Staff

Head of School

Jennifer Wigfield

Jennifer Wigfield serves as the Head of School at 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 toward 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. Since that time, Jennifer has led the expansion of our elementary and middle school programs and has integrated Spanish, life skills, passion projects, music tracks, outdoor exploration, and technology 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. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys gardening and playing games with her family. She also loves going to school each day with her husband (on staff) and her son (preschool), but misses her daughter, who is now a Destiny alumna!

Director of Operations

Allison Moylan

Allison is Destiny School of the Arts’ Director of Operations and Preschool. 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 logistics, and is always happy to address any questions you may have! Allison is married and has two sons - one recently graduated from, and one currently attending - West Virginia University. She enjoys serving at her church, attending concerts, and making memories with her family!

Creative Director

Josué Santos

Mr. Josué wears many hats at Destiny School of the Arts. He is at the center of anything related to school technology, production, marketing, and performance. From building our float for the Leesburg Parade to producing our Spring Recital, he’s always there to take us to the next level of creativity. He oversees the elementary and middle school tracks program (piano, guitar, drums). He also creates and produces our school photography and videography, as well as coordinates production for all school performances and events. In addition to his role at our school, he serves as Band Director at Destiny Church. Mr. Josué is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist proficient in piano, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, and unique instruments such as the cavaquinho and the Brazilian viola. He holds an associate degree in German from Santa Catarina’s Federal University in Brazil. His professional experience includes a variety of music and tech related venues such as radio programming and network administration. In addition to teaching private and group music classes for the last 20 years, he has also produced recording artists in his former home studio. In his spare time, Mr. Josué enjoys restoring furniture and making Brazilian churrasco (barbecue) for his friends and family.

Principal

Lisa DeGirolami

Lisa serves as the Principal of Destiny School of the Arts. A veteran teacher originally from New York, she is thrilled to be a part of the Destiny family in a role through which she can know and support the flourishing of all members of the school community. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Williams College and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education & Child Development from Tufts University. Over her career, as a lead teacher in grades two, four, and five, she was able to participate in work to develop curriculum, implement character education, assist with admissions efforts, mentor and coach colleagues, and address operational needs. Lisa was also a Math Specialist, working with students and teachers in their classrooms and with administration to design and grow program in grades K-8. A dedicated educator with a passion for teaching and learning, Lisa is always happy to help and appreciates working collaboratively to solve problems. With her husband – and especially when her son is home from college – Lisa enjoys playing tennis and other games, cooking, going for walks, riding her bike, and singing in her church choir. A favorite activity is eating out at the charming restaurants in Historic Downtown Leesburg!

Admissions Coordinator

Jane Anne Prochnow

Jane Anne joined our Destiny family in the fall of 2021 and works on our administrative team as our Admissions Coordinator. She is known for her friendly hospitality and artistic endeavors. Jane Anne grew up in Loudoun County and later moved across the sea to Australia to attend Hillsong College where she studied theology, music, and leadership. Upon returning to the area, Jane Anne worked as Assistant Director at a local school of music. She continues to be passionate about the arts and the vital role they can play in a child’s confidence and education, and shares with Destiny her many artistic talents, including voice, piano, and guitar teaching and script writing. In addition to all these passions, and taking place as the biggest joys in her life, are Jane Anne’s daughter Chloe and husband Thiago.

School Secretary

Lauren Michaud

coming soon.

Building Coordinator

Ginger Martin

Ms. Ginger has taken care of families, students, teachers, administrative staff, and our beautiful campus since the fall of 2020. She has a unique skill set and always has a big smile on her face. Ginger grew up on a local horse farm and is proud to be a Loudoun County native. Her work history includes office administration, business management, and real estate. Now, she finds her work at Destiny to be by far the most rewarding, especially interacting with our youngest students in the role of honorary “Gigi” and finding just what is needed by each member of our community in every one of our school spaces. When not on campus, Ms. Ginger enjoys oil painting, interior design, and spending time in nature and with her two grandchildren.

