Our Team

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.

Kate Talbot​

Kate is the 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.

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 is lead teacher for the SHC online preschool 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, and she looks forward to becoming an American citizen, and helping other newcomers succeed in the US.

Sama Al Badri

Sama is the SHC Class Administrator and Special Projects Coodinator.  Sama earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Baghdad in Iraq.  She worked as an office manager and administrative assistant in Iraq before coming to the United States with her family as a refugee in 2017. Sama assists in our classroom administration, registration, enrollment and with new family visits. In addition to her time with SHC, Sama is a busy mother of two and loves to spend time with her family.  Sama is a native Arabic speaker and is also fluent in English.

Shabnam Oria

Shabnam is the SHC 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.”

Kaleigh Bolin

Kaleigh is a virtual English teacher living in Upstate South Carolina. 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.

Camille Davidson

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

Dr. Glorious Fealing

Glorious has taught all English proficiency levels, citizenship classes, and high school
equivalency, including the community-based, university, and volunteer practice areas. 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.

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.

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.

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.