Each of us were inspired to embark on this journey. We feel it's important that our community know our personal stories as we each bring our own perspectives and experiences to this work. We look forward to getting to know you. Our team is listed alphabetically by first name.
Alexandra Haynes | Lead Coach
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Angela Peyton | Operations Coordinator
Growing up in DC from birth, I learned very early on the obstacles minority children in our area would face then and have only become more challenging now. Being aware of the negative traits of growing up in an underprivileged neighborhood only made me more desperate to develop the positive traits I wanted to sow into the next generation. I started caring for children as early as 12 years of age as a babysitter, and pursued childhood education in High School. Since then, I have lovingly worked in early childhood, and school age education in intervals over the last 20 years, with most of my experience serving Early Learning centers in Alexandria, VA. It is a tremendous gift for me to come back to my roots by way of serving my “home” with love and commitment to changing the world one dream at a time. |
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Celestelle Webster | Special Education Coach
My name is Ms.Celestelle. I am a Special Education Educator at I Dream PCS who is committed to creating a school environment that takes care of the whole child. It is important for me that the curriculum works for students in a way that nurtures their creativity and meets their needs. My dream for my students is that they leave my classroom loving themselves and knowing that their voices, stories, and lives matter. It is my honor to teach and life’s journey to continue to evolve into a person who protects, advocates, and inspires children to be themselves no matter what. |
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Derrick Morgan | Physical Education Coach
Hello. My name is Derrick Morgan- 53 years born and raised in Washington DC. I've been working with kids doing PE classes, theater /drama, and art classes for over 15 years at Maury ES and Tyler ES and SWS Elementary schools. I also coached high school girls lacrosse and volleyball at KIPP College Prep. I also was a personal trainer and I currently have my own paint and sip business for the past 9 years. |
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Jailah Hill | Coach
Hi Dragonflies! My name is Jailah Hill and I am so excited to begin this journey with you all. I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and have always had a passion for teaching. As a child, I always thought I was going to be a world-renowned chef. It wasn’t until I entered high school where I realized being an educator was my passion. When I went off to college (University of MD, Eastern Shore), I originally started in Special Education but then switched to Sociology, taking my studies a bit broader, and learning how to effectively work with/learn about individuals from different backgrounds. I strived to gain the knowledge of what it would take to be a great asset unto students to help them succeed in and out the classroom.
“Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.” -Mary Mcleod Bethune
Hi Dragonflies! My name is Jailah Hill and I am so excited to begin this journey with you all. I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and have always had a passion for teaching. As a child, I always thought I was going to be a world-renowned chef. It wasn’t until I entered high school where I realized being an educator was my passion. When I went off to college (University of MD, Eastern Shore), I originally started in Special Education but then switched to Sociology, taking my studies a bit broader, and learning how to effectively work with/learn about individuals from different backgrounds. I strived to gain the knowledge of what it would take to be a great asset unto students to help them succeed in and out the classroom.
“Believe in yourself, learn, and never stop wanting to build a better world.” -Mary Mcleod Bethune
Janine Gomez | Executive Director
I was one of those students who excelled in school because I followed procedures and memorized facts to regurgitate them on tests. It wasn’t until I left a lucrative career as an engineer to teach fourth grade that I tapped into my passion for learning rooted in exploration and inquiry. I am led to create I Dream PCS because I believe true learning happens when we guide children to discover who they are and teach them to realize who they are here to be. I want to give young people, at an early age, the confidence and agency to explore what moves them and chart their own paths to success.
> LinkedIn and biography
I was one of those students who excelled in school because I followed procedures and memorized facts to regurgitate them on tests. It wasn’t until I left a lucrative career as an engineer to teach fourth grade that I tapped into my passion for learning rooted in exploration and inquiry. I am led to create I Dream PCS because I believe true learning happens when we guide children to discover who they are and teach them to realize who they are here to be. I want to give young people, at an early age, the confidence and agency to explore what moves them and chart their own paths to success.
