Excellence Lives Here!

Hyde-DC is a community of caring, talented and dedicated staff, eager to serve students and their families. 

"We have high expectations for everyone who serves at our school," says Dr. JoAnn Cason, Head of School.  "We hire the most highly qualified professionals and provide professional development, training and any other support necessary to insure that every child receives an excellent educational experience."

Here's the Hyde-DC Administration Team line-up!

Dr. Jo Ann Cason, Head of School

“Doc” Cason was named the new Head of School in June 2008.  “It is an honor to lead an urban school that is so focused on the makings of the inner person – the character.  Every child is precious and deserves the opportunity to succeed,” she says.

Before coming to Hyde-DC, she served as principal of Hamilton Middle School, an award-winning school recognized for outstanding achievements by the CEO of Baltimore City Schools, as well as the President of the Baltimore City Council.

She began her career in education as a teacher in the Baltimore City Schools.  Her first job as principal was leading Edison Schools’ Gilmore Elementary-Junior Academy.  During her six-year tenure, the school twice won Edison’s highest “Double Four Star School” award.   

A native of Baltimore, Jo Ann Cason graduated Magna Cum Laude from Coppin State College, received a master's degree from Towson State University, and earned a Ph.D. in Urban Education and Leadership from Morgan State University.  She has received her State of Maryland’s certification as an Administrator and as a Superintendent.

Anne H. Hedman, Chief Operating Officer

 Ms. Hedman was named chief operating officer at Hyde in June 2008.  “I have found my colleagues friendly, helpful and passionate and the students poised, bright and eager! What’s not to love?” she says.

She spent most of her working life in financial and strategic planning for energy companies, including Amoco and Pacific Gas & Electric.  Five years ago, she moved to the field of education when she became the business manager at Alexandria Country Day School.  Her son was a student there and the job provided “a great opportunity to mesh my personal and professional” interests.

Anne Hedman has an M.B.A. from George Washington University and a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Boston College.  She grew up outside Philadelphia (Go, Eagles!) and lives in Virginia with her husband, 15-year-old son and two-year-old Schnoodle (a cross between a schnauzer and a poodle), “the light of all of our lives!”  When not at Hyde, you’re likely to find Ms. Hedman doing the crossword puzzle, reading books or playing outside (gardening, golfing or skiing).

This is Kyle Hill’s first year serving as Assistant Head of School.  He applied for the position because “I’m interested in shaping the whole student. Hyde does more than teach academics – it helps students develop the character strength, leadership skills and social conscience they’ll need to live a meaningful life.”

Kyle Hill has leadership experience at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels. As the lead administrative intern at Herndon High School, he revised the remediation and review block to focus instruction toward students in need; helped supervise the Fine Arts, Special Education and Science Departments; and, assisted with student attendance and discipline. At Holmes Middle School, he substituted for grade-level administrators; directed the After-School Program; and, assisted with teacher supervision and student discipline. As the Upper Elementary Science Lead with the Annandale School pyramid, Mr. Hill provided teacher professional development opportunities and helped plan instruction.

Mr. Hill is also an experienced teacher, having taught 6th grade science and 4th grade. During his nine years in the classroom, he used differentiated instructional practices to increase student achievement for second language learners, students with disabilities and Young Scholars and partnered with school stakeholders to develop individual education plans that promoted students’ educational, physical and social developmental needs.

Kyle Hill earned his B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine and an M.S. in Adult Learning and Human Resource Development from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He earned his Virginia Post-Graduate Professional License with Endorsement in K-12 Administration and Supervision from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

 Mr. Murray was promoted to Director of Hyde-DC’s High School in 2007.  As principal, he is responsible for leading, directing and supervising the High School’s core curriculum and development. “A key part of my job is to provide the vision, set the academic goals and work closely with our teachers to bring both to fruition,” he says.  

Mr. Murray joined the Hyde-DC faculty in 2004.  During his years at Hyde, he taught High School American History (AP and General Education); served as a mentor to first- and second-year teachers and was a grade level chair for the 12^th grade. 

Prior to joining the Hyde-DC team, Mr. Murray taught at Nicholas Orem Middle School and Crim High School.  He earned a Master of Arts in Social Science from the University of Chicago and was awarded a Bachelor of Art in History/Education from Clark Atlanta University.   

Rashid Johnson joined Hyde-DC in June 2009, impressed by the “camaraderie, support, open arms and inspiration” he experienced during the interview process.  “I find the Head of School, learning community and character education structure to be truly remarkable,” he says.  Previously, Mr. Johnson served as principal of Children’s Studio School Public Charter School in Washington, DC. 

