About the 2025-2026 Team
Alicia Cacace
Co-Founder & Head of School
Alicia Cacace is a California native who earned her B.A. in International and Area Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. During college, she ran tutoring programs, worked as a nanny, led children's programs, and volunteered with children in Guatemala, experiences that inspired her to pursue a career in education. She went on to earn her bilingual multiple-subject teaching credential from California State University, East Bay and taught Spanish bilingual and Reggio Emilia-inspired, arts-integrated kindergarten and first grade in Oakland Unified School District for five years.
Seeking to deepen her understanding of educational leadership and school systems, Alicia earned a master's degree in Educational Policy and Management from Harvard University. She continued teaching and leading in schools in Boston and Washington, D.C. before turning her attention to early childhood and community-based education after the birth of her first son.
Alicia served on the board of Silver Spring Nursery School for four years, where both of her sons attended and where she found inspiration for co-founding Silver Oaks. Since 2018, she has served as Head of School at Silver Oaks, helping to build a school community grounded in curiosity, strong relationships, academic excellence, and meaningful childhood experiences.
Annette H. Love
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Literacy Teacher, 7th Grade Homeroom Teacher & Co-Founder
Annette holds a B.A. from the University of Mary Washington and a Master of Library Science from the University of Maryland. She began her career as an elementary classroom teacher in Howard County Public Schools before becoming an elementary school library media specialist. After twelve years in public education, she took time away from the profession to raise her son, Jack, before returning to school librarianship in Prince George's County and later Montgomery County Public Schools for another 3 years.
Annette is a National Board Certified Library Media Specialist, holds Maryland certification for grades 1–6, and has co-authored two books for school librarians.
A founding leader of Silver Oaks, Annette has served as Education Director since the school's inception in 2018. She is passionate about creating a rich, engaging educational experience for children and families and helping Silver Oaks grow as a vibrant learning community.
Kendall Sethna
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Social Studies & 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Kendall holds dual bachelor's degrees in French Language & Literature and Linguistics from the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as a Master of Education in TESOL. Her academic work has focused on second language acquisition and linguistics, and she has been recognized as an Outstanding Master's Student and published educational researcher.
Prior to joining Silver Oaks in 2023, Kendall spent seven years teaching science, literacy, and social studies to upper elementary students in Prince George's County Public Schools for seven years. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Prince George's Community College.
Kendall brings a deep understanding of language, learning, and child development to her teaching. Both of her children are also part of the Silver Oaks community.
John Haluska
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Math & 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher
John Haluska is an experienced educator with more than twenty years of supporting students in mathematics and science. His background includes teaching in California public schools, serving as a vocational caseworker with the Humboldt County Office of Education, and working as an international residential advisor at a California private school.
John holds a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Chemistry from Texas Tech University and has completed master's-level coursework in Environmental Resources Engineering at Humboldt State University. He has also spent many years providing individualized mathematics tutoring to students with a wide range of learning needs.
Known for building strong relationships with students and families, John is committed to helping students develop confidence, discover their strengths, and find success in their learning.
Alicia Saunders Angeles
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Literacy & 7th/8th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Alicia holds a B.A. in Music from Columbia Union College and a Master’s degree in Flute Performance from The Catholic University of America. She began her teaching career in 2008 as a music educator, private flute instructor, and choir director for children ages 3–15, working across public and nonpublic schools as well as in her private studio.
In 2016, Alicia moved to Peru, where she taught first and second grade English for three years. Upon returning to the United States, she taught upper elementary math, science, and health in a local public school district for three years.
Alicia is passionate about helping students make meaningful connections across disciplines and develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive as learners. Alicia joined Silver Oaks in 2022 and is also a proud parent of two students in our community.
Rebecca Rapoport
Fourth Grade Teacher
Becca discovered her love of teaching early on while volunteering and working with children in high school and college. After four years as a project coordinator for the World Wildlife Fund, she realized education was her calling and transitioned into teaching secondary math in DC Public Schools in 2009. She spent five and a half years in DCPS, including a year-long break when her first son was born, during which she also provided tutoring support.
Prior to joining Silver Oaks, Becca worked in a private school setting as a first and second grade teaching assistant, K–5 math specialist, and summer camp assistant director, building experience across both academic and programmatic leadership roles.
Becca joined Silver Oaks Cooperative School as a lead teacher in 2019 and has been a foundational member of the faculty since. She has played a key role in strengthening instructional practice and supporting the development of the school’s academic program over time.
Becca holds a B.A. in International Studies from Dickinson College and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American University. Originally from Massachusetts, she has lived in the DC region since 2005.
Erica Kraybill
Third Grade Teacher
Erica earned her B.S. in History from Eastern Mennonite University. After graduating, she spent a year teaching ESOL to refugees in South Dakota and then two years teaching ESOL to secondary students in Tanzania through WorldTeach at Harvard University. These early experiences shaped her deep commitment to language development, cross-cultural learning, and student growth.
