Our Team
Nora School teachers have one thing in common - a unique take on life. By bringing their individual perspectives to the classroom, our team of educators builds compelling cases for all the subjects that they teach. With classes that average only 8 students, it’s easier for us to connect on a deeper, more fundamental level with each one.
What’s more, our “first-name” policy allows for a comfort level rarely seen outside of small schools like Nora - bonds build quickly without formalities, and camaraderie between teachers and students is the norm, not the exception.
All of our faculty members have degrees in their primary teaching area, and more than 80 percent hold advanced degrees. Our staff also includes administrators who teach, a college counselor, a learning disabilities specialist, an athletic director, a psychological consultant, and tutors. And our Board of Directors lends support with the sustainability and vision of our community always in mind.
Faculty
Chris
Assemblies Coordinator
ENGLISH: Literature & Composition, Academic Writing, Fiction Into Film, Comprehensive Writing, Dystopian Fiction
B.A., English, Humboldt State University (California) & M.A., Literature, University of Maryland, College Park
Chris Conlon joined Nora in 1995
While Nora has changed in some ways during the quarter-century I’ve worked here, the school’s focus on the individual—the unique qualities and needs of each student—has remained constant. Originally from the central coast of California, I came to Nora after stints teaching in Botswana with the Peace Corps as well as in DC Public Schools. Under the name Christopher Conlon I’ve written several published books of fiction and poetry as well. Literature is my first love, and I try to communicate that passion to my students.
Scott
Senior & College Advisor, Social Justice Travel Coordinator
SOCIAL STUDIES: American Studies, World History, U.S. History, Political Science, Street Law
B.A., Economics and History, University of Maine
M.A., Education, University of Rhode Island
Rhode Island Teacher’s Certificate in Special Education
Scott Madden Joined Nora in 1995
What I most enjoy about The Nora School are the close relationships that teachers can develop with their students. The Nora community provides a relaxed, friendly environment that challenges the students while looking out for their best interests and offering support for that extra step. Before joining The Nora School family in 1995, I taught at the Sheridan School, Washington, DC, and directed their Wilderness Experiential Education program in the Shenandoah Valley. Prior to that I taught in the public schools in Newport, Rhode Island, and worked as an Instructor for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School for seven years. For the past 20 years I have been enjoying the opportunity to teach, coach, and work with young people for nine months of each year. I live with my wife and our three boys in Washington, DC. I am an avid bicyclist and enjoy triathlons and road races.
Nisaa
NHS Advisor
MATH: Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Algebra II & Trigonometry and Financial Algebra
B.S., Accounting, Lincoln University (PA)
M.A.T., Special Education, Trinity University (DC)
Certification: Non-Categorical Special Education/K-12
Nisaa Abdus-Sabur joined Nora in 2015
The Nora School is a very special and safe place. The school community is made up of a diverse group of learners with a very supportive and caring staff that I am happy to be a part of. Students always ask, “Why do we have to learn Algebra?” In order to effectively teach and make math more approachable you have to show its connection to every day life. Most importantly, before the teaching can even happen, you have to get to know and empathize with your students. I attended undergrad at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and did my graduate studies at Trinity University in DC. I have taught Math for more than ten years to high school students in public charter schools in DC. I am a mom of four teens and reside in Silver Spring, MD.
Chrissy
Community Service Coordinator
ARTS: Art History Art, Studio Art, Illustration, Sculpture, Drama
B.A., Visual Arts – Animation & Interactive Media (Minor: Anthropology), University of Maryland Baltimore County
Chrissy Jarina joined Nora in 2016
I am a working artist with a broad range of interests. My early artistic influences as a child were 2-D cartoons and Michelangelo sculptures and paintings. Since then, I have studied drawing and painting, including acrylic painting techniques. I earned an animation degree at UMBC where I studied both 2-D and 3-D animation and where I helped produce a full length independent film with the film group Blue Duck Studios. My current interests are cartoon portraits for engagements and weddings, lyric writing, and further advancing my artistic craft in a number of genres.
