In all, Cornerstone Schools employ fifteen full-time teachers, five part-time teachers, two principals, a director of development and two administrative assistants. Below are the staff bios.

Marisha Pennington, our principal at CCS, began her educational career at the Nativity Catholic Academy in Washington, DC, where she taught grades Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grade math and science. As a part-time math teacher, during that same year, she worked with high school students in a Calculus Bridge Program at U.D.C. to help increase the number of urban high school students in math careers. She spent the next 10 years at Paul Public Charter School teaching math, grades Seventh through Ninth. She also taught math in the Arlington and Alexandria public school system during the summer months as a math enrichment teacher. Ms. Pennington has participated in many math workshops and committees including the SAT-10 Criterion Referenced Alignment committee. This past year, Ms. Pennington worked at Mamie D. Lee integrating sign language into the regular education program for deaf, Hard of Hearing and other children with expressive language disabilities. Ms. Pennington holds a B.A. in Mathematics, a M.A. in School Counseling Administration and a DC K-12 School Counseling Certification.

In addition to her strong background in education, Ms. Pennington is also the Coordinator for the Deaf Ministry at Bethesda Baptist Church in Washington, DC, where she participates in signing worship services, bible studies and bible classes for Deaf adults that are members of the church.

Kia Wiggins teaches our Kindergarten/First grade combo class at CCS.  Ms. Wiggins was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She received her Bachelors of Art in Sociology from Fayetteville State University. After graduating she returned back to the D.C. area where she substitute taught Social Studies and History in a charter school and became a teacher's aide for the D.C. Public School system. Before coming to Cornerstone Ms. Wiggins taught Pre-K at St. Francis Xavier were she was also the dance coach. Her passion is teaching students that learning is important and with a great education you achieve everything.

Celeste Wright teaches Second grade at CCS. She holds a degree in Applied Psychology from Coppin State University and was the Vice President of the Psi Chi Club. Ms. Wright currently attends a Master of Education program at Trinity College. Throughout her work experience she has taught elementary students for three years in Prince George's County Public Schools. Ms. Wright's life desire is to assist and instruct adults and children. She strongly believes that Cornerstone is lead by God and that she was chosen to instruct students through His word.

Keyuanna Lancaster teaches Third grade at CCS and is known by many children and parents for her expertise in developing and educating the minds of young people. In 2001, she received her Bachelors in Health Physical Education/Recreation and later received her Masters degree in Education, graduating with honors. Teaching in Christian schools for over 3 years, including various volunteer experiences, Ms. Lancaster has taken advantage of many opportunities such as head organizer of ‘Tutor 4 You,” a tutoring program designed to help children ages 6-10 and the Director of Youth Activities at her local church. Her mission continues here in Education at CCS where she has a sincere love for her Third grade class.  Ms. Lancaster holds true to this Albert Einstein quote: “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

Brooke Beals teaches Fourth grade at CCS. The Baton Rouge, La. native holds degrees in English and Public Affairs from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Education with a focus in Elementary Education from Trinity University, in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining Cornerstone Community, Ms. Beals worked for the Republican National Committee in Washington D.C. and Edelman Public Relations in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Beals ensures that all lesson plans and classroom activities are Christ focused to help enrich each child's life both inside and outside of the classroom.

Kimberly Marshall was Cornerstone's Spanish teacher last year and is now the Fifth grade teacher at CCS. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.A. in Psychology. Ms. Marshall’s prior experiences include mentoring elementary school students with behavioral, emotional and/or learning disabilities. She also served as a camp counselor at a Christian camp, and has had several clinical experiences obtained through UNC Charlotte’s College of Education.

Michael Moore is the homeroom teacher for our Sixth grade class at CCS and he teaches the entire middle school Language Arts program.  His bio is forthcoming.

Jason McNeil is the homeroom teacher for our Seventh grade class at CCS and he teachers the entire middle school Math and Science. Mr. McNeil began his teaching career as a SAT Prep instructor and one-on-one tutor at Takoma Academy in Silver Spring. From there Mr. McNeil began working with at risk youth as a Special Education Coordinator in a southeast based residential program in the District. Prior to joining Cornerstone Community School, Mr. McNeil taught SAT Prep, Physical Science, Physics and Study Skills Development for a military charter school in northeast Washington. He earned his B.S. in Physics and M.S. in Computer Science from Hampton University in Hampton, VA.

Louise Corle is the homeroom teacher for our Eighth grade class at CCS and she is the Middle School Social Studies teacher. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Ms. Corle privately taught a Seventh grade missionary child in Cameroon last year. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French with a Minor in Biology. Ms. Corle loves History and feels blessed to be a part of Cornerstone this year.

Cornerstone Beulah Christian Academy:

Joanna Moss, our principal at CBCA, is no stranger to Cornerstone. She previously taught third grade at CCS and has been a member of the Curriculum Writing Team. During the summer of 2005 Ms. Moss was influential in our expansion to CBCA. She coordinated new student recruitment and enrollment, secured curriculum and classroom resources, and assisted with staffing. Ms. Moss holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from Louisiana State University and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Virginia. She is a former elementary classroom teacher and is thrilled to be a mentor to her faculty.

