TheEdisonAcademy

Academy Staff Members

 

Brad Rickel - Academy Administrator
Mr. Rickel has been affiliated with Thomas A. Edison High School since 1993. He began his career in education at Edison as the theatre arts and film studies teacher. He also served as the chair of the fine arts department until he was appointed as the Edison Academy Administrator in 2004. A native of Indiana, Mr. Rickel earned his BA in political science from Wabash College and his MFA from the University of Virginia, where he also received his endorsement in administration and supervision. He was appointed by the Virginia Department of Education to serve on the state steering committee for SOL's for fine arts. He has also served on the film subject committee for the International Baccalaureate Organization, and serves that organization as an assistant examiner.

Jim Abrams - Support Staff
Jim Abrams is a special education resource teacher at the Academy. In this role, Mr. Abrams provides support to students in various Academy classes. He brings 30 plus years of career experiences to the Academy having spent part of his career as US Congressional Committee staffer and as a Parts and Service Director for local auto dealerships. Most recently he owned The Rib Rack restaurant in Alexandria.

Mr. Abrams holds a B.S. degree from East Tennessee State University and an M. Ed with and endorsement in Special Education from George Mason University.

Soussan Bayati - Cosmetology
Soussan Bayati is the Cosmetology instructor at the Academy where she helps prepare students for the Virginia State Board Cosmetology License. Mrs. Bayati brings over twenty years experience in the field to the Academy. Born in Tehran, Iran, Mrs. Bayati received her training at the Hairdressing Institute and Vocational Training Center and the School of Art and Hair Design. She owned her own training institute for cosmetology in Tehran, The Gilda Institute, and served as the head administrator there.
Mrs. Bayati came to the United States in 1989 and completed her Virginia Cosmetology License in 1994. During this time, she worked as a representative for Sebastian International, where she attended hair shows, seminars, and worked as a hair stylist in various hair salons. Mrs. Bayati joined the Academy in 1997. She received her teaching certification from James Madison University in 1999.
She was one of nine representatives who participated in an educator study tour by CDS International for American Educators in Germany in 1999. She was recognized as an Outstanding Vocational Educator by Penn College Of Technology in 2004.
She was also a nominee for the State of Virginia Outstanding Cosmetology Instructor. She served as the President of the Fairfax County Cosmetology Council for 2 years.
In 2005 Mrs. Bayati was nominated for the Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year in Fairfax County and the recipient of the Hodgson Award. In 2008, she was the VATIE Teacher of the Year and in 2009 the Cosmetology Program was the first recipient of the Governor’s Exemplary Standard Award.

John Bogan - Auto Technology

John, an FCPS graduate, holds an Associates Degree in Automotive Technology. He has many years of trade experience and is an ASE Certified Master Technician. John taught Automotive Technology at Marshall Academy and Hayfield Secondary School before coming to the Edison Academy.

Tom Carroll - Auto Body

Tom came to the Academy with a wealth of industry experience. He worked as an Automotive Painter for eight years and as a Collision Repair Technician for twenty years. He then went on to teach Collision Repair and Refinishing in St. Mary's County for two and a half years. Tom has previously taught Automotive Collision Services at the Marshall Academy. Mr. Carroll is ASE certified and I-CAR trained.

Cassandra Deedy - Academy Counselor

Ms. Deedy comes to the Academy from Edison HS after spending ten years as a counselor at Windsor CT. She earned her Masters in Counseling from Keene State College in New Hampshire. An avid sports fan, Ms. Deedy's favorite teams are the Boston Red Sox and the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team. In her free time, Ms. Deedy enjoys traveling, shopping, golfing and vacationing on the beaches of Cape Cod.

Maggie Devine - Support Staff
Ms. Devine has been part of the Academy Support Staff since 2006. Before that, she spent five years teaching math in the Special Education Department at Edison High School. She taught math in Alexandria City Public Schools. She has also taught English and Religious Studies courses in private schools.
Ms. Devine majored in English Literature and minored in mathematics at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. And, yes, she still follows Irish football! She also has her Masters in Teaching from Catholic University with teaching endorsements in Math, English and Special Education. She is happy to be a part of the Support Staff and is working in the Cosmetology, Network Administration, Computer Systems Tech., Oracle and Hotel Management classes.

Scott Evans - Oracle
Scott Evans has been teaching at the Edison Academy since 1999. He also serves as the Academy website administrator and teaches in the Business Department at Edison HS. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems. He has passed the Oracle SQL industry exam and was previously a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). Mr. Evans served six years in the United States Navy on nuclear submarines.

Kim Galeano - Hospitality Management
Kim graduated from James Madison University. She comes to Edison Academy from 13 years at Marshall Academy to teach Hospitality Marketing.

Patrick Kuesters - A+
Mr. Kuesters has returned to Edison after a year at Marshall Academy. Currently he is working on finishing up his MBA and holds a B.S. in Management. Mr. Kuesters studied at the University of Maryland, George Mason University and completed his bachelors degree at the University of Phoenix. He has many years of computer experience both as a full-time job, and part-time family/friend PC support. Mr. Kuesters has held many different positions at several different companies thus, giving him a wide array of knowledge and experience in finance, business, retail, computers and education. In his career he has worked for several large corporations such as: Nordstrom, Verizon, AARP, Fannie Mae, ASIS, University of Phoenix and even NAVSEA. He is very excited to be teaching and hopes to have a great year with his students.

