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PLEASE JOIN US IN WARMLY WELCOMING ALL OUR NEW FACULTY & STAFF! Be sure to SCROLL DOWN to meet them all!

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PLEASE JOIN US IN WARMLY WELCOMING ALL OUR NEW FACULTY & STAFF! Be sure to SCROLL DOWN to meet them all!

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LS Art Teacher

Mrs. Young is a native Washingtonian and graduate of the Corcoran College of Art and Design. She taught visual arts in D.C. public schools for three years before venturing into D.C. charter schools, where she taught high school Intro to Public Policy, African American Studies, and middle school visual arts. While working with DCPS, Mrs. Young also worked with other educators to write the current visual arts curriculum. In addition to working within schools, she also works with George Washington University's ArtReach Program, a community-based art program for disadvantaged youth.

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MS/US Testing Coordinator and Academic Tutor

Having spent nearly 15 years as an educator in public and independent schools, Mrs. Wachutka is looking forward to her new role as MS/US Testing Coordinator and Academic Tutor. Over the years, she took on roles developing curriculum, coordinating professional development, and supporting students with various learning needs. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Wachutka has two children, enjoys her garden and exploring the outdoors, and is an avid runner.

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MS English Teacher

Ms. Thrower-Patterson joins Holton with over 25 years of teaching experience. She completed PhD work in British & American Studies at Johns Hopkins University, an MA in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in English and French from The University of the South. She’s been a member of the independent school arena in the D.C. area for some time, most recently at The Potomac School and for many years at Georgetown Day School, as well as Bullis and St. Timothy’s School. Ms. Thrower-Patterson is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice and makes them prominent in her teaching and student learning. She is thrilled to be educating middle school girls and overjoyed about joining the Holton community.

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Sixth Grade Science Teacher

Ms. Shoemaker is thrilled to be joining the Holton family. She holds a BS in biological sciences from the University of Rhode Island and has a background in ecological research. After college, she volunteered through the Peace Corps, working to improve elementary science education in Guyana. A native of Montgomery County, she spends weekends hiking and rock climbing with her dog, Nina. Ms. Shoemaker is looking forward to inspiring curiosity in her students through fun science classes and hands-on learning.

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Grades 7-9 Learning Specialist

Ms. Schofield comes to Holton with 12 years of experience working with diverse student populations, both in private school and community settings. She moved back to the D.C. area to pursue her career as a learning specialist after living and working in Baltimore City, providing in-home life skills education for adolescents on the autism spectrum. For the past five years, she worked with students and teachers to provide accommodations for students with ADHD and learning differences in a D.C. private school.  She earned her MS in school counseling at Johns Hopkins and has incorporated counseling skills into her work with students to ensure they feel empowered, confident, and capable. She is thrilled to join the Holton community, and to continue to educate students in an inclusive, diverse, supportive environment. In her spare time, she practices yoga, plays softball, cooks, and gardens.

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MS/US Math Teacher

Yasmin Saban joins the Holton community from Honolulu, Hawaii. She has taught multiple levels of middle and high school mathematics courses in the past, focusing on innovative teaching methods and effective uses of technology in the classroom. She holds a bachelor’s in pure and applied mathematics and a master’s in educational technology. She is currently working on her PhD in educational technology. Her research is focused on improving female confidence in the mathematics classroom. Ms. Saban is looking forward to using her experience and research to create a fun and successful blended learning environment this fall.

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MS Spanish Teacher

Sra. Puga is excited to offer her Spanish teaching skills to the Holton community. She has a bachelor’s in education and a master's in publishing. She believes in the power that comes with being able to communicate in another language–how speaking a different language  opens your mind to other cultures, points of view, flavors, and people. Sra. Puga is originally from Spain but grew up in Venezuela and loves sports, playing the guitar, and empowering girls. She has taught middle school Spanish for the last 15 years in the D.C. area and previously in Venezuela.

