Special Education

Ashlawn offers a continuum of services in a variety of settings, including inclusion in the general education classroom and self-contained classes, based on the needs of each student. Ashlawn also hosts a countywide preschool special education class and a countywide functional life skills class.

For more information about special education in Arlington Public Schools, please visit: The APS district special education page

If you have any further questions, please contact Ashlawn’s Assistant Principal, Holly Vesilind at holly.vesilind@apsva.us

Ms. Jillian Bartholomew, M.A., CCC-SLP

jillian.bartholomew@gmail.com

Hi, everyone! My name is Jillian Bartholomew or “Ms. B” and I am so excited to be back at Ashlawn! I am happy to say that I will be at Ashlawn full-time this year. This is my second year as a Speech Language Pathologist with Arlington Public Schools. I grew up right here in Arlington, Virginia and am a proud alum of Arlington Public Schools. I went on to get my Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication Disorders at the University of Virginia (go hoos!). I also received my Masters in Speech Language Pathology from George Washington University. In my free time, I enjoy watching TV, reading, crafting, baking, and going on walks with my fiancé!

Mr. Kenneth Diaz

kenneth.diaz@apsva.us

Hello, I am Mr. Diaz! I will be the special education teacher for 2nd grade this year and I am looking forward to working with you! I have been teaching for 7 years now: 2 years in Memphis, TN and 3 years in Washington, D.C., and now this is my second year at Ashlawn. I am very excited to be a part of this amazing community. Fun facts about myself: I went to George Mason University, I am a HUGE New York Giants fan, I have 3 dogs: Ruby, Mati, and Jade, and my favorite type of book is a mystery book (Hardy Boys, Encyclopedia Brown, A to Z Mysteries).

 Michelle Grant

michelle.grant@apsva.us

Welcome to 3rd Grade! This is my 8th year teaching at Ashlawn, 1st year teaching 3rd grade. and 10th year in the Special Education field. I grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and graduated from The University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) with my undergraduate degrees in Advertising and Consumer Economics. I graduated from American University with my Masters in Special Education. I enjoy spending time with my nieces and nephew, my fiancé, Samey, and my dog Mac. He is half Great Pyrenees, half Husky, and spreads love everywhere he goes. Ashlawn is an incredibly supportive and kind community to be a part of! I most love creating meaningful relationships, building student confidence, celebrating milestones, and the Georgia Bulldogs!

Mr. Jones

chris.jones@apsva.us

I have been with Arlington Public Schools for 21 years. I have been teaching Functional Life Skills for most of that time. I like to ride my motorcycle, fight fires, and wear my Vibram 5 Finger Shoes around. My favorite color is pink and I highly dislike chocolate and coffee.

Sean Kennedy

sean.kennedy@apsva.us

Hello, friends! I’m thrilled to return for my 6th year of teaching at Ashlawn ES. I grew up in a small town in western Massachusetts. After college, I taught children with disabilities in the Boston area for several years. In 2006, I moved to Arlington and spent 13 years teaching Special Education students in the middle school world before moving into elementary education. I live in Falls Church with my wife and children, Brody (11) and Alton (8). I’m excited to get to know everyone this year!

Miss Nagle

lily.nagle@apsva.us

Hi Everyone! I am Ms. Nagle and I am so excited to be back at Ashlawn! This year I will be co-teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade. This is my second year teaching and I couldn’t be more excited to spend it here!

Mr. Shawn Waddell

shawn.waddell@apsva.us

Shawn Waddell M.Ed. George Mason University Have been teaching for 29 years Married and have one child Born in Maine Raised in Pennsylvania Teaching in Virginia for 22 years Interests; Viticulture, Golf and a die hard 49ers fan.