Sister Kathleen Lannak, I.H.M., Principal, is from Scranton, Pennsylvania. She received her B.A. and M.A. from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and her Master’s equivalency in Administration from the State University of New York, Oswego, New York. She presently holds an Advanced Professional certificate from the state of Maryland in Elementary Education 1-6 and Middle School as well as Elementary-Middle School Principal/Superintendent. In 1998, Sister received the Principal of the Year Award from the Archdiocese of Washington and was also nominated N.C.E.A. Principal of the Year that same year. Sister is now in her thirty-first year as Principal of St. John the Evangelist School.  top

Monsignor John Pennington, Pastor


Bio coming soon.

Mrs. Patricia Herron has been a preschool teacher at St. John the Evangelist School for twenty years. She received a B.A. from the University of Maryland and has taken several graduate courses in Education from Trinity University. She taught preschool for a couple of years at Northwood Co-op Nursery School before coming to St. John the Evangelist in 1988. She taught part-time for one year as a four-year-old teacher. The program expanded in 1989 to include a three-year-old program and she became a full-time teacher. In 2006, a five day program for four and five year olds was added, and Mrs. Herron helped to develop and teach curriculum units for this program. Mrs. Herron was elected the St. John’s Teacher of the Year in 2005.  top

Mrs. Debbie Zajac works as a preschool aide at St. John the Evangelist School. She joined the staff in 2009, and has been involved in school activities since the oldest of her three children began attending in 1996. A member of the parish for the past 13 years, she has volunteered for a variety of parish events. She grew up in Kensington and attended Holy Redeemer Elementary, Bullis Prep and Walter Johnson High School.  top

Sister Doreen Willis, I.H.M. has been teaching in the primary grades for more than 35 years. She taught 1st grade for 27 years and is now the long-time Kindergarten teacher at St. John the Evangelist School. She has a B.A. in Education with a minor in Special Education from Marywood University and an M.S. in Reading Education from Marywood University. Sister Doreen is also a certified Reading Specialist.  top

Ms. Rebecca Hirsch joined the faculty of St. John the Evangelist School in 2008. She received her B.A. from Elon University in North Carolina majoring in Special Education and Elementary Education with a concentration in International Studies, Europe. A graduate of St. Peter School and Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Ms. Hirsch is excited to be teaching 1st grade in the Archdiocese of Washington.  top

Mrs. Jean Engler is from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a B.S. in Special Education. Upon moving to Virginia and teaching 3rd grade at St. John’s in McLean, she began taking classes at various Virginia universities to obtain a teaching certificate with an endorsement in both elementary education and special education. She began teaching 1st grade at St. John the Evangelist in the early 1980’s. Wanting to be able to spend time with her children, she became the primary grades reading and math teacher on a part-time basis the next year. In the mid-1990’s, Jean returned to the classroom as a full-time 2nd grade teacher, where she remains today. Jean enjoys teaching 2nd grade because it is such a special year spiritually in the lives of her students. She feels it is an honor to teach her students about receiving Jesus for the first time. Jean also serves as the primary grades level chairperson. Two of Jean’s three children are also graduates of St. John the Evangelist. Mrs. Engler was elected St. John’s Teacher of the Year in 2006 and has taught at St. John the Evangelist for more than 25 years.  top

Mrs. Christine Calabro graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She taught in Prince George’s County schools, another Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington and a private school in Montgomery County before coming to St. John the Evangelist. She has taught grades 2, 4, and 6 and was a reading resource teacher for Grades K-4. Mrs. Calabro was certified in the state of Maryland. She now teaches 3rd grade at St. John the Evangelist. Mrs. Calabro was elected St. John’s Teacher of the Year in 2008-09.  top

Sister Mary Ellen Malloy, I.H.M. is a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pennsylvania. Her teaching career began in 1956. Having taught 4th and 5th grades in Pennsylvania for five years, Sister moved to Connecticut and taught 6th and 7th grades. In 1965, her career entered a new phase and for the next fourteen years, Sister taught Special Education in New York City. Leaving New York City in 1979, she taught on Long Island for two years and was then sent to La Plata, Maryland. There she taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade until asked by her Community to assume the role of Principal in Forest Hills, New York. After 19 years as a principal, Sister returned to her “first love” and joined the staff at St. John the Evangelist as the 4th and 5th grade teacher. She is currently teaching grade 4 homeroom. Sister Mary Ellen holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Yeshiva University in New York City.  top