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Associate Director of College Counseling

Ms. Mayfield is thrilled to join the College Counseling team at Holton. She sees the college admissions process as an opportunity for young women to make confident decisions about their academic and personal goals while cultivating a deeper understanding of themselves. Having worked on admissions teams at both undergraduate and graduate institutions, Ms. Mayfield is excited to relocate to the Washington, D.C. area to work with students at the secondary level. She is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and holds a BA from Spelman College and earned her MEd degree from Harvard University. In her free time, Ms. Mayfield enjoys yoga, reading, and exploring new cities with her dog, Kobe.

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Director of Communications

Mrs. Laukitis joined Holton on the first day of Distance Learning in April as the new Director of Communications. Before joining the Holton community, she worked in education reform, leading communications and marketing at Teach For America and later, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. Most recently, she was a strategic communications consultant for clients including International Baccalaureate, NBC’s Corporate Social Responsibility Unit, and Leadership For Educational Equity.

Mrs. Laukitis began her career as a first-grade teacher at Friendship Charter School in Washington, D.C. She is an undergraduate of Boston University’s College of Communication, an MAT graduate of American University, and an MBA graduate from the George Washington University. A native Mississippian, Mrs. Laukitis lives in Chevy Chase with her levelheaded husband and two daughters—both new Holton girls (Grade 3 and Brown House Child Development Center).

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School Psychologist & US Counselor

Dr. Hinderlie is a licensed psychologist who is committed to helping students thrive and learn to foster good mental health. She has spent the past 16 years working in independent schools–including Choate Rosemary Hall and Maret School–where she developed curricula and school-wide programs that cultivate the social-emotional, relational, and psychological health of students. She enjoys working with students to deepen their self-awareness and develop greater resilience to meet the challenges they face in today’s complex world. Prior to working in independent schools, Dr. Hinderlie taught and provided psychotherapy at the University of Denver and several other colleges and universities.

Dr. Hinderlie holds a BA in clinical psychology from Tufts University and a PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College. After spending the last three years living in New England, she is excited to return to Maryland and become a part of the Holton community.

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Grade 5 Math Teacher

Mrs. Gross is a Holton alumna.  After graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in mathematics, she earned a law degree from George Washington University Law School. She worked for 20 years at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a patent examiner, supervisor, and ultimately Administrative Patent Judge. She left the USPTO to join the patent law firm Ditthavong & Steiner, where she worked for nine years, rising to the position of partner.  For two years, Mrs. Gross has been subbing in Holton’s Lower School. Although she has filled in for the majority of the teachers, she particularly enjoys teaching math and boosting girls’ enthusiasm for the subject. Mrs. Gross has two daughters, the youngest being a Holton ninth grader.

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Associate Director of College Counseling

Ms. Carter brings to Holton two decades of college counseling experience at area independent schools, including Landon School and, most recently, Georgetown Visitation. Over the years, she has also taught AP History; coached soccer, tennis, and softball; and served on admissions committees. Ms. Carter is active in college admissions professional organizations, including on the PACAC Government Relations Committee, and has served on a number of university advisory boards. At Visitation, Ms. Carter founded the school's ice hockey program, Ice Cubs (so she cannot cheer on the Panthers!). She has three daughters, a senior at Boston College, a sophomore at Georgetown University, and a rising junior at Georgetown Visitation.

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Administrative Assistant, Office of Diversity, Wellbeing, and Global Education

Ms. Budden joined the Diversity, Wellbeing, and Global Education team last fall (just after we shared last year's New Faces story!). She previously worked at a boutique hotel and as Office Manager at a green energy company. Ms. Budden grew up in Maryland and still lives there; she enjoys being near her parents, who live on a tree farm, and her brother, who owns an oyster farm! In her spare time, she loves cooking, needlework, and watching Caps hockey.

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Development Associate for Alumnae Giving & Engagement

Ms. Anderson comes to Holton from the University of Maryland, where she served as the Development Coordinator for the Terrapin Club. Previously, she worked within the University of Connecticut’s Husky Athletic Fund. Ms. Anderson is a 2015 recipient of the NCAA’s Ethnic Minority and Women’s two-year Internship Grant Program, which placed her at Elms College. While at Elms, she worked as the Assistant to the Directors of Athletics and Sports Information. She holds a BA from The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is working towards her MBA from Maryland. Originally from Boston, Ms. Anderson enjoys rooting for the New England Patriots, and vacationing on the Cape.