Elementary Team

Sarah was born and raised in Charlottesville, VA. After getting a degree from Mary Washington University, Sarah spent a few years teaching outdoor education in various parts of the country. She then completed her Masters of Education from the University of Washington in Seattle. She taught Kindergarten for 10 years before returning home to Charlottesville with her husband and having twin children. Sarah is passionate about language arts, helping students to find the joy in becoming a lifelong learner.

Jess is originally from Australia but moved to the States in 2021. After completing her Bachelor of Education at Deakin University in Melbourne, she traveled the world and taught in International Baccalaureate Schools, most recently in Germany where she met her American husband. Since arriving in the US she has mostly pursued her second passion of teaching fitness and working as a personal trainer. Jess is working with our 3rd/4th Grade in Math and Unit of Inquiry/UOI (a part of the IB curriculum), 2nd/3rd/4th grade PE and supporting French K for Math. Jess will also be working alongside the teaching staff as curriculum coordinator to begin our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Accreditation.

Paz was originally inspired to teach through her work with children in outdoor education programs as a Scout Leader, and interacting with teens in international summer camps.  Paz received her degree in elementary education in her native Chile from Universidad Católica de Chile, and was then credentialed as a professional teacher in the Chilean education system. When working in California, she held a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. As a child she received a bilingual education at an American International school, and is currently raising her own child to be bilingual.  She loves to share her passion of the Spanish language and culture with her students, helping them learn through singing and performing. Besides teaching in a bilingual international school in Chile for eight years, Paz also has a great deal of experience teaching in the United States. In her free time, Paz loves spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling, going to the beach, and practicing yoga.

Wende has a passion for children that has led her to pursue new opportunities as she has transitioned into a new phase of her life. After graduating from Hampshire College with her BA in Cultural Anthropology and from John Hopkins with her MSc in Population Dynamics/Demography, Wende has for many years worked with cultural and educational organizations in Central America. Since she is bilingual in Spanish/English, these jobs helped to fuel her love for this culture and sharpen her language skills. Her most recent job saw her return to the Charlottesville area where she was a literacy tutor for Literacy for All Charlottesville. Wende is excited to co-teach Spanish 1st and 2nd Grade along with Paz and develop the 1st graders English Language Arts Skills!

Diane grew up in the picturesque French region of Quebec, Canada, on a dairy farm. She completed her studies at Collège Bart in Quebec city. Diane worked for the Canadian Department of Defense while achieving her Reserve military training, and later pursued a career as a Flight Attendant with Air Canada giving her the opportunity to travel in Europe and to meet her husband, Robert. In 1997, Diane and her husband moved to Charlottesville and had three daughters, Gabriele, Elodie and Ella-Mae. While pursuing her Certificate in Early Childhood Development, Diane enjoyed working at a few local preschools. In her free time, Diane enjoys walking in her neighborhood, writing and going to coffee shops with her family.