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Special Education

Welcome to Special Education at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School

We have 7 self-contained classrooms, 2 general education classrooms, 5 resource teachers, and 5 related service providers.

Self-contained classes can have from 6-10 students. General education classes can go up to 16 students. Resource teachers help 1-2 grade levels of students with IEPs.

Related service providers are our OT (Occupational Therapist), PT (Physical Therapist) and SLP (Speech Language Pathologist). IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. IEP caters to the child’s needs and has goals that the student works on for a year.

Our goal is to support your child with their individualized needs. We look forward to working with your child this school year!

Meet the Special Education Team!!!

Pre-K MIPA

Ms. Brionne

Teacher
brionne.goode@apsva.us

Hello All Stars!

My name is Brionne and I am the Mini MIPA Teacher. I have been in APS for 11 years and this is my 9th year at Hoffman Boston and my 2nd year teaching the Mini MIPA Program.  I was an instructional assistant for 7 1/2 years.  I graduated from Norfolk State University with a BS in Mass Communications/General Broadcast. I am currently at Old Dominion University to continue my degree in Early Childhood Special Education. In my free time I like to cook, watch movies and explore DC!

Ms. Liliana Salazar

Instructional Assistant
liliana.salazar@apsva.us

My name is Liliana Salazar but everyone calls me Ms. Barby. This will be my 6th year in Mini MIPA.  I grew up in Arlington County and know first hand what a great place this is to be as a student and now an employee! I enjoy reading and have a love for sneakers. In my spare time I create costumes that I like to wear for events like conventions and festivals.  I’m so excited to be working with you all again!

Ms.Alhamudi

Instructional Assistant
amira.alhamudi@apsva.us

Hello! My name is Amira Alhamudi. I’m originally from Sudan. I moved to the states back in 2004. I have my bachelors degree in law. I have four kids, three of which attend APS. I love spending time with my kids, especially going outside when the weather is nice. This is my third year at Hoffman Boston. I started out in extended day, and then I worked as a substitute teacher briefly before becoming an instructional assistant.

Welcome to Pre-K!

Community Peer Pre-K

Ms. Aylor
Teacher
morgan.aylor@apsva.us

My name is Morgan Aylor and I teach the Community Peer Pre-K Class.  This will be my second year of teaching! I attended George Mason University where I received my Bachelors of Arts in Integrative Studies.  I also attended GMU to received my Masters of Education for Early Childhood.  When I am not teaching, I enjoy going on walks, riding my bike, spending time with my three rabbits and two chinchillas, and painting! I am excited for this school year!

 

Ms. DoaaInstructional Assistant
Ms. Doaa
doaa.elamin@apsva.us

Ms. Habbea

Instructional Assistant
habiba.rahman@apsva.us

My name is Habbea Begum and this is my second year as an instructional assistant in the Community Peer Program. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family!

 

Self- Contained Pre-K

Ms. Ayer

Teacher
teresa.ayer@apsva.us

Mr. Garner
Instructional Assistant
willie.garner@apsva.us

Hello All Stars!

My name is WIllie Garner and I am a Self-Contained Instructional Assistant. This will be my fourth year here at Hoffman Boston and I am excited for the 2022-2023 school year. I was born and raised in Arlington, VA and received my Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from Shenandoah University. When I am not in the classroom I like spending time with my family, learning how to cook and going on walks.

Ms. Wilson
Instructional Assistant
cassandra.wilson@apsva.us

 

 

Toddler Program

Ms. Houston

Teacher
elizabeth.houston@apsva.us

My name is Liz Houston and I am the Toddler Teacher here at Hoffman-Boston Elementary.  This is my 13th year working at Hoffman-Boston.  I grew up in Arlington and went to Radford University for undergrad and George Mason University for my Master’s Degree.  I grew up taking Irish Dancing lessons with my cousins.  I love to travel.  My most recent trip was to Italy!  My favorite children’s book is Chicka Chicka boom boom.

Ms. Njat

Instructional Assistant
njat.hamed@apsva.us

My name is Njat Hamed and I am an instructional assistant in the Toddler Program.  This is my 2nd year working with the Toddlers.  I studied education at NOVA Community College.  I love to help kids. On the weekend, I spend time with my friends, cook, listen to music and chat with my family.

Ms. RaniaInstructional Assistant
rania.salih@apsva.us

My name is Rania Salih and I am an instructional assistant in the Toddler Program.  This is my 2nd year working with the Toddlers.  I have a Bachelor Degree in Law from Cairo University.  I am a mom of 4 children who attend APS.  I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

 

Resource K-2

Ms. Geinzer

Teacher
claire.geinzer@apsva.us

Welcome to the new school year! My name is Claire Geinzer (or Ms. G) and this will be my fifth year as an elementary special education teacher and my first year in APS. I graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Science in Special Education in 2018.  I currently hold certifications in the Orton Gillingham Plus reading program, DIR level 1 floortime model and have a background in applied behavior analysis. I am a student focused teacher with a passion for learning and I am so happy your student is a part of this class!

