Art, Music, Physical Education, and GCP

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

The Ashlawn Art, Music, and Physical Education team would like to welcome you to Ashlawn Elementary School. 

Art Team

Ms. Leslie Argueta
leslie.argueta@apsva.us

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. Emily Wilborn
emily.lingenfelter@apsva.us

Hello Ashlawn friends! I LIVE what I LOVE and can’t wait to share it all with YOU! Let’s CREATE!

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

Music – General Music & Eagle Ensemble

Ms. Jessica Harmon

jessica.harmon@apsva.us

Hello! This is my eleventh year teaching and first year at APS. I received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Seton Hill University, in Greensburg, PA. The clarinet was the first instrument that I learned to play, and I am an active performer in the area. My favorite part of teaching Music is getting to see my students grow up, from Pre-k to 5th grade, and beyond. I enjoy traveling to different countries and learning about cultures, painting, running, and spending time with my dog, Milo. I am looking forward to joining the Ashlawn community, and making music with the talented Ashlawn musicians!

Music – General Music

Mr. Redhelm

joshua.redhelm@apsva.us

Josh Redhelm is entering his tenth year of teaching and his fourth in Arlington. He holds a B.S. in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. While at IUP, Josh had the pleasure of performing under the baton of Jack Stamp, a world-renowned wind band conductor and composer, as well as learning music pedagogy from some of the finest professors in the state. Josh currently plays trumpet with the NOVA Community College band.

Mr. Erik Kamenski
erik.kamenski@apsva.us

Hello I am Erik Kamenski and I am excited to be your new band director! This is my 5th year as an APS instrumental music teacher. I am also an active chamber and orchestral clarinetist and woodwind clinician regularly conduct masters classes throughout the east coast. I received Bachelor and Master Degrees in both Music Education and Clarinet performance, as well as a diploma in instrumental conducting attending Temple University, the Ohio State University and Peabody Conservatory.  I loved reading the Goosebumps books as a child. When I am not teaching or performing music I love to paint!

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

Mr. Paul Pavelich
paul.pavelich@apsva.us
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.

Physical Education

Mr. Jason Mastaler
jason.mastaler@apsva.us

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

Ellen Hemstreet

ellen.hemstreet@apsva.us

I am privileged to teach GCP at Ashlawn and work with students in making the world a better place. I strive to foster a respectful and caring community with the goal of teaching children to be kind, be curious, be creative, be respectful, be fair, be honest and be yourself. I am entering my 29th year of teaching. This is my 9th year at Ashlawn, and my 2nd year as the GCP teacher. The Global Citizenship Project is a very special part of the Ashlawn community and I am so excited to work with students, staff and parents on school wide projects. I have a BA in Elementary Education from Boston College and a Masters in the Social Foundations of Education from UVA. My favorite activities include spending time with my family and friends, biking, hiking, cooking, reading, and traveling.