Rashid Johnson has worked in the field of urban, progressive education for 11 years as an elementary classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and university professor in the Washington, DC metro area.  He taught 1^st, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades in DC Public Schools and was assistant principal at Bruce-Monroe Elementary School.  His work experience also includes serving as the director of gender, race, education and equity programming for the Mid-Atlantic Equity Center in Bethesda, MD.  Additionally, Mr. Johnson teaches graduate courses and lectures in the areas of effective pedagogy for diverse learners and language arts at American University in Washington, DC.

Mr. Johnson holds a Master’s in Educational Administration from Trinity University in Washington, DC, a Master’s in the Art of Teaching Elementary Education from American University and a Bachelor’s in Art - Commercial Design from Tougaloo College in Mississippi.  Originally from the south side of Chicago, Mr. Johnson enjoys a wide variety of activities outside his school-life, including reading, writing, playing basketball, cooking, watching crime television shows, spending time with loved ones, tattoo art and listening to Hip-Hop music.

Kim Stalnaker, Assistant Principal of Instruction, High School

Prior to assuming the position of assistant principal/academic dean in 2007, Ms. Stalnaker spent nine years teaching World History at Hyde-DC and working as a History department chair.  She was awarded the Hyde-DC Administrator of the Year Award in 2009.

She earned a B.A. in History and German from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.A. in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.  Her love of learning and “helping and watching others learn” led her to enter the field of education.  She earned her teacher certification from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Stalnaker has two wonderful children, Natalie and Jamie.

 Tiphanie N. Tracey Scroggins, Director of Data and Research

Ms. Scroggins was appointed director of data and research in January 2008.  Her duties include coordinating standardized and benchmark testing and monitoring enrollment procedures.  “I was educated as a scientist, so I’m comfortable disaggregating and analyzing assessment data.  I enjoy using those skills to design strategies that will help our students meet educational goals,” she says.

Tracey Scroggins has worked at Hyde since 2004, when she joined the faculty as a biology and chemistry teacher and chaired the High School science department.  She served as academic dean for a year-and-a-half before assuming her current position.

She entered the field of education in 1995, teaching science at Nichols Orem Middle School for nine years.  For much of that time period, she also taught students (K-12) in mathematics and reading at Huntington Learning Center in Lanham, MD.  She also has experience at the Elementary School level, having served as a science resource teacher at Harriet Tubman Elementary School. 

Tracey Scroggins has a B.A. in Microbiology from Howard University and expects to receive her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Trinity College in May 2009.  She’s a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 

Chante Booker, Director, Special Education

Ms. Booker is entering her eighth year at Hyde and appreciates the fact that our school provides families and staff with the opportunity to grow every day on a personal level.  “I return to Hyde each year because my life has been impacted by its principles and growth opportunities. Helping the students at Hyde is pushing me to reach my unique potential. I need the students just as much as they need me!”

Before being named the director of special education, Ms. Booker was a special education teacher, dance teacher and cheer coach at Hyde.  She was awarded the Discovery Award in June 2003 and enjoys planning the high school prom each year.  Prior to joining the Hyde team, she was an Early Balanced Literacy Teacher for the Philadelphia School District and worked as a program specialist for Reading is Fundamental.

Ms. Booker chose to work in the field of education to affect change in the lives of students from urban communities. “I grew up in an urban community and I was given numerous opportunities to advance academically. I want the same for Hyde’s students.  I seek to create pathways for them and help them to walk those pathways with confidence,” she says.

Chante Booker has a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Delaware State University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Phoenix.  She’s a product of DC and Prince Georges County Public Schools. Outside of school, Ms. Booker enjoys dancing and spending time with her family.

Reginald L. Speight, Director, Admissions

Reggie Speight started at Hyde in November 1999, the year the school first opened.  During the next six years, he served as a teacher, an assistance director of Middle School, academic dean, Summer School coordinator, and a teacher trainer. He coached Hyde’s football team, the boys and girls outdoor track teams and the drill team, and also directed the choral program.

Following a three-year absence, during which he served as a licensed life and health insurance agent, Mr. Speight returned to Hyde in May 2008.  Working at Hyde provides the uncompromising satisfaction of knowing that he's doing something meaningful and making a difference within the community.  "This is truly a special school where home and school together are inspiring tomorrow’s leaders,” Mr. Speight says.

His current responsibilities involve planning and implementing family programs, recruiting new students and re-enrolling returning students. He praises Hyde’s “commitment to a family’s success, which in turn assures that all members of its village strive to achieve their unique potential.”

