We are thrilled about the new additions to the Ludlow-Taylor Staff for the 2018-2019 school year. Please see the biographies below on our exciting new family members!
Dr. Lacy – School Psychologist:
Dr. Lacy is delighted to join our team as the new school psychologist. She was born and raised in Kentucky and her roots run deep in her home state, growing up in a small town, where everyone knew everyone! She did her undergraduate study at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to begin graduate studies at Howard University, where she received a Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology. She has been working with DCPS as a school psychologist since 2007, having worked for the past 7 years at Neval Thomas Elementary School. Prior to joining DCPS, Dr. Lacy worked at the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in Rockville, MD, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and in private practice. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son, Ethan, walking her dog, Bailey, and being active in her church. Dr. Lacy is looking forward to working with the staff, students, and families of the Ludlow-Taylor community.
Mr. Bain – 1st Grade Math Teacher
Prior to coming to Ludlow-Taylor, Mr. Bain taught for 6 years at Excel Academy Public Charter School here in D.C. While there, he taught third grade, served as a grade level lead, and was a host teacher for an Urban Teachers resident. Mr. Bain has a Masters of Education from Lesley University in both Special Education and Elementary Education. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, with a major in both psychology and religious studies. In his free time, Mr. Bain loves to play with his dog Tilly, play softball and tennis, take flying trapeze lessons, and cook food for his friends and family.
Ms. Sanchez – Grades 3-5 Special Education Teacher
A native New Yorker, Ms. Sanchez received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from St. John’s University. Her original goal was to become a politician, but while working in a charter school in NYC in the operations department, Harley fell in love with the students and she knew she was destined to be a teacher. She decided to go back to St. John’s University and get her masters in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education. Prior to joining the Ludlow-Taylor team she taught in the same school in Baltimore City for 5 years. She is trained in a variety of intervention programs, and loves watching all students master their goals. After moving to Washington, D.C last year, she co-taught 5th grade ELA in a local charter school. Ms. Sanchez is a proud parent of a 17 year-old daughter and a 1 year-old son. She enjoys running, reading, and cooking. You might even catch her running up and down H-street on Saturday mornings.
Ms. Washington – Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Washington is very excited to join the Ludlow-Taylor Family. This will be her 7th year in education. In previous years, she taught in Arlington County, D.C. Public Charter, and Prince George’s Country Public Schools. She earned both her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Maryland. In addition to teaching, she has led data training sessions, professional development, and served on the school development team. Ms. Washington has also had the opportunity to participate in the ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum), Ed Tech, and Data Wise conferences for the last few years. During leisure time, Ms. Washington enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends, reading, and traveling. As she moves to a new school, Ms. Washington is looking forward to being a part of a school that strives for educational growth, community partnership, and student achievement!
Mr. Cannaday – PE Teacher
Mr. Cannaday has worked with elementary and middle school students since 2010. Before joining the Ludlow-Taylor family, Mr. Cannaday worked in the DCPS Central Office as a School Climate and Social Emotional Learning Specialist supporting more than 11 elementary schools in various ways. Mr. Cannaday also has administrative experience at Hendley Elementary School and Savoy Elementary School as a part of the Teacher Leadership Innovation Program. Mr. Cannaday is extremely excited to return to the gymnasium and rejuvenate his teaching career. He has over seven years of teaching experience as an elementary school Health and Physical Education Teacher for Arlington Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, and right here in the District of Columbia. Mr. Cannaday has experience coaching track and field, flag football, and basketball at the AAU and high school level. Before his career with DCPS, Mr. Cannaday was a Bill Gates Millennium Scholar and an Academic All American Student-Athlete at Virginia State University as a member of the Men's Basketball Team (and briefly played professionally in Lima, Peru). Mr. Cannaday's personal values reflect the importance of family and giving back to the community. His favorite things to do are play basketball and binge watch movies with his wife (Courtney) and three children (Tamahri, Quincy, and Charlie Ann).
