About the 2024-2025 Team
Alicia Cacace
Co-Founder & Head of School
Alicia is a California native and earned her BA from the University of California, Berkeley in International and Area Studies. Having spent her college years running tutoring programs, leading birthday parties, nannying, and volunteering with children in Guatemala, she knew she wanted to be a teacher and received her bilingual multi subject K-5 teaching credential from California State University, East Bay. She taught Spanish bilingual and Reggio Emilia inspired arts integrated Kindergarten and first grade in the Oakland Unified School District for five years.
Inspired to learn more about best practices in education, Alicia moved to Boston to complete her masters degree in Educational Policy and Management at Harvard University. Alicia continued to teach and lead in schools for another three years in Boston and D.C., until her first son was born. Alicia served on the board at Silver Spring Nursery School for four years, where both her sons attended and she found inspiration for co-founding Silver Oaks. In her spare time, she enjoys reading science fiction, gardening, and hosting living room dance parties with her husband and two sons.
Annette C. H. Nelson
Co-Founder & Education Director
Annette graduated with a BA from the University of Mary Washington and taught in Howard County Public Schools as an elementary classroom teacher for five years. Once she received her Masters of Library Science from the University of Maryland she became an elementary school library media specialist. After 12 years in the county she had her son Jack and transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom. In 2015, she returned to work as a school library media specialist for Prince George's County School. From 2016-2018 she worked as a school library media specialist for Montgomery County Public Schools. Annette is a Nationally Board Certified Media Specialist, holds a Maryland State Certification for grades 1-6, and has co-authored two books for school librarians.
Annette lives in Silver Spring with her husband and two sons and she is passionate about developing Silver Oaks to provide a unique educational experience for her own children and those in the community.
Kendall Sethna
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Social Studies & 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Kendall has a dual BA in French Language & Literature and Linguistics from the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, she has a M.Ed. in TESOL from UMD. Kendall is a published education researcher with Outstanding Master's Student recognition from UMD and was an adjunct Instructor at Prince George's Community College. The bulk of her academic work has been on second language acquisition and linguistics. Kendall has been teaching science, literacy, and social studies to upper elementary school students for the past seven years in Prince George's County Public Schools. In addition to Kendall joining Silver Oaks in the Fall of 2023, her Kindergarten son Isaac also joined! Kendall lives in Riverdale with her husband, two kids, and dog.
Katie Friedman
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Math & 5th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Katie has a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland at College Park. In addition, she has a MA in Education and Curriculum Instruction from UMD. Katie's interest in education began in high school, when she was summer camp counselor and folk dance teacher, then department head. In college, she served as an AmeriCorps member for City Year, providing push-in services for students in Title I schools. Katie taught upper elementary math and science for a Prince George's county public school five years before joining Silver Oaks in 2023.
Alicia Saunders Angeles
Middle School (5th-8th Grade) Literacy & 7th/8th Grade Homeroom Teacher
Alicia Saunders has her Bachelor's in Music from Columbia Union College and her Master's in Flute Performance from the Catholic University of America. She began her teaching career in 2008 as a music teacher, private flute tutor, and choir director for children ages 3 to 15 in a variety of public and nonpublic schools, and in her private studio. In 2016, Alicia moved to Peru, where she became a classroom English teacher for three years in first and second grade. Upon returning to the United States, Alicia taught third grade math, science, and health in a local public school district for three years. Alicia loves accompanying students as they explore life, making connections and new discoveries everyday. Her goal is to teach students in a diverse way, while prepping them with strategies and skills that will allow them to thrive in their academic endeavors and promote a love of learning. Alicia joined Silver Oaks in 2022 and is mom to two of our students!
Rebecca Rapoport
Fourth Grade Teacher
Becca discovered her love of teaching early on, while volunteering and working with children during high school and college. After four years as a project coordinator for the World Wildlife Fund, she knew teaching was her calling. Becca began teaching secondary math in DC Public Schools in 2009. She spent five and a half years teaching in DC, with a year-long break to be a stay-at-home mom (with some tutoring mixed in) when her first son was born. Before 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 for two years. Becca joined Silver Oaks Cooperative school as a lead teacher in 2019.
Becca earned her BA in International Studies from Dickinson College and her masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American University. Becca is originally from Massachusetts but has lived in the DC region since 2005. She currently lives in Hyattsville with her husband and two boys, who both attend Silver Oaks.