Karen Nestlerode - Animal Science
Karen Nestlerode is the Animal Science instructor at the Academy. She is a graduate of Edison High School, received her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Mary Washington College and her Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of Virginia . Prior to teaching Animal Science in the Academy, Karen taught Biology as part of the Edison Science department. She has experience working in the veterinary field and currently works in an emergency veterinary hospital part time.

Tomas Ovalle - Landscape Architecture & Turf Management
Tomás Ovalle is the Landscape Architecture and Turf Management instructor at the Academy. He is a graduate of Hayfield Secondary School and received his Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. Prior to teaching in the Academy, Tomás worked in the Landscape industry, starting out as a laborer and working his way up to management. Tomás still works in the trade and is the owner and operator of Champion Landscapes. Tomás is one of the advisers of the Hispanic Leadership Club here at Edison High School and coaches both Football and Wrestling at Hayfield.

Steve Palese - Electrical Construction & Engineering
Steve Palese has been the Electrical Construction and Engineering instructor at the Academy since 1989. During the 2003-2004 school year Mr. Palese was nominated for the FCPS Teacher of the Year recognition program. Mr Palese is OSHA 30 certified and is an OSHA Industry Outreach Trainer.

Prior to entering the teaching profession Mr. Palese served in the United States Navy for seven years. During this time he worked for the White House Communications Agency and was responsible for advance work for President Ronald Reagan. Mr. Palese has also owned an electrical contracting firm, Palese Electric, for the past twenty years. He lives in Warrenton Virginia with his wife, three sons and two dogs.

Katharine Rineer - Support Staff
Katharine Rineer is the Academy’s ESOL resource teacher. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from George Mason University and a M. Ed. and ESOL endorsement from the University of Virginia. Mrs. Rineer has been with FCPS since 1987 and brings a wide range of academic experience to Edison Academy.

Mrs. Rineer has three children and has lived in several foreign countries while her husband pursued his military career. She enjoys reading and traveling.

Jennifer Roberts - Finance Technician

Jennifer graduated from Hayfield Secondary School in 1999 and attended Christopher Newport University studying psychology.  During breaks from college, Jennifer started working at Edison High School as a substitute teacher.  From there she began working full time in the main office.  After two years she accepted a position working in Subschool II.  In August of 2007, she gratefully accepted a Finance position in the Edison Academy. Jennifer loves to spend time with her amazing husband and family.  She is also a “foodie” and loves to cook and bake whenever possible.

Ginger White Robertson - Academy Administrative Assistant
Ginger joined the Academy Staff in 2009 as the Administrative Assistant.  Previously, Ginger was in Edison High School’s library for six years.  She began her career with FCPS in 1996 as a LD Instruction Assistant at Bush Hill Elementary School.  Before coming to Edison, Ginger served as Principal’s Administrative Assistant at Bush Hill.  Ginger has coached soccer at Edison and is currently the Varsity Field Hockey Coach. Ginger and her husband Dale have four children who are graduates of Edison High School.

Robert Stringham - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Robert Stringham is the Academy Heating and Air Conditioning instructor and an Edison High School alumnus. As an Edison student, Mr. Stringham studied HVAC all 4 years of his high school career. He holds a number of Certifications in the HVAC industry including: ICE, NATE, EPA, and State Contractors License. From 1994-1998 Mr. Stringham owned and operated his own HVAC company in Florida .

He returned to Edison in 2000 to take over the HVAC program and in 2001-2002, he distinguished himself as the recipient of the Virginia Career and Technical Educator of the Year award and as the recipient of the Governor's Award for Innovative Use of Technology in the Classroom in 2001-2002. Mr. Stringham served as a Great Beginnings/New Teacher Coach for the FCPS Office of Staff Development in 2002-2003.

Glenn Walden - Culinary Arts
Glenn Walden has been the Culinary Arts Instructor at the Edison Academy since 2008.  Prior to joining the academy, Chef Walden was Dean of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management at Stratford University in Falls Church, VA.  Glenn began his culinary career during high school at a family restaurant.  He worked his way up the ranks for the next 10 years in restaurants, a private country club and a 4 star French restaurant around Bethlehem, PA.  He opened and was Executive Chef of the Prime Rib Pub family restaurant before entering The Culinary Institute of America.  Upon graduation from the CIA in 1991, he moved to Virginia to open the Lansdowne Conference Resort in Leesburg.  He is a member of The Nation's Capitol Chef's Association holding Certified Executive Chef as well as Certified Culinary Educator titles.  He is also certified by the American Hotel and Lodging Association as a Certified Hospitality Educator.
Glenn is the owner of Knives by Walden, specializing in custom knife handles, woodwork, and kitchen tools.  He is married and has two children.

Adam Wells - Support Staff
Adam Wells is a special education resource teacher and serves as the Support Team Department Chair. In this role, Mr. Wells provides support to students in various Academy classes. He is a graduate of Edison High School , earned a Bachelor's degree from Marymount University and an M. Ed with endorsement in Special Education from George Mason University.

Genie Williford - Career Experience Specialist
Ms. Williford is the Career Experience Specialist for the Edison Academy. In this role she promotes Academy programs and projects to parents, prospective students, and to the business community. She works within the business community to provide opportunities for students to gain career knowledge and skills through internships, job shadow experiences, field trips, and special events for Academy students. Prior to coming to this position Ms. Williford was a veteran marketing education teacher for 21 years where she supervised students in cooperative education work experiences and was an Advisor for DECA, the international association of marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Ms Williford holds a Bachelor of Science from The College of Human Ecology at East Carolina University and a Masters of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, DeVry University. She is certified by the National Retail Federation in Customer Service.