Reginald Speight has a B.S. in Marketing from Delaware State University, where he was elected senior class president. He is a native Washingtonian, having graduated from Montgomery Elementary, Shaw Jr. High and Dunbar Sr. High schools.  He believes he has “a personal obligation to be a positive role model for the youth of our metropolitan area.”

Tal Bayer, Development Director (and Head Rugby Coach)

Mr. Bayer has been with Hyde-DC since it first opened in 1999.  He considers Hyde to be a special school, “because of the unique bond between staff, students and alumni.  The commitment and dedication to our students is second to none.”

Prior to being named Development Director, he served as Athletic Director for seven years.  Mr. Bayer has been involved in rugby as a player or coach for 21 years.  He founded Hyde-DC’s rugby program, which is internationally recognized for its excellence both on and off the rugby field.  Team members (male and female) have been selected to play on national teams representing the United States throughout the world.

He served as Attache for the British Olympic Team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA and was assistant coach and manager for the USA U19 National Rugby Team (2002 Guyana, 2003 South Africa, 2003 Trinidad).

Tal Bayer earned his B.B.A. from Radford University.  He grew up in an Air Force family and has traveled to just about every state in the U.S.  His hidden talent:  “I was a singer in a band in college.” 

This is Ernest Pearson’s first year as a faculty member.  He entered the field of education because he enjoys “being able to help students, guide them to make their goals a reality, and have a positive impact on their future.”  A Hyde alumni (2004), he chose to return to the school because he values being part of the Hyde community and wanted to “give back to the same community that helped me to succeed.”

His prior work experience includes serving as a sales merchandiser for the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company while he was in college.  He also interned with the Hoops Sagrado Organization, which provides youth from Washington DC with an opportunity to study and volunteer in Guatemala.

While a student at Hyde, Mr. Pearson competed on the football, rugby, wrestling and basketball teams and was named the school’s first Male Athlete of the Year.  As football captain, he helped lead the team to Hyde’s first championship.  That same year, he played for the rugby team during its appearance at the high school national rugby championship.  Off the athletic field, he participated in Hyde’s Men of Strength program. 

Ernest Pearson is a 2008 graduate of Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA, where he earned his BA in sociology, and competed on the varsity football team and played rugby.  He is an animal-lover (specifically dogs and reptiles) and also has a strong passion for music. 

  John W. Wilson III, Director of Mathematics & Instructional Technology (and Head Wrestling Coach)

John Wilson joined the Hyde-DC faculty in July 2004 as a math teacher and was named chair of the Middle School/High School Math Department later that year.  He assumed the position of K-12 Math and Technology Specialist in late 2007 and is now Director of Mathematics & Instructional Technology.

Mr. Wilson values Hyde-DC for providing the opportunity to work with students of all ages, grades Pre-K through 12.  “It really warms my heart when I help our students learn life skills and lessons that will assist them to grow into educated and productive adults.”   Working in an inner city school does present challenges; however, he believes that facing those challenges has helped him to “become more competent in my position, more confident in my public and private lives, and more appreciative of the work people do in urban education.”

He began his career in education working as a training technician with the US Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service.  He has taught math and coached football, wrestling and track in West Virginia and Virginia, and was a math instructor at ITT before coming to Hyde.

John Wilson graduated from Shepherd University with a B.A. in Math Education and earned his Master's in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009.  He grew up in Virginia Beach where he played football and wrestled from age 11 through college.  He has two daughters and enjoys biking, hiking and camping.  

Rydell Smith, Director, Cafeteria

Rydell Smith has headed Hyde-DC’s Cafeteria Staff for seven years and takes pride in serving “home-cooked”  breakfasts and lunches to hundreds of students and teachers each school day.  In addition to head cook duties, Mr. Smith is responsible for the school’s food budget, selects and coordinates food vendor services and manages a loyal staff.

A native of Eastman, GA, Mr. Smith moved to the District of Columbia when he was a child. He has more than 20 years of experience in the food industry and has worked at several landmark DC restaurants, including Hogate’s, the Flagship and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

“I love what I do,” he says. “I enjoy cooking and encouraging the students to try new foods.” According to Chef Rydell, Hyde-DC students do have one healthy favorite: they love salads! To help convince them to add a variety of foods to their diet, February’s menu will feature three new food items: macaroni and cheese with ham chunks, scalloped potatoes and fried catfish.

Mr. Smith’s daughter attends Hyde-DC, where she can enjoy her father’s cooking during the day. He admits that when home, he assists with family meal preparation only on the weekends!