So much great news to share, friends! 1) We're celebrating the opening of our NEW KENTLANDS CENTER! Come visit us at 420 Main Street! 2) We are also welcoming Dr. Emyrtle Bennett, her sister Vanessa, and her daughter Melisa to our SpiderSmart of Bethesda family! They come with a wealth of experience and are all passionate educators. What a fortuitous end to a wonderful summer! Lastly, HAVE AN AWESOME FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, KIDS!!!

Ms. Sufiya reads from her book-in-the-making tonight! We are so proud of her! Ms. Sufiya's work of genius is a timeless, historically evocative, spiritually resonant interweaving of nonfiction, journalism, and memoir. Congratulations, Ms. Sufiya, on all you have accomplished--and all while teaching and inspiring our students every single day!

Dear Mrs. Jung, I don't think I could have made it through finals week without you and SpiderSmart.

Thank you soooo much!! All the teachers are wonderful and you, especially. You always welcome me with your warm smile :)) Going to SpiderSmart helped me so much. Thank you again and again. Esther H - 8th grade

One of my favorite memories is when I first came to SpiderSmart...

First, I felt a little nervous and thought it was boring because I had never been to an academy and learned there. Then I got more nervous when I met all the teachers. I stopped getting nervous and got used to everything. I started to enjoy SpiderSmart now. I call SpiderSmart a fun place. I am learning to learn at a fun academy. David C. - 2nd grade

Our Beloved Jeannie

A student recently wrote an essay about our beloved owner/founder, Jeannie Jung: Ms. Jeannie is an amazing teacher. She is special to me because when I go to SpiderSmart, she helps me to learn. I know a lot more than what we are learning at school. If Ms. J is not there, I think I'd be failing all my clases. She means the whole world to me. If I would have anything to help me remember her, I would have a photo of her in front of SpiderSmart and I would wear a green shirt. I would love a photo of her in front of SpiderSmart because that's where she taught me. I would have a green shirt on because that is her favorite color. I love Ms. J and without her, I wouldn't know a lot. Before I thought I stunk at math and reading. Along the way, she helped me realize that I am smarter than I think I am. Naseeb - 3rd grade

A most enthusiastic congratulations to our teachers, who somehow manage to be unbelievable WRITERS too! Miss Susan recently had another unforgettable short story published, Miss Julie was a finalist in a HUGE fiction contest, and Mrs. Sufiya just completed her MFA with a timeless piece fusing elements of journalism, research, and memoir. We are SO LUCKY to have these incredible writers teaching your children!

Sending waves of good luck to our SAT students today! You've worked SO hard and you're going to do SO well!!!