Teacher Biographies

Teaches: Physics with Lab,  Faith and Science

Math Appreciation for highschool, Physical Science (not offered in 2026-2027)

Laura Burke has been teaching for NCHS since its inception in 2014.  She earned her doctorate in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at University of California, Berkeley, and was Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at Lehigh University. She retired from academia to homeschool her children, and has enjoyed teaching Physics, Physical Science, Math Appreciation, and Faith and Science to middle and high school students as a community homeschool instructor since 2010. In 2021, the youngest of her three children graduated from homeschooling. Laura is a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

Teaches: 

Mixed Media Art, Communicating through Art, Drawing the World, Art Appreciation

(not offered in 2026-2027)

Anna Sophia Cline has a BA in Biology with a concentration in Illustration from George Mason University Honors College and is currently pursuing her Masters degree at Mason. She has been involved in art since she could hold a pencil and is experienced in many genres of art.  Her project mediums include charcoal, scherenschnitte, pencil drawing, pen and ink, pastel, acrylic, watercolor, and oil. Having spent her high school years at NCHS, she is excited to be returning as an instructor.

Teaches:  Intro to Photography

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Teaches:  Personal Finance

Ron Fouse has been practicing law since 1991, primarily in a

corporate setting in the defense and national security arena, specializing in contracts,

business formation, financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions. Ron graduated from

Duke University with a degree in Political Science in 1988, then earned a JD from

Washington University (St. Louis) in 1991. He was an adjunct lecturer at the St. Louis

School of Law, teaching courses in business law and government contracts, prior to

relocating to northern Virginia. Ron and his wife Stephanie have 6 children, 2

grandchildren, and attend St. Catherine of Siena parish.

Teaches:  U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics

Foundations of Writing, Western Civilization I, History Through Literature (not offered in 2026-2027)

Diane Harvey is a former Assistant Professor of Government at George Mason University.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science in 1993 and earned her doctorate in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland in 1998, specializing in American Government and Political Behavior.  While completing her doctorate, she taught numerous undergraduate classes for the university and was a recipient of their Excellence in Teaching Award. Upon completion of her doctorate, she served as assistant professor and internship director in the political science department at George Mason University.  She took an "early retirement" from academia to homeschool her four children, but she has returned to the classroom in recent years to teach courses in government, history, and literature to local high school students. 

Teaches: 

Introduction to Computer Science,  Advanced Computer Science

(not offered in 2026-2027)

Jeremy Hurley earned his B.S. in both Finance and Accounting from Virginia Tech University and his M.S.  in Information Systems from George Mason University. He works as a Senior Business Analysis & Intelligence Manager at Fannie Mae.  He has coached multiple sports teams over the last several years . He looks forward to bringing his knowledge and passion of business and information systems to the classroom and having fun with the students developing the skills needed to start their journey in computer programming.   Jeremy and his wife Ann are raising their seven children in Potomac Falls and attend Our Lady of Hope.

Teaches: Spanish 1, Spanish 3

Spanish 2 (not offered in 2026-2027)

Señora Juárez is a bilingual English & Spanish speaker with a BS in Industrial Engineering from Monterrey Institute of Technology (ITESM) in Mexico and a Foreign Language Teaching certificate from the University of Virginia. She taught Spanish at St. Joseph School (1st-8th grade) in Herndon for ten years and at Bishop O’Connell (Spanish 1- AP Spanish Language and Culture) for 6 before retiring, She moderated several students’ clubs as The Hispanic Heritage Club and the Interact Club at DJO. Currently she runs a private tutoring company at her home. 

Teaches:  Biology with Lab

Environmental Science with Lab/Field Study (not offered in 2026-2027)

Tracy Niess graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duquesne University a Bwith achelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and a minor in Marketing.  After a number of great years in the corporate world serving in a number of Sales/Marketing roles including her favorite as Director of Corporate Events and Communications for more than 10 years, through the Lord’s prompting and provision, Tracy chose to become a teacher.  Starting as a preschool teacher at her church, the love of teaching was ignited and she became certified preparing her for the full-time homeschool journey that began for her son who graduated in May 2023.  This journey included teaching everything from unit studies, writing, drama, and history at various co-ops to even creating her own science co-op.  Mrs. Niess found she loves teaching kids of all ages most any material, but through her love of God’s creation in the outdoors and her son’s career interests in the sciences, she found science and the outdoor field studies as some of her favorites.   More recently, Tracy taught high school Biology, Principles of Zoology and Ecology and led a high school team in the nation’s largest natural resource competition, Envirothon, where the students took 2nd and 3rd place.  Other environmental involvement includes being a certified Stream Monitor through Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and serving along with her son in their amphibian, herpetology, and salt watch programs.  Tracy and her husband have always participated/coached in all sports their children participated in and Tracy and her son Cooper have provided coaching assistance to a homeschool track/cross country team.  Mrs. Niess is an active member and Elder at Ashburn Presbyterian Church where she participates on the Worship Team and Choir, leads VBS and children’s choir, provides direction for and assists with Youth Group and other church wide events and serves as the Wedding Coordinator.  When she has extra time, you will find Mrs. Niess in her vegetable or flower gardens, loving and caring for her sheep and chickens on their farm, creating/designing anything from nature for display or gifts, playing board games with her family, reading a book or exercising/running on the trail behind their home.  She lives in Leesburg with her witty, hardworking husband, Bill, and her athletic, outdoor son, Cooper, and their sweet but lazy rescued dog, Louie.

Teaches:  Media Literacy and Composition

Intro to Psychology, World Literature (not offered in 2026-2027)

Elizabeth Nikzad holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech and brings experience across a range of educational settings. She taught for three years at St. Veronica School and spent three years observing classrooms through the Department of Education, gaining insight into diverse learning styles and instructional approaches. Last year, Elizabeth taught World Literature and Introduction to Psychology for NCHS. As the mother of three young daughters and an active member of Christ the Redeemer, Elizabeth values thoughtful discussion, respectful dialogue, and creating a supportive classroom environment where students feel confident engaging with ideas and growing as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.

Teaches:  Intro to Theatre

Michelina Pollini has taught theatre internationally for twenty years. She earned a B. A. degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and her M. Ed. degree from Point Park University. Experiences include work as a public school teacher, nonprofit teaching artist, and professional arts administrator. Ms. Pollini has taught hundreds of students in dozens of environments on 50+ theatre productions. She's developed and implemented curriculums on contemporary works, classical theatre, and student-devised performances. She is certified to teach Theatre Arts and English in Virginia. A member of Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, she volunteers with the school and Junior Legion of Mary. Ms. Pollini works with area community theatres while raising her four children (who are little characters themselves!).

Teaches:  Math Concepts and Logic Puzzles

Melanie Satterwhite has a Masters in Operations Research from George Mason University.  While there she held a fellowship position teaching elementary math to underprivileged children in the area.  She has a Bachelor of Art, Three-Dimensional Forms, from the College of William and Mary with a minor in Mathematics.  She worked for 12 years as an Operations Research analyst for the Air Force.  She finally stopped working to be at home full-time with her four children whom she homeschools.  She is passionate about building a home and community full of faith, joy, good food, tea, reading, long walks, nature, creating beautiful things, learning, laughing, and embracing the crosses of life.  She helps run the F.I.A.T Homeschooling co-op and has taught various classes in art, crafts, P.E., and book clubs.  She is pretty terrible at correct English usage, but she is a master of making popcorn.  Melanie is a parishioner of Corpus Christi.