> LinkedIn and biography
Jeff Peoples | Learner Support
Justin Thomas | Lead Coach
Kevin Summers | Director of Culture & Learner Success
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Leensa Fufa | Lead Coach
I grew up with a deep awareness of diverse perspectives and appreciation for the potential of education to transform lives. My parents are both first generation immigrants who came to the United States from very different parts of the world in search of a common dream. They made it a priority that my sisters and I had rich learning experiences early on that have given us the confidence and agency to engage in meaningful work throughout our lives. I Dream PCS is my dream to facilitate this opportunity for others. |
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Loretta Durr | Instructional Coach
Raised in an achievement-driven family, I stood out like a sore thumb. I loved learning, but I also loved feeling and creating! In 7th grade, I advocated strongly to leave a private school education to go to public school for the Arts program. My eyes were immediately opened to diversity, inequity, and my privilege. My freshman year of high school was the first year of integration in my southern town. Again, I was struck by a system that didn’t really care about equity/the potential of all students, but rather a successful football season. My entire teaching career has been about connecting authentically with content, empowering students who feel invisible, and giving students the courage to make mistakes. I started my career in inner city Charleston, SC and on Wadmalaw Island. I grew a micro-school in GA because I was frustrated with systems that didn’t allow children the freedom to question and discover freely. I came to I Dream because I believe every child has unlimited potential and we, as educators, are compelled to model courage, innovation, and delight in learning! I am most excited about creating an environment where students are intentional in their dream-making because they are supported by a community who cares about what they think! |
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Marites Somera Duldulao | PK Mentor Coach
My career started as a high school biology teacher in the Philippines. I continued teaching High School Biology in the United States for a couple of years. But then, I realized that I can use my creativity to its full potential by switching to Early Childhood Education. I know that I found my mojo in this field. I am an educator of 23 years. I strongly believe that each child has their own learning style and as a teacher I have to discover that style in my students. Blending cultures with education provide new learning platforms for my students. Partnering with the community in fostering a successful learning environment is my goal. I am a proud member of the I Dream family and look forward to building relationships and success for my students. |
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Matt Whitnall | Director of Operations
From a young age I've been interested in understanding the inequalities I've observed in society. However I didn't truly understand it until I served in the Peace Corps. During this time, I saw firsthand the impact of inequitable access and systemic obstacles faced by many, compared to the inherent privilege enjoyed by others. I have since dedicated my career to bridging the gap in justice, working toward shared access to a sustainable livelihood. I believe education is a primary path to take us there.
> LinkedIn and biography
From a young age I've been interested in understanding the inequalities I've observed in society. However I didn't truly understand it until I served in the Peace Corps. During this time, I saw firsthand the impact of inequitable access and systemic obstacles faced by many, compared to the inherent privilege enjoyed by others. I have since dedicated my career to bridging the gap in justice, working toward shared access to a sustainable livelihood. I believe education is a primary path to take us there.
> LinkedIn and biography
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Monet Oliver | Lead Coach
My name is Monet Oliver, I was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia and have worked in the education field for over 6 years with all age groups. Growing up I didn't like school because I had trouble with comprehending reading and math and it would take me longer to do my work then others but my teachers and mentors help me get through and taught me that no matter what the situation is, to keep going and to never give up. I have enjoyed working with children for as long as I can remember. Over the years I have found my passion working in collaboration with children to experience the wonders of the world around us. In every student, I strive to foster an appetite for connecting learning from the classroom to real world experiences. I treat each day as a new adventure from which to learn and grow. I look forward to the many adventures at I Dream PCS. |
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Naomi Washington Roque | Classroom & Creative Movement Coach
I believe that even at 4, 5, 6, or even 7 years old, children are a wealth of knowledge. As an educator, learner, movement artist and practitioner I dream for every child to be able to realize the wealth that they have within themselves, grow their bank of knowledge and understanding and share it with the world in the special way that only they can. I myself never hated or loved school, but I was good at it, so I passed by. It wasn’t until college, where I got to manage my learning by choosing what was truly interesting to me, and then spending years pursuing those interests that I found the gift that I wanted to share with the world in the form of movement and education. I came to I Dream because I do not want learners to have to wait until college to encounter the seeds of their passion and their purpose. Here, they can have the unique opportunity in elementary education to encounter and explore those passions with the beautiful energy and fire that they have as young children. |
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Paulette Williams | Social Worker
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Samirah Ali | Special Education Coach
I am a life-long learner. I have loved school ever since I was little and I attribute that love for school to the amazing educators I was blessed to have and the never-ending support of my parents and family. I have been teaching for 10 years and love the chance to learn and grow with my new I Dream community. I am a Teach for America alum and have an educational background in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. I look forward to facilitating meaningful instruction and fostering ever-lasting relationships with my dragonflies and their families. |
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Ta'Shawn Yates | Learner Support
Travis Goldring | Coach
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