Faculty and Staff
Meet the Cornerstone Family:
Clay Hanna, Cornerstone’s Executive Director, is an Iraq veteran having twice deployed as an officer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division out of Ft Carson, CO. Mr. Hanna served in the United States Army for five years before going to work for the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to coming to work at Cornerstone, Mr. Hanna worked as a consultant on the ACOTA (African Contingency Operations and Training Assistance) accord through MPRI and the US Department of State. Mr. Hanna has traveled throughout Africa training peace keeping forces in Burundi, Nigeria, Togo and Rwanda. Mr. Hanna holds a B.A in Philosophy from Old Dominion University and is a Distinguished Military Graduate from the US Army Officer Candidate School. Mr. Hanna has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Hanna attends The Falls Church with his wife Sarah, sons Henry and Cole, and daughter Ruby. Mr. Hanna is very excited to be a part of the Cornerstone family and grateful to God for the opportunity to invest in his local community.
Jewell Diggs is Cornerstone’s School Family Liaison. She is a native Washingtonian and a mother of two students who attended Cornerstone and are now in High School. Before working at Cornerstone, she was the Parent’s Link President of our Parent’s Organization. This is her 3rd year on staff and her 6th year in the Cornerstone family. Her initial course of higher educational studies was in Business Management at the University of DC. However, she changed over to Early Childhood/Elementary Education at Anne Arundel Community College. She currently attends Trinity University in a Professional Studies Program focusing on General Studies/Human Relations. Her favorite Biblical instruction is: “Fear not, for if God is for me then who shall come against me?”
Sylvelt Walker serves as the Executive Asst. to Mr. Clay Hanna. Sylvelt has earned his Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in Religion, Philosophy and Anthropology from The Catholic University of America. He is still attending the Catholic University of America working on a Masters in the Science Management with a concentration in Leadership. His other degree is in Apologetics and Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. His goal is to complete his doctoral work in Organizational Leadership and the other in Renewal Theology with a concentration in Biblical Studies from Regent University. Pastor Walker is the Pastor and founder of a small Full Gospel church called Golgotha Church on the Rock, Inc.
Brooke Beals Beach is one of our Pre-K teachers at Cornerstone School. She graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she received dual degrees in Public Affairs and English. She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Beach provides a warm and loving atmosphere for her students. She works hard to ensure that all lessons are Christ-centered and creative. In the past, Mrs. Beach has also taught Kindergarten and Fourth Grade. Mrs. Beach is active in community service in the surrounding areas and is a member of the Junior League of Washington D.C.
Karen Gooden is the Early Childhood Teacher’s Assistant and has been with Cornerstone for 4 years. She is happy to be working with Mrs. Polsinelli with Pre-K4. She is a graduate of Springarn Sr. High School and studied Business English at Georgetown University. Ms. Kay, as she is commonly known around Cornerstone, came from The Church of Jesus Christ Development Center in southeast Washington, D.C. and brings with her a variety of experiences in Early Childhood Care. She was the Teacher’s Aide there, and regularly attends teacher-training workshops to keep abreast of the latest teaching concepts.
Kelly Polsinelli is the Pre-K teacher at Cornerstone School. Kelly graduated with honors from Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she holds her B.S. in Education. Currently, she is studying to get her masters as a Reading Specialist from Liberty University. Mrs. Polsinelli creates a fun learning environment where kids feel welcomed, nurtured and motivated. Over the years, she’s taught vacation Bible school, volunteered at her elementary school, coached swimming lessons, worked in Philadelphia schools, and tutored children.
Cherilyn Shahid is the First Grade teacher at Cornerstone. She holds a B.S. in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College and has a Masters of Arts in Human Service from Liberty University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction at Capella University. Mrs. Shahid has previous teaching experience in elementary physical education and middle school history. She enjoys creating fun spaces for her students to be able to move around while they learn. Mrs. Shahid has basic language skills in Spanish, Persian-Farsi, and Serbian Croatian. She loves learning through children and looks forward to this year!
Eve Coley teaches Third grade. This is her second year teaching at Cornerstone. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Religion from Ohio Wesleyan University. She also holds an M.Div from Howard University. She is a member of Paramount Baptist Church and currently serves as the Praise & Worship Leader. Mrs. Coley’s previous experiences include tutoring and counseling youth throughout the Metropolitan Area. Her passion is to help youth recognize their God-given talents so they can become all that God has called them to be. She is very excited about this school year and looks forward to what God has in store!
