Special Education Team
Mrs. Aboubakr is a proud Coates Star! She graduated from George Mason University with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, and a master's degree in Special Education. She also speaks three languages fluently. Mrs. Aboubakr enjoys spending time with her amazing kids and husband. Mrs. Aboubakr is very passionate about working with young students with disabilities and helping them gain the skills they need to become life long learners. She has always had a special place in her heart for working with children with disabilities. Mrs. Aboubakr firmly believes that great educators learn and grow with their students and is thankful for the opportunity to help young minds develop and flourish. |
My name is Veronique Anderson. This is my 3rd year as a proud Coates Star! I am a mother of 3 and a grandmother of 6. I have been an educator for 38 years. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, crafting, cooking, and music. I love teaching and helping children learn. I have a special passion for children with disabilities. I am looking forward to a fantastic year at Coates! |
I love to read, learn, and take short walks. I am from Africa, born in Algeria, and I speak four 5 languages (French, English, Russian, Italian, and Ukrainian), but I know a little Arabic and Spanish. I am also a Christian, and devote a lot of my time to ministry in church and missionary trips overseas. |
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Mrs. Cai is proud to be a Coates star since 2021! She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies and a Master's Degree in Elementary and Special Education. She has worked with a variety of grade levels ranging from K - 8th grade in both the general and special education settings. She also has experience working at Jill's House, a non-profit organization providing respite care to families of children with intellectual disabilities; this is what brought her into special education in the first place. When not at school, Mrs. Cai enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, grabbing coffee with friends, and eating good food with her family. |
This is my sixth year at Coates Elementary School as a Special Education Teacher and my 20th year teaching. I am so excited to work with your children. I am originally from New York and graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Business Administration. I also received my Masters in Special Education from George Mason University. I have 3 kids: a son who is a senior at Virginia Tech, a daughter that will be attending Christopher Newport University, and another daughter starting High School. We keep busy with all of their activities and can often be found on a soccer field. I enjoy being at the beach as well as visiting family in New York. I am looking forward to a great year at Coates Elementary School. |
This is my first year at Coates ES, and my 11th year in the classroom. I was at Herndon Middle School the past 4 years, teaching Math 7, Math 7 Honors, Prealgebra, and Algebra 1 Honors. I will be teaching 5th and 6th grade Special Education Math this year at Coates. I graduated from Marymount University in Arlington in 1998 and worked as a corporate accountant for 15 years before switching careers to education. In my spare time, I am a solo acoustic guitarist performing at venues all over Northern Virginia. I live with my wife in Reston, and our son is in his first year at the University of Mary Washington. |
Hello, my name is Lynn Wergland-Nichols. I am a mother of 5 grown children and a grandmother of two beautiful boys. I was born in Newark, New Jersey. My passions are being a Grand-mother, Mother, life-long learner, reading, and gardening. I graduated from Kean University in 1995 with a BA in Teacher of the Handicapped. I have been a Special Education teacher for the past 29 years. I have a special place in my heart towards Coates Elementary School because I am one of the “Original Stars”. |
Ms. O'Brien is excited to join the Coates family this year! She has 17 years of teaching experience in music, music for students with exceptional needs, and special education in New York, Maryland, and Virginia. Ms. O'Brien earned a Masters of Music Education from George Mason University as well as a Masters in Special Education from Towson University. When she is not teaching, Ms. O'Brien enjoys traveling, kayaking, running, and spending time with her family. |
My name is Marianne Pendlebury. I am a part-time speech pathologist this year. I retired in 2021 but missed the staff and students and decided to come back part-time. I have worked in Fairfax County for over twenty years as well as in schools in NY and NC. I am married and have two children and two grandchildren. We have a family retreat at Deep Creek Lake MD which we enjoy in the summer-swimming, kayaking and jet skiing! |
Ms. Penfield is new to the area, moving here post graduation from SUNY Plattsburgh, a college in her home state of New York. She graduated with a bachelors in Childhood Education and Masters in Special Education. Her favorite subjects to teach are science and math! In her spare time she enjoys crocheting, cooking and movies. |
I have been with FCPS for 10 years and a teacher for almost 20 years. I am originally from Philadelphia, PA and have been married 24 years. Having 3 daughters and 2 chihuahuas keep me occupied, along with cooking, hanging out with my friends, camping and travelling. |
