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Monica Bess
Teaching AssistantMonica Bess
Teaching AssistantMonica joined the faculty at Primary Day as the First Grade Teaching Assistant. She attended Radford University, where she earned her B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. Monica is an experienced First Grade Teacher and is looking forward to providing support to both First Grade classrooms. In her spare time, Monica loves to read and spend time outside.
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Merren Booth
Art TeacherMerren Booth
Art TeacherMerren joined Primary Day in 2018. Merren has taught visual arts to elementary and middle school students for more than 20 years, from assemblages to zoetropes. She is a painter and illustrator and began working in fused glass in 2010. Merren enjoys working with young artists because they are open-minded, curious, and enthusiastic. She believes everyone should feel the joy of making something with their own two hands.
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Julia Chang
Accounting ManagerJulia Chang
Accounting ManagerJulia joins us from The Center for International Enterprise, an international non-profit aimed at strengthening democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform, where she served as Senior Finance Manager and Assistant Controller. Julia is a CPA and has her master’s in accounting and business advisory services from the University of Baltimore and her BS degree in Economics Management and English from the University of North China.
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Mary Choi
Kindergarten TeacherMary Choi
Kindergarten TeacherMary joins Primary Day after teaching many years in public and private schools. She taught Kindergarten at Matthew A. Henson Elementary School in Baltimore, MD; Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten at The Lennen Bilingual School in Paris, France; and second grade at The Harbor School in Potomac, MD. Mary has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Maryland and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU.
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Alison Collins
Associate Director for EnrollmentAlison Collins
Associate Director for EnrollmentAlison joined the Primary Day staff in 2014. Prior to Primary Day, she worked as the Admissions Coordinator and taught Pre-K at St. Bartholomew Catholic School in Bethesda. In her free time, Alison enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, reading, and going to the beach.
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Maureen Cook
Business ManagerMaureen Cook
Business ManagerMaureen’s association with Primary Day began in 2003 when her daughter became a student in Pre-Kindergarten. She served as an active parent volunteer on various committees and as co-chair of the 60th anniversary gala. Maureen joined Primary Day as the Business Manager in 2008 after working as the Director of Marketing for many years in the commercial architecture and interior design industry in Washington, D.C. Maureen has a B.A. in Art History.
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Susanna D’Andrea
First Grade TeacherSusanna D’Andrea
First Grade TeacherSusanna joined the faculty of Primary Day in 2013 as a Kindergarten teacher. In 2015 she moved to First Grade, where she has since remained. Prior to her arrival at Primary Day, her daughter and son both attended the school, while Susanna continued to teach Kindergarten, Second, and Third Grade at Horace Mann Elementary. While at Mann she was introduced to the Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Program as well as Responsive Classroom. Susanna is passionate about teaching and dedicated to keeping abreast of current research on best practices in elementary education through readings and Professional Development opportunities; she has completed Orton-Gillingham Associate I coursework and the Advanced Reading and Writing institutes at Columbia University Teachers College, in addition to the Advanced Responsive Classroom course. She loves spending time with her family, and enjoys hiking, traveling, visiting museums of all kinds, and attending music, dance, and theater productions.
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Maria Diaz
Facilities AssistantMaria Diaz
Facilities AssistantMaria joined the staff at Primary Day in 2025.
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Magdalena Duhagon
Spanish TeacherMagdalena Duhagon
Spanish TeacherOriginally from Uruguay, Magdalena came to the US in 2000 with a Fulbright scholarship to pursue graduate studies. She is a musician with more than 20 years of experience teaching students of all ages. She was a professor at George Washington University, American University and taught at many private schools in the DC area, Italy and Uruguay. She has had an extensive performing career, giving concerts in the Americas, Europe and Middle East, and has recorded two albums. Magdalena was included in the first Uruguayan edition of “Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls” and in 2014 was named by the Washingtonian Magazine as “one of the notable guitarists recommended for lessons”. She also has several years of experience in school administration and has taught Spanish at the elementary level. In her free time she likes to go on outings with her husband and their 7 year old son Nicolas. Magdalena has always loved languages and is fluent in Spanish, her native language, Italian and English.
