Kindergarten Team
| Ms. Baxter is so excited to be at Coates again this year! This will be her third year teaching kindergarten. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from George Mason University. When she is not teaching, she enjoys going to the beach, exercising, and spending time with friends and family. |
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| Ms. Connole began teaching Kindergarten at Coates in 2011. She was born and raised in Ohio. She enjoyed living in Cincinnati, Chicago, New York City, and London before settling in Reston. As an IA in Falls Church City, beginning in 2001, she found her "vocation," and got her teaching license. While at Coates she has had opportunities to be a team leader, Equity Team leader, as well as a mentor for GMU teacher candidates and fellow team members. She finished her Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024. (It's never too late!) For fun, she enjoys Nat's and Caps games, reading, movies, and being with her two adult-aged children. She is very excited to be a new Grandma! |
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| Mrs. Grande has been teaching in the Kindergarten classroom for twenty-five years. This is her 16th year teaching kindergarten at Coates Elementary. Mrs. Grande obtained her BA and MA Degrees from George Mason University. She loves being in the classroom with her young learners. Watching her students become a community of learners while having fun and building friendships brings her great joy. She is a mother to her son who is attending college (GMU) and her daughter who is a sophomore in high school. Mrs. Grande loves watching her daughter play volleyball and basketball, having cookouts with her family and being surrounded by her family and friends. |
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| This will be Ms. Jones's third year on the Kindergarten Team at Coates Ms. Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Marymount University and her Master's degree in Elementary Education from George Mason University. When she’s not teaching, Ms. Jones enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family. |
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| Mrs. McCormick holds two masters degrees from George Mason University: one in art teaching (MAT), and one in early childhood educarion (MEd) . She loves working with young children, and has over 19 years of experience in the early childhood education field. This will be her fourth year teaching Kindergarten at Coates Elementary School. |
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| Mr. Vargas joined the Coates team in 2014. He started his teaching career as a long-term kindergarten substitute teacher. He has been a fourth-grade teacher (4 years) and a kindergarten teacher (6 years). Mr. Vargas graduated from Strayer University with his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and obtained his graduate degree from George Mason University in Elementary Education PreK-6. Mr. Vargas loves spending time with his wife and two sons, especially when it is at the beach. |
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| Elizabeth Werner is an original Coates Star and has been teaching kindergarten for more than 20 years. She graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa with a Bachelor’s Degree and earned a Master’s Degree in Math Education Leadership from George Mason. When not at school, she can be found riding her bike, playing tennis, or curled up on the couch with Georgie (her cat) and a good book. |
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Instructional Assistants |
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| Mrs. Chaganti joined the Coates team in 2018. She started as a SPED IA with K, 3rd and 6th grades. She holds a Pharmacy degree from SNDT University, India and training in computer programming courses. She has worked as a computer programmer for many years in VA and later found her love for teaching. Mrs. Chaganti has a wonderful husband and 2 grown up daughters, who studied in FCPS and are now working as professionals in the community. She enjoys spending time with her 3 granddaughters. |
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| Mrs. Chun has been working at the Coates from 2009. She is one of the original members of the Coates. Since then, she's been working as a SPED IA with K, 1st, and 2nd grade mostly. Mrs. Chun graduated from Kyung Hee University(Seoul, Korea) with Bachelors in English major, and minor in Education. Mrs. Chun has a wonderful husband and two beautiful grown up kids - daughter and son. They have studied in FCPS and are working as professionals in the community. Mrs. Chun is a choir member of Korean United Methodist Church in McLean, VA. She loves to sing and listening to music. |
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| I grew up in Mumbai, India. I received my bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Mumbai. This is my 4th year as an Kindergarten Instructional Assistant (IA) in Coates Elementary School. Before this, I have a total of 5 years of experience as an Assistant Teacher at the Montessori School in Herndon and as a Math Tutor at Eye Level learning Center. Currently, I reside in Chantilly with my husband, daughter who graduated from VT, son who goes to VT, and very friendly Labradoodle, Lucky. In my free time, I love to go on walks with Lucky, try new cuisines, gardening and spending time with family. |
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| Mrs. Kethu is one of the original members of the Coates since 2009. This is her 17th year of working as kindergarten IA. She holds a Bachelor degree in Sciences from Osmania University, India and a Software programming diploma from New Jersey. She has worked as software Programmer for several years in PA and Texas and finally found her calling and love of teaching! She enjoys teaching and helping young students to become confident learners. Mrs. Kethu has a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters both graduated from FCPS schools. Her hobbies are playing with her dog Sansa, cooking for family & friends, travelling and shopping! I am so excited to be at Coates again this year! |
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| This is my second year at Coates as an instructional assistant. I enjoy going to the gym and running. I love going to get coffee and going shopping. I also love traveling to different places and learning different cultures. My dream has always been to become a teacher. |
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| Mrs. Kulkarni is one of the original members of Coates ES. This is her 15th year working as Kindergarten IA! She did her Bachelors and Masters in Computer Science from Bombay University, India. Mrs. Kulkarni has a wonderful husband and two grown up boys who studied in FCPS. Her hobbies are reading books, shopping and going for walks. |
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 Mrs. MoonInstructional Assistant I have been working in FCPS for 16 years. I love to work with kids and work with people. |
