English Department Faculty

Jennifer Beach
  • B.A. in English and Women’s Studies, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A. in Teaching, English Concentration, Johns Hopkins University
  • Ph.D. in English Education, University of Maryland
  • Jennifer received National Board Certification in 2001.
  • Jennifer presented at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, and 2006, and at the Virginia Association of Teachers of English annual conference in 2003 and 2004.
  • Jennifer served as co-president and treasurer of the English Teachers Association of Northern Virginia.
  • In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading, traveling, scuba diving, hiking and playing with her three dogs.
  • Jennifer served as Secondary Language Arts Curriculum Specialist for FCPS from 2003-2005.
  • Jennifer first joined the WSHS staff in 1996 and returned in 2005.
  • jennifer.beach@fcps.edu
    • Martha Beall
  • B.A. in French, Centre College
  • M.A. in English, Georgetown University
  • Recipient of The Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award
  • Recipient of two Presidential Citations, Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Richmond, for “having a positive influence on the educational development of gifted and talented students while fulfilling the usual duties of a teacher; for demonstrating a caring, empathetic attitude while assisting students to achieve their educational goals; for mentoring, advising and inspiring the youth of the Commonwealth of Virginia”
  • Participant in AP Summer Institutes (Lewes, Delaware and Fairfax County, Virginia), English Literature and Composition
  • Prior to joining the WSHS staff, Martha taught English and Journalism I-III in Prince William County, Virginia, where she also served as a resource teacher for the gifted education program.
  • Martha has served as an instructor and judge for the Virginia High School League and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and as a judge for Quill and Scroll. She has also worked as an adjunct faculty member of Marymount University in communications.
  • In her free time, Martha plays piano for the Irish Breakfast Band. Her twin daughters, Catherine and Emma, perform Irish dancing with the group. Martha also serves as a director for the children's choir at her church.
  • Martha joined the staff in 2000.
  • martha.beall@fcps.edu
    • Stuart Carter
  • Stuart joined West Springfield in 2005.
  • Stuart.Carter@fcps.edu
    • Patricia Kettler Chalfant
  • B.A. in English, University of Michigan
  • M.Ed. in Secondary English Education, George Washington University
  • Tricia presented at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention in 2000, 2001 and 2004.
  • Two of Tricia’s poems have been published in Virginia Writing.
  • In the summer of 2001, Tricia was awarded an NEH grant and participated in the Institute on the American West in Boulder, Colorado.
  • She has been a coach for the Great Beginnings: Beginning Teacher Induction Program for Fairfax County since 2002.
  • In her free time, she is an artist and organizational coach.
  • patricia.chalfant@fcps.edu
    • Madeleine Deliee
  • Recipient of Creative and Performing Arts scholarship, University of Maryland
  • B.A. in English and Theater (concentration in Dramatic Literature), George Mason University
  • Career Switcher (following more than ten years in professional theater), George Mason University
  • Madeleine sponsors the WSHS Forensics Team
  • She joined the WSHS staff in 2006.
  • madeleine.deliee@fcps.edu
    •  
    Laura Goodman
  • B.A. in English, State University of New York at Buffalo
  • M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University
  • Career Switcher Program, Old Dominion University
  • Laura is a trained mediator.
  • She gladly became a teacher after having spent a number of years in marketing communications and as a technical writer in the telecommunications and high-tech industries.
  • In 2006, Laura attended the Belfer Conference for Educators at the National Holocaust Memorial Museum.
  • She joined the staff of WSHS in 2005.
  • She co-sponsors the Book Lovers Club and the Jewish Culture Club at WSHS.
  • laura.goodman1@fcps.edu
    •  
    Marilyn Harriman
  • M.Ed. in Leadership and Curriculum Development, University of Virginia
  • Virginia Secondary Public School Administration Endorsement, University of Virginia
  • B.A. in English Literature, University of Oregon
  • B.A. in Journalism, University of Oregon
  • Graduate, Education for Ministry, School of Theology, (Sewanee) University of the South
  • Marilyn has directed and authored a federal curriculum project in early childhood professions. She researched and wrote high school and college courses in use throughout the country
  • Marilyn is a published author of English department curriculum guides and education articles on numerous topics including classroom sociology.
  • Her previous teaching assignments include journalism at Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas; English and journalism at Clackamas High School, Milwaukie, Oregon; and English and journalism at Vilseck American Secondary School, Vilseck, Germany (DODEA).
  • During Marilyn’s free time she enjoys traveling, reading for fun, and spending time with her husband and two children.
  • Marilyn joined the staff in 2004.
  • marilyn.harriman@fcps.edu
    • Mary Ann Hughes
  • maryann.hughes@fcps.edu
    • Deena Johnson
  • Deena joined the WSHS staff in 2007.
  • deena.johnson2@fcps.edu
    • Kerry Keith
  • kerry.keith@fcps.edu
    • Rachel Le
  • B.A. in English, University of Virginia
  • M.T., University of Virginia