Darrell
Academic Coach, Athletic Director
Music, Yearbook
B.A., Music – Jazz Performance, Towson University
M.A., Music – Jazz Performance, University of Maryland
Darrell Reddix joined Nora in 2021
I am a lifelong musician dedicating the remainder of my life to a pursuit of self-expression and enlightenment through listening to, performing, and teaching music. As a child growing up I found confidence in my own individual personality through learning how to accept my unique approach to my instruments. Through music and performance, I have traveled to different states, out of the country, and have played venues such as Blues Alley, as well as done tours like Vans Warped tour. At the Nora School, I hope to impact the students through these experiences and help them to develop and further understand their own unique personalities through a musical lens.
Calder
Registrar
US Foreign Policy, Environmental Science, Contemporary Issues, Soccer Coach, Administrative Assistant
Calder Sett joined Nora in 2023
Though I was born in DC, I moved around a lot as a kid before ending up in Colorado for high school. I went to Clark University in Massachusetts to study conservation ecology and, shortly after graduation, moved to Ha Noi, Viet Nam where I lived for six years. While living in Viet Nam, I got a job at a bilingual school and fell in love with education. I found my niche teaching history and academic literacy as well as volunteering for student clubs. I've just recently moved back to the States and am lucky enough to find myself at the Nora School. I try to view every lesson as a story with drama, mystery, and character development for each student. History, in particular, makes no sense to me as a series of dates with names attached, but becomes exciting when seen as a great story with questionably reliable narrators. Outside of teaching, I love to play music, ultimate frisbee, and dungeons and dragons.
Eric
SGA Coordinator
SCIENCE: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry
Eric Schweiger joined Nora in 2024
Passionate about science and committed to teaching teenagers, Eric graduated from UMBC with a BA in Chemistry. He taught two classes of Chemistry at Sandy Spring Friends School as a long-term sub, and has strong experience as a professional math and science tutor. He will be teaching Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Organic Chemistry, and has already met the Beau Kaplan mark of having the annual (controlled) explosion in class.
Jeff
Director of Organizational Systems
SOCIAL STUDIES: Civic Engagement, World History, Sports and Society
B.S., Systems Engineering, University of Virginia
M.S. Energy & Environmental Technical Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jeff Goldman joined Nora in 2024
I have wide experience directing non-profit organizations, extensive work experiences in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, teaching Social Studies, and leading experiential learning experiences. After growing up in Baltimore County, I tend to be a health nut. My main life partners are my spouse, and 2 kids born 2008 and 2011. I’m often found hiking in wilderness areas, playing tennis and phoning friends.
Roberto
Director of Operations
Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish Culture and Conversation, Latin American Films
B.A., Spanish, University of the District Of Columbia
M.A., Teaching Spanish as a Second Language, University of Granada, Spain
Roberto Ungaro Joined Nora in 2020
I taught Spanish as a second language in the DMV area from 2006 until 2016. In 2016, I moved to Mexico City to teach Spanish to U.S. Foreign Service Diplomats and have recently returned to D.C. What I love the most about teaching, after many years of doing so, is to learn alongside my students. Apart from the passion I have to share my language and culture, music is also one of my favorite pastimes and since I believe it is another great way of communication I like to incorporate it into my classroom.
Administration
Christina
Academic Dean
Anatomy and Physiology, Photography
B.A., Africana Studies, Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA)
M.A., Learning, Design, and Technology, Georgetown University
Christina Mullen joined Nora in 2015
I started my Nora career as a frequent substitute in 2015, when I returned from my Peace Corps service in Burkina Faso. Since then, I have worked with students in a variety of subjects in the classroom, ranging from Animation to Anatomy, and plenty of subjects in between. In 2020, I transitioned to the role of Academic Dean, which has allowed me to keep one foot in the classroom and one foot in administration. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, photography, volunteering with a local dog rescue, and being as active as possible with my growing family.
