Kindergarten
Hello, my name is Joanna Maxwell, and it is my privilege to be the Second-Grade teacher at Veritas Collegiate Academy. I hold a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature from University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań, Poland. I began teaching in the 1990s, and sometimes, when I wasn’t working as a teacher, I was volunteering in my children’s classrooms.
My mom, who was a high school Physics teacher for forty years, influenced my career choice. She showed me that teaching was not just a job, but a life-long vocation of taking care of whatever educational, emotional, and developmental needs students have. I learned that teachers’ hard work and thoroughness are the necessary foundation to student success, but must be accompanied by creating a loving and caring environment in which students can reach their full potential. I also had a chance to live in Italy, Belgium, and Israel for many years and believe that this experience has made me more sensitive to different cultures, beliefs and perspectives, which has been helpful while working in a global school like Veritas, where we have students from all around the world. In my free time, I like to travel, hike, and listen to music.
I am looking forward to a new school year full of learning and adventure. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
1st and 2nd Grade
Steven Gertz is a third-year faculty member at Veritas teaching ancient and medieval Omnibus classes as well as AP history courses. He holds a PhD in Theological and Religious Studies from Georgetown University as well as master's degrees in Islamic studies from the universities of Oxford and Edinburgh. He also has a bachelor's in history from Wheaton College (IL), with a particular focus on church history. In addition to teaching at Veritas, Dr. Gertz serves as a professor of Theology at his alma mater of Georgetown University.
Dr. Gertz loves the opportunity to dig into and explore with Veritas students some of the greatest literature ever written in the West and the ancient and medieval Middle East. Having lived in Europe and the Middle East himself, he brings personal stories to discussions of literature studied in class, as well as cultural insights gleaned from living abroad. He is a student of languages, including Arabic (which he has studied intensively), Greek, and Syriac. He is also a parent who has five kids of his own, experience which enriches his teaching. Dr. Gertz counts it a privilege to teach at Veritas, and welcomes your son or daughter to his classroom.
Omnibus 1
Omnibus 2A
Omnibus 2B
Omnibus 4
AP European History
AP World History
Hello, my name is William Higgins, and I have come to know the surpassing value of a deep literary education. I hold Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Classics from Samford University and a Master's in Political Science from Boston College. In my classes at Veritas I teach students to read, write, and speak well in order that they may become persuasive communicators and life-long learners.
Each of my classes is designed to impart both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. I want my students to be prepared for their future vocations and to be aware of the Great Books and ideas that are worth contemplating for their own sake. Outside of the classroom, you'll find me reading widely in the Western intellectual tradition, playing chess, or enjoying the amenities of the D.C. area with my wife, Natalie.
I look forward to an exciting year of learning with the bright minds at Veritas Collegiate Academy, Arlington Campus. Feel free to reach out via email or drop by my classroom if you ever want to discuss literature, writing, or anything else!
Omnibus 3A
Omnibus 3B
Thesis
Writing 10
Rhetoric
AP US Government & Politics
Logic II
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Thesis
Research Methods
Theater Director
Instructor, Veritas School
As a passionate advocate for the art of thinking, reasoning, and writing, Rebekah Elgut is dedicated to cultivating these essential skills in her students. A proud alumna of Veritas School, Rebekah is deeply familiar with the Veritas curriculum and classical education model, having experienced its benefits firsthand.
Rebekah earned her Bachelor of Science degree from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Alongside her academic pursuits, she has a deep passion for the arts, serving as a Theater Director where she brings stories to life on stage. This love for the arts enriches her teaching, inspiring students to think creatively and express themselves fully.
In her courses at Veritas, Rebekah fosters a dynamic learning environment where students are encouraged to engage critically with the material, develop their unique voices, and become active thinkers, articulate arguers, and proficient writers.
Algebra I
Algebra II
Logic 2
Research Writing
Senior Thesis
Theater Director
My name is Matthew Hunt. I am passionate about two things: languages, both ancient and modern, and the Bible. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Spanish with a concentration in Literature and a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Georgia State University. I have also completed the Discipleship Intern Training Program. I have been teaching for nine years, both in the Spanish Public School system as an English language teaching assistant, and in Northern Virginia private schools.
My purpose is to inspire students to want to learn other languages and to improve their lives in the process. I first learned Latin, which instilled in me a passion for Roman history and for the way that the Romans combined grammar, syntax, and semantics to express themselves. I next learned Spanish, doing an college exchange program in Spain, and then moving to Spain after graduation to teach English. Mastering the Spanish language became my primary intellectual pursuit. The grammatical similarity between Latin and Spanish, and the way that Spanish has evolved over time fascinates me. Studying scripture has improved my life and has in the past couple years inspired me to learn Greek. My aim is to pass on the love of language learning. I look forward to taking on this challenge with my students at Veritas Collegiate Academy!
