The Field School Faculty & Staff Directory

Marques Darcelin

12/8/2023

Facilities Team Leader
Singer, Garden-Enthusiast, Foodie

If you have been connected to Field since 2000 you will recognize Marques Darcelin. Marques is part of our incredible Facilities Team and works so hard to keep our beautiful campus running smoothly. But for many of our students – Marques is like family. He was hired by our school’s founder, Elizabeth Ely. He even sang at her funeral in 2013. Singing is just one of Marques’ many talents. Keep reading to find out one of his other biggest passions.

Charlie Baker

11/29/2023

Music Teacher

Musician, Nature-lover, Traveler

Happy Friday, Field! Faculty Friday is back and this week we are highlighting our music teacher Charlie Baker. Charlie most recently lived in Arizona, where he also attended college. His passion for music keeps the kids excited and eager to learn. Right now, Charlie and his students are hard at work preparing for the Winter Concert and Visual Art Exhibition on Tuesday, December 5. Keep reading to find out the piece of advice he would give his younger self.

Wendy Gilman

11/16/2023

Attendance Secretary

Dog-lover, Tennis enthusiast, Word puzzler

It’s Friday and we are so close to Thanksgiving Break! This week we are highlighting a very familiar face – Attendance Secretary Wendy Gilman. Wendy interacts with everyone in our community, parents, students, faculty, etc. and she is always there to help with anything! Wendy is a Maryland native and graduated from the University of Michigan. Keep reading to find out which televised game show she was on.

Christa Abbott

11/10/2023

Academic Services Coordinator

Skier, Roadtripper, Lover of Food (that other people cook)

Happy Friday! This week we are highlighting our wonderful Academic Services Coordinator Christa Abbott. Christa is a Virginia native – and attended Middlebury College and the University of Virginia. A big part of Christa's job is working to support teachers in effectively reaching all students. Click the link in our bio to see who inspires her the most.

Kiersten Whitehead

11/3/2023

Theater Teacher

Book lover, Sports fanatic, Classical singer

Our #FacultyFriday is Theater Teacher Kiersten Whitehead. Kiersten is a Maryland native. Fun fact: her dad used to have an office right down the road from Field and she would drive by the school all the time! Kiersten is a wonderful addition to our Studio department. Right now she is busy preparing for this year’s Fall Musical, Zombie Prom: Atomic Edition, which starts next week. Click the link in our bio to find out who inspires her most!

Alexis Redford-Maung Maung

10/26/2023

History Teacher, Soccer Coach, Lacrosse Assistant Coach

World Traveler, Sports Enthusiast, Foodie.

This week’s Faculty Friday is History Teacher Alexis Redford-Maung Maung. Alexis also coaches soccer at Field and at Washington Capital United. Not only does she coach – but she also plays on three different teams. Alexis is a Maryland native but she spent part of her childhood growing up in Thailand and continues to travel the world as an adult. Keep reading to find out the one continent she has not visited.

Monte Woodard

10/20/2023

Science Teacher

Creative, Inquisitive, Disney World Fanatic

This week’s #FacultyFriday is our wonderful science teacher, Monte Woodard. Monte teaches middle school students, coaches cross country, and helps lead the yearbook team! She grew up in Florida and went to college at the University of South Florida! Keep reading to find out a really interesting fun fact about Monte.

Forbes Mann

10/12/2023

Director of College Counseling
Hockey Referee, College Nerd, Dog-Lover

Let’s take a closer look at our incredible College Counseling Office on this #FacultyFriday. Meet Forbes Mann – our new Director of College Counseling. Forbes is a DC native and went to the Landon School. You’ve probably seen Forbes arriving on campus in his Vespa – which is one of his hobbies. He recently participated in a Vespa rally! He is also a referee for NCAA and minor league professional ice hockey. Keep reading to find out some of the advice he would give his younger self.

Tara McHale

10/6/2023

Director of Student Support Services; Algebra Teacher

Boston sports fan, Beach-goer, Mom

This week we’re highlighting one of our Field veterans! Tara McHale has been working at Field since 1999 and she has had many titles, including math teacher, bio teacher, softball coach, soccer coach, just to name a few! She is a proud Boston sports fan and grew up right outside the city. Fun fact: Tara's interview for her role at Field was with the school's founder Elizabeth Ely and History teacher Chris Lorrain. Keep reading to find out what she loves most about working at Field.

John Cichello

9/28/2023

English Teacher

Small-town guy, Lover of the outdoors, Lifelong learner

This week we’re highlighting one of our fabulous English teachers. John Cichello has been teaching at Field since 2006 and currently teaches 9th and 11th grade students. He also coaches Middle School Volleyball! John grew up in the Finger Lakes area of New York and attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergrad but it wasn’t teaching English that brought him to DC. Click the link in our bio to find out the other career path that John pursued before working at Field.

