Mrs. Dooley graduated from Virginia Tech with an Animal Science degree, certified to teach secondary science. She taught high school biology for 3 years, left the classroom to care for her two children, and then followed them to school at Sacred Heart Academy where she taught 5 th-8 th grade science and elementary labs for 14 years. Mrs. Dooley also taught Biology and General Science classes to homeschool families at the Classical Cottage School in Winchester.

Mrs. Dooley brings to the classroom her love of the outdoors, respect for all God’s creations and experience at getting students excited and interested in understanding how the natural world around them works. Her middle school students created award winning science fair projects at the local, regional and diocesan level, and she established a long relationship with the local Air Force Association, which provided funding and opportunities for science students to see their potential in and out of the classroom.

Mrs. Dooley is active at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Winchester, VA. She enjoys horseback riding, swimming and working in the yard. She feels strongly that when kids discover the creatures, plants and nonliving features in their own backyard, they are more in touch with their environment and will ultimately want to preserve and protect the world that sustains them.