Elementary & Middle School

Kindergarten

Diane Heath

Ms. Diane teaches kindergarten at Destiny School of the Arts and is also our primary elementary outdoor exploration teacher. An early childhood educator since 2009, Ms. Diane came to Destiny in 2017 and before stepping into her current role, taught pre-k academics and preschool creative play. Originally from Austin, Texas, Ms. Diane relocated to Virginia to attend high school and continued her education at Radford University. While in school, Diane worked as a lead preschool teacher and as an assistant director for a small daycare 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, and social skills challenges. She has also volunteered with 2- and 3-year-olds at her church’s children’s ministry. Ms. 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, and academically. When not at work, Ms. Diane can be found spending time with family or going on her next outdoor adventure of kayaking, backpacking, or hiking.

Kindergarten

Makenzie Simpson

Ms. Makenzie couldn’t be more excited to join Destiny as a kindergarten teacher! Born and raised in Gaylord, MI, she moved to Northern Virginia in 2020. In 2022, Ms. Makenzie graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. in Community Development, a second B.S. in Elementary Education, and a minor in Language Arts. After graduation, she stayed home to raise her daughter, which deepened her understanding of early child development. Also inspired by her mother and many other caring, compassionate educators in her life, Ms. Mackenzie is passionate about creating a family-like classroom environment, fostering collaboration, and incorporating hands-on learning. Language arts has always been her favorite subject, driven by her love for writing and reading great books. In her free time, Ms. Makenzie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and learning new hobbies.

First Grade

Laura Dixon

Ms. Laura teaches 1st grade at Destiny and also serves on our administrative team. In 2018, Ms. Laura graduated from Liberty University with a B.A. in Family and Child Development and a minor in Psychology. In 2021, she earned her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction for early childhood education. For a six-month term, Ms. Laura worked under a certified child life specialist at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, administering play therapy to pediatric patients and their families. She was also an education coordinator for a summer camp at the children’s museum in Lynchburg, a homeschool co-op teacher, and a private pre-k teacher; she even launched her own tutoring business. Since joining Destiny in the fall of 2021, Ms. Laura has been incorporating hands-on, interactive, and creative ways to teach her students, while intentionally fostering their social and emotional development.

Second Grade

Hilary Thomas

Ms. Hilary is Destiny School of the Arts’ dedicated 2nd-grade teacher. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Longwood University and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech. In addition to elementary teaching, Ms. Hilary also has experience working as a technology facilitator, a web and IT administrator, and a homeschool educator. She grew up in Northern Virginia, spent ten years moving around the country with her husband, who served in the Marine Corps, and is now settled in Round Hill. Outside of school, Ms. Hilary enjoys crocheting, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Third Grade

Yukyung Couey

Ms. Yukyung teaches 3rd grade at Destiny School of the Arts. She earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Dankook University, South Korea and an ESOL teaching certificate from UMBC. Her teaching journey has spanned various age groups, from preschool to adulthood, with her last teaching assignment at Philippi Christian School in Hanover, Maryland. Ms. Yukyung is passionate about the power of an engaging and creative learning environment. Outside of the classroom, she is a commissioned watercolor artist and a piano accompanist for her church. She also enjoys learning new languages, such as Japanese and Spanish, and traveling to different parts of the world with her family.

Third & Fourth Grade

Katrina Davis

With great enthusiasm, Ms. Katrina joins Destiny as our 3rd/4th grade teacher. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Elementary Education, Ms. Katrina also earned a master’s degree in Elementary Science from McDaniel College. With over twenty years of experience teaching grades 2 through 6 in Montgomery County and Fairfax County, she brings broad experience, a positive outlook, and a great sense of humor to our community. In her spare time, Ms. Katrina enjoys visiting the National Gallery of Art with her husband of seventeen years and their fifteen-year-old daughter, reading, and cooking. Ms. Katrina is also an active member of her church and is passionate about volunteering in her community.

