Destiny School of the Arts

Administrative Team

Jennifer Wigfield serves as director of Destiny School of the Arts. As a licensed Virginia educator, she feels passionate about creating a warm and healthy environment where children can learn through the arts. Jennifer began her professional career in non-profit social work geared towards early childhood education, family support, and abuse prevention. In 2005, she earned a Master of Education degree from Liberty University and began her work as an elementary classroom teacher and Spanish/Portuguese interpreter for Loudoun County Public Schools. In 2010, she earned a curriculum and instruction endorsement to her teaching license through George Mason University and became an English language specialist. During this time, she also served as Equity Committee chair and implemented Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) at her school. In 2014, Jennifer left the public school system to serve as director of Destiny School of the Arts. At Destiny, Jennifer has led the expansion of our elementary program and has integrated Spanish, Life Skills, Music Tracks, Technology, and Passion Projects into the curriculum. Jennifer believes fully in Destiny’s mission for students to achieve academic excellence through arts integration and enjoys collaborating with staff to achieve that goal. Jennifer is very enthusiastic about Destiny’s bright future and honored to be a part of such a wonderful school.

Jennifer Wigfield - Director (jennifer@destinyschoolofthearts.com)

Jennifer Wigfield serves as director of Destiny School of the Arts. As a licensed Virginia educator, she feels passionate about creating a warm and healthy environment where children can learn through the arts. Jennifer began her professional career in non-profit social work geared towards early childhood education, family support, and abuse prevention. In 2005, she earned a Master of Education degree from Liberty University and began her work as an elementary classroom teacher and Spanish/Portuguese interpreter for Loudoun County Public Schools. In 2010, she earned a curriculum and instruction endorsement to her teaching license through George Mason University and became an English language specialist. During this time, she also served as Equity Committee chair and implemented Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) at her school. In 2014, Jennifer left the public school system to serve as director of Destiny School of the Arts. At Destiny, Jennifer has led the expansion of our elementary program and has integrated Spanish, Life Skills, Music Tracks, Technology, and Passion Projects into the curriculum. Jennifer believes fully in Destiny’s mission for students to achieve academic excellence through arts integration and enjoys collaborating with staff to achieve that goal. Jennifer is very enthusiastic about Destiny’s bright future and honored to be a part of such a wonderful school.
Allison is Destiny School of the Arts' Assistant Director. Allison shares Destiny's commitment and appreciation for each child's unique abilities and preferred learning styles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University and has vast experience working with children in both clinical and educational settings. Her former professional roles include behavioral specialist, teacher, and preschool director. At Destiny, Allison greatly enjoys both the challenges and rewards that come with being part of a growing school. She oversees our daily operations and is always happy to address any questions you may have! Allison is married and has two teenage sons. She enjoys serving at her church, attending concerts, and making memories with her family!

Allison Moylan - Assistant Director (allison@destinyschoolofthearts.com)

Allison is Destiny School of the Arts’ Assistant Director. Allison shares Destiny’s commitment and appreciation for each child’s unique abilities and preferred learning styles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from George Mason University and has vast experience working with children in both clinical and educational settings. Her former professional roles include behavioral specialist, teacher, and preschool director. At Destiny, Allison greatly enjoys both the challenges and rewards that come with being part of a growing school. She oversees our daily operations and is always happy to address any questions you may have! Allison is married and has two teenage sons. She enjoys serving at her church, attending concerts, and making memories with her family!

Our Teaching Team!

This is Nakiera’s 3rd year at Destiny. She is a lead teacher in the 2’s class and also teaches in our Creative Play program. Nakiera is a Leesburg native who graduated from Tuscarora High School! She enjoys working with children of all ages and is known for her both her caring heart and patience! Nakiera also loves animals, spending time with her family, and travel.

Nakiera Blaylock

This is Nakiera’s 3rd year at Destiny. She is a lead teacher in the 2’s class and also teaches in our Creative Play program. Nakiera is a Leesburg native who graduated from Tuscarora High School! She enjoys working with children of all ages and is known for her both her caring heart and patience! Nakiera also loves animals, spending time with her family, and travel.
Lara is very excited to be part of the Destiny Team as our three-year-old lead teacher. She has fourteen years experience in a private school setting teaching ages three to the advanced age four curriculum. Her desire to be in a loving, nurturing environment, with the most well rounded academics and arts for the children is what brought her to Destiny. She has a passion for teaching, and strives to meet each child at their individual needs to encourage their love for learning. Lara lives in Lovettsville with her husband and two children.

Lara Lasher

Lara is very excited to be part of the Destiny Team as our three-year-old lead teacher. She has fourteen years experience in a private school setting teaching ages three to the advanced age four curriculum. Her desire to be in a loving, nurturing environment, with the most well rounded academics and arts for the children is what brought her to Destiny. She has a passion for teaching, and strives to meet each child at their individual needs to encourage their love for learning. Lara lives in Lovettsville with her husband and two children.
Tanya is a pre-k homeroom teacher, as well as the music teacher for our pre-k and elementary students. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She has been working in the field of performing arts as a music, dance and drama teacher since 2006. Tanya has also performs professionally with theater companies in the DC Metro Area. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband and her daughter Nora. Tanya loves being a part of our talented staff, as she delights in sharing her love of performing arts with children!