Ms. Thompkins – .5 Social Worker
Jessica Thompkins is so excited to be joining the team at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School. Originally from Rochester, New York, she moved to Washington, D.C. 7 years ago to participate in City Year, an Americorps program, which afforded her the opportunity to pursue her passion for working with children in the educational setting. After completing her graduate program at Howard University, she began working in a local school supporting students with special needs. In her free time, Ms. Thompkins enjoys reading, traveling and volunteering to help uplift her community. She is looking forward to learning and growing with us next school year!
Ms. Dixon - K Teacher
Ms. Dixon is super excited to officially have a teaching position at Ludlow-Taylor. This will be Ms. Dixon’s first year as the lead teacher, but has had many positions from paraprofessional to math interventionist since 2013. Last school year, Ms. Dixon was a temporary teacher at LTES as both a 1st grade and PE teacher. In previous years, she worked in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and charter schools in D.C. and Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University in Health Science and Public Health and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from The University of Texas at El Paso. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and 1-year old daughter. She is excited to embark on this new journey and help students grow to their full potential.
Temeka S. Parker - Social Worker
Ms. Parker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience in the field. She has facilitated numerous trainings related to understanding students with emotional disabilities, impact of trauma and other professional development topics that assist in providing support and service for children who have special education needs. Ms. Parker completed her undergraduate studies at Bowie State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Ms. Parker has published two children’s books, “The Telling Secret” and “Locs Like Mine” which address sexual abuse and self-esteem respectively. She has been featured on FOX 5 news discussing these two topics and the impact on children and families. Ms. Parker joined DCPS in September 2017 as a Social Worker at Neval Thomas Elementary School. She also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work at Bowie State University (BSU). In her spare time, Ms. Parker enjoys physical activities that include long distance running, biking and recently swimming. She is currently preparing to complete her first triathlon in Luray Virginia very soon! Ms. Parker is thrilled to join the Ludlow Taylor school community and looks forward to serving students, families and staff!
Mr. Harvin-Conner - 4th Grade Urban Teaching Resident
Mr. Harvin-Conner is a recent D.C. resident. Born and raised in Austin, TX, he has been committed to youth development since he graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Before working at Ludlow-Taylor, Mr. Harvin-Conner worked as a Special Educational Paraprofessional and as the Youth Specialist for a youth development program called Urban Roots. Mr. Harvin-Conner's commitment to equity has been solidified in his work both inside and outside the classroom. During his time in Austin, Mr. Harvin-Conner worked with several social justice organizations that fought for change and equitable access for marginalized communities within the Austin area. He is currently getting his Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University and can usually be found exploring the many coffee shops in D.C. in search of the perfect cup of coffee.
Ms. McNeal - 4th Grade Urban Teaching Resident
Ms. McNeal is looking forward to joining the Ludlow-Taylor team as a resident with Urban Teachers. She is currently working on earning her Masters of Science in Elementary Education through Johns Hopkins University. Prior to her move to D.C., she lived in California where she attended The University of California at Santa Barbara. Her coursework as a psychology major and education minor allowed her to work in Santa Barbara high schools as both a mentor and a tutor. These roles further inspired Ms. McNeal to pursue a career in a helping profession. However, it was her position as an after school program supervisor for the YMCA that drew her to elementary education. As a California native, Ms. McNeal spends most of her free time on the beach with her dog, Blue. She can also be found wherever there is live music; either on stage or in the audience.