Fifth Grade & Art

Cullen Dinneen

Cullen teaches 5th grade academics and 5th - 8th grade art at Destiny. Cullen graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in History and a second bachelor’s degree of fine arts in photography and film. Upon graduation, Cullen took on year-long teaching assignments for Fauquier County Public Schools, instructing Health and Medicine, Nutrition and Wellness, and Child Development at the high school level. She also worked as a commissioned photographer. Some of her artistic accomplishments include her work displayed at the Anderson Gallery in Richmond, Virginia as well as winning the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowship in 2018. Cullen believes every child should have the opportunity to foster an inquisitive and creative outlook in their learning environment. When not teaching, Cullen enjoys photographing her friends and family, as well as reading a good mystery book, and working in her favorite art mediums, charcoal and pastel.

Sixth Grade

Michael Dombrowski

Mr. Michael joins Destiny as our middle school language arts and science teacher. A Marine Corps veteran with a deep love for history, science, and the written word, Mr. Michael earned his B.A. from nearby Shepherd University in 2020. Three years later, he completed his M.A. in Theology, Ministry, and Mission at Durham University in England. Mr. Michael first discovered his passion for teaching young people in 2017 when he was invited to teach at a children’s English camp, while studying overseas at Kuban State University in southern Russia. He went on to become the coordinator for the English teaching team in subsequent sessions and enjoyed finding creative ways to apply what was being taught to make lessons more memorable. Currently, Mr. Michael serves as an ordained minister in a small Anglican parish and enjoys backcountry camping, woodworking, sailing, and playing Celtic folk tunes on his fiddle.

Seventh & Eighth Grade

Leigh Mays

Ms. Leigh is the 6th grade academics teacher and middle school math teacher at Destiny. She also serves as our summer camp administrator and conducts the academic screenings for prospective students. Ms. Leigh holds a master’s degree in Psychology and a Virginia Educator’s License. She was the Assistant Education Director at an Arlington preschool upon her move from New York to Virginia in 2005. Through a fellowship with The New Teacher Project, Ms. Leigh began her elementary career as a special education specialist with Prince George’s County, Maryland. She moved to the D.C. Public Schools in 2013 and taught 1st, 4th, and 5th grades, hosted and mentored student teachers, led grade-band teams, and led district-wide professional development in mathematics. Relocating to Leesburg in 2017, Ms. Leigh worked as a 4th grade teacher with LCPS before joining Destiny in 2021. When not teaching, Ms. Leigh enjoys outdoor activities with her family, being crafty, and listening to podcasts. She is fully invested in Destiny’s mission of academic excellence through arts integration and is excited to continue fostering the further development of Destiny’s middle school program.

Art Teacher

Jeannie Baer

Jeannie is our senior ranking educator at Destiny, as she joined the school in August 2012. She currently teaches art to 1^st – 4^th graders but has had the pleasure of teaching most every age and grade (2 years through 6^th grade) during her career at Destiny. Jeannie began her career as a muralist, painting murals in places of business and in private homes. Impressively, she has dedicated the last 25 years of her life to teaching students, from preschool to adulthood. Jeannie enjoys meeting each student at their specific skill level and fostering a love of learning, self-expression, and creative thinking. Believing strongly in skill-building and process-oriented art, she enables children to explore their creativity by using a variety of mediums. When not at school, Ms. Jeannie is busy creating her own art, as well as hosting Bible studies and spending time at her family’s mountain home with her husband, three children, and dog, Percy.

Music

Meghan Eyerman

Ms. Meghan is thrilled to return to Destiny as the Music & Drama teacher for our 3rd-8th grade students. Ms. “Music-Meghan”, as she is often nicknamed, grew up in Ashburn, Virginia and graduated from Briar Woods High School where she was involved in the top choir, guitar, and drama classes. She graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in Acting and a minor in Dance. Upon graduating, Ms. Meghan taught and developed a musical theater program at Bella Ballerina dance studio and soon after, opened her own private voice and guitar studio for students ages 5-18. Ms. Meghan is committed to fostering a love and passion for the performing arts and believes that they have a special place in education. She strives to give children the ability to express themselves in a safe and nurturing environment. In her downtime, Ms. Meghan enjoys staying active in physical therapy and spending time with her husband Brendan, cat named Groot, and dog named Rory. Occasionally, Ms. Meghan performs with community theater companies in the NOVA area. As much as she loves performing, nothing compares to her seeing pride and excitement on her students’ faces as they walk off the stage!

