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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.

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Meet the Team

AllStaff
Head of School D.C.

Dr. Laura DeLima

DC Director of Admissions

Nicole Weston

Director of Counseling & Student Culture | she/her

Lily Kern

Math Teacher | he/him

Calvin L. Foster

Social Studies Teacher | he/him

Bobor Jones

STEM Coordinator | she/her

Rachel Stagner

English & French Teacher | she/her

Caitlin Towers

Humanities Teacher | they/them/he

Jordan Duncan

Adjunct Math Teacher

Daniel Turner

Head of School D.C.

Dr. Laura DeLima

Dr. Laura DeLima is the Head of School at Templeton Academy D.C. An experienced educational leader with 15 years of experience in the field, she has started two progressive secondary schools, the second of which she became one of the most successful campus in the Fusion Academy national network of schools. She balances deep knowledge in adolescent development, education policy, and pedagogy with exceptional skills in strategic planning, personnel development, operational and financial management, and is committed to using her unique combination of knowledge and skills to developing schools that bring personalized, purpose-driven, project-based and empowering education to young people. Dr. DeLima holds a B.A. from Vassar College, a Masters in Education Policy from the University of Wisconsin, and earned her Doctorate in Education from The George Washington University.

laura.delima@templetonacademy.org:laura.delima@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

Director of Counseling & Student Culture | she/her

Lily Kern

Lily is thrilled to bring her seven years of experience in therapeutic and educational settings to serve students, parents, and staff. She received her Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Catholic University and holds a Licensed Graduate Social Worker Credential. When she’s not at Templeton, Lily is pursuing her second Masters in Special Education from George Mason University. Lily believes deeply 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. 

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

Math Teacher | 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

Social Studies Teacher | he/him

Bobor Jones

Bobor Jones teaches history at Templeton Academy. He earned his B.A. in History from Colorado College, where he also minored in Studio Art. He went on to attain a Master’s Degree in Global, International, and Comparative History from Georgetown University in 2015. He has been teaching in the DC area since then, most recently serving as the History Department Head at a small private school. Outside of school, he spends his time reading, hiking, traveling, listening to podcasts, and making art.

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

STEM Coordinator | she/her

Rachel Stagner

Rachel Stagner is STEM Coordinator for Templeton Academy-DC and teaches STEM.  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.  She is also a National Board Certified Teacher in adolescent/young adult science.  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.

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

English & French Teacher | she/her

Caitlin Towers

Caitlin Towers teaches English and French at 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

Humanities Teacher | they/them/he

Jordan Duncan

Jordan Duncan is an experienced educator, and purser of higher knowledge. He was born in Illinois and has been a lover of History and English from a very young age. While earning a B.A. from the University of St. Francis Jordan studied Political Science and American Politics. While attending he was able to expand his mind in the core foundation of American History, Politics, Government, and Law. He went further in his education by earning a degree from Liberty University and completing his Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Social Studies. Driven by building our youth he takes pride in providing the best possible experience for his students in the Humanities Department. As a progressive educator Jordan strives to be a committed teacher to his students while building meaningful connections that will last a lifetime.

jordan.duncan@templetonacademy.org:jordan.duncan@templetonacademy.org

Adjunct Math Teacher

Daniel Turner

Daniel Turner is a passionate mathematics teacher at Templeton Academy DC. Throughout his life, he has cultivated his love for mathematics and teaching, both by advancing his own understanding of the subject and by supporting his peers through tutoring. He has earned both a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Christopher Newport University. Prior to his current position, Daniel taught for two years in the Virginia Public School System. In addition to his teaching experience, he brings over four years of work with non-profit organizations serving youth and LGBTQIA+ communities. Daniel firmly believes in the limitless potential of each student to succeed and strives to provide personalized support to help them achieve their goals. He recognizes that not everyone may enjoy mathematics and is determined to make the subject more engaging and accessible for his Students

daniel.turner@templetonacademy.org:daniel.turner@templetonacademy.org