Karen Tavenner Acosta

9/21/2023

Spanish and French Teacher
(plus: 10th grade advisor)

Artist, nature-lover, introverted goofball

Say hola or bonjour to the incredibly talented Karen Tavenner Acosta! Karen teaches Spanish and French at Field but she’s also an advisor. She grew up in six different countries (see if you can guess which ones) and has a wide variety of hobbies outside of Field, including acting, ceramics, cycling, and embroidery, just to name a few. Fun fact: Karen got married this summer!! Keep reading to find out the key piece of advice she would give to her younger self.

Shay Chafin

9/14/2023

Interim Athletics Director
Coach. Fitness/Wellness Enthusiast. Explorer.

Please help us welcome Shay Chafin – the new Interim Athletics Director! Shay has already hit the ground running at Field. She enjoys all things fitness – and she even coaches girls basketball in her free time. Keep reading to find out one of her major accomplishments this year!

Andy White

9/7/2023

Director of Technology

Father. History Buff. Tech Wizard.

Director of Technology Andy White kicks off Faculty Friday this school year! Andy is a tech wizard and he works incredibly hard to make sure students and faculty have the technology they need to be successful each day. If you have any tech-related questions he is always there to help! Keep reading to find out one thing you might not know about Andy!

Jack McDermott '08

6/7/2023

Ceramics teacher and 7th Grade advisor

Ceramist. Dog-dad. Target shopper.

School is out which means we are wrapping up #FacultyFriday until the fall, but you don’t want to miss this week’s feature – ceramics teacher and Field alum Jack McDermott ‘08! Jack is a D.C. native and has been working at Field for almost 10 years. He graduated from Field in 2008 and in 2014 returned to his alma mater as a teacher! Keep reading to find out what Jack loves most about working at Field!

John Reger

5/31/2023

Chief Operating and Financial Officer
Husband/Dad. Dog-lover. Golfer.

Say hello to Field’s Chief Operating and Financial Officer John Reger and this week’s #FacultyFriday! Rain or shine – you can count on John to greet students by the drop-off line as they arrive at school each day. Of course, he always has Declan by his side! He oversees finances at Field but he also plays a big role in overseeing and amplifying The Field School Experience from transportation, to new campus projects, to maintaining our facilities, and security, among many other things! Keep reading to find out John's biggest inspiration.

Allison D'Amora

5/25/2023

Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications
Travel Enthusiast. Musician. Storyteller.

This week’s #FacultyFriday is our Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Allison D’Amora. You’ve probably seen her around Field taking photos but that is just a small part of her role at Field. She also produces content through video, photos, graphics, social media, and communications pieces to tell stories and showcase the Field experience. Allison is a former TV news producer and she most recently worked for the CBS-affiliate in Washington, D.C., where she produced the 11pm news. Keep reading to find out the major life event she just celebrated this past weekend!

Gerry Oshman

5/15/2023

English Teacher
Vegan, Hiker, Aspiring Buddhist

Say hello to Gerry Oshman – one of the English teachers at Field! Gerry has lived all over the world including in Lithuania and Hong Kong! She even spent some time in Bosnia doing relief work after the war. Keep reading to to find out Gerry’s biggest inspiration!!

Juan Sarabia

5/11/2023

Spanish Teacher
Chef, Soccer Fan, Gamer

This week we’re featuring Spanish Teacher Juan Sarabia for #FacultyFriday. Juan teaches middle and upper school students at Field. He came to the U.S. from Spain in 2007 and he planned to teach English here for only a couple of years, but ended up staying! And we’re glad he did! Keep reading to find out Juan’s favorite book. Hint: It’s a classic!

Bishop Walker

5/5/2023

History Teacher
History Lover, Fashion-Forward Person, Brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

Happy Friday! This week we’re highlighting one of our history teachers for #FacultyFriday. Bishop Walker teaches middle and upper school students at Field. He’s originally from Cleveland, Ohio but came to D.C. for graduate school – he’s a proud Howard University alum! Bishop is an asset to the Field community and he will always takes the time to stop and talk with his students and colleagues.

Filomena Lococo

4/27/2023

French teacher and 9th grade advisor

Teacher, Chocolate lover, Lifelong learner

Bonjour, tout le monde! This week’s #FacultyFriday highlight is French Teacher Filomena Lococo. Filomena teaches several levels of French at Field but her first language is actually Italian! She grew up in Long Island, New York and followed in her father’s footsteps to become a language teacher. She says he used to take her with him and his students to Lincoln Center, in NYC, to watch the Italian opera. Filomena is also a co-leader for Paris Fashion Week Intersession course. Keep reading to learn more about the story behind the painted eggs in her photo!

Faculty Directory

The Field School