Staff Bios

CHLG Staff Members

Martha Herndon, Head of School, Music Instructor
Master of Arts in Educational Foundations, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Bachelor of Music Education, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK

Martha joined the CHLG teaching team in 2007 and became CHLG's Head of School in 2010. Passionate about spiritual, character, and academic formation, Martha's goal is to bring families together in a community of learning where students can benefit from professional classroom instruction in the Christian tradition while also having ample time to develop and learn at home. Martha has lived on Capitol Hill for over 25 years and she and her husband, Christopher, have five children, including three who have launched. Martha enjoys walking and running around Capitol Hill, taking trips with the family to see their older children, hanging out at Cheverly Pool during the summer, and watching her teenage boys play sports. Martha and her family worship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
LinkedIn profile

Sara Beth Arcara, Director of Admissions and Parent Engagement
Master of Public Administration, The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology and Family Counseling, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Sara Beth became a member of the CHLG family when her son joined the Grasshopper class in 2010 and has been overjoyed with the preschool and now the K-8 program. She and her husband, Jamey have lived on Capitol Hill for over 16 years and have a daughter who is involved at CHLG. Sara Beth is a busy volunteer at her church (NCC), coordinating a variety of children’s activities and teaching Sunday School each week. In her pre-kid life, she was a Project Manager and Information Technology Consultant for KPMG and BearingPoint. In her free time, she maintains a healthy obsession with Tennessee football and all things orange.

Angela Henson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Bachelor of Science in Education, The University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA

A native of Georgia, Angela has lived on Capitol Hill for the past 14 years. Her teaching experience includes K-4 classrooms in both public and private schools in Georgia, where she also first developed an interest in the Charlotte Mason and Classical teaching methodologies. Angela has been a parent at CHLG since 2012 and came on staff in 2014 after working at a local church as the Children's Ministry Coordinator. Angela and her husband Jamie have four children spanning preschool to college, and their family attends Waterfront Church. When she's not at CHLG or chauffeuring children to and from activities, you can find Angela riding her bike around this beautiful city, hosting friends on her front porch, or working out in the gym in her alley which she shares with neighbors.

Alyssa Webb, Director of Student Support Services
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Messiah College, Grantham, PA

Alyssa has lived in DC since 2002 and her teaching experience has spanned over 20 years. The community that CHLG offers has been a blessing to teach in, as well as parent in, over the years, and Alyssa and her husband are thankful their boys have had the opportunity to grow up in such a loving school environment. Prior to joining CHLG in 2012 as the kindergarten teacher, Alyssa worked with neurodivergent learners, an experience that transformed her life and her teaching in profound ways. Alyssa believes children are a tremendous gift from the Lord and are truly His beautiful design, and she is passionate about coming alongside families and teachers to see every learner supported and thriving. In her free time Alyssa enjoys creative projects, reading articles, photography, and all that DC has to offer.

Charles Hedman, Middle School Biblical Studies

Master of Divinity, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
Juris Doctor, Notre Dame Law School, Notre Dame, IN
M.A. in Teaching, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
B.A. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

Charles has been a part of the CHLG community as a parent since 2015 and has worked as CHLG's Biblical Studies teacher since 2019. Charles and his beautiful wife, Jamie, have two children, the oldest a student at CHLG since 2015 and the school's biggest fan. When Charles is not teaching at CHLG he helps pastor the Capitol Hill Baptist Church, which is just a few blocks from the school.

Cade Meinel, Middle School History
Master of Letters In Intellectual History, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK
B.A. in History, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, UK / College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA

Cade has been teaching middle and high school for the past 4 years (the last two at CHLG) since he moved to the DC area in 2018. He has always loved history and enjoys passing on the stories and lessons of history to his students, believing that an understanding of history is very important for developing students’ critical thinking and analytical skills. Cade and his wife currently live in Silver Spring, MD, and are members of the Grace Meridian Hill Church, where Cade volunteers and co-leads a small group. Cade enjoys history, reading, sports, and games of all kinds, especially board games.

Ilana Markgraaff, Middle School Language Arts
Master of Christian Counseling, Washington University of Virginia
National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), Manchester University, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Education: English Studies, Pretoria College of Education, South Africa

Originally from South Africa, Ilana settled in Washington DC in 2016. Ilana’s experience as an educator has spread across a 30-year career in teaching, school leadership, and pioneering, including a joint effort with her husband, Peter, to found a Christian high school in their homeland of South Africa, where Ilana also served as the Head of School. Ilana has also served alongside Peter in a variety of other Christian ministries and churches, and they enjoy applying their years of leadership and pastoral experience through counseling and mentoring. Ilana and Peter have three sons, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter. In her spare time, Ilana loves to spend time with her family and friends, cook, and enjoy long walks.

Angie Clement, Middle School Latin
Master of Arts in Teaching of Latin, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Bachelor of Arts in English, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Angie greatly enjoys sharing her love for the Latin language with the CHLG Middle School students. She has been teaching Latin to homeschoolers both as a classroom teacher and as a private tutor since 1996, and at CHLG since 2018. She and her husband have six grown children as well as fifteen grandchildren and counting (two of their DC grandchildren are students at CHLG). Angie is a member of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Gambrills, MD, where she is involved in the women’s and children’s ministries as well as helping with the St. Andrews homeschool umbrella group. She is thankful for a vocation of assisting parents in giving their children a quality and God-honoring education. Angie enjoys reading, knitting, gardening, and anything having to do with words.

