fbpx

Dear Visiting Families,

We dream of a brand new start
But we dream in the dark for the most part
Dark as a tomb where it happens
I’ve got to be in the room (where it happens)

— Lyrics from “The Room Where It Happens” from the musical Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Dr. Laura DeLima, Head of School
“When you face an obstacle, dig deep and remember your “why” – it will help you know what to do”

In Washington, DC, we live “where it happens.” Where History has been made, is being made, and can be made there in the future. As an educator, I used to wonder how we could empower our students to understand History and become History makers themselves. How could they be guided to live purposeful lives that bring them joy and serves others? I no longer have to wonder.

At Templeton Academy DC, we encourage our students “to be in the room where it happens” — to position themselves to take an active role in the issues and ideas about which they are passionate. We do this through adoption of rigorous Gold Standard Project-Based Learning, an inclusive and anti-racist curriculum, and a Core Advisory program supports students in developing traits and gaining core skills for success — self-regulation, compassion, agency, and purpose.

I am honored to work with a phenomenal staff and families who help our students matriculate to the colleges of their choice ready to study hard, dream big, take action, and live purposefully. Please accept my warm invitation to join our TADC community! — Laura

Inquire About Washington D.C. Admissions

We’ve expanded into the Middle School Grades and now serve students in grades 6-12!

Templeton Academy seeks a diverse population of students who bring energy and commitment to the learning process. We’d love to share more about attending our Washington D.C. campus.

Inquire About Washington D.C. Admissions

WE’VE EXPANDED INTO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES AND NOW SERVE STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-12!

Templeton Academy seeks a diverse population of students who bring energy and commitment to the learning process. We’d love to share more about attending our Washington D.C. campus.

Calendar of Events

Event listing powered by The Events Calendar Shortcode

Meet the Team

AllStaff
Head of School | he/him

Calvin L. Foster
Humanities and Operations Coordinator | she/her

Caitlin Towers
Director of Counseling & Student Culture | she/her

Lily Kern
STEM Coordinator | she/her

Rachel Stagner
Humanities Teacher | he/him

Bobor Jones
DC Director of Admissions

Nicole Weston
Humanities Teacher | she/her

Linda duBuclet
STEM Teacher | she/her

Nerina Meli
Humanities Teacher | she/her

Chloé Richier 
STEM Teacher | he/him

Vernon Meidlinger
Head of School | he/him

Calvin L. Foster

Calvin L. Foster was born in Brooklyn, New York, and became interested in Calculus as a senior in high school. This interest grew to a passion, propelling him to receive his Master’s Degree in Pure Mathematics. Always drawn to tutoring in high school and college, Calvin was hired by his alma mater as an adjunct professor upon his graduation. As the years passed, he found that his passion for math within the classroom drew him to work with elementary, middle, and high school students as well. With profound respect for the pedagogy of the classroom and a true connection to the math courses that he teaches, Calvin strives to facilitate and foster understanding, enthusiasm, and mastery of the math topics he teaches.

calvin.foster@templetonacademy.org:calvin.foster@templetonacademy.org

Humanities and Operations Coordinator | she/her

Caitlin Towers

Caitlin Towers is a lifelong lover of literature and language who teaches English and French and Templeton Academy DC. She received her undergraduate degree at Middlebury College in Vermont, where she double majored in Comparative Literature and Russian Language while also minoring in Education. She received her Masters Degree at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, where she specialized in language education and taught graduate-level French courses. Previous to joining the team at Templeton, she taught and served as an English and Foreign Languages Department Head at a middle and high school in Washington DC. Caitlin seeks to integrate interdisciplinary elements and student interests into her teaching, and encourages all of her students to bridge the gap between classroom learning and their own passions and goals.

caitlin.towers@templetonacademy.org:caitlin.towers@templetonacademy.org

Director of Counseling & Student Culture | she/her

Lily Kern

Lily Kern is thrilled to bring her eight years of experience in therapeutic and educational settings to serve students, parents, and staff at Templeton. She received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Catholic University and her Master’s in Special Education from George Mason University. Lily believes in the interconnectedness of socio-emotional well-being and academic success and seeks to create a learning environment where students feel both challenged and supported. When she’s not at school, Lily loves singing classical music and thinking about interior design. 