Kimberly Marshall joined the Cornerstone family three years ago as a Spanish teacher and is now the Fourth and Fifth grade Language Arts and Spanish teacher. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a B.A. in Psychology. Ms. Marshall’s prior experiences include mentoring elementary school students with behavioral, emotional and/or learning disabilities. She also served as a camp counselor at a Christian camp, and has had several clinical experiences obtained through UNC Charlotte’s College of Education.
Audrey Hyman is the After Care Director. She is a graduate of Hampton University and holds a Masters Degree from the University of Maryland. She recently retired from DC Public Schools after 35 years of service as an Early Childhood Teacher, Mentor, and a Consulting Teacher. Mrs. Hyman serves on the Deaconess Board of Beulah Baptist Church. She loves to travel and is the owner of the Hyman Travel Network. Mrs. Hyman is excited to be working with our children and she says she “has been blessed to be a blessing.”
Renee Strong is the Kindergarten Teacher Assistant. Look back soon for her bio!
Celeste Wright teaches Second Grade. She holds a degree in Applied Psychology from Coppin State University and was the Vice President of the Psi Chi Club. Ms. Wright currently attends a Master of Education program at Trinity College. Throughout her work experience she has taught elementary students for three years in Prince George’s County Public Schools and has taught First and Second grades at Cornerstone. Ms. Wright’s life desire is to assist and instruct adults and children. She strongly believes that Cornerstone is led by God and that she was chosen to instruct students through His word.
Rachael McCray teaches Middle School Language Arts. This is her third year teaching at Cornerstone and she is glad to be back after spending a year in Pittsburgh, PA. Mrs. McCray was born and raised in Oberlin, Ohio. She graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Sociology in 2001. She later graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law with a J.D. in 2004. Mrs. McCray feels honored to serve as both an educator and an advocate for youth. She has extensive experience serving young people, from coaching Middle School Boy’s Basketball and Varsity Girl’s Tennis, to being the voice of troubled youth in emergency hearings. Mrs. McCray’s favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and she prays that each one of her students realizes their true potential and and the awesome things that will happen when they honor God.
Danette White teaches Fourth and Fifth Grade Math and Unit Study. Danette is a native of Washington DC. She is the youngest of four sisters and one brother. Danette graduated from the University of DC with a B.A. in education and accounting in 2005. She has taught for 10 years and has a strong passion for teaching. The only thing that brings her more joy is serving in the church as a First Lady. She has served God for 13 years at Faith Temple Church and God led her to Cornerstone in the fall of 2008. Danette and her husband have three children.
Shaina Grant, Cornerstone’s Middle School Math and Science teacher, is a native of the Washington DC area. Ms. Grant is the youngest of three children and attended Christian private school as a child. Ms. Grant later received her B.S. from University of Maryland with a major in Psychology. She is the youth leader at her home church and also the assistant leader with the teen Praise Dance Ministry. Ms. Grant has also coached two high school step teams for many years. This year, Ms. Grant will begin working on her Masters of Secondary Education. Ms. Grant’s favorite Bible verse comes from Philippians 4:13, “I can do ALL things through Christ which strengthens me.
Robin Allen assists in the front office with a variety of duties. She was the recipient of the Parent Link’s Certificate of Excellence and Appreciation on May 7, 2010. In the words of our parents, “Ms. Robin is mother, grandmother and friend to our children. We never have to worry about our children if Ms. Robin is on duty. Ms. Robin is an examplary woman of God”.
Electives Teachers:
Jonathan Powell has served as Cornerstone’s P.E. teacher for the past three years. Mr. Powell’s previous experience includes the following: tutoring 1st through 6th grade students at Third Ave. Baptist Church’s after-school program and their Summer Safety-Net program in Flint, Michigan; assisting with Child Evangelism’s 5 Day Clubs and Good News Clubs in his own home; coaching youth basketball; and sharing the Gospel and teaching English lessons in Romanian public schools. Mr. Powell holds a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State College. This past summer, Mr. Powell followed God’s call to Johannesburg, South Africa where he encouraged young people to center their lives around a radical relationship with Jesus Christ.
Music Teacher: Peter John Edmund Jr.