Alber Novo, Middle School Math

Bachelor of Science and Arts in Applied Math and Computation, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil

bio coming soon

Megan Myrick, Middle School Science

Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of Washington
Bachelor of Science in Biological Studies, North Carolina State University

Megan, a native of Eastern North Carolina and the spouse of an Air Force pilot, moved to the DC area in 2019 when her husband was assigned to the Pentagon. Previously a pediatric Physical Therapist, she stopped working to homeschool her daughter. When they arrived to the area, they immediately found the community they had been looking for at CHLG so they joined as a student and a teacher. Megan enjoys integrating science and the Christian faith and planning fun hands on labs for her students. Outside of the classroom, she is involved in the Colson Center Fellowship Program, is studying to become an immigration legal advocate through Villanova University, and loves sailing, jogging, backpacking, and napping. She and her family worship and regularly serve in the Special Needs ministry at McLean Bible Church, Tysons location.

Abby Lyons, Fourth Grade
Master of Education, George Fox University, Newberg, Oregon
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Ethnic Studies, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Abby is married to Ezekiel (Zeke), and they have two sons, both of whom attend CHLG. Abby began teaching 4th grade at CHLG in 2018 when their family moved from Japan to Capitol Hill. Abby holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Sociology and Ethnic Studies from Oregon State University and a Master's Degree in Education from George Fox University. Abby was a stay-at-home mom for eight years, and prior to that worked at The Christian Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii teaching 4th/5th grade. Abby loves seeing a classroom community thrive in friendship, learning and spiritual and personal growth and she also enjoys the process of preparing her students for the middle school transition.

Danielle Bedlion, Third Grade, Head Teacher for the Lower School
Master of Education, Instructional Technology, The University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Samford University, Birmingham, AL

For the past 20 years (10 of them at CHLG) Danielle has created learning environments where students can work collaboratively to explore inquiries, strengthen weaknesses, and develop loving relationships. She is a devoted follower of Christ who seeks to show grace and love to her students, family, and neighbors. Danielle and her family attend Grace Mosaic Church in Brookland. She and her husband Duncan have 3 sons, the youngest of whom is learning and growing at CHLG. The Bedlions love living in a historically famous city filled with so many unique adventures, and they especially enjoy taking their boys to the local parks, museums, and on weekend hikes.

Lisa Hartman, Second Grade
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

A native of East Tennessee, Lisa moved to the Northern Virginia area in 2014 with her husband and three children. Having homeschooled her own children throughout their educational career, as well as having experience as a classroom teacher, Lisa was very excited to join the CHLG family in the fall of 2021. Lisa and her husband are members of McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia. Her children are grown and are working and living in various places around the globe. In Lisa’s free time, she enjoys coffee dates with friends to encourage them in the Lord, hiking with her husband and dog, Scout, and reading a good book. In the classroom, Lisa strives to develop a curiosity and a love for learning in her students.

Kiersten Urch, First Grade
Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
BA in Sociology, Minor in Religious Studies, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Originally from Orange County, CA, Kiersten moved to Virginia for college in 2013 and now lives in Arlington. Kiersten enjoys teaching ESL (she’s been doing it since High School!) and engaging in ministry work (she worked in campus ministry after her graduation from UVA and also spent a year helping run a children’s outreach ministry in Spain). In the classroom Kiersten enjoys building students’ confidence and curiosity and is always looking for ways to be creative and imaginative with early literacy lessons. In her free time Kiersten loves to take walks with friends, find new cozy coffee shops, and create art. Kiersten attends Union City Church.

Heather Duncan, Kindergarten & After School Art
Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Leadership, American University, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

Heather is a native Oklahoman who moved to Washington DC with her husband and three children in 2017 to help establish Waterfront Church DC. She and her family live on Capitol Hill, where they enjoy visiting parks, walking their dog Henry, and eating at local restaurants. In the classroom, Heather creates open-ended learning opportunities for all learners to feel successful and independent and she brings her own creative twist to both the kindergarten and art classrooms.

Yolanda Johnson, Pre-K 4/5 Teacher
Master of Education in Elementary Education and Moderate Disability, Lesley University, Boston, MA
Master of Theological Studies, Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL

Originally from Glenside, Pennsylvania, Yolanda moved to DC to work at a local church and eventually marry her then fiancé, Marlon. Since living in DC, she started volunteering with an educational program which eventually led to her earning her M.Ed and becoming a teacher. She loves connecting with children, teaching them about the love of God, and coming alongside them as they learn and grow in the classroom. Yolanda has four children who attend public and private school, and in her free time she enjoys reading, hiking, visiting art museums with her husband and traveling with her family.

Erin Voglezon, Pre-K 4 Teacher
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Public Relations with a minor in Electronic Studio Art, Howard University, Washington, DC

Erin moved to DC from Southern California, where she was born and raised, to attend Howard University. She felt called to make the DMV her home and eventually met and married the love of her life, and they now have two wonderful boys together, both of whom attend CHLG. Erin worked as a Children's Ministry leader and as a homeschooling mother before coming to teach at CHLG. Her heart is to learn and grow in the knowledge, grace, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and she loves the opportunity to teach these same principals to her students! Erin enjoys traveling, ethnic foods, and baking (especially cookies and bread)! Erin's husband pastors their church, Hillandale Baptist Church, which is in Adelphia, MD.

Stephanie Walters, Pre-K 3 Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Stephanie is a native Marylander who has always enjoyed working with children, both professionally and through various children's ministries such as Sunday School, VBS, church nursery, and homeschool groups (and she also has 19 nieces/nephews so far)! Her favorite things to do in the classroom include games and otherwise organized silliness, and she also loves the opportunity to guide her students in learning to love the Lord and one another. In her spare time Stephanie enjoys hikes, board games, audiobooks, fires, and clear night skies. Stephanie worships at Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bowie.