Creative Movement

Heather Pitts

Ms. Heather assists Ms. Nakiera in one of Destiny’s two’s classrooms. From a young age, Ms. Heather has always had a passion for working with children. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she was also able to obtain a K12 art education teaching certificate. Teaching has enabled Heather to combine her two passions of creating and helping children grow! She brings 10+ years of preschool-aged classroom experience as a lead teacher. She also has experience teaching elementary-aged children, as well as teaching Art classes. She is a mom of two and is dedicated to volunteering at her church with her family. She is also an active artist and loves the outdoors and camping.

Spanish Teacher

Verónica Dees

Verónica is Destiny’s Spanish teacher who brings both a love of language and boundless enthusiasm to the classroom. Ms. Verónica comes from a family of educators in Costa rica as her twin sister, mother, and grandfather are also teachers. Verónica holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration, as well as two bachelor's degrees in Preschool Education and business administration. In addition, she has formal training in nursing. Over her career, she has enjoyed teaching all ages, early childhood through adulthood in both private and public institutions. Verónica’s passion for education and care for others is contagious. When she is not teaching Spanish to Destiny students, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband, cooking, latin dance, arts & crafts, and exercise.

Music & Drama Teacher

Sarah McKeown

Ms. Sarah joined the Destiny family this year as our preschool music and movement teacher, as well as our elementary music and drama instructor. In 2023, Ms. Sarah graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND with degrees in Music Education and Dramatic Arts. She is originally from Montana, but has also lived in North Dakota and Minnesota. In the past four years, Ms. Sarah has been part of twenty theater productions ranging from Shakespeare plays to musicals. Her favorite role was Marian Paroo in The Music Man. Ms. Sarah is a life-long learner and is passionate about helping others discover their voice through performance!

Drums & Technology Teacher

Jonathan Wudijono

Mr. Jonathan is excited to join Destiny School of the Arts to teach percussion and technology. A native of Northern Virginia, Mr. Jonathan holds a master’s degree in Music Education from Old Dominion University and has been teaching percussion throughout Virginia for over ten years. Currently performing as a freelance musician, Mr. Jonathan also teaches private lessons and works as an instructor for various LCPS band programs. In his spare time, he enjoys trying new food, bowling, and spending time with his family and dog.

Preschool

2's Teacher

Nakiera Blaylock

Ms. Nakiera has been teaching our youngest students in the 2’s class since 2017. She also teaches in our afternoon creative play program. Nakiera shares her love of Destiny with her daughter who is a proud Destiny elementary student. Nakiera was born and raised in Leesburg. She is affectionately known as the “2’s Whisperer.” Nakiera

2's Teacher

Amanda Kemp

Ms. Amanda is excited to teach our 2-year-olds. She received her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She began teaching at Destiny in the fall of 2022. However, Amanda has spent many years teaching preschool, including 4 years with 3- and 4-year-olds, and over 10 years with 2-year-olds. Amanda is a teacher among teachers, and we are so blessed to have her in our school family. She has lived in various states between the East and West Coast but is happy to now call Virginia her home. Amanda has a passion for teaching and loves working with small children. When she is not teaching and caring for Destiny’s youngest, she enjoys spending time with family, hiking with her dog, and reading.

3's Teacher

Lauren Eckert

Ms. Lauren has been teaching 3-year-olds at Destiny School of the Arts since August 2018. She currently teaches both academics and movement. Lauren grew up in Leesburg and graduated from Loudoun County High School in 2004. After graduating, she attended Northern Virginia Community College where she received her Associates Degree in Teacher Specialization. She also earned her Preschool Teaching Certification at Northern Virginia Community College. Lauren has been teaching preschool aged children for nearly 20 years. She currently teaches dance at Loudoun School of Ballet where she grew up dancing herself! Her dance career has led her up and down the east coast, but she always came back to teaching. Lauren feels honored to be a part of the lives of these amazing children at Destiny. When Lauren is not at school or dance class, she is spending time with her husband, Niko, their four children Nikolas, Sofia, Benjamin, and Vivian, plus her Great Dane, Stone.