Upon returning to the United States, Erica taught ESOL to adults at the University of Maryland while completing her Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She later transitioned into elementary education, where she spent eight years as both an ESOL teacher and fourth-grade classroom teacher in a local public elementary school.
Erica brings a strong focus on understanding each child’s developmental needs and next steps as a learner. Since joining Silver Oaks in 2023, she has contributed her expertise in language development, literacy and math, and student-centered instruction to our school community.
Katelynn “Tinka” Long
Second Grade Teacher
Tinka discovered her passion for teaching early, beginning as a swim instructor at sixteen, where she first experienced the joy of helping children build confidence, skills, and curiosity through guided practice and encouragement.
She earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Towson University and holds a Maryland teaching credential for grades Kindergarten through Third. After graduating, she began her classroom teaching career in a local public school, serving first as a substitute in a K–1 classroom before moving into a second-grade teaching role.
Tinka brings a child-centered approach to her work, focusing on meeting students where they are emotionally and developmentally and supporting their growth as learners. Since joining Silver Oaks in 2024, she has been a thoughtful and dedicated member of the faculty, committed to creating a warm and engaging classroom environment.
Maya Schumacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Maya earned her B.A. in Education and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Brunel University in London. Drawn to the energy and complexity of early learning, she returned to the United States in 2020 and began teaching in a local nonpublic school.
Over the next three years, she taught preschool and kindergarten, developing a practice rooted in observation, responsiveness, and deep respect for how young children learn. She also holds an IMSE Orton-Gillingham certification and completed a student teaching placement in first grade, strengthening her foundation in early literacy instruction.
Maya approaches teaching as a balance of structure and wonder, holding clear expectations while making space for curiosity, exploration, and joy. She is especially skilled at noticing what children need in the moment and guiding them forward with care and intention. Since joining Silver Oaks in 2024, she has been an integral part of the lower-elementary team, bringing warmth, attentiveness, and a steady sense of purpose to her classroom.
Caitlyn O. N.
First Grade Teacher
Caitlyn first joined Silver Oaks in 2018 as part of one of our founding families and has been deeply connected to the life of the community ever since. She began supporting in Kindergarten in 2022 and stepped into the First Grade classroom in 2023, bringing steadiness, care, and a deep sense of belonging to her work with children.
Caitlyn holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Towson University. She brings more than seven years of experience working with young children in local nonpublic schools, along with additional experience homeschooling her own children through the early elementary years.
Caitlyn is known for the strong and genuine relationships she builds with children and families. She has a gift for noticing the small, meaningful moments that shape a child’s sense of confidence, wonder, and belonging in school. She brings warmth, presence, and joy to her work, helping create a classroom where children feel known, supported, and excited to learn each day.
Jeffrey Wims
Instructional Aide & PE Teacher
Jeff is a Washington, D.C. native and attended the University of Maryland, College Park. His path in education began early as a camp counselor and childcare provider, where he discovered a love for connecting with children through play, movement, and shared interests like outdoor games and basketball.
Jeff spent four years as a Child and Youth Program Assistant with U.S. Army Child and Youth Services at Fort Meade, working with infants, children, and adolescents. During this time, he developed a strong foundation in designing developmentally appropriate activities that support the diverse needs of learners across age groups. He later worked at a private Maryland school serving neurodivergent children and youth, where he supported students using applied behavior analysis strategies and individualized instructional approaches.
Jeff brings a calm, steady presence and a strong ability to connect with students of all ages and needs. Outside of school, he is a DJ in the DMV area, a creative outlet he has pursued for more than three years and one that reflects his energy, rhythm, and love of bringing people together.
Mark Sylvester
Music Teacher
Mark has taught classes and private music lessons in guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, and bass for over 20 years. He has a private music studio in Silver Spring, and he is a faculty member of both Levine Music and Opal Music Studio.
Mark regularly performs around the Washington, DC, area as a solo guitarist and with many folk, classical, rock, world music, and jazz groups. His recordings of original compositions include music for solo acoustic guitar, award-winning chamber music for classical banjo, and scores for live site-specific theater productions. Mark's primary musical influences and interests include folk and world music, cool jazz, prog rock, minimalism, American primitive and contemporary guitar music, and J.S. Bach.
Sonia Vasquez
Spanish Teacher
Bio under construction.
Abby Carver
Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator & Art Teacher
Bio under construction.
Liana B. K.
Membership Director
Liana’s passion for working with children started early, beginning as a parent helper and babysitting all the way through college. After becoming a mom, she eagerly joined an outdoor cooperative preschool, where she and her three children spent the next eight years. In addition to the countless hours of co-oping and serving on various roles for the school, Liana led afterschool forest playgroups, volunteered in MCPS classrooms, and served on the board of her local parents group. When the pandemic arrived, she took on homeschooling. Committed to staying involved in her children’s education, Liana was thrilled to become part of the Silver Oaks community - first as a co-oper and now as part of the wonderful team. Liana holds a BA in Criminology from the University of Maryland, College Park. In her spare time she enjoys crafting, gardening, baking and playing board games with her family.
Jess Lojek
Financial Administrator
Bio under construction.