This is Ms. Russell's fourth year at Coates ES. Ms. Russell graduated from James Madison University with her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and her Masters in Elementary General Education. She completed her Special Education Certification from George Mason University. Ms. Russell has worked with fourth grade, first grade, and third grade students for the last five years. When not at school, Ms. Russell enjoys spending time at her family's lake house and time with family and friends, especially her nieces and nephews. |
Ms. Sorrell Ms. Sorrell has been a proud Coates Star since 2019 when she moved to Virginia from Michigan (Go Lions!). She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Special Education from Central Michigan University and is currently attending George Mason for her Master's in Special Education and ABA certificate. She has experience supporting individuals with varying abilities from preschool-adulthood in many environments. When not at school or working on her Master's, Ms. Sorrell enjoys reading with a cup of coffee, entertaining her cat Aspen, and spending time with friends. |
Instructional Assistants |
Mrs. Barath joined the Coates staff in December of 2011, as a special education Instructional assistant. Prior to that, she worked as an elementary school substitute teacher in India for two years. Mrs. Barath graduated from Manonmaniyum University in India with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She also enjoys teaching Sunday School at her church. She has a caring husband and two beautiful children, a son whose is a junior at Westfield HS and a girl in eighth grade at Rachel Carson! Mrs. Barath loves to visit her family in India during her summer break. |
Mrs. Dasi has been teaching at this school since 2013. She worked with students with multiple disabilities and Learning disabilities . Mrs. Dasi holds a Master's Degree in General Education and a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Osmania University, India. |
Mrs.Elameen joined the Coates special education team in 2016.She started as a substitute teacher in Fairfax county public school for the past 5 years and she taught all elementary grade levels. She graduated in Accounting from Al Niline University in Sudan, and also holds a master's degree in Accounting from Strayer University, US. She is married and has 4 beautiful children, two of them students at Coates ES. She is a very positive and cheerful person who is willing to help others. She loves watching Arabic movies and music for relaxation. She often travels to her country to visit family with her kids. |
Trisha came to Coates in 2022 after working in special education since 2002 in New Hampshire. |
Ms.Gazar works as an IA at Coates Elementary School. She Got her Master's degree in Sociology from the university of Aberdeen in Scotland(UK) and currently is a student at George Mason University to get her Master's in Special Education. She is originally from Iran and moved with her daughter to the US for better opportunities. She loves to work with students and believes teaching is a very rewarding job. She also published three books in Farsi/Persian (her home country language) and directed several short films! |
Mrs. Dhana joined the Coates staff in September of 2022, as special educational Instructional assistant. prior to that she worked as in Montessori preschool. Mrs. Dhana graduated from Osmania university and master's degree in Osmania university. she has a caring husband and one child. A son whose is a junior at west field HS. Mrs. Dhana loves to visit her family in India during her summer break. |
 Mrs. HafeezaInstructional Assistant |
Mrs. Hafeez is from Pakistan. She gradMrs. Dhana Instructional Assistant Mrs. Dhana joined the Coates staff in September of 2022, as special educational Instructional assistant. prior to that she worked as in Montessori preschool. Mrs. Dhana graduated from Osmania university and master's degree in Osmania university. she has a caring husband and one child. A son whose is a junior at west field HS. |
 Mrs. Karrar Mrs. Karrar enjoys reading about various topics such as history, geography and folklore |
 Mrs. PatelInstructional Assistant |
Mrs. Raval Joined the Coates Special Education team in 2015. Mrs. Raval has her undergraduate degree in Microbiology and post graduate in Computer Science. Mrs. Raval loves to engage students in learning activities. She especially likes to guide students as they access technology based activities. In her extra time she loves to read and spend time with her family. |
 Mrs. Rivera |
Ms. Temple Mrs. Temple joined Coates Elementary school in 2023. Before joining FCPS, she taught Chinese for several years and also worked in Montessori education. She enjoys bringing joyful learning experiences to her students. Mrs. Temple graduated from Chongqing Normal University with a degree in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and is currently pursuing a Master's in Elementary Education at George Mason University. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family and participating in community activities. |
Hello! My name is Sangeetha Thanasekaran. I did my masters in Chemistry in an university in India. I have 2 daughters, one is working and another is in UVA. I have always loved working with kids and have been in the FCPS school system for the past 9 years. My hobbies include cooking, indoor gardening, and collecting home decor. Looking forward to making this a wonderful year for all students! |
 Ms. WhiteInstructional Assistant |
Mrs. Aboubakr
Ms. Anderson
Mr. Banks
Mrs. Bharadhwaj
Mrs. Cai
Mrs. Fechter
Mr. Nemetz
Mrs. Nichols
Ms. O'Brien
Mrs. Pendlebury
Ms. Penfield
Ms. Rafat
Ms. Russell
Mrs. Barath
Mrs. Dasi
Mrs. Elameen
Ms. Ferland
Ms. Gazar
Mrs. Dhana
Mrs. Hafeez
Mrs. Raval
Ms. Thanasekaran