3’s Teacher

Tammy de Nobel

Ms. Tammy is an experienced educator who joins Destiny’s preschool as an academic teacher for our 3-year-olds. A native of Maryland, Ms. Tammy currently resides in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Hood College and taught for nineteen years in the Washington County (MD) Public Schools. There, she had the privilege of inspiring students in pre-K through 3rd grade, with her longest stretch as a 1st grade teacher. Since then, Ms. Tammy has taught part-time at a Montessori school, while helping her own two children navigate both high school and college. She feels blessed to have been able to travel to many exciting places over the last several years. When not teaching, Ms. Tammy enjoys gardening and working with stained glass, her newest hobby.

Pre K

Nicole Baker

Ms. Nicole is our Pre-K academics teacher, having joined the Destiny team in the fall of 2022. She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Bethany College and an M.S. in Applied Educational Psychology & Early Intervention from Northeastern University. As a mother of four and a former nationally certified school psychologist for Clarke County Public Schools, Ms. Nicole offers a unique perspective. Her background includes in-depth assessment, collaborative development of individualized learning plans, and counseling for students with academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Building on that experience, Ms. Nicole leverages research-backed curriculum in her classroom with a multi-sensory approach that inspires and encourages young learners to grasp foundational skills. A native West Virginian who has also lived in Massachusetts and Indiana, Ms. Nicole and her husband Brian have called Leesburg home since 2007. She is delighted to work with all the members of our school community to make every day in Pre-K a great one.

PreK Art & Creative Play

Emily McCabe

Ms. Emily is thrilled to join the Destiny community! After relocating recently from North Carolina, she also looks forward to exploring everything this area has to offer. With a degree in Art Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA and over a decade of experience working with children of all ages and backgrounds, in both one-on-one and classroom settings, Ms. Emily is excited to share her love of the arts with her students. Her passion for teaching developed naturally, having grown up in a family of teachers, and through professional experiences that have kept her surrounded by and engaged with children. She is dedicated to fostering creativity and growth in her students, helping them develop the tools they need to express themselves, and encouraging them to discover the wonders of the world around them. In her free time, Ms. Emily enjoys traveling the world and spending time with friends and family, especially her niece and nephews in Massachusetts. She also loves reading, crafting, and discovering new ideas for art projects!

Creative Play

Renee Spara

Renee is our senior Creative Play teacher. Renee comes to us from Staten Island, New York. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and began her teaching career in elementary and middle schools. In 2010, Renee relocated to Virginia and began teaching preschool and kindergarten. Renee instantly knew that she found her niche with younger students! Renee believes a teacher’s excitement and passion to educate comes from the student’s enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. She 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 since she began working at Destiny in the fall of 2014. We feel very blessed to have such a dedicated and talented educator working with some of our youngest students.

Art & Creative Movement

Dasha Geronimo

Ms. Dasha joins Destiny to teach art to our 2- and 3-year-olds and creative movement to our kindergarteners. Born in Kyrgyzstan, Ms. Dasha grew up in Germany and then traveled the world before settling in Loudoun County. She earned a B.A. in Middle Eastern/Arabic Studies and Political Science from Free University in Berlin and a graduate certificate in Global/Community Health and Environmental Science from George Mason University. Her teaching experiences include assisting in preschools and homeschooling her three children in grades K-5. Ms. Dasha is passionate about blending learning modalities into the art curriculum in a positive classroom environment where students can grow and express their creativity. Some of her own artistic accomplishments include performing in musical theater and having her landscape photography published. When she is not teaching and creating, Ms. Dasha loves to hike, take care of her seven pets, play board games, decorate for holidays, garden, diy-renovate, dance, watch movies, read mysteries, attend theater performances, and listen to jazz - but traveling the world with her family is by far her favorite thing to do.

