Carly received her Bachelor’s in Health Administration and Policy from George Mason University, and her Master’s in Health Communication from Boston University. She has spent over a decade working in the healthcare field and is excited to make the transition into education. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts and music, doing arts and crafts, taking long walks, and being with friends and family. […]
Department: School of Education
School of Education
Tom Opfer, PhD
Academic Credentials
B.S. in Computer Science, James Madison University; M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, George Mason University; M.Ed. in Educational Administration, Marymount University; Ph.D. In Education, George Mason University.
Bio:
Tom Opfer has been a high school teacher and administrator for over twenty years. He teaches high school mathematics and has served as a high school department chairperson, curriculum coordinator, and school administrator. He has college teaching experience focusing on courses in foundations of education, disciplinary literacy, and technology integration. His doctoral work focused on integrating technology and literacy in classroom practices with a lens on teacher preparation and ongoing teacher professional development.
Teaching Areas
Math Methods; Literacy; Introduction to the Teaching Profession
Research Interests
Technology and literacy integration in classroom instruction […]
Mr. Greg T. Haas
Bio:
Greg Haas has worked as an instructor, Department Chair, Administrator and Program Developer within secondary and higher education for the last 25 years. Dr. Haas first worked as an adjunct professor at American University in Washington DC. There he taught classes in the newly developing American Studies Department. Dr. Haas, while designing and developing his own course, American Lives, American Dreams, was also tasked to help create courses and content and to recruit instructors for the new department. Though short-lived, the experience at American University helped inform and direct a 20 year career in secondary education.
Dr. Haas went on to teach Social Studies at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA. He quickly became Department Chair and helped expand the department to include socially and culturally relevant elective offerings while maintaining a standard of excellence in core content. There Dr. Haas chaired various committees, most notably helping to overhaul the school schedule to include flexible learning time to allow students opportunities to interact with mentors outside of traditional academic time. While at Bishop O’Connell, Dr. Haas also began working with accrediting agencies to serve on visiting teams to evaluate elementary and secondary schools throughout the state of Virginia in advance of accreditation. In total, Dr. Haas has helped to evaluate and inform over 25 local elementary and secondary schools and has most recently been appointed to the Virginia Catholic Education Association (VCEA) Steering Committee, which coordinates the accreditation process for all Arlington Diocese elementary schools. In this capacity, Dr. Haas interacts with elementary administrators and teachers, observes classes, and, with a team of professionals, creates progress and improvement plans.
Most recently, Dr. Haas moved on to Saint John Paul the Great High School to serve as an Assistant Principal of Academics, coordinating Curriculum and Instruction and directing professional development efforts. At Saint John Paul the Great, Dr. Haas has initiated several new initiatives to improve curricular standards; chiefly, developing a Dual Enrollment program that in just a few short years enables students to earn over 70 college credits, and creating a stand-alone STEM department that offers 12 courses (including 3 Dual Enrollment offerings) including Robotics, Computer Engineering, Computer Programming, Organic Chemistry, Nursing and Differential Equations. Dr. Haas is most proud of his work reorganizing and growing the Special Services Department, allowing for more inclusive practices and a burgeoning Options program for students with intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Haas earned a Doctor of Education in Administration and Supervision from Texas Tech University. He has a M.Ed. from Marymount University and a BA from Penn State University. He is a lecturer at local universities and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Marymount University School of Education. […]
Bailey Gehler
Bio
Bailey Gehler graduated in 2023 from George Mason University with a BS in Sports Management, concentrating in Sports, Health and Recreation Resources. She will complete her Master’s in Education program here at Marymount soon. During her time at George Mason University, Bailey participated on the Women’s Lacrosse team while balancing full course loads and several internship opportunities. She worked very closely with the athletic department at George Mason University in its Marketing, Promoting and Fan Engagement department, growing the University’s brand and overall fan participation. At Marymount, she had the pleasure of being a Graduate Assistant for the School of Education in the Education Clinical Experiences (ECE) program. Bailey developed skills at a high institutional level, collaborating and working hand in hand with a wide variety of individuals. She investigated, researched, and used demographics in various ways to optimize the team’s efficiency. Through her MEd program she aspires to learn various strategies to identify and apply techniques that will improve educators’ effectiveness in classroom settings. She hopes to use the latest data and technology to develop plans that will benefit both educators and students. Outside of Marymount, Bailey enjoys all things “nature” and exploring the east coast (as she is a San Diego Native). When not running around, she also enjoys going for walks with her best friends to find the best coffee shops. […]
Dr. Beth Lucy-Speidel
Dr. Beth Lucy-Speidel (pronounced Spy-dell) earned her EdD from Marymount University in the inaugural cohort 1 of the Educational Leadership and Innovation. She is passionate about non-profits starting her career working as an advocate for children with special needs. Her passion for mission-driven work led her to higher education where she has led administrative and financial operations at the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University, The College at Washington & Lee University, and now University of Texas at Arlington in the College for Nursing and Heath Innovation where she serves as an Associate Dean. She is a certified coach and FranklinCovey faciliator. Her undergraduate degree is in Disability Studies, she holds two master’s degrees, one in Nonprofit Management and the other in Human Resources and earned her doctorate from Marymount University. Her current research interests are in inclusion and belonging in the higher education and healthcare workplaces, and leadership.
