ESOL Team

Ms AllenMs. Allen
ESOL Teacher

Miss Allen has been teaching at Coates since 2016 and loves working with ESOL students! She began her teaching career in Virginia Beach where she earned a Bachelors in Education from Regent University. She earned her Masters in English Language Learning from Western Governors University. Miss Allen is from Uniontown, Pennsylvania and is always rooting for the Steelers during football season. She enjoys spending time with her dog Scout, reading new books, and playing board games!

Ms Bawa

Mrs. Bawa
ESOL Teacher

Mrs. Bawa is one of the original staff members who helped open Coates ES in 2009. She graduated from George Mason University with a master's degree in special education. Her teaching career spans 23 years and her most favorite years have been spent teaching at Coates ES!. She taught students with special needs until 2021, after which she joined the wonderful ESOL team! She has a loving husband and two grown up kids. She loves to travel with her family and enjoys cooking and gardening.

Mrs. BullMrs. Bull
ESOL Teacher

Mrs. Bull was born and raised in Alexandria, VA. This is her second year at Coates ES! She began her ESOL teaching career in 2020 at Hybla Valley ES. She received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University and her Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Virginia. She lives in Leesburg, VA with her husband and daughter. In her free time, she enjoys going on nature walks, playing the violin, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ms. Dillon
ESOL Teacher

After earning my MA in TESOL from Gonzaga University in 2022, I moved to Virginia to begin my career as an ESOL teacher. This year has been full of exciting milestones. I got married this summer in Hawaii, where I was born, and I'm thrilled to be teaching at Coates Elementary School for the first time this year. As a bilingual speaker and language learner myself, I’m passionate about teaching others how to speak a language by getting to know their cultures and identities. Watching students grow and express themselves over the years is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Mrs. George-Habib
ESOL Teacher

Mrs. George-Habib is excited to join Coates ES this year. She taught elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona for eight years and has spent the last six years in Fairfax County. She received her undergraduate degree in English and Spanish from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. When she is not at work, she loves spending time with her husband and dog, reading, and teaching Pure Barre exercise classes! 

Mrs. HandoMs. Hando
ESOL Teacher

Ms. Hando has taught high school and pre-school, but she is happiest here at Coates teaching ESOL to amazing children from all over the world. She’s been with Coates since it opened in 2009. She earned degrees from Mary Washington College, Boston University’s School of Education, and a post-graduate certificate in teaching ESOL from Shenandoah University. Her favorite things in teaching are connecting with students and helping them grow in their English language ability and confidence. She loves learning about languages and cultures and travels when she can.

Ms. OdouxMs. Odoux
ESOL Teacher

Ms. Odoux is originally from France. She moved to Virginia 22 years ago and lived in Loudoun County and Fairfax County. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from the University of Science and Technology of Montpellier, France. At FCPS, she taught Elementary French Immersion, Secondary French, Secondary and Elementary ESOL. She enjoys teaching students a new language and helping them develop their communication skills and confidence. She is excited to teach 6th grade ESOL at Coates Elementary again this year! 

Ms. O'NeilMs. O'Neil
ESOL Teacher

Ms. O'Neil is so excited to return to Coates ES this year. She grew up in Leesburg, VA and now lives in Herndon with her husband and toddler. This is her second year teaching ESOL at Coates, and she has also taught in China, Slovakia, Hong Kong, and Poland. She loves learning about other cultures and getting to know her amazing students. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with her family.

Ms OrtizMs. Ortiz
ESOL Teacher

Ms. Ortiz has also taught Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. She LOVES teaching ESOL here at Coates. She enjoys connecting with her students and sharing her love of learning. She lives in Herndon with her wonderful husband, 4 children, 2 dogs and 3 cats! She's looking forward to an amazing year with all of the Coates Stars!

Ms VibasMrs. Vibas
ESOL Teacher

Mrs. Vibas began her teaching career with Fairfax County Public Schools in 2005. She joined the Coates staff in 2012. Mrs. Vibas earned a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in ESOL from George Mason University. During her teaching career, she has worked with each grade level in grades K through 6. She believes strongly that all of her students have the potential of becoming anything they put their minds to, and she encourages them to always be the best that they can be. When Mrs. Vibas is not at school, she is at home with her husband, two boys, two dogs and two cats! She loves the beach, the movies, and relaxing on the weekends with her family.