  • Rachel received the Virginia Press Association Critical Writing Award.
  • Her hobbies include cooking, reading, listening to music, watching films, spending time outdoors, playing with her dog, and trying new things.
  • She joined the English Department in 2007.
  • Rachel.Le@fcps.edu
    • Kathleen Majorsky
  • kathleen.majorsky@fcps.edu
    • Lianne Mason
  • B.S. in communication/education, James Madison University
  • Lianne began teaching English at WSHS in 2007.
  • Lianne.Mason@fcps.edu
    • Patricia McMillan
  • B.S. in English Education, Kean College, Union, NJ
  • M.S. in English Education, State University of New York, New Paltz, NY
  • Patricia cosponsors the National English Honor Society at WSHS.
  • Her awards and recognition include Paul Harris Fellow - awarded by Pentagon City Rotary Club for Community Service; Who's Who Among America's Teachers (multiple awards); and Presidential Citation from The Virginia Governor's School for the Humanities Award from the American Embassy in Phnom Phen, Cambodia for assistance during war-like circumstances during the coup July, 1997.
  • She enjoys traveling, watching UT football ("Hook 'em Horns"), and freelance writing.
  • Patricia became a member of the English Department in 2007.
  • Patricia.McMillan@fcps.edu
    • Mary Moriarty
  • B.A. in English, College of Mount St. Joseph, Ohio
  • M.A. in English, George Mason University
  • Endorsement in Public School Administration, University of Virginia
  • Serving as the English Department chairperson, Mary teaches English 9 Honors and Advanced Placement Language and Composition.
  • In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling.
  • Mary joined the faculty in 1997.
  • mary.moriarty@fcps.edu
    • Brooke Nelson
  • Bachelor of Journalism, University of Missouri
  • M. A.,, University of Texas at Arlington
  • A professional journalist since college, Brooke has worked for publications around the country, including Cosmopolitan, The Dallas Morning News, and The Washington Post. She also worked as a Capitol Hill press secretary, and for a national trade association. She currently is a freelance writer and editor.
  • Brooke sponsors WSHS’ newspaper and yearbook, and teaches Journalism I and AP English Language and Composition.
  • She volunteers for the Madison High School Booster Club, and for three local swim teams.
  • Brooke’s husband, Mark, is also a PR professional who writes for Washington Golf Monthly. Brooke and Mark have two daughters: Chrissie, who is a freshman at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and Katie, a Madison sophomore.
  • Brooke began her teaching career at WSHS in 1994.
  • brooke.nelson@fcps.edu
    • Susanna Patrick
  • Susanna joined the English Department in 2007.
  • susanna.patrick@fcps.edu
    • Simon Schatmeyer
  • Graduate of James Madison University, Class of 1995
  • Mr. Schatmeyer resides in Lake Ridge, Virginia
  • He is extraordinarily lucky to be married to Kristin Schatmeyer. He has a son, Jakob Simon,and daughter, Morgan Susan.
  • Simon currently teaches American and British literature to 11th and 12th grade students at WSHS.
  • His interests include watching soccer on T.V. with the sound turned off, reading Hemingway while eating pizza, playing Marco Polo at the senior center pool, cooking Scandanavian cuisine, and internet gardening.
  • He once fixed a flat tire on the New Jersey Turnpike.
  • Simon joined the WSHS faculty in 2004.
  • simon.schatmeyer@fcps.edu
    • Leslie Simmons
  • B.A. in English, University of Virginia (1991)
  • M.A. in Journalism, University of Texas at Austin (1994)
  • Currently working on a second Master's degree in Education at the University of Virginia
  • She joined WSHS in January 2002 after having spent seven years as a marketing professional in the telecommunications and media industries.
  • In her free time, Leslie enjoys hiking, playing tennis, traveling, and volunteering.
  • leslie.simmons@fcps.edu
    •  
    Holli Wolter
  • B.S. in Education, Central Michigan University
  • Masters Degree in Administration
  • Holli received the award for Outstanding New Teacher.
  • She became a member of WSHS staff in 1991.
  • holli.wolter@fcps.edu
    • MaryLove Wynne
  • B.A. in Speech Communication, Mississippi State University
  • M.A. in English, University of West Florida
  • Mary Love is married to retired Navy Captain Larry Wynne and has two grown children.
  • As a military wife, Mary Love lived all over the US and taught school in six states before coming to WSHS in 2001.
  • She currently teaches English 10, English 10 Honors, Speech, and Debate.
  • She was named the Speech Coach of the Year for the Virginia Association of Speech, Debate, and Drama coaches for 2005.
  • She was Vice President of Speech for the Northern Virginia Forensic League for three years.
  • For three years she has led training seminars for Fairfax County Speech and Debate Coaches.
  • She is currently the English 10 Grade Level Coordinator.
  • She coached the WSHS Speech and Debate Teams for four years, winning a number of championships including the VHSL AAA State Championship in Forensics in 2006.
  • In her free time, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, going to the movies or theatre, and dancing.
  • marylove.wynne@fcps.edu
    • Susan Zernik
  • B.A. in Liberal Arts, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.Ed, in Psychology of Reading, Temple University
  • Ed.D. in Reading/Writing/Literacy, University of Pennsylvania
  • Susan joined the West Springfield staff in 2004.
  • susan.zernik@fcps.edu

    • WSHS Curator - wshscurator@fcps.edu



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