Welcome to Kindergarten!

We are excited you are here. We're going to learn and have fun this year!

I am in my 14th year teaching at Weems this year, but have taught kindergarten for well over 30 years. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I obtained my Associates of Arts degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Child Development. (Mister Rogers, of t.v. fame, actually taught as a guest professor in one of my classes!) After moving to the Washington, D.C. area, I received my B.A. in Psychology (primarily Child Psychology) with cum laude honors, after being named to four honor societies, and a year later I received my Master's degree in Elementary Education. 

I live in Culpeper, and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE living out in the country. Sometimes, if it's very quiet, I can hear cows mooing and a rooster crowing from my porch! I have a 27 year old daughter, Katie, who has just graduated college with her B.S. in Theatre, minoring in Music. She recently moved to New York City to find her claim to fame.

I am the Founder and President of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cat rescue, Forgotten Felines of Culpeper, and am passionate about rescuing sick, abandoned, and orphaned kittens and cats. (Check us out on Facebook!) My rescue has won Culpeper's Best Animal Rescue 3 years in a row and I have been named Culpeper's Best Community Leader for the past 2 years. In addition to cats, I have a chocolate lab, Mocha, who keeps me busy. 

We will have a lot of fun this year and will learn a lot. I am a very upbeat, positive person with a silly sense of humor and believe that self-esteem is crucial to learning. I am honored to be your child's teacher this year. Please feel free to email me with any questions or concerns you might have. I am always available to you.

Some helpful links:

Please visit the Kindergarten Team Page for announcements and helpful resources.

Schoology Learning Link:  

https://mcpsva-org.zoom.us/j/91659189903?pwd=SjVLYmxPRVBNbzdyV2VCaGFBS3dyQT09

Contact information:

Email: Mrs. DeFazio ldefazio@mcpsva.org or Mrs. Najarro at jnajarro@mcpsva.org.