Staff
Staff Reputation
The Little Folks School is known for the commitment, dedication and longevity of its highly qualified staff. They are the primary ingredient for the wonderful reputation that the school enjoys.
JULIE ACKERMAN, a Green Room teacher, grew up in Northern Virginia and received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute in California. In addition to studying photography, Julie has also delved into printmaking, painting, and computer graphics, and crocheting. She received her master’s degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Art Education for grades Pre K-8. While creating her artwork throughout the years, Julie has participated in many community based art projects with children. Julie’s passion is engaging children in the artistic process to bring out their natural creativity, develop problem-solving skills, and self-esteem that will enable success in and out of the classroom.
JULIA AMBROSE, a Yellow Room teacher, was born and raised in Texas where she received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Texas in 2006. After graduation, Julia worked for the Smithsonian Associates and The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C before starting her own painting business. In 2011, Julia received her Master’s in Education from the University of Maryland.
GAY CIOFFI has been the Director of the Little Folks School since 1980. Ms. Cioffi received her undergraduate degree in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from the Pennsylvania State University. She earned her Masters Degree in Education and the Arts from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. While completing her Masters, Ms. Cioffi studied Painting, Drawing and Design at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. Her art is on permanent collection at museums internationally. Ms. Cioffi recieved outstanding teacher awards from The Wolf Trap Early Learning Institute in 2004 and 2002. She has presented papers on early literacy and art education at the Oxford Round Table at Oxford University in 2003 and 2005. She brings her love for learning and her enthusiasm for the Arts to the children of the Little Folks School.
KARA FRANKEL, a Purple Room teacher, was born and raised in Washington, DC. In 2003, Kara received her B.A. in communications from George Mason University. For nine years, Kara was a camp counselor in the nursery school at St. Patricks Episcopal Day School. Before teaching at Little Folks, Kara was a teacher's assistant at Hyde Elementary School in Georgetown. In the fall of 2010 she returned to George Mason University to work towards earning her masters in early childhood education.
HELEN HAGERTY, former Little Folks parent and current Little Folks Board Member, joined the Little Folks Staff as Gay's assistant in 2003. She quickly became an indispensable member of our team, special assistant to staff and students alike. Helen received her B.A. in Russian from New York University.
MARTA KASSAHUN was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 1980, she went to the former Soviet Union to study Languages. She earned her Masters in Education at the Pedagogical Institute in Piatigorsk. In addition, Marta has studied Early Childhood Education at the Northern Virginia Community College. After completing her studies in the Soviet Union, she worked as a Nursery School Teacher in Saarbruckan, Germany, for two years. We in the Little Folks Community have benefited from Ms. Kassahun's professional expertise since 1989.
DIANE MCCARTHY brings her musical expertise to the Red Room. Her background enhances the Little Folks program, which emphasizes the visual and performing arts. She emigrated from the UK in 2003 having graduated in Music with Distinction in Performance. She continued her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama leaving with a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Studies. Diane has sung professionally and taught voice for 18 years both in Europe and also at the National Cathedral and St. Alban's Schools. During this time she has sung everything from Baa Baa Black Sheep to the sound tracks for Lord of The Rings and Harry Potter! She is the proud mother of Jessica and Lily.
BETHANY MCNAUGHTON, a teacher in the Green Room, grew up in the state of Maine where she received her Master of Arts in Teaching degree from the University of Maine. Bethany has taught students in Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade classrooms, and has a special passion for early literacy. During her time living in Vermont and Maine, Bethany served on the Teacher Advisory Council at the Maine Discovery Museum, taught film and digital photography as an art camp counselor, and partnered with Everybody Wins! and Big Brothers Big Sisters as a community mentor. She loves to explore how joyful play and exploration nurture a love of learning, curiosity, and perseverance in children that will last a lifetime.
JOAN ROSENBAUM, a transplant from Santa Barbara, California, has been a Red Room teacher since 1988. She received an Associate Degree from Mount Vernon College in Early Childhood Development. She later received a Bachelor's Degree from Trinity College in Elementary Education. The Little Folks community continues to benefit from Joan's extensive classroom experience and creative energy.
LEONOR ROSERO, known affectionately as "Nory" to the children of the Little Folks School, was born in the Philippines. She studied Communications at the Far Eastern University in Manila, majoring in Drama. She is an accomplished Musician, sharing her musical expertise during our weekly "special" Music Class and every day at Circle Time. Nory has been teaching at the Little Folks School since 1990.