HPS Teaching team — 2023-2024

Each of our classrooms has a lead teacher working alongside an assistant teacher to foster age and developmentally appropriate learning environments and experiences for the children. 


Grasshoppers

jill-+staff+portrait2.jpg

Ms. Jill Barefoot

Grasshopper Co-Lead Teacher

Jill holds a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Florida International University and a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in preschool education. Jill's teaching style is greatly influenced by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. She loves integrating elements of nature and real world materials into the classroom! Jill also has a passion for providing young children with opportunities to explore their creativity and uses a part of her classroom as an atelier.

Jill spends time each week serving as our school Curriculum Coordinator. She is passionate about providing resources to the teachers, creating community connections, and developing relationships with local cultural institutions and educational specialists. We are fortunate to have her in this role!

Ms. Latasha Johnson

Grasshopper Co-Lead Teacher

Latasha Johnson holds a RBT (Registered Behavioral Technician) Certification and an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Virginia Community College. She has several years of experience working with 2-3-year-olds. Latasha's student interactions highlight her passion for providing young learners the opportunity to build confidence and develop pertinent problem-solving skills. 


Butterflies

Ms. Ceaira Richardson

Butterfly Lead Teacher
Three-Year-Old Age-Level Coordinator

Ceaira Richardson holds a Bachelor's Degree from Walden University in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with all of the preschool age groups from 2-year-olds to kindergarteners!

Ceaira works diligently to ensure literacy skills are implemented in her daily lessons, and feels an overwhelming joy when her young learners reach new developmental milestones. Ceaira affectionately refers to her Butterfly friends collectively as the "big one's" out of respect and pride for their growing capabilities!

Across the board, Ceaira is viewed as a team player with a keen sense of humor who gets the job done!

charlett-+staff+portrait.jpg

Ms. Charlett Hodgson

Butterfly Assistant Teacher

Ms. Charlett holds a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in preschool education. She has been with HPS for over a decade. As a native of Nicaragua, Charlett brings her love of her native language and culture to the students of HPS.

She is highly energetic and thoroughly enjoys the fast paced environment of the classroom.


Caterpillar

brenda- staff portrait.jpg

Ms. Brenda Cowles

Brenda holds a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in preschool education. Brenda's flexibility and warm energy is greatly appreciated by children, families, and staff alike.

She is affectionately known to many of the children as the "friendly playground monster", where she plays games of chase with all of the classes.

keyonta- staff portrait.jpg

Ms. Keyonta Silas

Caterpillar Teacher

Ms. Keyonta holds a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in infant and toddler education and is currently 9 credits away from achieving an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Central Texas University. Ms. Keyonta holds a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in infant and toddler education. She has worked with each age group in our preschool program and also has professional experience with infants and toddlers.

Ms. Keyonta's energy, enthusiasm, and light-hearted nature with the children helps her to quickly connect with her students.



nisha- staff portrait.jpg

Ms. Nisha Murphy

Nisha holds a Child Development Associate Credential with an endorsement in preschool education. She has worked with two and three-year-olds for the past seven years. Ms. Nisha loves engaging young children in socio-dramatic play and encouraging their creativity and imagination.

She is known throughout the school for her quiet and calm demeanor and her endless patience.

Danielle Eldridge

Ms. Danielle holds a Bachelor's in Human Ecology with a concentration in Child Development from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. She has worked with young children from toddlers through pre-k and especially loves the energy and curiosity of two- and three-year-olds.

Danielle is described as someone who thinks outside of the box and is always committed to learning something new in the field. She is respected among her colleagues for her nurturing personality, dedication to students and families, and enthusiasm for teaching young children


Multi-age teacher

Frankie Ramirez

Frankie Ramirez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Life Science with a focus on Preparing for Teaching Multiple Subjects and will complete her master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education in May 2024. Frankie recently relocated to DC from California where she has spent the majority of her life. She comes to HPS with over 5 years of experience teaching ages 2.5-5 and a shared approach to making early childhood education fun and child-centered.

Frankie's motto is "Teaching children expands beyond academics, it incorporates critical thinking, reasoning, and discovering a deeper understanding of oneself."

Frankie Ramirez holds a Bachelor's Degree in Life Science with a focus on Preparing for Teaching Multiple Subjects and will complete her master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education in May 2024. Frankie recently relocated to DC from California where she has spent the majority of her life. She comes to HPS with over 5 years of experience teaching ages 2.5-5 and a shared approach to making early childhood education fun and child-centered.

Frankie's motto is "Teaching children expands beyond academics, it incorporates critical thinking, reasoning, and discovering a deeper understanding of oneself."