ASE Teacher

Marysol Hernandez

Ms. Marysol joins Destiny to teach and create art activities in our After School Enrichment program, bringing a wealth of experience from years working with at-risk youth. She has dedicated much of her life to sparking creativity and fostering a safe, engaging environment for children. Ms. Marysol has held numerous leadership roles throughout her career and is currently pursuing a teaching degree. In addition to her passion for education, she has a strong interest in marketing and design. Her creativity has led her to start her own marketing business, through which she supports other small businesses. When she’s not engaging with art or managing her business, Ms. Marysol loves spending time outdoors and making memories with her partner and her dog, Loki.

Creative Play & ASE Teacher

Cecilia Giessmann

Ms. Cecilia is a preschool Creative Play and After School Enrichment Teacher at Destiny. After graduating from Berkeley College in NJ with an A.A.S., Ms. Cecilia was inspired to work in different settings throughout the years before settling in Leesburg in 2004. A first generation American with parents from Italy, Ms. Cecilia was inspired to work hard, be kind, and be thankful for her blessings. While raising her daughters, Ms. Cecilia also encouraged expression through the arts, including drawing, painting, crafting, music, dancing, and theater. Both wonderful daughters are now pursuing their dreams by studying Art, Musical Theater, and Drama in college. Ms. Cecilia believes that her work at Destiny is a personally fulfilling opportunity to contribute to children’s development and inspire their creativity in different ways. In her free time, she volunteers within her community and enjoys baking, gardening, thrifting, and upcycling. Most of all, Ms. Cecilia loves spending time with her husband, their family, and their dog Lucky.

Teacher Assistant

Megan Cotterill

With great excitement, Megan joins the Destiny School for the Arts as a dedicated teacher's assistant. Growing up in Fairfax County and residing in Leesburg for the past 19 years, she's deeply rooted in the local community. Megan's academic journey led her to Virginia Tech, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in science. Her journey into education began as a substitute for Loudoun County Public Schools, evolving into a role as a teacher's assistant for first-grade students in Ashburn over the past two years. Her passion for nurturing young minds spans across age groups, and she eagerly anticipates sharing her love for teaching with the students at Destiny School of the Arts. Beyond her professional role, Megan relishes quality time with her husband and two children, enriching her life beyond the classroom.

Teacher Assistant

Heather Klenke

Teacher Assistant

Kelley McFadden

Ms. Kelley joins Destiny as a teacher assistant in our preschool. After relocating from California twelve years ago, she now resides in Leesburg with her husband and two children. Ms. Kelley holds a B.A. in Social Work Education from California State University, Fresno. Her many roles in education include After School Lead Instructor, Teacher’s Assistant, and Substitute Teacher. In addition, Ms. Kelley has thoroughly enjoyed the blessing of homeschooling her children, creating enriching and fun learning experiences for them. In her free time, Ms. Kelley loves all things arts and crafts, game nights with her family, and early morning jogs. She is super excited for the coming school year at Destiny and looks forward to contributing to the school's vibrant community and mission of fostering academic excellence through arts integration.

Teacher Assistant

Anna Park

Anna has joined our team this year as a teaching assistant for the 3’s class and oversees the preschool nap room. She is currently pursuing an Art History and Interdisciplinary degree from West Virginia University. Anna has experience in childcare in private school settings and is excited to help the students at Destiny succeed in every way. Anna also has a passion for the arts, including fine art, dance, music, and drama. In her free time, Anna enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, and baking. She is also currently pursuing two Bachelor of Arts degrees at West Virginia University.

Teacher Assistant

Angie Torres

Ms. Angie, a teacher's assistant at Destiny, is originally from the Leesburg area. Her passion for working with children began in high school when she taught Sunday school and worked at a summer camp for children. Professionally, Ms. Angie has dedicated herself to childcare, serving as an infant teacher for 2 years and later as a personal nanny. Music also holds a significant place in Ms. Angie's life, stemming from her upbringing in a musical family. She loves singing, playing instruments, writing songs, and sharing her love of music with students. Graduating from Canzion Music Institute in the Fall of 2023, she had the opportunity to be mentored by talented worship leaders. In addition to singing, Ms. Angie enjoys spending time with friends and her large extended family. As a first-generation American, she treasures her bilingualism in Spanish and English and deeply values her cultural heritage.

