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Hello! My name is Cyndi Siekmann and this is my second year at Notre Dame Academy. I am currently a Learning Specialist and I support students who have learning differences in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. I have been a Special Education Teacher for 15 years. Teaching children with special needs is something I love doing and feel it is what I was called to do. I have worked with students that have a variety of learning differences in both pull out and inclusive learning environments. I am excited to learn more about IB and its role with Learning Diversity and Inclusion. I am married with 3 grown sons and 7 grandpups. I love to hike, play golf and spend time with my family and friends.

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Hello Everyone-

I am IBDP Coordinator and English teacher in addition to a few other hats.  I primarily support DP, but also work with our PYP and MYP Coordinators and as Director of IB Programmes to support and align all programmes. I hope we can identify specific elements of IB programmes within and across programmes that can support and enhance NDA’s commitment to learning diversity and inclusion.

Dan

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Hi, my name is Mary Walsh.  I am currently a science teacher in the Upper School at NDA.  This is my 5th year at NDA in the MYP program, but 27th in education. Although I've lived in Florida and now Georgia for most of my adult life, I spent my youth in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  I've certainly learned through all my experiences as a learner and teacher that there is no "one size fits all" approach to education and am thrilled at all the different learning options available to us. I look forward to learning how I can better reach my students and have a positive impact on their lives. My little known fact is that although I'm extremely introverted I used to do a lot of singing and performing as a teenager.

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Hi, my name is Marisol Lopez, born in South America but of immigrant parents from Holland and Germany. I am A MYP and DP Spanish teacher at Notre Dame Academy. I have 3 kids and 5 grandchildren whom I spend most of my free time with.

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Hello! My name is Kitty Costello. I am currently the Assistant Principal at Notre Dame Academy, focused primarily in the High School. This is my 32nd year in education, and my 6th here at NDA. I have taught almost all grades from Kindergarten through 12th grade (except for 1st and 4th grade!). I am most familiar with the MYP program but have learned a lot over the past year and a half about the DP program. I love the IB philosophy and framework and how we have the opportunity to really use best practices to help students identify their own growth. In my free time I love to read, walk my dog, and hang out with friends!

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Hi! My name is Catherine Rossi and I currently teach Middle School Science at Notre Dame Academy. While this is my 1st year at Notre Dame, this is my 10th year in education. Originally from Upstate NY, I went to college in North Carolina and have mostly been south ever since (I am NOT a fan of winter). Prior to Atlanta I was living and teaching in Charleston, SC. Pictured with me is my little pup Oscar! I am huge animal lover/advocate. I also enjoy distance running and used to run competitively in high school and college. I now run marathons and hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon one day!

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Hi! I'm the MYP Coordinator and an English teacher at NDA. I have taught grades 6-12th. I am looking forward to learning more about diversity and inclusion in the MYP.  I've been married for 12 years, and we have a seven-year-old who is also a student at NDA. We have two elderly (and ornery) cats as well as a puppy. Something that I think the people in our group probably don't know about me; I can play multiple musical instruments.  I have performed in multiple states and in the UK. My husband and I recorded most of our wedding music together (mainly Beatles covers).  That was probably my last public "performance."  Music was a required activity in family and brought employment opportunities during college (managing bands, repairing instruments, lessons...) but my life shifted into my passion for education, family, and friends.

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I am Trisha Miletello and I am the PYP coordinator and gifted enrichment instructor at Notre Dame Academy. I have been at Notre Dame for 14 years, 11 consecutively teaching 3rd and 4th grade, before that I taught PreK for 3 years. This is my first year as the gifted teacher and coordinator.  I have also taught PreK in New Orleans, Louisiana for 7 years at Tulane University's Laboratory Nursery School.
I am married with 3 beautiful girls and 3 energetic grandsons (pictured above) currently 6,5 and 4! I have lived all over, and moved about every 3 years growing up. One of those moves took my family to Germany where I attended Frankfurt International School for 5th, 6th and 7th grades. I had the opportunity to see so much of the United States and the world which sparked a wanderlust that continues today, as I will take any opportunity to travel and see and learn about something new. (although much abated due to the necessity imposed by covid!)

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My name is Jason Gambon. I teach all of our Upper School Theology courses. This is my 3rd year at NDA and as a teacher. Prior to that I worked in youth ministry for 5 years. I have a 2-and-a-half year-old that keeps me on my toes (or, as pictured, rubs sand in my hair.)

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Hello! My name is Catie Kunkel and I am a PE teacher. Currently, I teach K-3 & 6-8, so I work within both the PYP and MYP programme. This is my first year teaching at Notre Dame, but prior to this, I worked in college ministry for 5 years. I am from the great(est) state of New Jersey; it is in my DNA to inform you you that you have not lived until you have had Jersey pizza and bagels.

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Hello all! My name is Mary Mathews. I am a second grade teacher and work with the little ones in the PYP programme. I have been at Notre Dame Academy for 4 years but have 20 years experience as a classroom teacher in Louisiana, Georgia, and Washington DC. I am a mom to 3 boys. My middle child has Down syndrome so inclusion and diversity is something that is very important to me. Fun fact: I am a REAL Cajun; born and raised in south Louisiana.

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Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey Lewis and I am thrilled to be facilitating this workshop and learning with all of you. :) I live in Toronto and I am a PhD student in the Educational Leadership and Policy department at the Ontario Institute for Studies at the University of Toronto. I am currently researching the impact of COVID on schooling and how school leaders can support the mental health of teachers. I support the IB as a workshop leader, visiting team member, IB field representative, content developer and curriculum reviewer. I began my teaching career in Ontario 20 years ago where I spent the first two years teaching multiple grade levels in both a homeroom and support capacity. I was PYP coordinator at the American School of Bilbao in Spain and previous to that the Director of Curriculum at The York School in Canada. Before taking on a curriculum coordinator role I taught internationally at the Western Academy of Beijing, the International School of Düsseldorf and the International School of Bremen in Germany. In 2018 I returned to Canada after my last post as principal at Hanoi International School in Vietnam. On a personal note, I am mom to six little go-getters. I look forward to connecting with all of you! Warmly, Kelsey