Other Staff Additions (bios to come!):
Mr. Dunbar – Custodian
Adina Isaacs – Paraprofessional (Ms. Blackstone’s room)
Ms. Borden – Temporary CES Teacher
In-House Leadership Transitions:
Mr. Phillips – Special Education and Logistics Lead
Ms. Broom – Math Lead/Resource
Ms. Penn – Reading Resource
Staff Not Returning:
Ms. Frazier – Social Worker
Ms. Polk-Coverdell – School Psychologist
Ms. Hicks – 1st Grade
Ms. Bell – Kindergarten
Mr. Abdullah – Reading Resource
Dr. Lacy – School Psychologist:
Dr. Lacy is delighted to join our team as the new school psychologist. She was born and raised in Kentucky and her roots run deep in her home state, growing up in a small town, where everyone knew everyone! She did her undergraduate study at DePaul University in Chicago, IL, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to begin graduate studies at Howard University, where she received a Masters and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology. She has been working with DCPS as a school psychologist since 2007, having worked for the past 7 years at Neval Thomas Elementary School. Prior to joining DCPS, Dr. Lacy worked at the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents in Rockville, MD, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and in private practice. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her son, Ethan, walking her dog, Bailey, and being active in her church. Dr. Lacy is looking forward to working with the staff, students, and families of the Ludlow-Taylor community.
Mr. Bain – 1st Grade Math Teacher
Prior to coming to Ludlow-Taylor, Mr. Bain taught for 6 years at Excel Academy Public Charter School here in D.C. While there, he taught third grade, served as a grade level lead, and was a host teacher for an Urban Teachers resident. Mr. Bain has a Masters of Education from Lesley University in both Special Education and Elementary Education. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, with a major in both psychology and religious studies. In his free time, Mr. Bain loves to play with his dog Tilly, play softball and tennis, take flying trapeze lessons, and cook food for his friends and family.
Ms. Sanchez – Grades 3-5 Special Education Teacher
A native New Yorker, Ms. Sanchez received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from St. John’s University. Her original goal was to become a politician, but while working in a charter school in NYC in the operations department, Harley fell in love with the students and she knew she was destined to be a teacher. She decided to go back to St. John’s University and get her masters in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education. Prior to joining the Ludlow-Taylor team she taught in the same school in Baltimore City for 5 years. She is trained in a variety of intervention programs, and loves watching all students master their goals. After moving to Washington, D.C last year, she co-taught 5th grade ELA in a local charter school. Ms. Sanchez is a proud parent of a 17 year-old daughter and a 1 year-old son. She enjoys running, reading, and cooking. You might even catch her running up and down H-street on Saturday mornings.
Ms. Washington – Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Washington is very excited to join the Ludlow-Taylor Family. This will be her 7th year in education. In previous years, she taught in Arlington County, D.C. Public Charter, and Prince George’s Country Public Schools. She earned both her bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Maryland. In addition to teaching, she has led data training sessions, professional development, and served on the school development team. Ms. Washington has also had the opportunity to participate in the ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum), Ed Tech, and Data Wise conferences for the last few years. During leisure time, Ms. Washington enjoys going to the beach, spending time with friends, reading, and traveling. As she moves to a new school, Ms. Washington is looking forward to being a part of a school that strives for educational growth, community partnership, and student achievement!
Mr. Cannaday – PE Teacher
Mr. Cannaday has worked with elementary and middle school students since 2010. Before joining the Ludlow-Taylor family, Mr. Cannaday worked in the DCPS Central Office as a School Climate and Social Emotional Learning Specialist supporting more than 11 elementary schools in various ways. Mr. Cannaday also has administrative experience at Hendley Elementary School and Savoy Elementary School as a part of the Teacher Leadership Innovation Program. Mr. Cannaday is extremely excited to return to the gymnasium and rejuvenate his teaching career. He has over seven years of teaching experience as an elementary school Health and Physical Education Teacher for Arlington Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, and right here in the District of Columbia. Mr. Cannaday has experience coaching track and field, flag football, and basketball at the AAU and high school level. Before his career with DCPS, Mr. Cannaday was a Bill Gates Millennium Scholar and an Academic All American Student-Athlete at Virginia State University as a member of the Men's Basketball Team (and briefly played professionally in Lima, Peru). Mr. Cannaday's personal values reflect the importance of family and giving back to the community. His favorite things to do are play basketball and binge watch movies with his wife (Courtney) and three children (Tamahri, Quincy, and Charlie Ann).
