Primary Grades

I am excited to join St. Ambrose for another wonderful year of teaching! I am so grateful to embark on the spiritual and academic journey of my students. On a typical day in Kindergarten you can find us exploring the wonderful world God has created for us through dancing, singing, prayer, reflecting and much more! We are hard at work building early literacy skills and arithmetic concepts that will guide us in making sense of the world around us. Prior to joining the St. Ambrose family, I was a preschool teacher for 4 years.

I am excited to begin my second year at St. Ambrose as the first-grade teacher! It is such a joy to teach children and help them grow both academically and in their faith.

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, attending St. Bernadette Catholic School and Fairfax County Public schools. Growing up, I was involved in dance, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading. I also learned how to play the flute.

I graduated in 2014 from Lynchburg College, now the University of Lynchburg, with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Teacher Education in Elementary Education with a minor in Special education. In 2017, I graduated from Liberty University with an M.Ed. in teaching and learning with a cognate in Special Education. Apart from my B.S. and M.Ed., I also hold a Graduate Certificate in Autism Education from Liberty University and a Career Studies Certificate in American Sign Language from Nova. During the quarantine, I earned a Graduate Certificate in School Leadership.

This summer, I completed level 1 of Orton-Gillingham. I have also earned my VCEA, Religious certification, and Google certification. I would love to learn more languages (I already speak Spanish and know American Sign Language) as I feel it can help me in multiple ways. I love to travel and spend time with family and friends.

I graduated from Northern Virginia Community College where I received my Associate’s Degree.   I am also a graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and I also obtained my Master of Education Teaching and Learning in History from Liberty University.

This will be my eighth year teaching at St. Ambrose Catholic School.   I have been a teacher’s assistant for the Saint Ambrose Preschool since 2015.  The last few years I worked with the full day preschool students who I helped teach and guide in their learning.  This past year I worked in Extended-Day where I got to know more of the students in K-8.

I have always wanted to share my passion for teaching.  My position as a Pre-K teacher’s assistant gave me the chance to demonstrate my desire to educate young people’s minds, and share my enthusiasm for teaching with my students in a faith-centered community.  I am excited that I get to share my passion for teaching as the new 3rd Grade teacher at St. Ambrose.

I am thrilled that I get to continue to work in a Catholic School where I can foster a faith filled community and environment for my students.  I cannot wait to bring my enthusiasm and passion for teaching into the classroom.

My name is Sandra Chaves and I am proud to be the 5^th grade homeroom teacher at Saint Ambrose Catholic School! Prior to my recent arrival in Virginia, I was living in Buffalo, NY, where I earned my second master’s degree in the International Graduate Program for Educators at SUNY Buffalo State. I have over 25 years of experience in teaching various age groups in international settings. I have taught in England, Portugal, Brazil, and the US, and I have travelled to five continents! Travelling, languages, learning, and teaching are my passion. I am so blessed and grateful to be in the educational field, where I get to fulfill all these areas.

I am a cradle-born Catholic and have a great admiration for the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. One of my greatest dreams is to visit the Umbria region, where Saint Francis was born and died. I believe that if we have faith, we have everything. I hope to be a role-model in my classroom and with the students, while teaching them not only religion but all of the other subjects.

During my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, swimming, going to the beach, and visiting different places.

I am blessed and grateful to be a part of the St. Ambrose community and look forward to having a stellar year teaching your children.

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

As most of you know, I’m Priscilla Hogan, and I have been at St. Ambrose Catholic School since 2002. I have been an aide in fourth grade, first grade, and have been in charge of the lunchroom and hot lunch program.

For the past thirteen years I have been the Kindergarten Aide. What a joy it has been! The kindergarteners are such fun to be with everyday. They are exhausting but just make you feel so special and loved. After all the grades I have been in, I believe I have found my niche. I love when the kids ask me if I am coming to First Grade with them and I tell them I never graduate Kindergarten!

I have been married for 35 years to my wonderful husband. I have three sons that live in this area and two amazing granddaughters. I am enjoying being a grandmother to two girls needless to say after three sons!

St. Ambrose School is a wonderful place to work and for children to learn; I feel very lucky to be here. We are truly a family and help each other in so many ways.