 

Ms. Fargo
Teacher
elaine.fargo@apsva.us

 

Teacher
Zahra Rikan
zahra.rikan@apsva.us

 

Elementary MIPA K – 2

 

Mr. Thapa
Teacher
mahendra.thapa@apsva.us

 

Ms. JonesInstructional Assistant
velissa.jones@apsva.us

 

Mr. Amaniel

Instructional Assistant
samson.amaniel@apsva.us

My name is Samson Amaniel. This is my second year at Hoffman Boston Elementary school in MIPA. Fun fact I attend and graduated from Hoffman Boston. Outside of work I am a student and an athlete. Am currently enrolled in the Advanced George Mason program majoring in special education. I play for Alexandria Reds a semi professional team in UPSL.

Resource 3-5

Ms. Clark

Teacher
michelle.clark@apsva.us

Ms. Christy

Teacher
sabrina.christy@apsva.us

 

Elementary MIPA 3-5

Ms. Weller

Teacher
lauren.weller@apsva.us

Hello MIPA family! My name is Lauren Weller (or Ms. Lauren), and I am teaching 3rd- 5th grade MIPA this year at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School. This will be my 4th year as a classroom teacher, my 7th year in Special Education, and my 1st year with APS. In 2019, I graduated from Towson University with a Master’s in Special Education. I have had the pleasure of working with students of all ages (Pre-K through 12th grade) and from all walks of life. As such, I have a vast amount of experience differentiating and adapting to the unique needs of each individual student. I am so excited to have your child in my class this year, and I cannot wait to witness all the progress we make together.

 

Ms. Fozia

Instructional Assistant
fozia.maqbool@apsva.us

Ms. Benites

Instructional Assistant
guadalupe.benites@apsva.us

 

Self Contained Special Education K-2

Mr. John CroddyTeacher
john.croddy@apsva.us

Hello! I’m Mr. Croddy, your Special Education teacher. I have been teaching for 14 years. I am National Board Certified as a Special Education teacher. I am a third generation teacher and only became one after working in the finance industry and the health care industry. I am originally from Philadelphia, where I grew up. But, my wife and I have been living in Washington, D.C. for 6 years and we really enjoy all the city has to offer. Some of my favorite things to do are travel and cook. I look forward very much to getting to know you and your children this year. Thank you for putting your trust in me to teach them. We will have a very good year!

Ms. Carletta

Instructional Assistant
pricilla.hopkins@apsva.us

Ms. White
Instructional Assistant
bianca.white@apsva.us

 

Self- Contained Special Education 3-5

Ms. Harvey

Teacher
patricia.harvey@apsva.us

Hello, my name is Ms. Harvey and I am so excited to be your teacher this year! We are going to have a lot of fun and learn a lot! I like the colors bright pink, green, yellow and blue. My favorite foods are salmon and sweet potato fries.  Hidden Figures is my favorite book. I like to drink coffee and water and I love walking, reading and spending time with my family. I will always DREAM, BELIEVE, Wonder, Inspire, Love, Nurture and listen.

Ms. Mason
Instructional Assistant
tarica.mason@apsva.us

Ms. Mohamed
Instructional Assistant
safwa.mohamed@apsva.us

Mr. McMahon
Instructional Assistant
john.mcmahon@apsva.us

Related Services

Welcome to Related Services!

“Related services” includes Speech and Language, Occupational and Physical Therapy. Services are provided through a team approach.  Strategies are integrated into the classroom.

Definition of ” Related Services” from VDOE “Related services” means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.

Definition of “Speech and Language Impairment” under IDEA: “(11) Speech or language impairment means a communication disorder, such as stuttering, impaired articulation, a language impairment, or a voice impairment, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.” [34 CFR §300.8(c)(11]  

Role of a School Based Speech Language Pathologist according to VDOE: The focus of school-based speech-language pathologists is the communication abilities of students. . The school-based speech-language pathologist’s goal is to remediate, improve, or alleviate student communication problems within the educational environment.

Meet the Team!

Ms. Del Vecchio
Occupational Therapist
carmela.delvecchio@apsva.us

Mr. Mifflin
Instructional Assistant
kenneth.mifflin@apsva.us

 

Ms. Alvarez

Speech Language Pathologist
gloria.alvarez2@apsva.us

Ms. Bezy

Speech Language Pathologist
kristi.bezy@apsva.us

Hi All-Stars!
My name is Kristi Bezy and I am one of the Speech Language Pathologists at Hoffman-Boston Elementary School. I grew up in Southern Indiana and attended Ball State University for my bachelor’s and master’s Degree. This is my second year at Hoffman-Boston Elementary and 13th year as an SLP. When I’m not at school, I enjoy exercising, spending time with my two dogs and traveling with my husband.

Ms. Tolevski

Speech Language Pathologist
christy.tolevski@apsva.us

Ms. Baird

Physical Therapist
jill.baird@apsva.us

Ms. Hammer

Autism Specialist
deborah.hammer@apsva.us