The Latin Team
Latin Leadership
Peter Anderson
Head of Schools & Chief Executive Officer
Peter Anderson brings more than 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, administrator and school leader. He become the Head of Washington Latin in 2016, bringin his commitment to equitable access to a Latin education to students across the nation’s capital. Mr. Anderson serves on the boards of the DC Charter School Special Education Cooperative, DC Charter School Action, and MySchoolDC (the District’s common lottery). He was a member of the Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship (2018 cohort), and continues to serve his alma mater in a variety of capacities. Mr. Anderson holds a BA from Haverford College, a Masters in Sociology from the London School of Economics, and a Masters in Education from New York University.
Geovanna Izurieta
Chief Financial Officer
Geovanna Izurieta leads Latin’s financial operations and oversees human resources. She was Latin’s Director of Finance from 2011-2019 and during her tenure helped to shepherd Latin through the process of securing financing for the 2nd Street Campus. After serving as CFO of Briya Public Charter School for several years, Ms. Izurieta returned to Latin in 2023. As our CFO, she works with senior leadership and the Board of Governors to manage all financial matters, including budgeting, government payments and grants, accounts payable and receivable, and more. She has been instrumental in securing the financing of the 4301 Harewood project for the Anna Julia Cooper Campus.
Caroline Gifford
Chief of Schools
Caroline Gifford is responsible for Latin’s strategic priority related to the academic growth and achievement of all students. She coaches the principals at both campuses, ensures Latin is compliant with DC education regulations (including annual standardized testing), and supports faculty development. Ms. Gifford began her teaching career at Washington Latin in 2007 before moving to teach for KIPP in California. She was the founding principal of that organization’s first high school in San Francisco. Ms. Gifford rejoined Washington Latin’s administration in 2021 to focus on leadership development and strategic initiatives, particularly Latin’s expansion. In addition to her leadership responsibilities, she teaches 8th grade US History at the 2nd Street Campus.
Diana Smith
Chief of Classical Education
Dr. Diana Smith served as the Principal and academic leader at Washington Latin for 15 years beginning in 2008, following several decades’ experience teaching and leading in both public and private schools. With a Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia and a B.A. in Classics from Princeton University (Phi Beta Kappa), Dr. Smith now serves at Washington Latin as the Chief of Classical Education, charged with ensuring that Latin’s classical mission is fully understood and integrated throughout the organization, particularly working with academic leaders to refine our classical curriculum and teaching model. Dr. Smith led the organization’s effort to define The Latin Way, which defines the “lived reality” of our schools’ culture in four principles. She also teaches at both the 2nd Street and Cooper Campuses, reflecting her love of teaching and commitment to staying close to the classroom.
James Kelly
Principal, 2nd Street Campus
James (Jimmy) Kelly began his tenure as Principal at Washington Latin in July 2021, having previously served as the Assistant Principal and Director of the Middle School. Prior to joining the faculty at Washington Latin, Mr. Kelly served as the Director of PrepNext at DC Prep Public Charter Schools. In 2011, he co-founded the college access program, Inspire STL, which supports scholars from 7th grade through college graduation by offering tutoring and coaching, helping to secure financial aid, and supporting college access. Mr. Kelly began his education career just after college graduation as a Teach For America Corps Member in St. Louis, Missouri. He continues to teach high school math at Latin, particularly Algebra and Geometry. Mr. Kelly holds a BA from Vassar and a MA in Education from Harvard University.
Khashiffa Roberts
Principal, Cooper Campus
Khashiffa Roberts first joined Washington Latin in 2010 as a Special Education teacher, with a degree from Howard University in journalism and a Masters from the University of the District of Columbia in Special Education. After five years supporting our students with disabilities in partnership with both classroom faculty and families, Ms. Roberts began taking on administrative responsibilities, serving as Dean of Students, 12th Grade Director, Director of Special Education, and Assistant Principal for Student Life over the next five years. In each of these roles, Ms. Roberts ensured that the foundational principles of our classical model remained central to our daily work, reflected in our policies and practices and clearly visible in our classrooms and daily life on campus. Her leadership balanced this “big picture” focus with her constant devotion to our students, challenging and supporting them in their academic and personal growth.
