Second Grade - Randolph

Ms. Jilli Eskenas an Eskenas

Jillian Eskenas is a 2nd grade teacher at Randolph. She started at Randolph seven years ago. During her first three years here she taught fifth grade, and for the past few years at Randolph, she has taught second grade. Before coming to Randolph, she was a first and second grade teacher at an elementary school in Manassas City for four years. Jillian attended college at Loyola University in Baltimore where she studied Psychology. She then attended graduate school at The University of Albany where she studied literacy and education. In her free time, she enjoys baking, doing craft projects, traveling, reading, and watching movies. When she’s not doing those things, she likes to spend time with her friends, family, and dog.

Mr. Omar Darea

Email: omar.darea@apsva.us

I am from Syria. A fun fact about me is that I love to scuba dive. My favorite children’s book is “Llama Destroys the World”. My favorite place to visit is the ocean. I feel included when my voice is heard. I enjoy teaching students how to be principled, because it is necessary that they know what is right to do in this climate. My hope is to make our classroom a second home. My dream is to plant life changing learning experiences.

Ms. Molly Jones, Team Lead

Email: molly.jones@apsva.us

Molly Jones is a 2nd grade teacher at Randolph. She has been at Randolph since the fall of 2018. Before Randolph she was a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at a Charter School in Washington DC. She attended Towson University in Maryland where she studied Early Childhood Education. In her free time she likes to sing, dance and do outdoor actives like bike riding. When she is not doing that she enjoys cooking and hanging out with friends in her neighborhood.

Ms. Catherine Aulino

Email: catherine.aulino@apsva.us

Hi! My name is Cathy Aulino and I grew up in New Jersey. I graduated from East Carolina University in 2017. This is my 5th year teaching and my second year in Second Grade! I previously taught in NC, MD, and DC. I am SO EXCITED to be part of the Randolph community. I look forward to getting this year started and learning more about my students.

Ms. Carlin Schwartz, Reading Coach

Carlin Schwartz is a Reading Specialist at Randolph Elementary. She started at Randolph in 2011. Before Randolph, she taught 1st and 2nd grade at Carlin Springs Elementary. Carlin attended James Madison University (Virginia) where she studied elementary education, psychology and Spanish. She earned her Masters of Education degree from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and friends. When she is not doing that she enjoys cooking, exercising and reading all kinds of books.

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. Sherri Sewall, EL Teacher

Email: sherri.sewall@apsva.us

Sherri Sewall is an English Language Specialist who holds a master’s degree in Reading (Mercer University). Before becoming a teacher in public schools, she trained Customer Service Representatives at Blue Cross Blue Shield of the National Capital Area where she assisted in writing the training curriculum. She has taught in Washington, DC, Roanoke, Virginia, and Stone Mountain, Georgia where was voted Teacher of the Year at her school. She was born in Washington, DC. She enjoys spending time with her sons, reading, walking the Wilson Bridge, dancing and genealogical research.

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.

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!

Mr. Angel Lopez Soto, Sped Resource Teacher

I am a special education teacher, and this is my second year teaching. I am an APS alumnus. I am working on my Master of Education with a focus on English Learners. I am originally from Mexico. I am the oldest of five siblings. I like to go fishing and hiking for fun. I love my students and feel lucky to be part of the Randolph team!

The second grade team is focused on students making growth based on what they know, so they can make connections as is a key component of iB. This is accomplished through analysis of assessment data and collaborative planning and implementation.

Reading is a priority in second grade. Students will be immersed in an environment filled with fiction and nonfiction texts, which relate to all areas of the curriculum and interest. The student will expand vocabulary by speaking and listening effectively in classroom discussions, use a combination of strategies when reading, and read familiar selections with fluency and expression. The student will learn comprehension strategies for fiction and nonfiction texts. The student will be asked to identify main ideas, to make and confirm predictions, and to formulate questions about learning in all subjects, with emphasis on materials that reflect the Standards of Learning in mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations; apply simple grammatical principles to writing; and locate information in reference materials.

Second grade students have a natural curiosity about their world, which leads them to develop a sense of number. Young children are motivated to count everything around them and begin to develop an understanding of the size of numbers, multiple ways of thinking about and representing numbers, strategies and words to compare numbers, and an understanding of the effects of simple operations on numbers. Building on their own intuitive mathematical knowledge, they also display a natural need to organize things by sorting, comparing, ordering, and labeling objects in a variety of collections. Consequently, the focus of math instruction in the number and number sense is to promote an understanding of counting, classification, whole numbers, place value, fractions, number relationships (comparing), and the effects of single-step and multistep computations. These learning experiences should allow students to engage actively in a variety of problem solving situations and to model numbers, using a variety of manipulatives. Additionally, students at this level have opportunities to observe, to develop an understanding of the relationship they see between numbers, and to develop the skills to communicate these relationships in precise terms.

Measurement instruction focuses on developing the skills and tools needed to measure length, weight/mass, capacity, time, temperature, area, perimeter, volume, and money.Measurement at this level lends itself especially well to the use of concrete materials. Children can see the usefulness of measurement if classroom experiences focus on estimating and measuring real objects. They gain deep understanding of the concepts of measurement when handling the materials, making physical comparisons, and measuring with tools. As students develop a sense of the attributes of measurement and the concept of a measurement unit, they also begin to recognize the differences between using nonstandard and standard units of measure. Learning should give them opportunities to apply both techniques and nonstandard and standard tools to find measurements and to develop an understanding of the use of simple U.S. Customary and metric units.

The focus of geometric instruction at this level is on -observing, identifying, describing, comparing, contrasting, and investigating solid objects and their faces -sorting objects and ordering them directly by comparing them one to the other-describing, comparing, contrasting, sorting, and classifying figures-exploring symmetry, congruence, and transformation.

Through connections, inquiry, and high expectations, second grade continues students’ transition to independence and ownership in learning.