Art, Music, Physical Education, and GCP

Art, Music, Physical Education, and GCP-Global Citizenship Project

The Ashlawn Specials team would like to welcome you to Ashlawn Elementary School!

Art Team

Mrs. Leslie Argueta
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Hello Ashlawn Families! I began teaching at Ashlawn in the 2008- 2009 school year, and I have loved watching this community grow. I graduated from The Maryland Institute College of Art, where I received my undergraduate degree in Ceramics, and Master of Arts in Teaching. In my free time I love to cook and work in my garden, and travel with my husband and two children. My all-time favorite book is “Beautiful Oops” by Barney Saltzberg, to sum up the book in a quote from its’ text, “When you think you have made a MISTAKE, think of it as an opportunity to make something BEAUTIFUL”. My favorite part of teaching at Ashlawn is watching the artists grow from year to year as artists.

Ms. Mignon Dwyer

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I am thrilled to be joining the Specials Team at Ashlawn as a visual art teacher! I previously worked at Ashlawn before leaving to teach at Barcroft and Barrett Elementary Schools in Arlington, when I earned my arts certification. I love teaching art because it gives students the opportunity to express themselves creatively while exploring a variety of materials, practicing skills, and developing new techniques. I’m excited to be back at Ashlawn and look forward to seeing all that our talented artists create!

For more information on APS Arts program please visit the Visual Arts district site.

Music Team

Ms. Isabelle McClure

[email protected]

I am so excited to be starting my first year at Ashlawn! I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio where I was teaching elementary music for the past year. I graduated from Wittenberg University in 2021 with degrees in Vocal Performance and Communication and went on to pursue my teaching license and master’s in music education at The Ohio State University where I graduated from in 2024. Over the past four years, I have created and taught a 3–6-year-old music program as well as taught private vocal lessons to all ages. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, reading, dancing, traveling, being active and participating in local theatre.

Andrew Jonas

Band & Orchestra

Molly Jackson

For more information on APS Vocal Music program please visit the Vocal Music district site. For more information on APS Instrumental Music program please the Instrumental Music district site.

Physical Education Team

Mr. Paul Pavelich
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I was born and raised in Michigan where I graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education and a minor in School Health. I also have a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. In my free time I enjoy exercising, playing with my kids and traveling. Right now my favorite Children’s book is Little Excavator by Anna Dewdney, my son loves to have it read to him. I became a teacher for many different reasons, but the main reason was so that I could become a long-lasting positive influence on students. I strive to foster a positive learning environment by building unique relationships with each of my students.

Mr. Jason Mastaler
[email protected]

This will be my 7th year teaching PE at Ashlawn and I spent my first 7 years teaching in Mclean, VA. I completed my B.S. in K-12 Health and Physical Education at the Indiana University of PA, my M.S. on Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention at the California University of PA and have completed my MA+30 through Greenville University (IL). I enjoy being a lifelong learner and love having the opportunity to share my passion for learning, fitness and leading a healthy lifestyle to my students. I also enjoy exercise, all sports and spending time with my sons Noah, Silas and Easton. Our goal in PE is to provide a safe, positive and fun learning environment where all students can actively learn through a variety of movements and adopt a healthy active lifestyle.

For more information about Health and Physical Education program please visit the Health and PE district site.

GCP – Global Citizenship Project

Jennifer Burgin