Do you know all the people who are caring for our littlest WES folk–teaching, snuggling, planning, creating curriculum, comforting, and keeping safe? I’m excited to introduce you to the professional staff (who are themselves supported by dozens of teachers!), and I’m grateful for their support of WES’ mission. Whether or not you have children in the SEEK program, please be sure to say hello and thank you as you see our great staff around the building! ~Amanda
Remote SEEK Consultant
Andrea Perry Lerner
Andrea Perry Lerner has just started working with us as a remote SEEK consultant. She’ll be on-site about once a month, and supporting the program, staff, teachers, and SEEK Team from afar throughout the coming year.
Andrea Perry Lerner retired this June from the UUA after 16 years of service, including 9 as the District Executive for the Metro New York District. Before joining the UUA District/Regional Staff, she served 3 congregations as Director of Religious Education. She served on the board of the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) and on LREDA’s Professional Standards Task Force and its Integrity Team, which worked to dismantle institutional racism and oppression. Andrea has long identified as a humanist.
SEEK Assistant
Ndara Miles
Ndara has served as the SEEK Assistant for WES for the past two years. Her primary duties include leading/supporting the Pre-K/K class, managing/staffing the nursery class and supporting other classes with material prep.
She has an extensive background in Early Childhood Education, working full time as an Assistant Program Director of an Early Learning Program in Bethesda. Ndara holds a bachelors degree in Political Science from Trinity University in Washington, DC, two M.Ed.’s in Early Childhood Education & Special Education, and an Ed.S. in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University in Arizona.
In her free time Ndara enjoys traveling and practicing photography with her new camera.
Professional Caregivers
Elena Nicholson (not pictured)
Elena grew up at WES, and we are delighted to have her back with us! She went to Washington College and her professional background has been in early childhood education and paraeducation support.
Fatima Ane
Fatima Ane graduated May 2019 from both high school and community college through a dual enrollment program. She is a college senior currently getting her BS in Business Administration, slated to graduate in May 2020. She has worked with children for over 6 years including tutoring, nannying, and working as inclusion staff for summer camps. During my free time she loves volunteering at local non profits doing social media management, membership tracking + engagement and data entry; going to Six Flags; and kickboxing!
Linda Irizarry
Linda Irizarry was born and raised in Queens, New York. She moved in 2007 from New York to Takoma Park, Maryland to finish her Bachelors at Washington Adventist University (WAU). In 2010, Ms. Irizarry graduated from Washington Adventist University with her Bachelors of Science in Counseling Psychology. And in 2012 she graduated with a Masters in Social Work from Howard University. She is passionate about helping others and traveling to new places.
Teen Caregivers
Lila Chafe
Lila is a senior at Montgomery Blair High School. She loves to dance, do circus, and make videos and documentaries for her school. Also, she loves to babysit and hang out with kids!
Bryan Wilson (not pictured)
Bryan is a junior in high school. He is a part of the JROTC program, and has been at WES since he was a toddler, completing the Coming of Age program two years ago.
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