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Lauren Eggbeer
Kindergarten TeacherLauren Eggbeer
Kindergarten TeacherLauren joined The Primary Day School in 2025 as a Kindergarten teacher. Prior to PDS she taught Kindergarten in DC, Pre-K in Rockville, 2nd Grade in New Hampshire, and 1st Grade in Florida. Her teaching practice is grounded in the principles of Responsive Classroom, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, and peer collaboration. She has extensive experience implementing balanced literacy and developmentally appropriate, child-centered instruction. In addition, she has worked as a teacher leader, a professional development facilitator, and a member of school improvement teams. Lauren earned her M.ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Specialist certificate from George Mason University in 2014 and her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Florida. She is passionate about fostering curiosity, community, and joyful learning in young children. Outside of school, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, volunteering for Zeta Tau Alpha, serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, gardening, and exploring nature.
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Dannette Evans
Executive Assistant to the Head of SchoolDannette Evans
Executive Assistant to the Head of SchoolDannette joined Primary Day as a staff member in 2005. She is currently the Executive Assistant to the Head of School, Registrar, and also a member of the Next School Placement Team. Dannette spent eight years in the Admission Office and three years in the Advancement Office. Both of her children attended Primary Day before she began her tenure. Dannette enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, being outdoors and traveling.
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Mary Gagarin
Office ManagerMary Gagarin
Office ManagerMary has been involved with Primary Day since 1992. She began as a parent of two graduates, and then, for the past eighteen years, has been the Office Manager. Mary was also the creator and director of GRASP (Golden Rule After School Program). She has a Child Development and Curriculum Certification from the State of Maryland and is a graduate of Furman University and Holton-Arms School. Mary and her family enjoy visiting Top Chef and Food Network restaurants throughout the country.
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Mary Ives Giblin
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherMary Ives Giblin
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherMary Ives joined the PDS community in 2023. Prior to PDS, she attended Texas Christian University where she received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education in 2023, as well as her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction this past May. Mary Ives is originally from Alexandria, VA where she attended Episcopal High School. After 5 years in Texas, she is very excited to be back living in the DMV area. In her free time, Mary Ives enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
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Rina Goldstein
Literacy SpecialistRina Goldstein
Literacy SpecialistRina joined Primary Day School in 2019 as a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Prior to her work here, Rina served as an elementary teacher at independent schools in New York City. She’s excited to work with PDS’s youngest children and to create an environment that fosters a love for learning while exploring the world around them. Rina loves traveling and spending time with her husband and two boys who both attended Primary Day.
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Genna Greenberg
Literacy and Learning SpecialistGenna Greenberg
Literacy and Learning SpecialistGenna joins us after 10 years of teaching in Washington, DC. For several years she has been a first grade classroom teacher at Janney Elementary in the DC Public Schools and started her career at KIPP DC, teaching Kindergarten and first grade. Genna earned her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt summa cum laude in Early Childhood Education and Child Studies; her M.Ed. is from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, where her major was Mind, Brain, and Education. She has significant experience in using Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop and Responsive Classroom. In addition, she has worked as a teacher leader, professional trainer, intern mentor, and as part of the multi-disciplinary team that develops and implements appropriate accommodations, interventions, and progress monitoring for her school.
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Diane Hansen
STEM TeacherDiane Hansen
STEM TeacherDiane began working at Primary Day in 2000. In STEM, she enjoys exploring science, nature and technology with hands-on projects to explore how things work. Along with the students, Diane curates Primary Day’s outdoor garden and greenhouse. Prior to teaching STEM, she taught Pre-K. When her daughter attended Primary Day, Diane was a Girl Scout leader. Before coming to Primary Day, Diane was Projects Coordinator of the New Horizons Arts and Cultural Program at Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC. In her free time, she works as a wildlife rescue volunteer. Diane enjoys gardening, singing, and making miniatures.
