Executive Director

“I am most excited about students connecting their learning to God's Story and having opportunities to practice living His Story in DC.”

As an educator, nonprofit leader, and now as a school founder, Jacquie is committed to educational equity and ensuring all children have access to a high-quality education. Jacquie began her career in education as a 2007 TFA corps member and has taught in middle and high schools for over a decade. She spent five years at the Flamboyan Foundation, a DC-based nonprofit focused on developing educators’ capacity to partner with families. At Flamboyan, Jacquie designed a school-wide approach to building partnerships between educators and families and coached leadership teams in 12 secondary schools to embed and sustain effective family engagement practices.

Jacquie earned a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2020 and served on the leadership team at High Tech High Mesa, a project-based learning school in San Diego. During her two years at High Tech High Mesa, Jacquie coached teachers, led the school's professional development, designed the advisory curriculum, and conducted a two-year study on how students define authenticity in learning. Jacquie is passionate about centering student voices, rigorous learning experiences that engage students and equip them for the future, and adult professional development.

Jacquie and her family are deeply rooted in the Capitol Hill community. She has been a member of Grace Downtown since 2008, serves as a deaconess at the church, and hosts a weekly community group. She loves coffee and her three energetic boys, ages 6, 4, and 1. Jacquie enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, camping, and kayaking.

Kindergarten Teacher

“At The District School, I am excited to ignite kindergarteners’ love of learning and their love of Jesus.”

Carla began her career in education teaching first and second grades in California and Maryland. After taking a break to care for her own young children, she returned to teaching preschool at a community nursery school ten years ago. She has always been involved in Christian education at her church as well. The opportunity to be a part of a school community that shares a love of learning and a love of Jesus is what excites her most about working at The District School.

Carla has a B.S. in Child and Family Development and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education.

She and her husband, Joe have lived in the DMV, raising their five children over the last 26 years. Carla loves traveling, gardening and walks and hikes with her favorite chocolate Labrador, Grizzly.

Second Grade Teacher

‘I am overjoyed to work at the District School where we can develop curiosity and a love for Jesus in students who tangibly live out Gospel truths that usher in God's Kingdom now.”

Kayla was born and raised in Delaware, then moved to the D.C. Metro area for her undergraduate studies. Kayla has a B.A. in Sociology and Communication from George Mason University and an M.A. in Elementary Education from Marymount University. She and her husband, Eyasu, have called Iowa home for the past three years but are thrilled to be back in the nation's capital.

Kayla spent two years teaching second grade at Faith Academy in Iowa City. Her favorite part of teaching was watching her scholars develop more deeply into the people God has made them. She loves watching children grow in their love for Jesus and subsequently, their love for those around them. You can often find Kayla and her class laughing, singing during math, and dancing during Bible.

Kayla loves singing, dancing, playing board games, reading, drinking copious amounts of tea, and indulging her sweet tooth.

Manager of Student Support and Office Administrator

“I am passionate about classical education and making it accessible for students from all backgrounds. I look forward to being part of a school that unveils the Truth and Light of Jesus in the hearts of young people.”

India graduated from Biola University with a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Social Justice, Human Rights, and Conflict Transformation. She also graduated from their Torrey Honors College, a Great Books program where she studied, researched, and discussed over 100 classical, theological, and philosophical texts. While serving in campus leadership at Biola, India partnered with key stakeholders, including the university president and the Chief Diversity Officer and engaged in work with the Student Government Association, LEAD Scholars Program, and the Student Enrichment and Intercultural Development Department.

India has spent over three years working in classical education and now directs programming for the Blacks in Classics Museum in Alexandria. She is excited to join The District School as Manager of Student Support and Office Administrator.

India will begin graduate school in the fall at Howard University, where she will obtain her Master’s in Social Work and then become a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). She hopes through her studies she may help students cultivate healthy social and emotional skills and contribute to the holistic well-being of the TDS community.

Teaching Assistant and After Care Coordinator

“I am excited to work in a school that prioritizes the whole child.”

Alyssa graduated with a B.A. in Politics from Colorado Christian University and is working on an M.Ed. in Teaching at American University.

While living in Colorado, Alyssa volunteered with elementary students through her church and at local elementary schools. After moving to DC, she worked as an AmeriCorps Literacy Lab tutor, offering Tier 2 and 3 literacy support to early elementary school students. She then joined DC's City Teaching Alliance, a teacher prep program that supports educators to teach in historically underserved urban classrooms, and completed her student teaching this year.

Alyssa enjoys spending time with her friends, playing volleyball, and going on walks. She is passionate about education and the opportunity to support a holistic approach to student learning and development.

Market Service Manager of DC branch of Johnson Controls, Inc.

“I love the fact that the school is being founded to offer a high caliber education and provide families a safe space to grow their faith with a diverse group of people.”

Keith White is a native Washingtonian and a proud graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar HS in Washington, D.C. He currently serves as the Market Service Manager of the D.C. branch of Johnson Controls, Inc., managing a workforce of over 100 managers, engineers, technicians, mechanics, and administrators. His team maintains the building environment systems of commercial, government, and mission-critical buildings across the D.C. Metropolitan area. He has held various roles in this industry over his 25+ year career.