Erica Kraybill
Third Grade Teacher
After earning her B.S. in History from Eastern Mennonite University, Erica spent a year teaching ESOL to refugees in South Dakota and two years teaching ESOL to secondary school students in Tanzania through WorldTeach at Harvard University. Upon returning to the U.S., Erica taught ESOL to adults at UMD while earning her Master's of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Erica fell in love with teaching children and discovering the magic of learning with them. For the past 8 years, Erica was an ESOL teacher, then a fourth grade classroom teacher at a local public elementary school. Erica has been sharing her love of teaching and learning with our students since 2023. In her spare time, Erica enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Katelynn “Tinka” Long
Second Grade Teacher
Tinka was immediately drawn to teaching after becoming a swim instructor at the age of sixteen. Throughout her five years of teaching swimming, she found that working with children to build their knowledge, skills, confidence, and curiosity is her calling. She obtained her BS in Early Childhood Education from Towson University and holds a Maryland teaching credential for grades Kindergarten through Third. After graduation from Towson, Tinka taught at a local public school for two years, first as a substitute in a K/1 classroom and then as a Second Grade classroom teacher. Tinka is deeply committed to her students and excited to join Silver Oaks where she can nurture her passion for hands-on and child-centered learning.
Maya Schumacher
First Grade Teacher
Maya attended Brunel University in London, earning her BA in Education and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education. The pandemic in 2020 brought her back stateside, where she began teaching at a local nonpublic school. It was same school she attended from Third Grade on. She taught preschool for a year, Kindergarten for three years, and has an IMSE Orton Gillingham certification. Maya also taught First Grade during her student teaching placement.
Maya is dedicated to the individual child and their needs and interests, while guiding them through the curriculum. She is excited to join Silver Oaks as our First Grade Teacher and share her love of teaching with our students!
Caitlyn O. N.
Kindergarten Teacher
Caitlyn first joined Silver Oaks as a member in 2018 as one of our founding families! Her youngest two children are currently enrolled and Caitlyn began aiding in Kindergarten in 2022. After our First Grade teacher left in December of 2023 due to a medical emergency, Caitlyn stepped in as our loving and inspiring First Grade Teacher. She is excited to join our teaching team as Kindergarten Teacher this school year.
Caitlyn has a Masters degree in education and a Bachelor's Degree in psychology, both from Towson University. She is a mom of four children, and before she had her eldest, was an Early Childhood Educator for 7 years in local nonpublic schools. She also homeschooled two of her children for three years during their Kindergarten through second grade years.
Jeffrey Wims
Instructional Aide & PE Teacher
Jeff is a Washington D.C. native and attended the University of Maryland, College Park. His education career began early as a camp counselor and childcare provider, incorporating his love for outdoor games and basketball into his work with children. Jeff spent four years as a Child and Youth Program Assistant for the U.S. Army Child and Youth Services at Fort Meade, Maryland where he worked with infants, children, and adolescents. During this time, Jeff cultivated his strength and passion for developing age-appropriate activities and lessons that support the diverse needs of students. Before joining Silver Oaks, Jeff was an instructor at a private Maryland school for neurodivergent children and youth, utilizing applied behavior analysis therapy techniques to meet the diverse needs of students. After school hours, Jeff can be found DJing across the DMV, a passion he has followed for more than three years now.
Harlin Ruiz
Spanish Teacher
Harlin Ruiz, originally from Puerto Rico, brings a rich blend of cultural experiences to her role as a Spanish teacher. After spending 20 years living in France, and teaching Spanish, she combines her deep understanding of both her native Puerto Rican culture and French influences to enhance her teaching approach.
Harlin holds a Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on interculturality and a Master’s degree in Linguistics with a specialization in Teaching and Training Course Design for Foreign Languages. In addition, Harlin is a strong advocate for learning through nature and the arts, believing these methods offer the most engaging educational experiences. She also has an Associate degree in Horticulture and a passion for permaculture, which inform her holistic approach to teaching. As a certified yoga teacher, Harlin integrates mindfulness and well-being practices into her classroom to support students' overall growth and development.
With her unique blend of cultural experiences, academic expertise, and dedication to holistic education, Harlin is committed to creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment for Silver Oaks’ students.
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.
Caroline MacKinnon
Art Teacher
Caroline is a painter and ceramic sculptor who exhibits her work at various art spaces across the Washington DC region. She leads art classes, workshops and camps for children and adults at several area community centers and arts centers. She has BA in English and Art History from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. After graduation she caught the travel bug, received TESL certification and taught English as a second language in Canada, Morocco and Mexico. In Mexico City she worked as a journalist and translator before moving to the Washington DC area in 2011, when she started focusing more on her artistic practice. Caroline lives in Takoma Park, MD, with her three cats, husband and soon-to-be highschooler who is a SOCS alum. She loves meeting people, collecting things and creating art.
