The English for Speakers of Other Languages/High Intensity Language Training (ESOL/HILT) program of Arlington Public Schools serves students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Jennifer Denino
Jennifer.Denino@apsva.us
As a child, I grew up in Papua New Guinea in a multicultural/multilingual environment. I attended Malone University and received my bachelor’s degree in elementary education. I taught as a classroom teacher for several years before earning my master’s degree in multicultural/multilingual education and a second master’s degree in Supervision and Administration at George Mason University. I have been teaching in Arlington for 19 years. I love teaching and finding ways to help each child grow. I love reading, walking my dog, and watching my daughters in their gymnastics and diving events. I am so excited to be a part of Claremont–a place where all our students are so fortunate to receive a bilingual education. I look forward to expanding my role this year as the School Testing Coordinator for Claremont.
Marilyn Hanger
marilyn.hanger@apsva.us
I received my Elementary Education degree at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia and taught 3rd grade in Pennsylvania. My family has lived for 10 years in Mexico City and after we moved back to the US I received my master’s at George Mason University in Multicultural/Multilingual Education. I enjoy traveling,cooking and reading. I believe that each student brings something special from their family and culture that contributes to their learning in the classroom.
Sheila Majdi
sheila.majdi@apsva.us
My name is Sheila Majdi and I am from Vienna, VA. This will be my fifth year teaching, and my first at Claremont. I received a master’s in Education from the University of Virginia. This year I look forward to working with students and families to promote strategies for bilingualism and biliteracy both inside and outside school walls. I speak English, Spanish and Farsi, and during my free time I love to travel.
Dr. Elizabeth Varela
elizabeth.varela@apsva.us
It is my hope and dream that every child at Claremont will become a creative thinker who is a resourceful, capable and enthusiastic life-long learner. I grew up in Arlington and attended Ashlawn, Swanson, and H-B Woodlawn. I received my bachelor’s degree in Spanish and my master’s degree in Linguistics from George Mason University. I received my doctorate in Linguistics from Georgetown University. I spend my free time attending my sons’ sporting events, bike riding, and skiing.
Ms. Lismari Lugo
Soy la Srta. Lugo. Este es mi año número 10 como educadora. He trabajado en varias escuelas en diferentes lugares como Puerto Rico, Florida y Virginia. Este es mi tercer año en Claremont. Estoy muy contenta de servir este año como maestra de español ESOL/HILT. Estar involucrada en la adquisición del lenguaje oral, la lectura y la escritura es mi pasión en el campo de la enseñanza.
I am Miss Lugo. This is my tenth year working as an educator. I have worked in different schools and places like Puerto Rico, Florida and Virginia. This is my third year here at Claremont Immersion. I am joyful to be serving this year as a Spanish ESOL/HILT teacher. Being involved in oral language adquisicion, reading and writing is my passion in education.
Ms. Kathleen Cody
I am returning to APS after 5 years of teaching in New Mexico. I have taught ESOL, Spanish and Italian in my 10 years as a teacher. I earned my Bachelor’s (Spanish and Linguistics) and Master’s degree (Teaching English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education) at Georgetown University and my Education Specialist degree in Reading at UVA. I love traveling, yoga, running, and spending time with my family. I am so excited to teach at Claremont this year!