Tanya Vanderheiden

Tanya is a pre-k homeroom teacher, as well as the music teacher for our pre-k and elementary students. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre from Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She has been working in the field of performing arts as a music, dance and drama teacher since 2006. Tanya has also performs professionally with theater companies in the DC Metro Area. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband and her daughter Nora. Tanya loves being a part of our talented staff, as she delights in sharing her love of performing arts with children!
Ms. Diane has been with Destiny since Feb 2017. Originally from Austin, Texas, Diane relocated to Virginia to attend high school and continue her education at Radford University where she studied early childhood education. While in school, Diane worked as a lead preschool teacher and as an assistant director for a small day care in Blacksburg. Her experience also includes work as an aid in group therapy sessions with children ages 7-17 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or social skills challenges. Including her time at DSOA, Diane has spent the last 11 years teaching kindergarten and preschool! Diane also loves volunteering with the 2- and 3-year-olds at her church's children's ministry. Diane has a vast array of experience and a passion for working with children of all ages and abilities. Her greatest reward is watching children grow emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically. When not at work, Diane can be found spending time with family or going on her next outdoor adventure, kayaking, backpacking, or hiking with her fur baby!

Diane Bishop

Ms. Diane has been with Destiny since Feb 2017. Originally from Austin, Texas, Diane relocated to Virginia to attend high school and continue her education at Radford University where she studied early childhood education. While in school, Diane worked as a lead preschool teacher and as an assistant director for a small day care in Blacksburg. Her experience also includes work as an aid in group therapy sessions with children ages 7-17 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or social skills challenges. Including her time at DSOA, Diane has spent the last 11 years teaching kindergarten and preschool! Diane also loves volunteering with the 2- and 3-year-olds at her church’s children’s ministry. Diane has a vast array of experience and a passion for working with children of all ages and abilities. Her greatest reward is watching children grow emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically. When not at work, Diane can be found spending time with family or going on her next outdoor adventure, kayaking, backpacking, or hiking with her fur baby!
Jeannie Baer is an art and academics teacher at Destiny School of the Arts. She began her career as a muralist, painting murals in places of business and in private homes. Loving art herself, it is always her goal to foster that same love for learning, self-expression, and creative thinking. Impressively, Jeannie has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to teaching art. Believing strongly in process-oriented art, she enables children to explore their creativity by using many different mediums. In addition, she also helps her students obtain important learning goals through creative means. Students love performing hands-on experiments in Jeannie’s class!

Jeannie Baer

Jeannie Baer is an art and academics teacher at Destiny School of the Arts. She began her career as a muralist, painting murals in places of business and in private homes. Loving art herself, it is always her goal to foster that same love for learning, self-expression, and creative thinking. Impressively, Jeannie has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to teaching art. Believing strongly in process-oriented art, she enables children to explore their creativity by using many different mediums. In addition, she also helps her students obtain important learning goals through creative means. Students love performing hands-on experiments in Jeannie’s class!
Heather is our elementary creative movement teacher and an assistant in the 3’s Class. Heather was born in a little farming town in Switzerland and is the oldest of three girls. She says she came to America for an education, but also found a husband! Heather has a BS degree in Health, Fitness, and Recreation, as well as many years of dance instruction. She loves being a teacher and loves seeing how much students learn and change within a single school year. Heather is excited and feels privileged to be a part of the lives of the children at DSOA.

Heather Pitts

Heather is our elementary creative movement teacher and an assistant in the 3’s Class. Heather was born in a little farming town in Switzerland and is the oldest of three girls. She says she came to America for an education, but also found a husband! Heather has a BS degree in Health, Fitness, and Recreation, as well as many years of dance instruction. She loves being a teacher and loves seeing how much students learn and change within a single school year. Heather is excited and feels privileged to be a part of the lives of the children at DSOA.
Renee is our lead Creative Play teacher. She grew up in Staten Island, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and began her teaching career as a substitute teacher at various elementary and middle schools. In 2010, Renee relocated to Virginia and began teaching young children from preschool to kindergarten. Renee knew instantly that she found her niche! She believes a teacher’s excitement and passion to educate comes from the student’s enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. Renee enjoys reading stories to the children and engaging them in conversations about everyday life and the world they live in. Renee has played an integral part in expanding and enriching our Creative Play program.

Renee Spara

Renee is our lead Creative Play teacher. She grew up in Staten Island, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and began her teaching career as a substitute teacher at various elementary and middle schools. In 2010, Renee relocated to Virginia and began teaching young children from preschool to kindergarten. Renee knew instantly that she found her niche! She believes a teacher’s excitement and passion to educate comes from the student’s enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. Renee enjoys reading stories to the children and engaging them in conversations about everyday life and the world they live in. Renee has played an integral part in expanding and enriching our Creative Play program.