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Kimberly Horning
School NurseKimberly Horning
School NurseKim Horning is The Primary Day School’s Nurse and a Primary Day Alum. She is thrilled to return to the school that holds such special memories from her childhood. After graduating from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Ms. Horning attended The University of Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and The Catholic University of America, where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing. Ms. Horning has been a nurse for 12 years with prior experience working in Pediatrics during her time at MedStar Health Georgetown Pediatrics at Tenleytown. She is dedicated to keeping our students and staff safe and healthy. In her free time, Ms. Horning enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and her dog Beau.
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Kirsten House
Second Grade TeacherKirsten House
Second Grade TeacherA Primary Day alum, Kirsten is delighted to return to the school that gave her treasured memories and an exceptional educational foundation. Kirsten has been an early childhood educator for over thirty years. She previously taught at Grace Episcopal Day School and Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School. After graduating from Holton-Arms School, Kirsten attended Boston University and Western Michigan University, where she received an undergraduate degree in Journalism. She earned her master’s degree in elementary education from Trinity Washington University while teaching at Grace Episcopal Day School. Kirsten strives to create a joyful and inspiring classroom environment that encourages her students to become lifelong learners.
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Jaclyn Kanarish
Math SpecialistJaclyn Kanarish
Math SpecialistJaclyn began working at Primary Day in 2014. Before teaching here, Jaclyn taught First, Second and Third grades at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD and also Primary Multiage at Independent Day School in Tampa, FL. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida.
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Jessica Kasenetz
Director of Advancement and Enrollment ManagementJessica Kasenetz
Director of Advancement and Enrollment ManagementJessie joins Primary Day after many years of teaching in independent and public schools. She most recently taught in Montgomery County Public Schools, and before that at The Langley School in McLean, VA, and The Heschel School in New York City. Jessie’s children attended Primary Day, and she is excited to continue engaging with the PDS community. Jessie enjoys spending time with family, traveling, biking, and cheering on DC sports teams.
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Rudy Khreisat
Teaching AssociateRudy Khreisat
Teaching AssociateRoueida (Rudy) joined PDS in the fall of 2020. Rudy has her B.A. in Elementary Education from Seton Hall University. She taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at a private Greek school in DC. She started subbing at PDS in 2019 and fell in love with the kids and the school’s philosophy of teaching. Rudy is looking forward to going back to teaching and nurturing young minds. She loves to spend her free time with her husband and two kids, traveling, reading, visiting museums and walking.
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Sarah Kimmelman
Pre-K TeacherSarah Kimmelman
Pre-K TeacherSarah joined the Primary Day faculty in 2023. While studying at Lasell University in Newton, MA, she taught at a preschool in their Pre-K 3 program and completed her student teaching in grades Kindergarten 1 and 2. After graduating from Lasell Sarah moved to Virginia and took a position at Brown House, the Child Development Center affiliated with Holton-Arms. In her free time she enjoys catching up with family, going for walks, and traveling.
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Ryan Manalo
Director of Diversity and Campus ProgramsRyan Manalo
Director of Diversity and Campus ProgramsRyan began working at Primary Day in 2016. He joined Primary Day as a P.E. teacher and Director of Extended Day. He has worked in a variety of educational non-profit organizations serving middle and school age students in schools across Baltimore City and the Washington, D.C. region. He has held positions directing extended day and summer programs, managing staff, and working closely with families. Currently, Ryan is the Director of Diversity and Campus Programs at Primary Day. He is charged with advancing the school’s mission to respect diversity, value equity, and foster inclusion among all who come to Primary Day. Ryan is passionate about this work.
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Kimberly McDanald
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherKimberly McDanald
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherKimberly began at Primary Day as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in 1995 and continued in this position until 1998, when her twin daughters were born. She returned to Primary Day as an Admission Associate in 2004 and remained in that position until 2012 when she returned to the classroom; teaching is her true passion. She began her teaching career working at Cashell Elementary School in Olney, MD as a Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher and the Director of the Before and After School Program. Kimberly is a native of Maryland, growing up in Darnestown and later attending Connelly School of the Holy Child, and University of Maryland. In her free time, Kimberly is a volunteer on the pediatric unit at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and a Member of Kappa Delta Pi. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks with her dog, cooking and traveling.
