Lower School Newsletter – August 6, 2025

Congratulations to the following returning faculty and staff who have taken on new roles this year.

• Mia Burton — Assistant Head of School for Community, Equity, and Student Success
• Erika Caruthers — Lower School Math Specialist
• Dan DeNure — Lower School P.E. Department Chair and Lower School P.E. Teacher
• Olivia Landrum — Assistant Director of Engagement
• Carolyn Pitches — Lower School Math Department Chair and 6th Grade Math Teacher
• Nikki Rigores-Gilfus — 2nd Grade Teacher
• Susan Yennerell — Lower School Art Teacher
• Carol Zhang — 1st Grade Teacher

We are delighted to welcome new Lower School faculty/staff and members of the Senior Leadership Team to the Flint Hill family.

Administration

Kevin Plourde — Director of Security
Kevin retired from the U.S. Secret Service as assistant special agent in charge after 25 years in federal law enforcement. He served as team leader of Special Operations, lead agent on the Presidential Protective Detail, and supervisor at the National Threat Assessment Center. Kevin loves to hunt and golf, and he also coached baseball for eight years. He has a B.A. in psychology from Saint Michael's College and an M.S. in national security strategy from the National War College.

All-School Staff

Stephanie Nicolas — Director of Advancement Systems and Operations
Stephanie has over ten years of experience in operations leadership. She most recently led critical development operations, drove cross-functional alignment, optimized systems, and ensured compliance at Greenpeace. Stephanie has a B.S. in criminology and psychology from Florida State University and an M.A. in global development and social justice from St. John’s University.

Lower School Faculty and Staff

Gillian Ashman — Junior Kindergarten Teacher
Gillian has worked with children for over six years in a variety of settings across the DMV area, supporting age groups ranging from 2 to 13. She worked as a supervisor at Launch Family Entertainment for three years and spent the past two summers with Headfirst Summer Camps. Gillian has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House since 2022, supporting fundraisers and leading activities for children and families. She has two twin cats, and they are named after shoe brands — Skechers and Uggs. Gillian has a B.S. in early childhood education and early childhood special education from the University of Maryland.

Denisa Brown — 4th Grade Teacher
Denisa has been working in education for over seven years. She began her career in education as a substitute teacher and instructional assistant in Fairfax County Public Schools. For the past five years, Denisa has taught 4th grade at Daniels Run Elementary School. She is very excited for the opportunity to teach 4th grade at Flint Hill! Denisa was born in Romania and enjoys visiting her extended family there whenever she can. She has a B.S. in psychology from Virginia Tech and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University.

Kimberly Inge — Lower School Social Studies Department Chair and 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Kimberly has worked in education for more than two decades in the United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and more. She served as a team leader and head of the department of social studies, English as an Additional Language (EAL), and learning support. Kimberly has a B.A. in psychology from The College of New Jersey, an M.A. in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from George Mason University.

Bhendari Moore ’11 — Lower School P.E. Teacher
Bhendari graduated from Flint Hill in 2011. He has worked in education for eight years at two different public schools: Fort Belvoir Elementary School and Poe Middle School, where he was a special education teacher for six years and then transitioned to physical education. He has a B.S. in exercise science from Old Dominion University and an M.Ed. in special education from George Mason University. Bhendari played baseball in college. He loves spending time with his family. 

Julie Near — 5th Grade Teacher
Julie began her career as an archaeologist. During these years, she taught in higher education. While living in Singapore for 13 years, she shifted to teaching at the elementary level at the Canadian International School. Upon returning to the U.S., she taught for four years in a public school outside of Houston, and then eight years in Fairfax County Public Schools before returning to private education at Flint Hill. Julie loves new experiences (like swimming with whale sharks) and has been to 62 countries. She has a B.A. in anthropology from Cornell University; an M.Sc. in archaeology from University College London; and an M.A. in anthropology from University of California, Berkeley. 

Sadaf Sultan — Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Sadaf has spent the past four years working in education, including teaching in a Montessori elementary program and previously coordinating both AfterCare and summer programs here at Flint Hill. Sadaf has a B.A. in elementary education from Marymount University. She loves to cook and dance. 

Shakeema Welsch — Lower School P.E. Teacher
Shakeema has worked in both private and public education since 2016 and has been a passionate advocate for fitness, health promotion, and sports education for over 25 years. She has consistently championed the importance of physical well-being as a cornerstone of academic achievement and personal development. Shakeema has a B.S. in marketing from Pennsylvania State University. She has traveled to 17 countries. She is a proud mom of a super playful, bossy, yet thoughtful son; she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and exploring. Shakeema has four siblings, all girls.