Our Team

Shabnam Oria

Shabnam is the Administrative Coordinator.  Shabnam worked as an office manager and administrative assistant in Kabul, Afghanistan, before coming to the United States in March 2020.  She speaks Dari, Pashto and Urdu and says: “I am super excited to work with you all and am looking forward to meeting you in person hopefully near in the future.”

Janet Satter

Janet is the SHC Volunteer Engagement Manager. She was previously a volunteer and community outreach coordinator at the International Rescue Committee in her hometown of Tucson, AZ. She did her undergraduate and master's degrees in international relations, and since moving to the D.C. metro area, she has worked in international development and healthcare. When she's not spending time with her husband, two kids, and dog, she enjoys dance fitness and honing her at-home barista skills.

Kate Talbot​

Kate is co-Founder and Director of Operations & Finance for SHC where she manages the financial activities of the organization to ensure sound governance and transparency. Every day Kate is inspired by the kindness, generosity and warmth of the people and families she assists.

Marzia Nazari

Marzia began learning English with SHC in 2019 and completed the SHC Citizenship class before successfully naturalizing as a US citizen.   Marzia  joins SHC Administrative Coordinator. Originally from Herat, Afghanistan, Marzia came to the United States with a Special Immigrant Visa as a result of her work with the United Nations as a lawyer in Afghanistan.  Marzia began taking classes with SHC in 2019, and studied English and Citizenship with SHC and she is now a Citizen of the United States along with her husband and two boys.  

Bary Rawan

Baryalai Rawan came to the United States as a result of the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021, and joins SHC as Community Resource Connector.  Bary received a Master's Degree in Public Policy from KDI School of Public Policy and Management in South Korea and has extensive experience  in community outreach, advocacy, governance and policy development.  Bary has worked to advance gender equality and to enhance the lives of immigrants, citizens and people in need. "I am thrilled and honored to work with the SHC community in building better communities for refugee and immigrant families."

Amal Abuldood

Amal is SHC's Early Childhood Enrichment Teacher and works with SHC preschoolers while their moms attend classes in our library program. Amal dreamed of becoming a teacher, leading her to complete a 90 hour child care provider certificate for a pre school setting.  Amal speaks Arabic and English.  Amal arrived in the US with her husband and two young sons as refugees.  Amal and her husband completed the SHC Citizenship Program and the family are now US citizens. Amal enjoys helping other newcomers succeed in the US.

Tessa Ambridge

Tessa brings over 10 years of experience of ESL teaching at Northern Virginia Community College to her role as English Language Learner Program Manager. She has taught diverse classes of adult immigrants, refugees, and international students at a wide range of levels. She also has experience with teacher training and course development. She holds a Master's in TESOL from American University, and really loves playing soccer and reading fiction.

Merritt Groeschel

Merritt is Founder and Executive Director of SHC working to shape SHC programs, goals and vision for the future, building thriving futures and giving families tools to succeed in their communities. She is passionate about working with new members of the community, sharing local knowledge and a love of metro DC.

Our Teacher Team

Kaleigh Bolin

Kaleigh is a virtual ​English teacher and is lead teacher for the SHC online preschool program. She began teaching as an English tutor for recently resettled refugees in Clarkston, Georgia and has been working with adult English learners for several years. She earned a Master’s degree in ESL from Northern Arizona University and a TEFL Certificate from the University of Toronto. Kaleigh is passionate about helping students develop the language skills they need to navigate and participate in their communities confidently.

Susan Fox

Susan was an SHC volunteer tutor and classroom assistant for several years, and transitioned to become an SHC English Teacher after completeing an Oxford Seminar Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL/TESL/TEFL).  Susan is a co-chair of her temple's Community of Action and a volunteer and advocate for South Lake ES in Gaithersburg, MD. Also an avid baker, Susan is always willing to brighten the day with cookies.

Camille Davidson

Camille is an English for Academic Purposes and ESL Instructor and joins SHC as an English teacher. She has taught English to adult learners for 15 years, and she has a Master's Degree in TESOL.

Patty Jokiel

​Patty from Albany, NY joins SHC as a virtual English Teacher.  In her role as Tutor Education Coordinator she supports tutors in their one-on-one work with their tutees. ​She brings years of experience as an ESL and secondary English teacher.  Most recently, she taught refugees and immigrant students at a non-profit school in Albany.  Patty earned a Master’s degree in TESOL from the University of Southern Maine and a Bachelor’s degree in English and Education from the University of Vermont.  Patty brings compassion and enthusiasm to her classroom.

Dr. Glorious Fealing

Glorious teaches English and Citizenship for SHC. Glorious has an Ed D in Educational Leadership and Management and an MA TESOL. Her teaching philosophy reflects compassion and agency, giving space in a student-centered environment for learners to engage in best practices to acquire and retain knowledge, including using educational technology to encourage digital literacy. She wrote curriculum projects and published  educational materials exemplifying her teaching philosophy. Research interests include leadership, adult education, TESOL, and self-efficacy.

Sarah Simmons

Sarah is a  Citizenship and English teacher for SHC.  She believes that education empowers families  to develop communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of American  culture.  For over 20 years, she has taught English, history, government, and art to teens and adults. Sarah holds two masters degrees in education and history as well as a certificate to teach ESOL. She enjoys creating classes that are fun and challenge students to think deeply and ask questions that cause ripples.