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 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 baseball. 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 15 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 12 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 either running around this beautiful city or in her basement on a spin bike.

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 thirteen 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 18 years (8 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.

Alyssa Webb, Kindergarten
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Messiah College, Grantham, PA

Alyssa, originally from Pennsylvania, has lived in DC for thirteen years (and has taught at CHLG for 7 years). She and her husband met soon after her arrival here and they married in 2005. They have three beautiful boys, one of whom is involved at CHLG. Alyssa believes that every child is an amazing gift from God, and it is important to Alyssa that her students understand this and that they are encouraged to grow in their love of learning and of the Lord. Her classroom is filled with opportunities to use creative problem-solving skills and engage in hands-on projects. In her free time, Alyssa loves spending time with her family and enjoying all that DC has to offer for her children.

Stella Ho, Pre-K 4/5 Teacher
Master of Arts in Education, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Specialization in Education, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Stella is originally from California and has lived on Capitol Hill for the past 14 years with her husband, Jay, and their three children. Stella has taught a variety of subjects and ages in various places including China, California, Virginia and now DC, but her passion is early childhood education and she particularly enjoys helping children build a strong foundation of literacy, numeracy and social emotional skills. Stella worships at Capitol Hill Baptist Church and in her free time enjoys reading, playing games, running races, being with family and friends, and sharing the love of Jesus.

Andria Knight, Pre-K 4 Teacher
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration/Marketing, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville GA

Andi moved to NW DC in 2009 to plant Restoration Church with her husband, Nathan, who is the church’s lead pastor. Andi serves alongside Nathan at RC in both the children’s and women’s ministries, and has also homeschooled her two boys for the past eight years. She loves being part of the CHLG community, where both of her boys attend and where she can enjoy spending time with preschoolers, who enthrall her with their love for learning and their ability to absorb everything in the world around them. She finds such joy in witnessing her students’ eyes light up when they understand something new or the pride they show when they create something beautiful. In her free time Andi likes to read, hike and take naps.

Beth Fariss, Pre-K 3 Teacher

Originally from Southern California, Beth has lived in the DC area since her husband Mike’s job brought them to the area in 2010. Beth has been educating students for many years, including homeschooling all three of her children beginning in 2000 until her youngest son graduated from High School in 2021. Over the years Beth has also taught in various homeschool co-ops and worked in the preschool program connected to Bible Study Fellowship. Beth enjoys working with preschoolers because they love to learn and always say the funniest things. She is passionate about good children’s literature and loves reading aloud to her class. Beth attends Capitol Hill Baptist Church and in her free time she likes to read, go the beach, and cuddle with her cat Oreo who thinks he’s a dog (he plays fetch)!