Kindergarten
Amy Henchey
Amy Henchey is very excited to join the Mason Crest Kindergarten team this fall. She grew up in central New York and then moved to Buffalo, New York to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education and her Master’s degree as a Literacy Specialist from Buffalo State College. Amy has previously taught first grade, kindergarten, and most recently she was a pre-kindergarten teacher for the last three years. Early childhood education along with teaching reading is a passion of Amy. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband Matt, hanging out with friends, and watching movies. Amy is excited for her big move to Virginia and to meet all of the Mason Crest families.
Lindsay Feller
Lindsay Feller is thrilled to be joining the Mason Crest team as a Kindergarten teacher. Lindsay graduated with a dual degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in 2011 from Bloomsburg University. She taught pre-school in New Jersey where she grew up, until moving to Virginia, where she began teaching Kindergarten in Alexandria. Outside of school, Lindsay enjoys to cook, bake, attend sports events and spend time with her family and friends. Lindsay is anxiously looking forward to meeting and working with the students and families of the Mason Crest community!
Johanna Saa
Johanna Saa is so excited to teach kindergarten this fall at Mason Crest! She has taught kindergarten for the past 3 years at Woodlawn Elementary in Alexandria, VA. She graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education. She also received a Masters Degree from George Mason’s Graduate School of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Her favorite subjects to teach are reading, writing and science. She speaks Spanish fluently and enjoys using her bilingual skills to help students and their families. She is a proud, new mother to her beautiful baby girl, Sophia Marie. Outside of school, she enjoys traveling, photography, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.
Heidi Wester
Heidi Wester is so excited to be joining the Mason Crest team as a Kindergarten teacher. Heidi grew up in Fairfax County, from second grade to graduation. She graduated from Elmira College in Elmira, New York. Heidi has been a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant and taught FECEP/Head Start over the past two years. Outside of school, she enjoys relaxing with her husband, Michael, and their Siberian Husky, Murphy. One of Heidi’s favorite pastimes is snuggling up and reading a wonderful book. Heidi is honored to be a part of this new adventure, and cannot wait for the students to start in September.
Shekoofeh Alaie
Shekoofeh Alaie will be working as an instructional assistant in Kindergarten this year. She grew up in Iran, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Tehran. She lives in Annandale with her husband and second daughter, who will be going to UVA in the fall. Her older daughter, who also attended UVA, lives in the area with her husband and three children. Mrs. Alaie has worked nearby as a Preschool teacher for the last ten years. She is eager for the school year to begin and is excited to be a part of the faculty for the first year of Mason Crest Elementary.
Becky Fornaris
Becky Fornaris is thrilled to be joining the Mason Crest Kindergarten team! She absolutely loves the age group and really enjoys watching the kids grow and learn how to become amazing students. It is priceless. Originally from Montgomery County, MD, she crossed the bridge into Virginia 14 years ago. She recently worked at Camelot Elementary as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant for the last four years, but is now very excited to be a part of the dynamic staff opening her neighborhood school. Yes, she lives in the neighborhood and has a son who is a rising 4th grader and will be going to Mason Crest this fall. She also has 3 stepdaughters. The eldest just graduated from George Mason University and the twins are sophomores at Radford and Old Dominion Universities. Her husband is French, oui oui, and they have a cat & a dog. Outside of school her family enjoys sports, cooking, travel, relaxing and just having fun together!
Lori Mincer
Lori Mincer will be working as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant at Mason Crest. She earned a degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education from Longwood University. She has been working at Glen Forest Elementary in Falls Church for past 12 years, but is excited to be returning to the neighborhood where I grew up and to be working with the Mason Crest community. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, rollerblading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Carolyn O'Brien
Carolyn O'Brien is so excited about working at Mason Crest Elementary as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant. Being an educator for over 25 years and having a variety of opportunities to teach, learn, and explore, she felt very honored when she was asked to be a part of the Mason Crest Team! She transitioned to being an Instructioanal Assistant 5 years ago and has worked with wonderful teachers. She knows her experience at Mason Crest will continue her educational journey! Her background has been very unique as she has lived and taught in many places in the US and Europe. She considers Massachusetts her home as she spent her formative and college years there attending Univeristy of Massachusetts Boston, and started her teaching experience in the Boston area. Her love of music has been an important part of her life both at home with family, as well as intergrated into her classroom teaching. She plays the guitar, sings, plays the piano, and composes little songs for children and others. One of her trademarks is a Friendship Friday program that she has enjoyed doing for kindergarteners for over 5 years. Most importantly, Carolyn is very blessed to have a wonderful family. She and her husband, Jim, have two children, Jay and Jana, and have a brand new grandson, JJ, who was born this summer!
Ashley Wellner
Ashley Wellner is so excited to be at Mason Crest! She received a Bachelors of Science in Biology from Christopher Newport University while playing soccer, and is currently studying Elementary Education at George Mason seeking her Master's degree. This will be her third year as an Instructional Assistant. She loves hot yoga and running, and is training for the Marine Corps Marathon this fall! She also has a deep passion for animals and loves her bunny Gizmo! She is also very adventurous and her favorite thing to do is laugh. GO TIGERS!