Originally from Tennessee, Tyler graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Milligan University and a Master of Arts degree in counseling from East Tennessee State University. During graduate school, Tyler worked as a college and career advisor with the Niswonger Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helped him develop a passion for working with students and assisting them as they pursue their goals. He worked for several years as a school counselor in Eastern Virginia before moving to Arlington. As a counselor, Tyler firmly believes in helping students develop themselves emotionally and socially as they look toward their future. He finds fulfillment in working with LGBTQIA+ students and others with marginalized identities. Outside of school, Tyler enjoys video games, reading, and a good cup of coffee.

Rae was born and raised in the northern Virginia area. She moved to North Carolina to obtain her BS in Family and Community Services with a concentration in child development, followed by her MS in Human Development and Family Science. While getting her Master’s degree, Rae worked on East Carolina University’s campus as a teacher in the child development lab. Rae enjoyed conducting research on adverse childhood experiences and the impact they have on human behavior and development. After graduating with her Master’s degree, Rae moved back to northern VA and began working as an intensive in-home counselor for children and their families. She learned about The Sycamore School making social and emotional learning a priority and knew she wanted to be part of the team. She is very excited to be part of the Sycamore staff! When she isn’t working, Rae loves watching live music or being outside in…

Cameron was born and raised in the small town of Woodstock, Illinois. She attended Carroll University, a small liberal arts school in Wisconsin, and received a BA in History Education with a minor in Theatre Arts. After graduating, Cameron started her professional teaching career in various middle and high schools in Milwaukee, WI. Her favorite part of teaching is building lasting and meaningful relationships with her students. When Cameron isn’t teaching, she enjoys taking strolls around DC, playing recreational beach volleyball, going to farmers markets, and attending concerts.

Ashley graduated from the University of Georgia with Bachelors of Science in Biology and Psychology.  She also received a Master’s in Education for Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida.  She has been teaching highschool sciences for 9 years in both private and public school settings.  Ashley was born into the world of education.  She comes from a family where both parents are teachers; from them she learned the importance of a strong education and the skills needed to never stop learning. She got into teaching with the hopes of fostering an appreciation for learning in the generations to come.  She is excited to be working at TSS where she can help students find the joy in learning and develop the skills they need to be lifelong learners.  She is most excited to be working with a progressive curriculum that highlights how interconnected content is.  To quote Nelson…

Dale Baker is a former diplomat and investment manager who chose education as his third career in 2015. He brings a wealth of hands-on global experience to his subject expertise in US and World history, French, English, and international relations; he taught and tutored at several DC area schools and centers before joining TSS in fall 2023. Baker grew up in Dallas before completing BA and MALD degrees in international relations at Brown University and the Fletcher School at Tufts University, including a year abroad at the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK. He joined the US Foreign Service in the former US Information Agency in 1987 and served at several posts in Europe and Africa until 2000 when he left government to manage investment portfolios for private clients until 2014. His diplomatic work focused on public diplomacy, an embassy’s press and education-cultural relations. He is State Department-certified in French…

Ian Nelson is a mechanical engineer and engineering educator from Washington, DC. He enjoys hands-on projects and seeing students light up when they experience the fruits of a successful design process. Ian believes that everyone can be a creator, and he’s looking forward to seeing what kinds of things students will create. He also teaches an Experience class for high school students.

Madison is an interdisciplinary STEM educator from California. They graduated from Harvey Mudd College with a Bachelors in Mathematical and Computational Biology and a humanities concentration in Philosophy. After graduating, they did biology research at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, NY and worked as a data scientist. Before joining the Sycamore School team, they worked as a high school math tutor in a DC public charter school. Madison loves helping students develop their problem solving skills and discover their own unique interests and passions. Outside the classroom, Madison’s hobbies include taking dance lessons and attending live music concerts. They also enjoy reading comics and traveling internationally.

Paige grew up in the DC Metro area and has a BA in business administration.  She was a Certified Public Accountant (tax and audit) for 15 years before becoming a job recruiter for accountants for 10 years. Paige is a certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) and holds various certifications in Yoga and Meditation (Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance). Her Master of Science is in Yoga Therapy, and she specializes in sleep deprivation, chronic anxiety, and depression. Always involved in sports and activities, she enjoys working with adolescents in schools, rehabs, and outpatient facilities.  When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys stand-up comedy, eating sushi with her husband, attending concerts, and reading a good book while at home with her dog, Zoe.

Erin is from Rochester, NY, and graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in Anthropology. She is returning back after completing her Americorps term serving with Kauai Habitat for Humanity in Hawai’i. Erin is also a freelance artist and character designer, currently working on her own webcomic. She hopes to simultaneously teach the “how” and guide students in finding their own “why,” as well as provide opportunities to explore how we engage with art and design in our communities daily. In addition to being an artist, Erin has written and published work about the intersections of politics, gender, and art in the Soviet Union. Outside of teaching and making art, Erin enjoys camping, hiking, watching movies, and attending anime conventions. Nothing brings her more joy than discovering a new species to log onto her iNaturalist app!

Karen graduated from Principia College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Studio Art. During her time in college, she served as a Math Professor Assistant, where she combined her love for mathematics with teaching. Karen also worked as a private tutor, instructing middle-school and High-school Mathematics, Sciences, and Art. She loves teaching because it allows her to inspire curiosity and a love for learning in her students, helping them to develop critical thinking skills and confidence in their abilities. In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, painting, exploring art museums, and playing Mario Kart.

Daniela grew up in Lima, Peru, where she obtained her B.A. in Social Communications. She moved to Virginia in 2021 to pursue her M.A. in Communication & Advocacy at James Madison University. Her previous experiences working with student volunteers at a nonprofit in her hometown and teaching undergraduates at JMU developed her passion for education. Daniela is excited to create educational experiences tailored to students’ needs and interests. She is also thrilled about sharing her culture and first language as a Spanish teacher. Prior to working at TSS, she worked as a content creator for an educational outreach program dedicated to teaching about resilient food systems and healthy eating. Outside of school, Daniela enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and exploring coffee shops in D.C.

B.M. Northwestern University. Studies with William Scarlett, Vincent Cichowicz, Luther Didrickson, and Dr. Joyce Davis. Participant National Orchestral Institute College Park, MD 2002. Performances with London Brass, Pyramid Brass Quintet, Steamboat Brass, Elmhurst Symphony, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, and Eastern Philharmonic. Finalist in the 1996 Eastern Music Festival Concerto Competition, the 1995 National Trumpet Competition and winner in the 1995 Florida International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition. Private brass instruction in Fairfax/Montgomery counties, and faculty member at the International School of Music in Potomac, Md.