Mrs. Virginia Friedman attended the Cooper Union in New York and graduated with a B.A. from InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico. She earned her M.A. from the University of Puerto Rico. Before moving from Puerto Rico to Washington, she taught kindergarten and English as a second language. She started the AP literature program (in 1983) and served as chair of the English Department at the Baldwin School of Puerto Rico. Mrs. Friedman took the National Teachers of English (NTE) test in 1989. She teaches 4th, 5th and 6th grade subjects and has enjoyed being the long-time 5th grade homeroom teacher at St. John the Evangelist.  top

Mrs. Sadie Peterson earned her B.S. in secondary science education from the University of Maryland, College Park. She taught 6th, 7th and 8th grade science for four years at Holy Redeemer in Kensington and for three years at Holy Cross School in Garrett Park. She began teaching at St. John the Evangelist in 2009 and currently teaches grades 5-7 science and grade 7 literature .  top

Mrs. Amy Gartland was born and raised in Cheektowaga (Buffalo), New York. She graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science from Catholic University and earned a Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Before teaching, Mrs. Gartland worked for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools. She has been a paralegal, a real estate agent and a businesswoman. She began teaching at St. John’s in 2000 and now teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade math, 6th grade English and vocabulary, and 6th grade social studies. She has also served as the upper school math co-coordinator and the upper school faculty coordinator.  top

Ms. Emily Hunn is from Kansas City, Kansas, and earned a B.S. in Math and a Master’s in Education from Notre Dame University. She is certified to teach middle school and high school math in Indiana and is in the process of obtaining her Maryland teaching certification. She teaches math to grades 5 through 8. She is also the 7th grade homeroom teacher and teaches 6th grade science. She also works in the homework skills program. Ms. Hunn joined the faculty at St. John the Evangelist in 2007.  top

Miss Hope Smith was born in Washington, DC. She earned a B.A. in social studies with a minor in education from St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She received a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. As a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, she serves as a Eucharistic Minister and lector. She has also served on the Parish Advisory Board. Miss Smith has taught at St. John’s for 30 years and is the junior high language arts teacher. She is the 8th grade homeroom teacher and religion teacher. She is also a member of the Confirmation Team. Miss Smith was elected St. John’s Teacher of the Year in 2004. In 2008, she celebrated her 50th anniversary of service in Catholic Education.  top

Mrs. Kelly Burgess graduated from the University of Dayton in 1990 with a degree in Elementary Education. She is certified to teach in Ohio and Maryland. After 14 years of classroom teaching, Mrs. Burgess went back to receive her Master’s in Special Education from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Currently, Mrs. Burgess works as a resource teacher in grades 4 through 8 and also teaches grade 4 religion.  top

Sister Daniel Mary Heisey, I.H.M., from Baltimore, Maryland, has a B.S., with a major in English and a minor in Music from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She also earned her Master’s in Education from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She has been an I.H.M. religious for 53 years and has taught in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. She has taught pre-school through 8th grade and presently teaches 7th grade literature. Sister Daniel Mary also served as a principal for I.H.M. schools for 25 years. She as been a music director, a development and endowment director, and the school missions and newspaper moderators. Sister serves the parish as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, and Renew Group facilitator. In her capacity as the school’s endowment fundraiser, she reached the $1 million goal in 2008. She now serves as the school’s Development Director. Sister has taught at St. John the Evangelist for more than 15 years.  top

Mr. Keith Smith


Bio coming soon.

Mrs. Marian McClellan has been the librarian/media specialist at St. John the Evangelist School for more than a decade. She also teaches social studies to 8th grade and computers to all the grades. Her two children attended St. John’s, and she has served on the School Advisory Board for many years. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in American History and began her teaching career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco teaching English as a foreign language. She earned a Master’s in Teaching degree from the University of Maryland University College in 2007. When the faculty began its work on the reaccreditation process for Middle States, she volunteered to be on the steering committee. Mrs. McClellan was elected St. John’s Teacher of the Year in 2008.  top

Mrs. Pam Adams


Bio coming soon.

Mrs. Claire North graduated from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) with a B.A. in History and certification in Elementary Education. She received her M.A. in Curriculum from Loyola College, Baltimore, and has completed many programs for a variety of learning disabilities. She was a classroom teacher for 13 years in the Archdiocese before coming to St. John the Evangelist as a part-time resource teacher in 2003. Currently, Mrs. North serves pre-K through 3rd grade students, identifying and supporting students with learning disabilities.  top

Mrs. Amy Maddox


Bio coming soon.

