Logo for: Horizons Greater Washington

Our Team

Ashley Nechaev, HSHU Executive Director

Amanda Baez, HSHU Operations Manager

Mary Wanyo, HSHU Program Coordinator

 

Ashley Nechaev, HSHU Executive Director – Starting at HSHU as the academic director in 2019, Ashley was promoted to the role of Executive Director in 2021. Ashley earned a BA in Animal Behavior from Franklin and Marshall College, a MA in Elementary Education from Fairfield University, a sixth-year professional degree in Reading and Literacy Instruction from Southern Connecticut State University and is currently working on a EdD at Sacred Heart University in SEL and Academic Leadership. Ashley has spent her entire teaching career in Bridgeport and has been with Horizons programs for over a decade. 

Amanda Baez, HSHU Operations Manager - Originally from The Bronx, NY, Amanda comes with over eight years of working with youth from low-income communities. Throughout her career she has had the opportunity to work directly with students as young as four to undergraduates. Amanda has spent time teaching in different parts of Connecticut, Boston, and Providence. Most recently, she served as Senior Educator for the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford. During her time there she worked closely with the Stamford Public School System, directly teaching every 2nd grader, enrolled in public school, twice during their school year. She also managed and let an 8-week summer camp as well as teaching weekly at a local preschool and the Inspirica Homeless shelter. 

Mary Wanyo, HSHU Program Coordinator - Mary is an experienced educator with extensive knowledge and training in project approach instruction. She works seasonally as the lead teacher at HSHU to coach and consult in lesson planning and small group instruction. She is creative, child centered, and understands the power of feedback/language educators use with children.