Rachel Auerbach

 

At WES Since: 2024

What is your teaching philosophy?
The classroom should be a community where every student feels valued, supported and included. I recognize that every student brings something unique and important to the classroom community, and students will thrive when they are given the space to be unapologetically themselves. I hope to help foster an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, speaking their minds, making mistakes, and asking for help. I strive to instill a love of learning in students, and help students learn in a way that makes them feel joyful, confident and excited to enter the classroom.

What is the best book you ever read?
I love memoirs, and my favorite one is Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Bio:
I was born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, with my parents, older sister, younger brother, and pet Havanese Izzy. I graduated from Dickinson College in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s in Educational Studies and Anthropology. I’ve always loved learning and being in the classroom, and my experiences babysitting and working as a summer camp counselor in high school helped me realize I wanted to become a teacher. I interned in a kindergarten classroom and worked as a preschool Teacher’s Aide during college. In my free time, I enjoy running, biking, listening to music, going to coffee shops, and spending time with family and friends. I am super excited to join the WES community this fall and become a part of a great school environment.

Kim Bair

 

At WES Since: 1987

What is your favorite thing about being part of the WES community?
The WES community has been my second family from the beginning.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Treat others as you want to be treated and believe in yourself.”

Bio:
I was born and raised in the Washington, DC, area. I graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Education and a certification in Learning Disabilities. Most recently I received a CAEP certification (certificate for admission and enrollment management professionals) from AISAP and in partnership with Vanderbilt Peabody College. I first began at WES in the classroom as a faculty member and, after 22 years in the classroom, I moved to the Office of Admission as the Director of Admission and Financial Aid in 2014. With three grown children who attended four different independent schools and two universities, I also have firsthand admission experience from a parent’s perspective. I love to travel and spend time with my family and my dog, Tillman. My husband, Jim, and I have been married for over three decades, raised three awesome kids, and live in Bethesda.

Ivanna Bandura

 

At WES Since: 2021

What is one of your goals as a teacher?
A goal I have as a Spanish teacher this year is to inspire my young students to love and engage in learning a new language, in a fun way!

What is the best book you have ever read?
I have read many great books, but recently thanks to my daughters, I read a beautiful one called Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. While generally assigned to younger readers, it is a heartwarming story with lessons for all!

Bio: 
Originally from Argentina, I grew up traveling around the world. My undergraduate degree is from Argentine Catholic University, and my M.A. is from Tufts University. I have seven years of teaching experience and also taught Spanish to Kindergarten and Grade 1 students previously at Big Learning Foreign Language. I have a great passion for people, as well as for animals, including my cat and dog. I love to visit the beach with my family in the summer and spend time outdoors. Most of all, I love being a mom to my two wonderful daughters.

Andy Benton

 

At WES Since: 2023

Bio:
I spent my undergraduate years at Towson University, where I received her bachelor’s degree in English literature, followed by a master’s degree in elementary education from Goucher College. With over 17 years of experience in the teaching field, most recently I taught Kindergarten and served as the Kindergarten Grade Chair at St. Paul’s School for Girls. Additionally, I was the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Chair for St. Paul’s Pre & Lower School. I enjoy reading, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.

Adam Bergman

 

At WES Since: 2023

Why did you choose to work at WES?
From my first interview, I knew there was something special about being a part of the faculty at WES. I’m excited to join the school’s “all-in” culture of investing in its students and faculty. I look forward to being a part of a community that puts its students first!

Bio:
I’m originally from Dallas, Texas. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin and my Master’s of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University. I spent the past few years in Oahu, Hawai’i as a teacher on the Wheeler Army Airfield Base – what a unique experience it was to teach for the school day, and then surf in the afternoon! When I’m not busy grading papers or curating curriculum, you can find me at the gym! I’m currently in the process of attaining my license to become a personal trainer.

Ali Bratun

 

At WES Since: 2007

Why did you choose to work at WES?
After volunteering on the Auction, Book Fair, and other events and projects at WES, the Development Office said, “Give her a desk!” So that began my nearly 15-year tenure at WES. Making friends through volunteering on both sides of the equation and taking photos of the precious WES Dragons has sparked joy and warmed my heart for years.

Bio:
I support the fundraising, communications, and community-building needs of the school. If you visit campus, you will likely find me with a camera in my hand, capturing the cherished experiences, big or small, of our Dragons every day. I love to make things beautiful, whether it’s creating a card or invitation, decorating campus, or designing an event. I speak fluent emoji, as I keep track of our alumni and my two daughters, who graduated from WES in 2009 and 2010.