Ms. Thompkins – .5 Social Worker
Jessica Thompkins is so excited to be joining the team at Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School. Originally from Rochester, New York, she moved to Washington, D.C. 7 years ago to participate in City Year, an Americorps program, which afforded her the opportunity to pursue her passion for working with children in the educational setting. After completing her graduate program at Howard University, she began working in a local school supporting students with special needs. In her free time, Ms. Thompkins enjoys reading, traveling and volunteering to help uplift her community. She is looking forward to learning and growing with us next school year!
Ms. Dixon - K Teacher
Ms. Dixon is super excited to officially have a teaching position at Ludlow-Taylor. This will be Ms. Dixon’s first year as the lead teacher, but has had many positions from paraprofessional to math interventionist since 2013. Last school year, Ms. Dixon was a temporary teacher at LTES as both a 1st grade and PE teacher. In previous years, she worked in Anne Arundel County Public Schools and charter schools in D.C. and Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from Virginia State University in Health Science and Public Health and her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from The University of Texas at El Paso. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and 1-year old daughter. She is excited to embark on this new journey and help students grow to their full potential.
Temeka S. Parker - Social Worker
Ms. Parker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 15 years of experience in the field. She has facilitated numerous trainings related to understanding students with emotional disabilities, impact of trauma and other professional development topics that assist in providing support and service for children who have special education needs. Ms. Parker completed her undergraduate studies at Bowie State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Ms. Parker has published two children’s books, “The Telling Secret” and “Locs Like Mine” which address sexual abuse and self-esteem respectively. She has been featured on FOX 5 news discussing these two topics and the impact on children and families. Ms. Parker joined DCPS in September 2017 as a Social Worker at Neval Thomas Elementary School. She also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Social Work at Bowie State University (BSU). In her spare time, Ms. Parker enjoys physical activities that include long distance running, biking and recently swimming. She is currently preparing to complete her first triathlon in Luray Virginia very soon! Ms. Parker is thrilled to join the Ludlow Taylor school community and looks forward to serving students, families and staff!
Mr. Harvin-Conner - 4th Grade Urban Teaching Resident
Mr. Harvin-Conner is a recent D.C. resident. Born and raised in Austin, TX, he has been committed to youth development since he graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Before working at Ludlow-Taylor, Mr. Harvin-Conner worked as a Special Educational Paraprofessional and as the Youth Specialist for a youth development program called Urban Roots. Mr. Harvin-Conner's commitment to equity has been solidified in his work both inside and outside the classroom. During his time in Austin, Mr. Harvin-Conner worked with several social justice organizations that fought for change and equitable access for marginalized communities within the Austin area. He is currently getting his Masters of Science in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University and can usually be found exploring the many coffee shops in D.C. in search of the perfect cup of coffee.
Ms. McNeal - 4th Grade Urban Teaching Resident
Ms. McNeal is looking forward to joining the Ludlow-Taylor team as a resident with Urban Teachers. She is currently working on earning her Masters of Science in Elementary Education through Johns Hopkins University. Prior to her move to D.C., she lived in California where she attended The University of California at Santa Barbara. Her coursework as a psychology major and education minor allowed her to work in Santa Barbara high schools as both a mentor and a tutor. These roles further inspired Ms. McNeal to pursue a career in a helping profession. However, it was her position as an after school program supervisor for the YMCA that drew her to elementary education. As a California native, Ms. McNeal spends most of her free time on the beach with her dog, Blue. She can also be found wherever there is live music; either on stage or in the audience.
Other Staff Additions (bios to come!):
Mr. Dunbar – Custodian
Adina Isaacs – Paraprofessional (Ms. Blackstone’s room)
Ms. Borden – Temporary CES Teacher
In-House Leadership Transitions:
Mr. Phillips – Special Education and Logistics Lead
Ms. Broom – Math Lead/Resource
Ms. Penn – Reading Resource
Staff Not Returning:
Ms. Frazier – Social Worker
Ms. Polk-Coverdell – School Psychologist
Ms. Hicks – 1st Grade
Ms. Bell – Kindergarten
Mr. Abdullah – Reading Resource
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