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Elisabeth McFarland
First Grade TeacherElisabeth McFarland
First Grade TeacherLisa joined the Primary Day staff in 2013. Before coming to Primary Day, she taught Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten at The Haverford School for Boys in Haverford, PA. Lisa has completed her Wilson Reading System Level I Certification. In her free time, she enjoys reading, singing in various vocal groups, and spending time with friends and family. She loves to encourage a love of learning, creativity and independence in her students.
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Karen Mendelson
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherKaren Mendelson
Pre-Kindergarten TeacherKaren came to Primary Day in 2021. Her undergraduate degree is in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. She taught Kindergarten at Jacksonville Country Day School and Reynolds Lane Elementary School in Florida. At Reynolds Lane she was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2017. Before she moved to Florida she taught at Bethesda Community School. Karen returned to Maryland just before the pandemic. Karen grew up in this area and attended Norwood and Holton-Arms.
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Sami Motabar
Director of Teaching and LearningSami Motabar
Director of Teaching and LearningSami joins us after teaching kindergarten for eight years at The Langley School in McLean, Virginia. Sami has a bachelor’s from Radford University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Marymount University. She developed a strong passion in global education and leadership during her master’s work and has traveled to South Africa and Panama to help create student portfolios as well as partner with teachers and families on self-advocating skills and strategies for children. In her free time, Sami enjoys hiking, trying new cooking recipes and traveling. She looks forward to meeting PDS students and families!
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Neil Mufson
Head of SchoolNeil Mufson
Head of SchoolNeil Mufson joined Primary Day as Head of School in July 2021, having served as Head of The Country School in Easton, Maryland, for 30 years. He also served as middle school head at The Ensworth School in Nashville, TN, taught middle and high school English at Princeton Day School (NJ) and Worcester Academy (MA), and worked as an independent school consultant with The Education Group. Neil earned his bachelor’s degree in comparative literature magna cum laude at Brown University, Providence, RI. He also has a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Tufts University, Medford, MA.
Since his arrival at PDS, Neil has immersed himself in all things Primary Day and in the broader community. He has served on numerous non-profit boards, including CASA of the Mid-Shore (Court Appointed Special Advocates), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health System, BAAM (Building African American Minds), and ESHA (Elementary School Heads Association). He also served on the Board at three different times and as President of AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools). He currently serves as a Board member of AIMS and is the President of the Independent Schools of Maryland and Greater Washington Multiple Employer Plan, a joint venture formed by AIMS and AISGW (The Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington) that manages member schools’ 403(b) retirement plans. He has been a speaker for numerous community organizations, AIMS, and NAIS (The National Association of Independent Schools).
Neil’s daughter Maeve attends Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Hattie, Maeve’s mini Bernedoodle, joined the family in February 2023. They spend time each summer on an island off the coast of Maine. Neil also enjoys reading, cooking, doing crosswords and Wordle, and streaming European detective series.
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Kristina Muldoon
Second Grade TeacherKristina Muldoon
Second Grade TeacherKristina joined the faculty of Primary Day in 2008. After a year of teaching Pre-K, Kristina moved to Second Grade where she has been teaching since. Kristina was the Co-Chair of the AIMS Accreditation Steering Committee from 2013-2016. A graduate of Primary Day, Kristina went on to attend Holton-Arms School for ten years before attending Bowdoin College where she majored in Art and Education. She combined her love of art and children by working as a children’s tour guide at the Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum in Brunswick, Maine. Following college, Kristina completed her Masters Degree in Education from Marymount University, while teaching at The Harbor School in Bethesda. She also spent three years teaching at The Bethesda Community School. Kristina feels lucky to have had rewarding and varied experiences teaching Art, Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Second Grade before returning to teach at her alma mater. Perhaps her proudest accomplishment has been watching her three children follow in her footsteps and attend Primary Day. In her free time, Kristina enjoys running, coaching lacrosse, and most importantly, spending time with her family.
