Meet the Team || Conozca al Equipo
Ms. Maura Costello
Speech Language Pathologist
Hello! My name is Maura Costello and I am the Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)! I am a Pittsburgh native and received my Masters degree in Speech Language Pathology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. I have been an SLP for 10 years and spent the majority of my career working as an SLP at a Spanish Immersion school.
Ms. Ana Ferber
Special Education Teacher
Hello Claremont! I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA where I attended the University of Pittsburgh (Hail to Pitt!). During my free time, I enjoy making and eating desserts, taking hikes, traveling, and diving into a good book. At Claremont, I love to see each child grow throughout the year and cherish everyday accomplishments!
Ms. Carolyn Uscinski
Special Education Teacher
I earned my undergraduate degree at Penn State University and my master’s in Special Education at George Mason University. My teaching experience started in Thailand teaching English as a second language. I have since been teaching Special Ed for many years, and have loved my time at Claremont! I am very excited to be part of such a wonderful team. I love to see children learn and am honored that I can help them in the process! I have 2 children attending Claremont and on the weekends I can be found on the sidelines of fields at their sporting events.
Sra. Ivonnemarie Hernandez Boneta
Special Education Teacher
Mi nombre es Ivonnemarie Hernández Boneta y nací en Arecibo Puerto Rico. Entre mis pasatiempos favoritos está recorrer mi isla en moto y viajar junto a mi familia para disfrutar de las hermosas playas y vistas espectaculares. Poseo un Bachiderato en Educación Especial Niveles K-12 y una Maestría en Gerencia y Liderazgo Educativo con experiencia en escuela elemental, intermedia y superior. Este es mi 3er año formando parte de la gran familia de Claremont y continúo comprometida con nuestro equipo de trabajo, familias y comunidad escolar para ofrecer herramientas efectivas a nuestros estudiantes para lograr sus metas académicas exitosamente.
Mr. John Gubser
Special Education Teacher
john.gubser@apsva.us
My name is John Gubser and this is my 6th year as a teacher on the student services team here at Claremont. I was born and raised in Alexandria, Virginia, and I am a graduate of TC Williams High School. I attended James Madison University where I majored in English. After graduating in 2002, I spent the next several years living in Vail, Hawaii, and San Diego. I returned to Alexandria and graduated with a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia in 2014. I have a wife and 2 kids who allow me to appreciate every second of every day. Besides family and education, I am passionate about nature (especially animals), bicycling, surfing, snowboarding, reading almost anything, and traveling.
Sra. Kara Klousia
Special Education Teacher
kara.klousia@apsva.us
Bienvenidos Claremont! My name is Kara Klousia, and I am a proud New Jersey native. I received my bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Richmond and hold a master’s in Bilingual Special Education from George Washington University. I grew up in a bilingual home and am so excited to help a new generation of students become bilingual learners! In my spare time, you can find me at my children’s sporting events or on the beach enjoying any and all water sports.
Sra. Michele Rodríguez Frontera
Special Education Teacher
¡Hola! Soy Michele Rodríguez Frontera llevo trabajando tres años junto a esta maravillosa comunidad. Nací en Ponce, Puerto Rico. Estudié mi bachillerato en Educación Especial en la Universidad Interamericana de San German, Puerto Rico. Luego obtuve una maestría en Deficiencias en el Aprendizaje de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Ponce. En mi tiempo libre disfruto de poder compartir con mi familia, disfrutar de la naturaleza, aprender cosas nuevas y viajar. Me siento muy feliz de poder trabajar en la Escuela Elemental Claremont.
Ms. Susan Bhalla
Occupational Therapy
My name is Susan Bhalla but the students call me Ms. Susan. I am the occupational therapist at Claremont. This is my 4th year here and I am so excited to be back. I graduated from the University of New Hampshire. I love working with families and students here at Claremont. Its such a warm and nurturing environment. In my spare time, I love to hike with my family and my dog (Shakira).
Ms. Yna Walters
School Social Worker
Hello, my name is Yna Walters, and I am the social worker at Claremont Elementary School. I was born in the Dominican Republic, grew up in New York City and I’m bilingual. I received a bachelor’s degree from Stony Brook University in New York and a master’s degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City. I have been working in Arlington public schools for 26 years. I have worked in several schools in the county, and this is my 4th year at Claremont Elementary School. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, friends, and dog.