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Chris Bennett, EdD
Bio
Christina Bennett, Ed.D. is an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern Illinois University in the Masters of Educational Leadership Program and at DePaul University in the College of Education. She holds a B.S. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.A. in Secondary Mathematics Education from Roosevelt University, an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation from Marymount University. Dr. Bennett has served as principal of a PreK-8th grade school, secondary mathematics teacher, mathematics department chair, Dean of Students, and university supervisor for student teachers. She is committed to education and educational leadership and has research interests in principal preparation programs and mentoring.
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Travis Zimmerman, EdD
Bio
A future-focused collaborative leader specializing in secondary education, Dr. Travis Zimmerman has spent the past seventeen years working on organizational innovation efforts in social studies curricula, piloting flipped and blended classroom models, leading EdCamps, presenting at EdTech conferences, and developing specialized high-tier supports for specialized instruction in public high schools. His current efforts focus on guiding the implementation of novel career readiness efforts by using data-driven models rooted in Social Cognitive Career Theory at Urbana High School in Maryland, where he chairs the Career and Technical Education department, mentors new employees, and serves on the school improvement and the social-emotional learning committees.
Research Interests
Social Cognitive Career Theory, Program Evaluation and Support
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Allison Steffens
Bio
Allison Steffens earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, Magna Cum Laude at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. After earning her undergraduate degree, she was the ReStore Operations Coordinator at Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity through AmeriCorps State & National. After two terms of AmeriCorps service, Allison earned her Master of Arts in Teaching at American University in Washington, DC. She then spent seven years as an educator with Montgomery County Public Schools in Bethesda, MD. Allison is thrilled to join the School of Education at Marymount University, and she looks forward to collaborating with students and faculty in their commitment to excellence in educational leadership. […]
Christian Buchleitner
Bio
Chris Buchleitner joined the Marymount team as an adjunct professor in 2024. In addition to teaching at Marymount, he is also the Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Washington. Chris began his career in education as a teacher and ultimately was called to lead as he transitioned to school principal. Chris was previously the Assistant Superintendent of School Operations and Student Services. He is a true servant leader and passionate about ensuring the success of Catholic school principals. His favorite activities are spending time with family and enjoying the great outdoors. […]
Jennifer L. Brown, EdS
Bio
Jen Brown has over 27 years of experience as an elementary educator and serves as an Educational Specialist for Elementary Social Studies in Fairfax County Public Schools. Jen has served as a teacher intern supervisor at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and has been a consultant with the Virginia Department of Education, serving on various curriculum, assessment, and professional development committees. Jen is a dedicated, innovative educator who believes that by leveraging shared expertise through collaboration, professional learning, and research-based practices, she can make a difference in designing a social studies curriculum that empowers teachers and elevates student voices through inquiry and authentic, meaningful learning experiences. She is passionate about building teacher capacity through professional learning and believes all students can and should engage in the critical thinking skills needed to be informed, active, empathetic, and positive contributors to their local, state, national, and global communities. Jen lives in Alexandria and is an avid reader, coffee drinker, beach lover, and cat mom!
Jen Brown has over 27 years of experience as an elementary educator and serves as an Educational Specialist for Elementary Social Studies in Fairfax County Public Schools. Jen has served as a teacher intern supervisor at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education and has been a consultant with the Virginia Department of Education, serving on various curriculum, assessment, and professional development committees. Jen is a dedicated, innovative educator who believes that by leveraging shared expertise through collaboration, professional learning, and research-based practices, she can make a difference in designing a social studies curriculum that empowers teachers and elevates student voices through inquiry and authentic, meaningful learning experiences. She is passionate about building teacher capacity through professional learning and believes all students can and should engage in the critical thinking skills needed to be informed, active, empathetic, and positive contributors to their local, state, national, and global communities. Jen lives in Alexandria and is an avid reader, coffee drinker, beach lover, and cat mom!
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