lily.kern@templetonacademy.org:lily.kern@templetonacademy.org

STEM Coordinator | she/her

Rachel Stagner

Rachel Stagner is STEM Coordinator for Templeton Academy-DC and also teaches high school science. Rachel has a B.S. in Fisheries & Wildlife Management with a minor in Environmental Studies from Michigan State University and dual Master’s Degrees in Science and Education from Portland State University. Previously, she taught science for over 10 years in Portland, Oregon before moving to DC to serve as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at NASA headquarters during the 2018-2019 school year. She has been teaching at TADC since the 2019-2020 school year and is most proud of having started a STEM Project Development course that has allowed our students to win awards at a national level. She was also recognized as a 2023 Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) finalist in science for DC.

rachel.stagner@templetonacademy.org:rachel.stagner@templetonacademy.org

Humanities Teacher | he/him

Bobor Jones

Bobor Jones has been teaching history and art at Templeton Academy since 2020. As an avid explorer of museums and historic sites, he is also Templeton DC’s Field Work Coordinator. He began teaching history in the DC area in 2015. He earned his B.A. in History from Colorado College, where he also minored in Studio Art, and obtained a Master’s in History from Georgetown University. Outside of school, he spends his time reading, hiking, traveling, listening to podcasts, and making art.

robert.jones@templetonacademy.org:robert.jones@templetonacademy.org

DC Director of Admissions

Nicole Weston

Nicole Weston is the Director of Admissions and Outreach for Templeton Academy- DC.  Nicole brings with her a wealth of experience in the field of education spanning over 20 years and across public, private non-profit, and private for-profit settings.  Nicole has served as a high school teacher, director of student support & outreach, assistant director, and head of school. She is passionate about strengths-based education and fascinated by innovative school models that make strengths-based learning a priority and a reality.  In addition to her work in the field of education, Nicole is also a certified expert life coach.

nicole.weston@templetonacademy.org:nicole.weston@templetonacademy.org

Humanities Teacher | she/her

Linda duBuclet

Linda duBuclet is the Writing Instructor at Templeton Academy D.C. After a career in journalism that included stints with NBC television, The Washington Post, and Pacifica Radio, Linda went into teaching—what she calls “the family business.” To transition from news to school, Linda earned an M.A. degree in Education and Human Development at George Washington University and became a certified teacher. With more than 30 years of instructional experience, Linda has taught writing on elementary, secondary, and university levels in both the public and private sectors. Linda is dedicated to having students see value in the writing process and gain confidence in their ability to use written communication to influence real-world outcomes.

linda.dubuclet@templetonacademy.org:linda.dubuclet@templetonacademy.org

STEM Teacher | she/her

Nerina Meli

Nerina Meli teaches Math, Science, and Technology at Templeton Academy DC. Originally from New Jersey, Nerina came to Washington, DC to attend the George Washington University. There she majored in Computer Science and minored in Sustainability. Since then, Nerina has been teaching STEM concepts to students all around the DMV area. Her experiences tutoring, leading summer groups, and teaching have led her to fall in love with helping students learn. Nerina’s passion is to explore how math and technology can be integrated into creative projects. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, playing volleyball, reading, and crafting

nerina.meli@templetonacademy.org:nerina.meli@templetonacademy.org

Humanities Teacher | she/her

Chloé Richier 

Chloé Richier teaches English and French at Templeton Academy. She received her undergraduate degree in English language and literature and her Masters degree in American literature from Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris, France. She also earned a diploma for teaching French as a foreign language from Grenoble Alpes University. Prior to moving to DC, Chloé was teaching middle-school and high-school English and Literature in northeastern France. When she’s not at Templeton, she is pursuing her Ph.D in American Literature and performs with several dance companies across the area.

chloe.richier@templetonacademy.org:chloe.richier@templetonacademy.org

STEM Teacher | he/him

Vernon Meidlinger

Vernon Meidlinger teaches Science and Math at Templeton Academy DC. He received his BA in Geology from Augustana College in Illinois and his MA in Teaching from the Richard Gilder Graduate School at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Prior to working at Templeton Academy, Vernon taught in the New York City public school system. In addition to working to make Science accessible and compelling to Students, Vernon also draws comics and produces music.

vernon.meidlinger@templetonacademy.org:vernon.meidlinger@templetonacademy.org

join our instagram community! @Templetonacademy_DC