Meet H-B’s newest staff members

The Current recently caught up with most of our new H-B Woodlawn staff members to chat a bit about their backgrounds and interests. Here’s what we learned!

Karly Lynch

Karly is the new 7th grade life science teacher, and AP biology teacher. Her birthday is on February 27th, and her favorite color is cerulean. She’s from Woodbridge, VA. Before H-B, she was a 7th grade science teacher in Kentucky. Karly loves teaching middle and high schoolers and felt this was the best job for her. Her favorite part about H-B is the responsibility that is placed on the students and how everyone makes decisions as a team.

Max Adamo

Max is the new 6th grade English teacher who also teaches reading for middle schoolers. He’s from Michigan, and his favorite color is purple. His birthday is on January 29th. Before he was at H-B, he was a teacher at Barcroft elementary for 4th and 5th graders. He found out about our school through alumni. His favorite thing about H-B is that “students take ownership over their own learning.” He also mentioned that there are self motivated people who are able to be themselves. Max also enjoys playing basketball.

Renee Charles Edwards

Renee is the new school counselor at H-B Woodlawn. Her birthday is on November 11th, and she’s from Brooklyn, New York. Before coming to H-B, she was a counselor at Abingdon Elementary in Arlington. She came to H-B because she wanted to get back into secondary school counseling. Her favorite thing about H-B is that it’s a small school which allows for more connections. Renee’s favorite color is green.

Riya Juhi Bali

Riya is the new 8th grade English  teacher. She was born in New York on April 27th, but was raised in New Jersey. Her favorite color is pink, and before working at H-B she was a 9th and 10th grade English teacher in New Haven, Connecticut. She moved to Arlington for her partner. Riya applied to teach at schools and chose H-B because she had fun in her interview. Her favorite thing about H-B is that the whole school has lunch together at the same time.

Teresa Torogoff

Teresa teaches all levels of French. She took over after former French teacher, Cecile Allen, retired. Her birthday is on January 25th. Her favorite color is purple. She’s originally from Chicago but grew up in the suburbs of Paris, France. Before H-B, she taught French at Gunston Middle School. She came to H-B because it has a “reputation” and she liked the concept of students practicing self-guided learning, so she applied. Her favorite thing about H-B is that she doesn’t have the same constraints as compared to other schools, and she can adapt to the students’ needs. Teresa also runs and plays the drums. 

Bryn Maxson

Bryn is a new teacher’s assistant at H-B. She’s from Fredericksburg, Virginia and has a BA and Masters Degree from UVA in kinesiology. Before H-B, she was working as a fitness coach. Her birthday is on September 17th and her favorite color is lavender. She found out about H-B through her cousin who went here, and her favorite thing about H-B is how relaxed it is.

Pavithra Vinod Ghorpade 

Pavi is the new instructional assistant. She’s from Bangalore, India. Her birthday is on December 9th and her favorite colors are green, white, and yellow. Last school year, she was also a long-term substitute for Sally Moss, the 7th and 8th grade P.E teacher. Before H-B her job was being a “first time mom and staying awake.” She found out about H-B through her mother in-law, Kathy Gust. Her favorite thing about H-B is that it is diverse, warm, and accepting of all people, as it is different from the education she received.

Patrick Flaherty is a new EL teacher at H-B, and while we didn’t get the chance to interview him for this particular article, The Current hopes to catch up with him at some point!