Geronda Stroman is the Pre-Kindergarten teacher at CBCA. She is an Honor's graduate of South Carolina State University where she earned a B.S. in Psychology. Currently, Ms. Stroman is studying to get her Masters in school psychology at Bowie State University. Prior to joining the CBCA family she worked with children in various capacities. Her experiences include instructing youth dance ministries at different churches in South Carolina and Maryland, instructing Sunday School and working with the youth choir at her church. During her time in college Ms. Stroman also volunteered at the New Direction Rehabilitation Center where she worked in the after-school program and during the summers she worked at the Kid's Place Child Development Center..

Karen Gooden is the Pre-K Teacher's Aide at CBCA. She is a graduate of Spingarn Sr. High School. Ms. Karen came from The Church of Jesus Christ Development Center in southeast Washington, D.C. and brings with her a variety of experiences in Early Childhood Care. She was the Teacher's Aide there, and regularly attends teacher-training workshops to keep abreast of the latest teaching concepts.

Kelly McCombie teaches Kindergarten at CBCA. This is her first year teaching. Ever since she can remember, she's wanted to be a teacher. It's something that comes from her mom (a first grade teacher for almost 30 years) and her love for children. Kelly wants to create the kind of fun learning environment where kids feel welcome, nurtured and motivated. She holds a B.S. in Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

Katie Phelps teaches First grade at CBCA. She grew up the oldest of five children in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California. She attended California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. After ten years as a retail designer, and a failed young marriage, a broken Miss Phelps met her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her testimony has been published in the book, “Bounce Back,” compiled by Dianna James. She was promoted within a new marketing career, which included a move to Nashville, Tennessee. She made her home there for almost ten years, and it was through her church in Nashville - Bethel World Outreach Center - that she discovered her calling to children in America’s inner cities, and to overseas missions. Miss Phelps worked three years as a Resident Director at Fisk University and served as a House Manager for a small orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa before leaping out in faith to move to Washington D.C. in 2006. This is her first year teaching full time and is honored to have fourteen precious first graders, who are called to be little “World Changers” for Christ!

Shauntaye Fontroy teaches Second grade at CBCA. She grew up in a military family and attended Coppin State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in psychology. Miss Fontroy will attend graduate school this spring pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban Reading Education. Her favorite scripture is Psalms 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Miss Fontroy loves children and more importantly loves teaching.

Heather Barbee Regis teaches Third and Fourth grade language arts at CBCA. This is her second year teaching at Cornerstone Beulah and she’s excited to give even more knowledge to the students here. She holds a B.A. from Oberlin College with a major in Sociology and a minor in Law & Society. She also holds a J.D. from the University of Toledo college of Law. Mrs. Regis has a wide spectrum of experiences instructing youth, from tutoring elementary students in Oberlin, Ohio, to coaching Varsity Girl’s Tennis, Basketball, and Softball in Virginia.

Mary Jane D. Pimentel teaches Third grade and Fourth grade math and unit study at CBCA. She received a B.A. in Psychology from Marymount University. Because of her heart for the city, she began her work with youth at an after-school program and summer camp for an urban ministry in Washington, D.C. in 2001. She has been involved in tutoring, mentoring and lead bible studies for children and youth ages 4-18. This summer Ms. Pimentel spent some time in the Philippines.

Amado Mendoza was born in the Philippines and moved to Maine at the age of eleven. He graduated in 2003 from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine with a BA in Art. Mr. Mendoza first started working with children in college, giving educational tours to small school groups at his college’s Arctic Museum. After graduation, he worked in an after-school program in Maine for a year.  And, he taught as a 1st grade assistant teacher at a D.C. public charter school. As an administrative assistant, he is glad to be part of Cornerstone Beulah’s ministry.

Heavenly McDuffie has been singing in church, school and community choirs all her life. She took her love for music to Howard University where she graduated in 1996 with a Bachelors of Music Education Degree. She had the distinguished honor of singing with the world traveled Howard University Choir and the Howard Community Choir. While with the Howard University Choir, she had the privilege of singing at the funeral of the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and the second inauguration celebration for former President William Jefferson Clinton. Mrs. McDuffie’s teaching experience includes private voice and piano lessons in her home as well as serving four years at the Back to Basics School of Music Ministry in Forestville, Maryland.

Albert Jackson has served as the Youth Pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church for the past five years. He has been the Bible Curriculum Program Coordinator at Renaissance Christian Academy for the past three years. In the past, he has been a Coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of Washington, D.C. and has served as a mentor and motivational speaker for the local Prince George’s County and Washington, D.C. public and private schools. His educational background includes a Master of Divinity from The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology from Virginia Union University. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. Mr. Jackson currently serves as Guidance Counselor and Bible Instructor at both Cornerstone locations. In this capacity he provides spiritual leadership and guidance by ministering to the spiritual, social, and intellectual needs of the Cornerstone student community.

Jonathan Powell is Cornerstone's P.E. teacher. During the previous year, Mr. Powell tutored First through Sixth grade students at the Third Ave Baptist Church's after-school program in Flint, Michigan. He also assisted with their Summer Safety-Net program. Mr. Powell brings a unique perspective as a teacher, student and small business owner. Currently, he is several credits shy of a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College. Last spring Mr. Powell had the privilege of visiting public schools throughout Romania. The climax of his trip was building life long friendships and presenting the Gospel to the students.

*Bios are forthcoming for our Computer teacher and Sign Language teacher.