Washington Latin’s Head of School is Peter Anderson. He brings more than 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, administrator and school leader.  He brings a commitment to improving instruction and results for all students, fostering parent involvement, and sound stewardship of school finances. Peter 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.

Peter is part of the summer 2018 cohort of the highly selective Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship, a two-year program for talented leaders who are reimagining America’s public schools.

Caroline Gifford serves as the Chief of Schools, focusing on supporting the principals at both campuses and leading Latin’s faculty development. She began her teaching career at Washington Latin in 2007 in the History Department of the then-brand new Latin before moving to teach for KIPP in California. She was the founding principal of that organization’s first high school in San Francisco and served in that role for four years. Upon returning to DC, she rejoined Washington Latin in the administration with a focus on leadership development and strategic initiatives, particularly Latin’s expansion to include a second 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. This will continue to be her focus for the students and families of the Cooper Campus.

Washington Latin’s Head of School is Peter Anderson. He brings more than 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, administrator and school leader.  He brings a commitment to improving instruction and results for all students, fostering parent involvement, and sound stewardship of school finances. Peter 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.

Peter is part of the summer 2018 cohort of the highly selective Pahara-Aspen Education Fellowship, a two-year program for talented leaders who are reimagining America’s public schools.

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 returns to Washington Latin as the Chief of Classical Education, working with campus academic leaders to refine and sustain the classical curriculum and teaching model. Dr. Smith led the organization’s effort to define The Latin Way, which seeks to explain the “lived reality” of our schools’ culture. She also teaches at both the 2nd Street and Cooper campus, reflecting her commitment to staying close to the classroom and her love of teaching. 

Caroline Gifford serves as the Chief of Schools, focusing on supporting the principals at both campuses and leading Latin’s faculty development. She began her teaching career at Washington Latin in 2007 in the History Department of the then-brand new Latin before moving to teach for KIPP in California. She was the founding principal of that organization’s first high school in San Francisco and served in that role for four years. Upon returning to DC, she rejoined Washington Latin in the administration with a focus on leadership development and strategic initiatives, particularly Latin’s expansion to include a second campus.

Geovanna Izurieta is our Chief Financial Officer, leading our financial operations and overseeing Human Resources. She returned to the organization in spring 2023, reprising her role as Director of Finance which she held from 2011-2019. as the Director of Finance. Working closely with then Head of School Martha Cutts, Geovanna was a department of one who managed all financial matters, from the smallest student fee to the largest government grants. She helped to shepherd Latin through the process of securing financing for the 2nd Street Campus and later the gym construction, projects that totaled more than $23 million. In 2019, she took the position of the Director of Finance and Administration at Briya Public Charter School, which serves hundreds of immigrant parents and their children in a dual generation model. Now back as our CFO, she is working with senior leadership and the board to manage our growth and the 4301 Harewood project for the Anna Julia Cooper Campus, while continuing to oversee all matters related to budgets, accounts payable and receivable, and more

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. This will continue to be her focus for the students and families of the Cooper Campus.

James (Jimmy) Kelly began his tenure as Principal in July 2021, having previously served as the Assistant Principal and Director of the Middle School. He also serves as co-chair of the Ninth Grade Counts Network at Raise DC and is a member of the organization’s Postsecondary Access and Completion Change Network. Prior to joining the faculty at Washington Latin, Jimmy served as the Director of PrepNext at DC Prep. Jimmy began his education career as a Teach For America Corps Member teaching middle school math in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2011, he co-founded the college access program inspireSTL, which supports scholars from 7th grade through college graduation with securing tutoring/coaching, financial aid, and college access.

Bill Clausen, Assistant Principal for Academics

Lisa Moore, Director of Numeracy

Carenda Nunn, Dean of Student Life & Culture

Anaka Osborne, Director of Literacy

Tiffany Bufort, Director of Integrated Services

Kate Cromwell, Director of External Affairs

Cynthia Davis, Director of Development

Martita Fleming, Director of Operations

Carl Lyon, Managing Director of Information Technology

Paul vom Eigen, Director of Data Management

Elaina Barroso, Director of Middle School

Kara Brady, Director of Upper School

Amy Brock, Director of Restorative Justice

Adlin Brown, Director of Student Support

Bob Eleby-El, Director of Athletics

Liz Foley, Dean of Academics

Meg Kovach. Assistant Director of Upper School

Crys Latham, Director of College Counseling

Carllistus Obeng, Director of Mental Health

Robin Spence, Dean of Middle School Academics

Sam Spiegel, Dean of Middle School Climate & Culture

Bill Clausen, Assistant Principal for Academics

Lisa Moore, Director of Numeracy

Carenda Nunn, Dean of Student Life & Culture

Anaka Osborne, Director of Literacy