Spanish I-3
Latin 1 & 2
Greetings, my name is Fred Lee and I’m the current art teacher at Veritas Collegiate Academy in Arlington, VA. During my undergraduate years in Pratt Institute, my choice of studies resided in the field of industrial design. However, after receiving my bachelor’s degree in industrial design, I decided to continue my journey of becoming a more professional and inspiring art instructor to the new generations of students and have successfully acquired my master’s degree in art education in Teachers college Columbia university.
A lot of the reasons why I decided to become an art instructor and how and why I’m conducting my art classes in and out in certain ways stem directly from my personal experiences as a student in classroom spaces and an individual identity out in the world. Up to this day, I still remember the moments that have had a huge impact on my life in many ways. But whether those impacts were beneficial and encouraging or not, I decided to utilize all my life experience to my classroom space so that I can
guide, inspire, and nurture the students under my wings in a proper manner.
Whenever I engage my students both inside and outside of my classroom, my objective is not just limited to simply teaching a few artmaking skills that they can use to make artworks. Instead, I always aim towards utilizing my art classes as a vehicle that my students and I can use to also learn other realistic and practical skills that’ll always prove invaluable, such as being able to improvise and overcome unexpected circumstances, adapt to unusual situations, and endure through hardships.
Though my role in my classroom space may be the art teacher and leading figure, I also firmly believe that we teachers are also students who must keep studying and learning what it means to be a truly inspiring and efficient teacher to the students. Every new year whenever students came and went, I also found myself learning new ideas and strategies while also further developing my original traits to a higher level.
AP 2D Studio Art
AP 3D Studio Art
AP Art History
Studio Art
PE
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
Python Programming
Java Programming
Grammar school classroom aid
Grammar School classroom aid and Math
1st Grade
3rd and 4th Grade
Scott Schwertfeger completed his studies under distinguished teachers Dr. Nels Leonard (West Liberty University), a friend and student of renowned International artist Andrés Segovia (and one ofthe worlds foremost, classical guitarists), and Stephen Aron (Oberlin Conservatory/ University of Akron). Upon graduation Scott served as lecturer on the faculty of Bethany College, and teacher of classical guitar at Cleveland Institute of Music.
Described by the Washington Post as "Visceral...Bracing", Scott crossed musical boundaries through his work with Grammy Award winning producer David Kershenbaum, whose credits include soundtracks from the films Last of the Mohicans, and Robinhood: Prince of Thieves. He has appeared on numerous radio and television broadcasts including Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
Scott is an avid performer in the Metro Washington D.C. area, currently performing solo classical guitar programs featuring original works and works that span Medieval and Modern Eras.
Classical Guitar
Orchestra
AP Music Theory
Hello, I`m Laureta Shkoza Cako and I am passionate about the living world around us and every treasure that it holds. I hold a Bachelor of Chemistry and Biology from “Eqrem Çabej’’ “University of Gjirokastër. Currently, I am pursuing an online master's at “Liberty University,’’ Lynchburg, Virginia, in Education and Leadership. I have been a dedicated educator for 30 years. I have devoted my career to education in Albania. I have taught Chemistry and Biology to students. I have worked as a biology testing reader (examiner) for students' graduation exams at the “National Agency of Exams.”
I have worked in collaboration with the “Agency for Quality Assurance of Pre-University Education,’’ ASCAP- for the design of the Biology Curriculum in Higher Secondary Education. I have worked as a proofreader, translating several different science books at various academic levels, from the elementary to 12th-grade high school level. I have also authored biology teachers' books for the Publishing House “Mediaprint,” based in Tirane, Albania.
My science class is not just a place for learning but also a space for student engagement in laboratory activities, including dissection, observing cellular structures, and performing chemistry experiments. Engaging students in laboratory activities grows a deeper understanding of students’ knowledge of science. Outside the classroom, you will find me exploring and admiring the beauties of nature. I believe that education is a learning journey, and I am excited to embark on it with each and every one of my students. I look forward to a fantastic year of growth and discovery with the bright minds at Veritas Collegiate Academy, Arlington Campus.
Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
AP Anatomy & Physiology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Hello! My name is Kyle Draim, and I'm very excited to embark on a journey with you into the captivating worlds of AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Psychology. I have spent my entire life in the Washington, D.C. area, first attending St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA, and then receiving a B.A. in Psychology from Georgetown University. After college, I tutored high school students in the Fairfax County Public School System in AP STEM subjects. My psychology background and tutoring experience have provided me with a profound appreciation for the power of hands-on learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles.
I'm driven by the conviction that Math and Science instill invaluable skills that extend far beyond the textbooks. The structured reasoning of scientific inquiry and the problem-solving nature of mathematics empower my students to conquer academic challenges and to strategically allocate their time and resources. My mission is to teach them skills that will free them to embrace their personal growth, forge more meaningful connections, and ignite their God-given potential to create and transform their surroundings.
