Westlawn is proud to announce its new AAP team! This outstanding group of Westlawn veterans is poised for success and eager to begin working collaboratively to serve the unique needs of Westlawn’s students, both through engaging experiences in the AAP classrooms and through AAP opportunities afforded to all learners across the school. “We took the opportunity to build a new AAP team whose members embody and work toward fulfilling the vision and mission of our school,” said Principal Hill. He added, “We are excited to see the journey that this team will take together and the ways in which their unique strengths will create amazing educational experiences for our students.” Let’s meet the team!

Mrs.Maxwell is our new Advanced Academics Resource Teacher, moving into the role after several years as the AAP teacher in 6th grade. Mrs. Maxwell is excited to use her experience at the uppermost grade level at Westlawn to help thoughtfully plan lessons and curate resources that can be used by teachers and students at all grade levels to encourage students across the school to build the skills and mindsets necessary for success in an AAP environment. As part of her work, Mrs. Maxwell will be partnering with School Based Technology Specialist Ms. Dushok to support teachers and students in embracing deep learning and codified reflection around Portrait of a Graduate attributes. Students who work with Mrs. Maxwell might be excited to know that she lives in the neighborhood, has two daughters who are majoring in science in college (after being AAP students at Westlawn!), and has a husband who teachers high school history and economics.

Ms. Roegner is our new AAP teacher in 6th grade. She has worked on the 6th grade team with Mrs. Maxwell for several years, and is an AAP graduate herself. Ms. Roegner loves teaching math to students, and is excited about challenging students’ critical thinking abilities within the math block. During the course of the year, she is hoping to be able to launch a project where students will be able to plan a trip to their favorite state and account for gas prices, hotel stays, entertainment, and general spending money. Students who have Ms. Roegner might be excited to know that she is left-handed, the oldest of four girls, and used to be a competitive dancer for jazz, tap, ballet, lyrical, and hip hop styles.

Ms. (Sharelle) White is our new AAP teacher in 5th grade. She worked on the 5th grade team last year and is delighted to continue working with the 5th grade team once again, and hopeful that her new role as AAP teacher will give her the opportunity to explore Portrait of a Graduate attributes with her students. Ms. White is eager to help students continue to develop a love of learning and reach beyond the Virginia Standards of Learning to make connections between and across disciplines. She hopes to introduce a spelling bee, research projects, and book clubs for everyone. Students who have Ms. White might be excited to know that she loves dogs, is originally from New York City, and would pursue a career as a chef or an attorney if she wasn’t an educator.

Mrs. Lambert is our new AAP teacher in 4th grade. She is also delighted to return to the same team that she was on last year, and is especially looking forward to diving more deeply into teaching the concepts of characterization, theme, plot, and genre through novels and literature, including her favorite, prairie fiction. Mrs. Lambert is a huge proponent of setting positive expectations for students in the classroom, and is deeply invested in ensuring that they build the skills they will need to be successful not only in 4th grade, but also for years to come. Students who have Mrs. Lambert might be excited to know that she majored in art in college, has two dogs, and spent three weeks in Austria and Italy this summer visiting an uncle.

Ms. Rezcallah is delighted to reprise her role as our AAP teacher in 3rd grade. She loves providing opportunities for Westlawn’s newest AAP students to grow outside of their comfort zones and become content explorers and academic risk-takers. Ms. Rezcallah is excited to use the portable maker space with students and to reprise The Pen Pal Project through the US Postal Service, the latter of which gave her students the opportunity to practice letter-writing skills for an authentic audience: students from across the country! Students who have Ms. Rezcallah might be excited to know that she loves to tap dance, has traveled to many different countries, and enjoys both kayaking and mountain hiking.