Holds our people and people specific data
Danielle Mercadal is an experienced early childhood educator and veteran kindergarten teacher. Danielle earned a Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Illustration from Marymount University. She has experience with a wide variety of curriculum including Lucy Calkins’ Writing Project … Read more
Sevim Kalyoncu is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist and a naturalist instructor with a passion for helping children connect with nature. In addition to leading the Compass Nature Quest program, she teaches outdoor specials and survival skills at a local Montessori school and works as a naturalist interpreter for Fairfax County Park Authority. Sevim also … Read more
Iman Castaneda is the coach for Compass’s Homeschool PE and Jiu-Jitsu Fit classes. She is the owner and head coach of Capital CrossFit and Functional Core Training personal training service. Iman was a professional MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter for five years at Capital MMA. She first earned a coaching certification in CrossFit in 2008 … Read more
Sirdley Taborga is the instructor for Compass’s elementary and high school Spanish classes. She is from Bolivia and is a native speaker of Spanish. Sirdley has lead children through interactive and play-based learning in Spanish at the Church La Cena del Señor and in English at the KidsQuest at Mclean Bible Church. She formerly worked … Read more
Ney Mello, who teaches guitar classes at Compass, is an internationally-recognized Jazz artist. He has a professional diploma in Musical Composition and Live Performance from Escola De Musica de Brasilia in Brazil, training in jazz music arrangement from Berklee College of Music, and Bachelors and Masters degrees from Catholic University of America. He plays electric … Read more
Elizabeth graduated in Compass’s class of 2022 and is an upperclassman at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN (Class of 2026). She is majoring in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics. Elizabeth is the President of the Purdue Space Program, one of Purdue’s largest engineering organizations. She is also a member of … Read more
Diane Wright Cobb is a professional artist and long time art educator. Diane operates a small art studio in Herndon where she has led private art lessons and group classes for children and adults since 2010. She taught art to homeschooled students in grades K-12 at the High Country Home Educators program in Colorado Springs, … Read more
“Over the years, my youngest son and my daughter have taken several classes with Kathy. In all my years in education, Kathy stands out as one of the best teachers I’ve ever seen. She is not only a master of the content she teaches (music), but…” -J.N. (Fairfax, VA)
Dr. John Kornacki is a recently retired college professor and administrator with more than 20 years of university-level teaching experience. Dr. Kornacki served as the Director of Education and Professor of Public Policy at the Law and Economics Center of George Mason University. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant Director of the Washington … Read more
Judith Harmon earned a Bachelors Degree in Theater and Business Entrepreneurship from the University of Texas. She has been involved with theater since 2008, both on stage and backstage. Judith works with several area theater groups including Sterling Playmakers, the Arlington Players, and the Washington Revels. She serves on the Board of Directors of Sterling … Read more
