First Grade

Ms. Lyda Barrera

Email: [email protected]

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.

Ms. Kezia Solano

Email: [email protected]

Kezia Solano is a 1st grade teacher at Randolph Elementary with 1 year of experience fostering student growth and enthusiasm for learning. Passionate about fostering equitable classroom environment, she creates an engaging and inclusive classroom environment where every student can thrive. Kezia Solano holds a bachelors in Early Childhood Education from George Mason University and is committed to ongoing professional development to bring the best practices into the classroom. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, spending time with family, and spending time in nature. Kezia looks forward to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and collaboration with students, families, and colleagues.

Ms. Sally Pencikowski, 1st Grade Teacher

Email: [email protected]

Sally Pencikowski is excited to be returning to the first grade!  This will be her 13th year of teaching, and the beginning of her 3rd year here at Randolph.  Sally graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, with dual degrees in Communication and Spanish. She also holds a masters degree in Elementary Education from The George Washington University, and an endorsement to teach English as a Second Language. Sally is committed to bringing the best education to all students at Randolph. Outside of teaching, Sally enjoys cooking, reading historical fiction and traveling with her family!  She enjoys time with her husband, Chris and their two children who also attend school in Arlington. Sally is looking forward to another fantastic year Randolph!

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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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. 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

Ms. Abbott is starting her 26th year of teaching in APS.  She has filled many different positions including Communications/ Videography Teacher, Tech Coach, ITC, Architecture Teacher, Musical Director, 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher, and now the Advanced Academics Coach.  Ms. Abbott grew up in Buffalo, New York.  Go Buffalo Bills!  She completed her undergraduate degree at Niagara University, and her master’s degree at George Mason.  She lives in Arlington with her 2 daughters Abby (10th grade) and Eloise (8th grade).  Ms. Abbott loves being a Randolph Star and looks forward to a fantastic year!.

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.