First Grade - Randolph

Ms. Erin Kowalevicz, Team Lead

Erin Kowalevicz is a National Board Certified first grade teacher at Randolph Elementary. Before starting at Randolph in 2009, Erin taught at an international school in Nicaragua. Prior to teaching, she worked for the U.S. government in Côte d’Ivoire and China. Mrs. Kowalevicz received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and two Master of Education degrees from George Mason University; one in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis on International Education, the other in Special Education. In her free time Erin enjoys traveling, running, biking, and attending D.C. sports events with her husband, Tom.

Ms. Lyda Barrera

Email: lyda.barrera@apsva.us

Lyda Barrera is a 1st grade teacher at Randolph Elementary School. Ms. Lyda recently completed her student teaching here at Randolph in one of our other first grade classrooms, before accepting this position. She attended college at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia where she studied Elementary Education Pre-K-6th with a minor in Special Education. In her free time, she enjoys going on walks, playing volleyball, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Kaitlyn Karian

Email: kaitlyn.karian@apsva.us

Kaitlyn Karian joined the Randolph first grade team in 2018. Before becoming a Randolph Star, she taught second grade in Charlotte, North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Slippery Rock University (PA). In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and playing tennis.

Ms. Ali Goldwater, Reading Specialist

Ali is starting her second year as a Reading Specialist at Randolph Elementary. Prior to joining Randolph, Ali was an inclusion preschool teacher in Alexandria, VA. She also taught second grade in Albemarle, VA and Seattle, WA. Ali has an Ed.S. in Literacy Leadership and ESL from UVA, a Masters of Education from George Mason University, and completed her undergraduate work at the University of Mary Washington. Ali lives in Arlington with her husband, three children, and their dog, Jack. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends, and READ!

Ms. Natani McGinnis, Math Coach

Email: natani.mcginnis@apsva.us

Tani McGinnis has been a math coach for seven years and is in her second year as a math coach at Randolph Elementary. Before that, she taught fourth grade for seven years in both Arlington and St. Louis. Tani has a Masters of Teaching and a Masters of Education Leadership from George Mason University. She loves teaching and coaching and feels lucky to be part of the Randolph Stars! In her free time, she enjoys cooking, hiking, being outside, and spending time with her kids and husband.

Ms. Christine Chapuis, Math Coach

Email: christine.chapuis@apsva.us

Christine Chapuis has been the Mathematics Coach at Randolph since the fall of 2021. Prior to working at Randolph, Christine worked in the Mathematics Office at Syphax and also served as the math coach at Drew. She also taught fifth grade in Boston at the start of her career. She attended Boston College for undergrad (go Eagles!) and Simmons University for her Masters degree. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three children, Rachel, Ben, and Nicholas. Rachel attends UVA, Ben attends Wakefield and Nicholas is a third grader at Campbell. Her husband also works as a Math Coach at another APS school (Oakridge). She also loves spending time with her dog, Ginger, and her friends and neighbors. And of course, she is a MATH person (and so are you!).

Ms. Mercedes Oetgen, EL Lead

Email: mercedes.oetgen@apsva.us

Mercedes Oetgen is a First Grade EL teacher at Randolph Elementary School. She received her undergraduate degree from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain and her M.Ed in ESL Education from Marymount University. Mercedes is bilingual in English and Spanish and also speaks French and Italian. In her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling.

Ms. Emily Jones, Sped Resource Teacher

I am beyond lucky to have the best job in the world! For the last five years, I taught in non-public schools for students with special needs. I loved teaching all the subjects (especially reading) and helping out during P.E. and art classes. I am eager to join the Randolph community and work in an IB school because the students, families, and staff are the best! When I am not at school, I love being outside, walking my two little dogs, and working on jigsaw puzzles. I can’t wait to get to know all of you!

Ms. Kerry Abbott, Advanced Academics Coach

Hi Everybody! I’m Ms. Abbott, and I’m starting my 24th year of teaching in APS. I have filled many different positions including Communications/ Videography Teacher, Tech Coach, ITC, Architecture Teacher, Musical Director, and 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher.I grew up in Buffalo, New York. Go Buffalo Bills! I completed my undergraduate degree at Niagara Falls University, and my master’s degree at George Mason. I live in Arlington with my 2 daughters Abby (8th grade) and Eloise (6th grade). I am excited to be joining the Randolph Stars this year and I look forward to being a part of this wonderful community both professionally and personally.

First Grade is a fantastic year filled with lots of learning, fun, and hard work.

Reading is the priority in first grade. The students will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonetic skills, vocabulary, comprehension, and an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The students will use a variety of strategies to read new words and will read familiar selections with fluency and expression. The students will continue to develop an understanding of character, setting, main idea, and story sequence in a variety of texts.

In math, the emphasis in first grade is on counting, sorting, and comparing sets of up to 100 objects; recognizing and describing simple repeating and growing patterns; and tracing, describing, and sorting plane geometric figures. Students’ understanding of numbers will be expanded through learning and applying the basic addition and subtraction facts; using nonstandard units to measure; and organizing and interpreting data. Fractional concepts will be expanded. While learning mathematics, students will be actively engaged, using concrete materials and appropriate technologies such as calculators and computers. Problem solving has been integrated throughout the six content strands.

In science, students begin conducting simple experiments. They are introduced to the concept of classifying plants and animals based on simple characteristics. Students learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of moving objects, simple solutions, and important natural resources.

In social studies, students are introduced to the lives of leaders in the history of Virginia and their contributions to the Commonwealth. Students will develop basic map skills, and study the economic concepts of goods/services, consumers/producers, and making economic choices. Students learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and recognize that communities in Virginia have local governments. They learn that communities include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united as Americans by common principles.

Through our transdisciplinary approach students become scientists and explorers. Students begin conducting simple experiment this year and are introduced to the concept of classifying plants and animals based on simple characteristics. Students learn about the relationship between the sun and Earth, and between seasonal changes and plant and animal activities. Students will also begin to develop an understanding of moving objects, simple solutions, and important natural resources. As they develop a deeper understanding of the world around them, students are able tol develop basic map skills, and study the economic concepts of goods/services, consumers/producers, and making economic choices. Students learn to apply the traits of a good citizen and recognize that communities in Virginia, and throughout the world, have local governments. They learn that communities include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are united by common principles.