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Jenn Myers
Assistant Director of EngagementJenn Myers
Assistant Director of EngagementJenn joined Primary Day in 2023 as the Assistant Director of Engagement. She received her BA in English from Washington College and her MAT in Early Childhood Education from Trinity University. Before coming to Primary Day she taught K-6th, PE, and Academic Technology for over 20 years at The Maret School in Washington DC and St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney, MD. Most recently she was the Office Manager for The Harbor School. She is a Bullis graduate and was born and raised in Montgomery County. In her spare time she enjoys yoga, reading, kayaking, hiking, and baking. She also holds a 30 hour certification in Childhood Yoga.
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Lynn Najaka
Phonovisual SpecialistLynn Najaka
Phonovisual SpecialistLynn has taught at Primary Day since 1989. She taught Pre-K for two years and then moved into the Phonovisual Specialist position, teaching Phonovisual to Kindergarten and First Grade. She conducts Phonovisual workshops for parents and for teachers at other independent schools in the area. Lynn is also the yearbook coordinator for Primary Day, working with parents to develop a yearbook for Second Grade students. She started her teaching career in Frederick County, VA as a First Grade teacher upon graduating from Shepherd University. While at Primary Day she completed her graduate degree from Hood College in Early Childhood Education. Lynn was the recipient of the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher for Private Schools in the DMV. Both of her children graduated from Primary Day. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her family.
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Carrie Pulsifer
Kindergarten TeacherCarrie Pulsifer
Kindergarten TeacherCarrie joined the faculty of Primary Day in 2024 as a Kindergarten Teacher. Carrie has taught Kindergarten, Second Grade, and served as a Reading Specialist at various Wake County public elementary schools in Raleigh, NC for the last ten years. Her undergraduate degree is from The University of Vermont in Art History. She received her Masters degree in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement from Saint Michael’s College. She grew up in the area and attended The Potomac School. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, as well as traveling, running, yoga, and photography.
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Adam Roach
LibrarianAdam Roach
LibrarianAdam has rejoined our faculty to serve as librarian and technologist. He previously was in this position here from 2017-2021. He also served in a similar capacity with a DC charter school and prior to that was a middle school English teacher in Virginia. Adam’s bachelor’s degree was from Roanoke College; he earned his MA in Teaching from Hollins and his MS in Library & Information Science from Catholic University. Adam’s son James graduated from PDS with the Class of 2023.
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Arianna Wild
Music TeacherArianna Wild
Music TeacherArianna joined the Primary Day faculty in 2004. She received her B.A. in Music from The College of William and Mary, a Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance from The University of Michigan, and her Music Teaching Certification from The Catholic University of America. Prior to working at Primary Day, Arianna taught music at Rolling Terrace Elementary School, The Pinecrest School in Virginia, and The Levine School of Music. Arianna has performed with the Capitol Wind Symphony, Capital City Symphony, Washington Symphony, and Maryland Chamber Orchestra. Arianna enjoys fishing, skiing, golfing, and spending time with her three boys, Sebastian, August, and Dash!
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Emily Woodside
Kindergarten TeacherEmily Woodside
Kindergarten TeacherEmily first started at Primary Day in 2011. She’s taught Kindergarten and First Grade here, Second Grade in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and has also been a PK assistant at a local preschool. Emily also served in our advancement and admission office. She earned her undergraduate degree at Wake Forest and her master’s in education at University of Maryland at College Park.
Board of Trustees
Kavita Patel
Board Chair
Neil Mufson
Head of School
Jennifer Puterman
Treasurer
Alexis Gyurko
Secretary
Peter Barrett
Jack Chu
Mychael Cohn
David Javdan
Christina Lindgren
Joel Plotkin
Amol Tripathi
Linda Wenger
Nancy Wieker, Emeritus
