Leadership

Kathleen B. Christesen
Kathleen Christesen is founder and President. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Marymount University and has taken several graduate courses in Education and Business. She began her career in Fairfax County Public Schools in the 1990’s and has participated in the Mentoring program to young school children for several years. This experience allowed her to see firsthand the importance of reading and math skills and how starting early pays big dividends later in a child’s education. Kathleen played piano and clarinet.

Francis J. Balint
Francis J. Balint, Jr. is a member of the board of directors. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia (CLAS 1979) and the University of Virginia, School of Law (JD 1982). Mr. Balint is a founding shareholder in Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman & Balint, PC, a Phoenix-based law firm with offices in, among other places, Fairfax, Virginia. Mr. Balint is licensed to practice law in the state courts of Virginia, Arizona and Massachusetts, and in various federal courts nationwide, including the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Balint loves to read books and played trumpet in his elementary school band.

Steve Balint
Steve Balint is a member of the Board of Directors. A graduate of Virginia Tech (Class of 1980) with a BS in Civil Engineering, and Tulane University with a Masters of Engineering (Class of 1983).

Amy Balint
Amy Balint is a member of the Board of Directors. A graduate of the University of California with a B.S. in Mathematics, Virginia Tech with an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, and George Mason with an M.A. in Educational Leadership, she has been an educator for 20 years. Currently, she serves as the Assistant Principal of a High School In Fairfax County Public Schools, and she is the President of Alpha Delta Kappa – a sorority for highly passionate women educators. Her philosophy of education is ensuring that all children have access to an education that allows them to achieve at high levels. She enjoys traveling and reading.

Patricia Balint Maddox
Patricia Balint Maddox is a member of the board of directors. She earned a BS in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from Virginia Tech. Patty worked as an Engineer for the Navy in Virginia Beach and then started a preschool mathematics program to help introduce concepts to young children in a fun and appealing way. She received her certification to teach middle and high school mathematics from Old Dominion University and taught 8th grade in an International Baccalaureate school for 11 years. Patty has a passion for helping children of all ages to find the joy in learning!