Ms. Beverly McGehee


Bio coming soon.

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Benko


Bio coming soon.

Rev. Mark Tucker


Bio coming soon.

Mrs. Stephanie Rico initiated the formal art program at St. John the Evangelist School for grades 4-8 in 1995 and has taught those grades since that time. She graduated from the University of Maryland with B.A. degrees in Studio Art and Art History. She also pursued graduate studies while at the University of Maryland. In 1993, she founded Art Horizons, an arts organization engaged in art instruction for children. This program is currently taught as an after-school enrichment program at St. John’s and at other locations throughout Montgomery County. In 1995, Ms. Rico published a book of art instruction entitled Art Horizons: American Art. A practicing artist, Ms. Rico opened Studio in the Glen in 1998 where she teaches classes. Her work can be seen at the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Strathmore Hall, the National Zoo and in many private collections.  top

Mrs. Margaret Ruppert was born in Amherst, New York, and graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a B.A. in Music. She studied abroad in Madrid for a year and was a volunteer music teacher at the American School of Madrid. Mrs. Ruppert has been a music teacher, cantor and parishioner at St. John the Evangelist for 25 years. Her two oldest children graduated from St. John’s and are currently attending Good Counsel High School. Her youngest child is a St. John’s student. Mrs. Ruppert teaches music to grades Jr. K through 8. In addition to her teaching duties, she organizes and directs two musicals a year for the school.  top

Mrs. Erica Walz is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and holds degrees from the University of Buenos Aires: Lengues Vivas and the University of Toulouse: Toulouse LeMirail. She earned a Master’s degree in Language Sciences and Applied Linguistics in France. She currently teaches Spanish to grades 6, 7, and 8.  top

Mrs. Marilyn Whitney became the Pre-school Director for the Jr. Kindergarten morning program this year and has been a part-time Primary Reading and Math teacher at St. John the Evangelist School since 2008. She previously served as a part-time aide and long-term substitute at the school. Mrs. Whitney graduated from Frostburg State University with a major in Political Science. Mrs. Whitney is also a proud St. John the Evangelist parent. Her daughter graduated from St. John’s and now attends the Academy of the Holy Cross, and her son is a current St. John’s student.  top

Sister Lois Buckley, I.H.M. received her B.A. and Master’s degrees from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She has taught kindergarten and kindergarten enrichment at St. John the Evangelist School for the past 20 years. She is currently the director of the Extended School Program at St. John the Evangelist. She also teaches the junior kindergarten students on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  top

Sister Mary Mercy Gilbart, I.H.M. is from Baltimore, Maryland, and earned her B.A. in Education from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She also holds two Master’s degrees from Marywood University, one in Religious Studies and one in Elementary School Guidance Counseling. She has been the receptionist at St. John the Evangelist for the past twelve years. She also is the medical technician for our school.  top

Sister Roberta Harding, I.H.M. earned her B.A. in Elementary and Special Education and her M.S. in Reading Education from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She also holds a certificate in Peer Guidance and Spiritual Direction. For the past 15 years, Sister Roberta has guided sacramental preparation for the youth in our school and parish. She prepares new parents for baptism and coordinates programs for penance, first communion and confirmation. Her experience also includes teaching 1st and 2nd grade, working as a pastoral associate, and serving in family ministry.  top

Sister Mercille Schneider, I.H.M. was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, received her B.S. from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and her M.S. from Portland University in Portland, Oregon. She holds permanent certification in teaching from the state of Pennsylvania. Sister was the Director of our Extended School Program and is now the General Assistant to the Principal as part-time aide in the Extended School Program. She also serves as assistant to our Religious Education Coordinator.  top

Mrs. Anna Colella is from Washington, DC, and has been a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish since 1952. All five of her children and four grandchildren attended St. John the Evangelist School. Mrs. Colella’s great-grandson is currently enrolled in the junior kindergarten program. She has been the school secretary and administrative assistant for more than 40 years. She also serves the church and school as the music accompanist and as a lector at mass.  top

Mrs. Angela Colburn


Bio coming soon.

Mr. Dan LaHood


Bio coming soon.

Mr. Pedro Chilas


Bio coming soon.

Mr. Doan Hoang


Bio coming soon.

Mr. Eduardo Sheldon


Bio coming soon.