms of young children in a variety of general education & inclusive early childhood settings. Ms. Fukuhara is especially interested in building problem-solving and emotional regulation skills, along with the relationships and environments that help foster them.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood & Family Studies, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington.
Madeline Magnusson, Enrichment Specialist
Madeline Magnusson is thrilled to be joining the Maddux Team! With over 10 years in Special Education, and as a former Maddux parent, she is grateful for the chance to give back to such an amazing community. Madeline has supported students in homes, schools, and community settings, focusing on their socio-emotional, behavioral, academic, and executive functioning needs. Most recently, she served as the Elementary Social Learning Specialist at the Auburn School. In this position, she worked with students in groups, and 1:1s, while partnering with teachers and parents on strategies for success.
Ms. Magnuson has a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Anna Piper, M.A., Music Specialist
Ms. Piper returns to The Maddux School as the Music Specialist. As a music therapist and early childhood specialist, she strongly believes in the unlimited potential of every individual when provided with the right tools and support. Her work spans over a decade, during which she has helped children and adults from diverse backgrounds, understanding and embracing their unique needs, and connecting with them through the transformative power of music.
Ms. Piper’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood/Special Education from Catholic University. She is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) and a licensed practitioner of music therapy (LPMT) in Maryland.
Ms. Piper offers private music therapy, classes, and more. Visit her website www.annapipermtbc.com.
Carley Sturges, M.S., Physical Education Teacher
Ms. Sturges attended graduate school at the University of Virginia where she earned her Master’s degree in Adapted Kinesiology. As a certified Health and Physical Education teacher in both Maryland and Virginia, Ms. Sturges started working at The Maddux School & Ivymount School in August of 2018.
She enjoys being creative in the gym to help every student stay engaged, moving and having fun while developing the skills needed to live healthy, physically-active lifestyles.
Ed Tamulevich, M.A., M.S.L.S., Library & Media Specialist
Mr. Tamulevich currently serves as the Library & Media Specialist at The Maddux and Ivymount Schools, providing library and media education along with management of a very diverse 24,000 item library collection.
He holds a Master of Science in Library Sciences and a Master of Arts from Catholic and Georgetown Universities, along with a Special Education Certification earned at George Washington University. He has current teaching certificates in Special Education (K-12), Library Media Specialist (K-12), Secondary Social Studies and English in the State of Maryland and has over forty years of experience in special education, librarianship, various academic disciplines and theater.
Jada Welbon, B.S., Physical Education Teacher
Ms. Welbon returns to The Maddux School & Ivymount School sharing her deep love of sports, fitness and healthy living with her students. In addition to experience as a physical education teacher of students with learning differences, she has served as Athletic Assistant Director; Tutor in Anatomy, Physiology & Biology; Coach; Physical Therapy Intern and college-level varsity athlete. Ms. Welbon believes sports & fitness can and should be available to all and enjoys modifying lessons or plans to meet individual student needs.
Ms. Welbon earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Salisbury University and is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Sports Leadership.
Heather Robinson, Art Teacher
Heather Robinson leads weekly, classroom-tailored art classes for PreK–2nd grade students at Maddux. Heather is largely self-taught in the visual arts and has received formal education in music and textile arts. She values student access to art of all kinds and strives to bring a rich, interdisciplinary approach to creative education. In class, Heather encourages play, exploration, and creativity while also guiding students through idea development, engagement with art materials, technical practice, self-reflection, and collaboration.