Faculty and Staff

Pre-Kindergarten

Ms. Patricia Gibbs holds a BA degree in early childhood education. She has been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Shepherd for four years. Ms. Gibbs has worked in the District of Columbia Public School since 1987. She loves children, has three children of her own and has been married for 27 years.

Ms. Tia Holt has a BSHS in child development and family with certification in early childhood education from North Carolina Central University. She has been a Kindergarten teacher for two years. Ms. Holt has previously worked with an autistic population and also teens with behavioral problems. Last year Ms. Holt and her enthusiastic classroom parents remodeled the cubby area, purchased a new rug, and painted the classroom.

Ms. Diane La Penna

Second Grade

Ms. Beverly Johnson has a BSC in early childhood education and a MEd in guidance and counseling. She has been a District of Columbia Public School teacher for nine years. Ms. Johnson has also taught at the Howard Lab School for two years and worked at the Sheridan School for a year as an intern.

Ms. Michele Lee Thurber has been teaching in the District of Columbia Public Schools for 23 years. This is Ms. Thurber's 16th year at Shepherd Elementary. Last November Ms. Thurber won the Shining Apple Award sponsored by Toyota to recognize teachers in the metropolitan area. As a result she was featured in more than 40 brief television appearances on channel 20.

Third Grade

Ms. Dee Dee Chambliss

Ms. Mary Thomas

Fourth Grade

Ms. Gwendolyn Gilmore

Ms. Valena Valentine-Nelson

Fifth Grade

Ms. Nancy Ulba

Mr. Timothy Leonard has a BS degree in elementary education from Livingstone College where he graduated with the highest honors. During his first year of teaching Mr. Leonard was nominated for the prestigious Sallie Mae First Year Teacher's Award and honored at the Masonic Temple. Mr. Leonard serves on the peer medication committee at Shepherd. "As a professional educator of fifth grade students, I believe and demonstrate that every child has the potential and aptitude to learn," says Mr. Leonard.

Sixth Grade

Mr. Steven King has a Master's degree in teaching and curriculum from Columbia University's Teaching College. Teaching is a second career for Mr. King. He has been teaching for eight years at various levels to include second, third, and fifth grades and student teaching in grades one and six. He sponsors the newspaper club at Shepherd. This year he was chosen for the National Citizenship Education Teacher Award presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to recognize teachers who promote civic responsibility, democratic values, and patriotism through class projects and activities.

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Special Education

Ms. LaShahn Booth has both an undergraduate and a Master's degree in elementary and special education. She has taught special education for 22 years, spending the last 18 years of her career here at Shepherd.

Guidance Counselor

Ms. Gail Liggins

English As A Second Language

Ms. Stephanie Rhein

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Art

Ms. Joelle Michaud

Library/Media

Ms. Marie Scinto

Health/Physical Education

Mr. Kirk Saulny (Interim)

Business Manager

June E. Confer, our business manager, has a BA in history form the University of the Pacific and has finished course work for an MA in educational administration at the University of Maryland. She has been at Shepherd since 1973 as a parent, volunteer, PTA President, Writing to Read Aide, and Administrative Aide. Ms. Confer has served on the LSRT for two terms. Before coming to Shepherd, she spent eight years in Tanzania and two years in Providence, RI. She has three children, all of whom attended Shepherd. Ms. Confer speaks fluent Swahili. She loves children's books, puppets, and storytelling. Ms. Confer likes to travel but hates getting there and dream of the day when she can "beam" herself from place to place.

Administrative Aide

Ms. Robyn Brooks

School Nurse

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Head Custodian

Mr. Kelly