Teacher Assistant

Suzette Redka

My name is Ms. Suzette and I am proud to be a teacher at Destiny School of the Arts. This will be my 5th year teaching, and my second school year at Destiny. I worked the last ten weeks of this past school year as Ms. Tanya’s Pre-K assistant, and I will continue to assist Ms. Tanya this school year. In addition, I will teach the Movement Class for Kindergarten and the First grade. Prior to my time at Destiny, I worked as a Preschool Assistant then Lead teacher for 3-year-olds. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Alfred University, and I am very passionate about the arts. I spent 16 years learning to dance, competing, and performing. I am married and have two daughters. My oldest daughter, Natasha, graduated from Virginia Tech in 2021. She is living her best adult life working for a marketing company in Nashville, Tennessee. My youngest daughter, Nadia, is a sophomore at James Madison University. That makes my wonderful husband, George, and I empty nesters. We have a young rescue dog, Bandit, who keeps us very busy. When I am not out walking my dog, or spending quality time with my husband, I enjoy creating artwork. I look forward to this exciting new school year!

Teacher Assistant

Zoë Peckman

Ms. Zoe joins Destiny as an assistant teacher in our preschool. A graduate of Briar Woods High School, Ms. Zoe is now pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education at Northern Virginia Community College. Her teaching experiences include working as a kindergarten assistant at Waxpool Elementary School and in a student-run preschool embedded within her high school. A lifelong student of the arts, Ms. Zoe also loves animals. Favorite activities include dance, drawing, making gifts, scrapbooking, and spending time with her two dogs and pet parakeet. She is thrilled to join the Destiny team!

Teacher Assistant

Presley Gajewsky

Ms. Presley joins Destiny as a teacher assistant in our preschool. She is new to Virginia, having relocated from Texas, where she earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Texas State University. With a passion for working with children, Ms. Presley always looks for ways to share her deep love for history and the arts. Through opportunities in educational settings, in volunteer positions, and as an experienced nanny, she has dedicated herself to helping children express their own creativity and achieve their full potential. Outside of her professional pursuits, Ms. Presley enjoys spending time with her family and friends, drawing, and visiting museums. She also shares a special bond with her two beloved dachshunds, whose companionship adds joy and balance to her life and theirs. Ms. Presley feels truly honored to be joining the Destiny family and is excited to contribute to her students’ growth and success.

Teacher Assistant

Betsy Howard

Ms. Betsy joins Destiny as a support teacher in our preschool, elementary, and middle schools. A Fairfax County native, Ms. Betsy attended George Mason University where she received a B.S. in Nursing. For several years, she worked as a registered nurse and then dedicated herself to her children’s education by teaching in multiple homeschool co-ops for grades K-12. Ms. Betsy has loved being able to partner with other families in the pursuit of education through creative and custom-designed lessons. She has also been a substitute teacher in the Loudoun County Public Schools in multiple grade levels for many years. For more than two decades, Ms. Betsy has enjoyed living in Leesburg with her husband and their two adult sons. Favorite activities include walking all the beautiful parks and trails in the area, spending time with family and friends, being active in her church, participating in Bible study classes, and volunteering at the Mosaic Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Strings & Receptionist

Alexandria Gartland

Ms. Alexandria is excited to join Destiny as our preschool secretary and piano & guitar teacher. Originally from New York, Ms. Alexandria also lived in California before settling in Virginia. She grew up involved in the arts, including performances in off-broadway shows, participation in her school’s Glee club, dancing, drawing, and all things creative. Ms. Alexandria graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Songwriting and Recording & Production, and as a vocal artist has released music across all platforms. In her free time, Ms. Alexandria enjoys watching movies, recording music at her home studio, making arts and crafts, reading novels, and relaxing at a coffee or boba shop. She is thrilled to share her talents and all she has learned along the way with her Destiny students!