Mara
Head of School
B.A., English, Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA)
M.A., American Literature, The George Washington University
Mara Nicastro joined Nora in 1991, Re-joined Nora in 2020
A life-long teacher and educator who found my true calling in small school administration, I am thrilled to be back at The Nora School. In 2014, as Head of School, I led Friends Meeting School in Ijamsville, MD through a major transition into an established K-12 program. These two schools have similar missions which allow for every person to be seen and heard. We value the importance of real-life learning through adventure, experience, and discussion based classroom curricula. I currently serve as Coordinator on the Washington Small Schools Association and on the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS). I live in Maryland with my husband, Richard, and our sweet dog, Russell. Richard and I have three grown children. Together we enjoy biking, hiking, and reading in our empty nest.
Norman
Assistant Head/Business Manager
B.S., Architecture, Catholic University
M.A., Writing, University of San Francisco
Norman Maynard joined Nora in 2009
I have been a teacher, upper school principal, and interim head over the past 14 years. Before entering the educational field, I was an architect, writer, sheep farmer, and asbestos inspector, to name but a few. I am very happy to be at Nora and to contribute in whatever way I can to this wonderful learning community.
Terah
Director of Admissions
Literature and Composition, College Writing, Global Literature, World History
B.A., Education, Towson University
M.A., Educational Technology, Loyola University (MD)
Terah Richardson joined Nora in Spring 2022
Finding Nora School has been an act of fate for me. While growing up in Silver Spring, MD, I remember passing Nora School everyday to go to my elementary school down the street. I never noticed it then but now as an adult, I am happy to say I SEE Nora School and I am happy to be part of the community. I’m a graduate of Towson University, where I majored in Middle School Education concentrating in English and History, and of Loyola University Maryland with a Master’s degree in Educational Technology. You can find me teaching 11th grade English, coordinating a school-wide test, and most importantly running Admissions! When I’m not in school, I enjoy coaching my high school dance team, cooking, or watching movies with my family.
Adjunct Staff
Hiroshi
American Sign Language
M.A. American Sign Language Education, Gallaudet University, Washington DC
Hiroshi Nakama joined Nora in 2024
Born in California, Hiroshi Nakama grew up attending the California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR). He enjoyed the opportunities given to communicate freely using American Sign Language (ASL). At CSDR, he participated and coached track and field, wrestling and football. He was also highly involved with the Deaf chef and theater programs. Outside of the school, since the age of 5, he participated in teaching and competing in judo. He is currently a 2nd degree black belt and taught for many years at the University of California’s Riverside Judo and the Riverside Youth Judo clubs. He is currently an alternate on the Deaflympics USA judo team that will be held in Tokyo, Japan in 2025. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gallaudet University (GU) in ASL, and recently, completed his Master of Arts degree from GU in Sign Language Education. At Gallaudet, he served as the president of the English Language Institute Student Organization (ELISO) and was selected to be a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). He lives in Washington D.C. with his wife Zulmi and his dogson Miso. Together they enjoy cooking, traveling and training Miso to respond in ASL.
Chris P
School Counselor
M.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clemson University
B.S. Recreation Management / Experiential Education, Appalachian State University
Chris Peckham joined Nora in 2022
I believe nature and hands-on experience have healing power and that is something I try to bring to all of the work I do. I've been working with teens and young adults for over 18 years. I enjoy helping adolescents successfully transition to independence. I bring a strength-based approach to my clients with training in cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and solution-focused therapy. I help clients reconsider themselves and their value, empowering them to develop self-efficacy, motivation and self-confidence. I am Licensed in Maryland as an LCPC and a Nationally Certified Counselor. I love dogs, skiing, hiking and gardening.
Board of Directors
The Nora School Board of Directors is focused on strategic planning, financial stability, and support of the faculty & staff.