An Exceptional Preschool Through Fifth Grade Education
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE OF 68% OF OUR FACULTY
EPISCOPAL TRADITION
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO
CULTIVATING LEADERS
Profiles in Grace
Jane Doe, Athletic Director
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Profiles in Grace
Amanda Hungerford
Interim Head of School
Mary Kate Holland
Director of Early Childhood Programs
Miguel Palacio
Physical Education Teacher
Amanda Hungerford
Interim Head of School
Amanda Hungerford has been a fixture at Grace for over 19 years. After working for Teach for America in New York City and then Youth Activities for Disney Cruise Lines, she returned to the Northern Virginia area looking to put down roots. She arrived for an interview on graduation morning in 2006 and felt an instant connection with the school. Starting out as a kindergarten teacher, then moving upstairs to both the fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms, she has a unique point of view and awareness of the school as a whole. She brings this understanding and insight into her current role as Interim Head of School and has become an irreplaceable member of the Grace community. As one of the senior faculty and staff members, her knowledge of all things Grace is truly priceless. Her work and home life converge with one daughter currently enrolled at Grace, and one a recent Grace graduate.
“My passion for Grace has been inspired in different ways over the years. Now much of my passion for making Grace the best it can be comes from seeing Grace through my daughters’ eyes. Their enthusiasm for different Grace traditions, like the second grade and preschool buddy time, or our all-school participation in a greening of Grace on Earth Day, in combination with the relationships they have built and are continuing to build with their classmates, the teachers and staff, and other Grace community members, helps to relight my passion on a daily basis.”
Miguel Palacio
Physical Education Teacher
Say hello to Mr. Palacio — or as his students call him, “Coach P” — our beloved P.E. teacher for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Mr. Palacio found his way to Grace by way of Baroody Camps, where he has worked with children for over 30 years. Mr. Palacio is originally from Bluefields in Nicaragua and is fluent in Spanish. Naturally athletic and standing at 6’2” tall, Coach P was a star basketball player in high school and college. He is also father to five incredible children. His energetic personality and incredibly positive attitude make him a natural leader on and off the fields and courts, and his many years of experience as a youth sports coach and camp counselor serve him well as an expert in physical fitness education. Mr. Palacio’s approach to physical fitness fits perfectly with Grace’s whole child philosophy: he begins each class with a prayer and stresses good sportsmanship and healthy habits. Grace students are truly lucky to have Mr. Palacio as a teacher and role model for he is easy to look up to, both in height and strong character.
“Whether a task be big or small, do it well or not at all.” — Mr. Palacio
Mary Kate Holland
Director of Early Childhood Programs
Mary Kate Holland is known at Grace for her playful, engaging personality, magical ability to forge strong connections with her students and expertise in early childhood development. Like many other Grace faculty and staff members, Mrs. Holland has held several different positions within the school. She started at Grace as a substitute teacher after leaving her previous role as a preschool director for 16 years. Over the years, she has taught preschool, junior kindergarten, first, second and third grade religion and worked in morning and afternoon extended care. She is currently the Director of Early Childhood Programs, where she oversees both the preschool and junior kindergarten classes. She is strongly motivated by understanding the emotions behind children’s behavior and she is passionate about helping students grow and achieve in a way that is developmentally appropriate. She loves to celebrate with them with hugs and laughter. A true lover of animals, nature and travel, Mrs. Holland hopes to one day find herself on an African safari full of animal encounters!
“My favorite part of being a member of the early childhood team is how much of a difference we, as adults, can make just by loving the children in our care. I want all of my students to know that they are loved and respected and that they can count on us to keep them safe and help them learn and grow. Learning skills and facts is essential, but more importantly, I hope that I teach the children in my class how to be good people: to share, compromise, and respect each other.”
Profiles in Grace
John Doe, Director of Child Services
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Preschool 3 to Grade 5
Coed Independent Day School
3601 Russell Road, Alexandria, VA 22305-1731
Office: (703) 549-5067 • office@graceschoolalex.org