Keith has been blessed to have had many mentors who instilled a commitment to service to his community. Keith demonstrated this commitment as a high school track and field coach for 11 years, which included tutoring and mentoring a number of students and helping them access opportunities to help them grow academically and personally. Keith utilized his knowledge of industry and government to support successful school improvement projects at Shepherd Elementary School and Whittier Education Campus while serving on their respective PTAs, School Improvement Teams, and Local School Advisory Teams. Keith was also a founding member of the community cabinet, which was charged with helping establish a vision for the Ron Brown Preparatory High School.

Currently, Keith serves on the advisory committee for Montgomery Community College’s HVAC program and regularly speaks at their seminars, where they present careers in the HVAC industry and the paths to get there. He also serves on the industry advisory council of Lincoln Technical Institute for HVAC.

Keith holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Master’s of Science in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

Keith lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife and three children. He is currently a member of Christ Our Shepherd Church, where he serves on the Diaconate.

Attorney

Finance

“I am excited to see how God will show up in TDS, the attending families, and staff, and the impact one school will have on communities throughout DC!”

Shari Williams is a long-time resident of Washington, D.C. Originally from New York City, Shari works as an attorney in the District specializing in tax and retirement laws. She earned her Bachelor’s degree

in Economics from New York University, Juris Doctorate from George Washington University School of Law, and a Master of Law in Tax and Employee Benefits certificate from Georgetown University Law Center.

She began attending Grace Downtown in 2009 and has served the church as a leader of the homeless outreach ministry and the women’s ministry. She ardently believes in the transformational impact of an excellent education and volunteers at Don Bosco Cristo Rey in Takoma Park, Maryland, a Catholic high school that serves students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Shari loves to travel and lives part of the year in Puerto Rico, where she has a church family and deep relationships. In addition to being a frequent traveler, Shari enjoys spending time with friends and family, singing, and attending book signings and concerts.

Partner Strategist at Auxilio Partners

Operations And Administrative Leadership In Corporate And Non-Profit Sectors

"I'm thrilled that The District School will provide a quality education focused on the learner while weaving the love of Christ into every facet of the classroom."

Chrissy Weeks is a Partner Strategist with Auxilio Partners, which provides outsourced business expertise to churches and nonprofits. After obtaining her degree in theater from Collin College, Chrissy began working as a program coordinator with Serge (formerly World Harvest Mission), where she developed cross-cultural curriculum, discipleship materials, and maintained finance and

operations for her team in Dublin, Ireland. Shortly thereafter, she moved to St. Louis, MO, to attend Covenant Theological Seminary with her husband.

Having worked for Apple for a number of years during and after seminary, Chrissy had her sights set on returning to the nonprofit sector. She and her family moved to DC in 2017, where she began working for a local nonprofit, DC127. In her role, Chrissy built a church mobilization program designed to equip the church for wrap-around services to families in crisis and those participating in foster care.

While Chrissy was mostly educated in public school, she did attend a Christian school during her early elementary years. There, she experienced teachers who intentionally focused on the learner and wove the hope and beauty of Christ into all facets of the classroom. She is delighted to help establish TDS as it seeks to do the same in DC.

Chrissy is deeply rooted in the Manor Park neighborhood of DC, where she lives with her husband, two children, and dog, Clara. She is a member of Grace DC, where she leads worship on Sundays, teaches children, and is part of her community group. Chrissy loves live theater and music, especially outdoors. She and her family enjoy participating in and hosting a good party, cooking, dancing, and exploring libraries.

Program & Office Manager, Gan Hayeled Preschool

School Operations And Preschool Compliance

“I love the vision of TDS to create a strong, welcoming, and diverse place of Christian community in our city.”

Megan works as the Program and Office Manager at the Gan HaYeled Preschool in the Cleveland Park neighborhood.

Megan grew up outside of Omaha, Nebraska. While in High School, she often volunteered with her church as a Sunday School teacher, VBS music teacher, and childcare provider. During this time, her mother served as the Children’s Education Coordinator and strived to provide role models and community for the youth at their church.

Megan has continued to serve as a volunteer in Children and Youth ministries throughout her life and has most recently served as a PreK Sunday School teacher at Grace Downtown. Megan moved to Washington, DC, in 2018 after spending several years living abroad and working for a Christian Student organization. While abroad, she facilitated cultural events, bible studies, and leadership training for Christian university students. Her ministry experiences have made her passionate about the importance of connecting children with the Christian community and role models.

Megan lives in the Woodley Park area of DC and spends her free time exploring the DMV, singing, and planning her next adventure.

Global Health Professional

Civil Servant with Cross-Cultural Work Experience

“I am excited that The District School will be a venue for kids to grow in their faith while obtaining an excellent education in Washington, DC.”

Jordana De Leon is a long-time resident of Washington, DC. Originally from Manila, Philippines, she moved to the U.S. in her teens. She obtained her Master's in Public Health from the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services and her Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania School of Policy and Practice. She works as a global health/international development professional focusing on HIV/AIDS among youth for the U.S. Government and has lived and worked on various health programs in Africa (Tanzania, Nigeria) and Asia (Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia).

Jordana believes in the importance of having access to an excellent education for everyone everywhere and is excited to support the mission and vision of the District School.

Jordana lives in the Capitol Hill area and loves her community. She has been a member of Grace Downtown since 2005 and has served on the music team and as a deaconess. She loves to sing, travel and explore new places, and spend time with family and friends.