Please email me if you would like to discuss my classes.
AP Pre-calculus
Algebra 2
Pre-calculus
AP Physics
AP psychology
Debate
Hello, I'm Michael Thrash, and I am passionate about inspiring the next generation to establish a solid worldview, think critically, embrace learning, and develop a passion and excitement for both learning and life itself. I have been an educator for two years now and have a background in training and leadership. My goal is to motivate and inspire students to pursue lives of honor and character and I especially love working with middle school students as they step into new seasons of responsibility and challenges.
My classroom is not just a place of education, but a place where education comes to life in a tangible way that inspires both mastery and critical thinking. I strive to develop in students the power of understanding their potential and projecting confidence through communication, and a level of honor and excellence.
Outside of the classroom, you'll find me as a deeply family and friends-oriented person who loves to travel. I love gathering people together in a variety of contexts and I enjoy nothing more than traveling to visit family or friends and explore new places. I especially enjoy discovering locations with incredible views (whether that be mountaintops or skyscrapers) and just embracing and living in each moment as a priceless gift from the Creator.
I believe that education is a lifelong journey, and I'm excited to participate with each one of my students at their specific stages of their journey. I am looking forward to an incredible year of development and discovery with the brilliant minds at Veritas
Collegiate Academy, Arlington Campus. I am excited to embark on this academic journey. I deeply love God and I hope to inspire love that in every class I teach.
AP Human Geography
Bible
Logic 1
Pre-Algebra
Life Science
Physical Science
Greetings! My name is Phil Kiffer, and I am proud to be the 5th and 6th grade teacher at Veritas Collegiate Academy. I majored in History and Russian at Dickinson College and later earned an MA in Russian and East European Studies from the u university of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I began my teaching career at Georgetown University while I was a fulltime PhD candidate in the history department (degree in progress). I later transitioned to teaching the later stages of grammar school, where I have taken great pleasure in fostering my pupils’ nascent independent thinking and analytical skills while taking advantage of their natural high energy and enthusiasm for learning.
While my background is in history—I have written articles for a number of organizations, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum—I enjoy teaching all of my subjects at Veritas from grammar to Latin to chemistry. I appreciate how our model of classical education encourages dialogue between all of our subjects, helping to sharpen students’ memory and study skills while encouraging them to make comparisons between things that, at first glance, may seem dissimilar or even completely unrelated.
My pedagogical philosophy is: raise the bar. No student should be taught at a level beneath their ability. Every student should be allowed to reach their potential. I meet every student where they are and encourage them to take the next step up. I am very careful to cultivate a classroom environment where no student is either overwhelmed or unchallenged. Students should graduate from my class having mastered the fundamentals of the grammar level of a classical education and having received a solid introduction to the subsequent logic stage.
In my free time, I love to fish and watch college football. But I always have time to respond to anyone who is interested in learning more about my class and if it might be the right fit for your pupil. Is your child a passionate learner? We allow them to reach their potential. Do you have a smart student who struggles in one subject? We can play to their strengths and relate it to something they excel in. Does your kid like to argue? We will teach them how to argue well.
5 & 6 grade
Mr. Wenjing Tong grew up in China. Received his medical education and training in Beijing Medical University, and his graduate study and training in Biochemistry and molecular biology in the University of Miami School of Medicine. Conducted biomedical research for twenty-some years in the University of Miami in Florida and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Loves math and loves teaching from very young. Did countless tutoring for a variety of age groups in multiple deciplines, and worked for two years in Guangzhou Huanggang School as a science, biology and chemistry teacher for middle and high school students.
Currently teaching AP calculus and AP statistics in Veritas Collegiate Academy. Believing that Knowledge is power, and everyone can learn. "As a teacher, I'm here to facilitate the learning process for all my students and help them learn well."
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
AP Statistics
Hello! I am Carissa Sumner.
I have a bachelor’s in Childhood Education from Houghton College and a master’s in Literacy Education from City College New York. I taught middle school and elementary school in New York City Public Schools for five years. My classroom was part of Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project, and I attended the Summer Writing Institute there. I also taught for one year in Alexandria City Public Schools. Most recently, I homeschooled my daughter.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, exploring new places, and swimming. My husband and I do a triathlon together every summer. The whole family swims on the Potomac Marlins swim team.
I love reading and writing. I am a small-time author of historical fiction for children and have published short stories in Cricket magazine. I am looking forward to learning alongside the students at Veritas. I like designing projects that excite students and get them to ask questions, conduct research, and present what they learned in a creative way.
At Veritas, I seek to partner with other faculty and families to prepare students to impact the world for Christ. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Writing 7/8
Grammar Math 6
ESL Omnibus
ESL Writing
Chinese 1-4
Lunch Program Coordinator
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