Meet The Team

My name is VanNessa Duckett. I am the Founder and President of Polite Piggy’s Day Camp. I have been a classroom teacher for more than 23 years and working with children for even longer! I attained a degree in elementary education and another in school administration to understand the larger context of working with large groups of children, parents, community and a full complement of staff members.

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Polite Piggy’s Day Camp was opened to offer a high-quality childcare experience to families of small children for just one little summer back in 2008.  Many years later, we are still growing, thinking and challenging ourselves to meet the needs of our children and families. School-aged children are a very special population and we are dedicated to understanding their needs — academically, physically, socially, and emotionally.

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We are grateful to have many-many children who have “grown-up” in the program and a few team members who once attended the schools we serve. While we began as an early childhood program, we now serve all grade school children and the same care goes into preparing for the unique needs of our older children, lovingly called “the Big Kids.” As a result, we prepare specialized programs to serve their needs as well. We look forward to meeting your family soon!

How long have you been working at PP?

What is your role?

I have been working for Polite Piggy’s since 2014. I started as an After School Teacher at Maury while in undergrad for Business Management.

In 2015, I was promoted to Admin. Assistant for Polite Piggy's. From there, I was asked to support the before- & after-school program at SWS in January 2018 as the Admin. Coordinator. In Aug of 2018, I became the Site Director at SWS, as well as the Programming Director for all of Polite Piggy’s four sites. I wear many hats and I also pop into a class when needed.

Do you have any other jobs? If so, for how long?

For a year, I've worked in Property Management on the weekends. I am taking my last class for my MBA in Project Management and will graduate in May.

Fave food/recipe?

I love chocolate and pasta! And I also enjoy cooking.

What do you like to do?

For fun I LOVE to travel! The pandemic really pulled the plug on trips I had planned in 2020, no worries, travel has started to pick back up for me. First, seeing family I haven’t been able to see. Secondly, with my next birthday trip to Thailand! Can’t Wait!

How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by getting massages, and treating myself to pedicures with a good book to read. I also take staycation trips just to unplug from my busy schedule.

What is your favorite part of working at PP?

My favorite part of working with Polite Piggy’s is seeing the kids grow up right before our eyes. It's truly amazing how time flies.

Meet Ebony!

She’s the Director of Operations for all of Polite Piggy’s.

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Officially, she’s been with Polite Piggy’s since 2012. Before that, though, she came up with the first domain name and website for that 2008 Polite Piggy's Summer Camp, as well as helping VanNessa with the tech side of setting up a business.

As Director of Operations, she does...everything.

She manages logistics across all sites, maintains relationships with parents, she handles HR issues, and also does payroll. She’s in charge of planning for Summer and Day Camp, and regular programming for all four sites. And, if needed, she fills in at all sites, not just Tyler.

Ebony hails from south Louisiana, so when the crisp air of fall comes, she knows it’s the season for her favorite food: Seafood Gumbo.

How does she prioritize self-care? She has recently taken up cycling, and loves the Arboretum. On or off the bike, she enjoys the beautiful setting, and the hills make for a good workout.

After a year of isolation, she prioritizes her down time, making sure to be present for her 16 year old daughter, and appreciating every moment.

She loves spending time with her extended family, as well, especially for Sunday night dinners. She is an art collector, a book club member, and loves going to museums and galleries.

What does she love most about Polite Piggy’s?

“Kids are hilarious. They are so funny AND fun.”

She notes that working at PP is also fun for her as an adult, and her PP friendships extend beyond work and work hours.

Coming soon!

How long have you been working at PP?

What is your role?

I’ve been working for PP on and off since 2018. Since returning in February of 2021, I haven’t left.

I’m the Site Coordinator/Team Member of PP for Amidon-Bowen Elementary School.

What is your favorite thing about working for PP?

My favorite thing about PP is that you work and can still have a fun/joyful time at the same time. PP makes you feel so loved and welcomed. continued

It’s excellent, one of the best jobs I’ve ever had literally! Everyone treats each other with respect and kindness. PP is one big happy family. I love it so much!

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is PIZZA!!! Omg it’s the bomb *Ms. Duckett voice*!

What do you like to do in your free time?

During my free time I like to watch sports. I have a big thing for sports. I can literally sit on my couch or bed all day and watch sports highlights, games and analysts. My favorite sport is FOOTBALL.

How do you practice self-care?

I practice self-care by spending some me time. For example, like watching football. Watching football will make me feel at peace and calm. Another way I practice it is by setting boundaries. Or sometimes I will go for a walk to relieve stress. Making sure I have all my priorities straight. I’m always willing to learn more ways of practicing self-care as well!

PS - Daniel's mom is D'Angela Williams! Full circle moment!

Meet D’Angela Williams! She started working at Maury in 2013 as an Educational Aide, and almost immediately began working for PP! Last year she made the move from 2nd grade to Pre-K 4. For PP, she is Co-Director of Operations. Fun fact: Williams is a former Maury Cougar! After Maury, she went to Eliot-Hine MS and Eastern HS, graduating in 1999.

As with many Maury educators, her mother also worked at Maury for 25 years! She started off as an Ed Aide, then Art Teacher, and finished her career in the office as an AA.

All of Williams's children are also current or former Maury Cougars. Her oldest just turned 21. She also has two teens (19 and 14) and 12- and 11-year-olds. In August, she and her husband celebrated their 10th anniversary.

Her whole life, she always told herself that she would be out of the country for her 40th birthday, and she's happy to report that she just returned from a winter trip to Mexico.

In her free time, she likes to be with her family, enjoying her kids. As many of us know, she devotes so much time to the children at Maury and PP, and she spends more time at school than at home.

She loves to go to the movies (NOT HORROR). She loves watching comedies/action or just regular action movies. Her favorite foods are baked mac and cheese, and she absolutely LOVES those little mandarins.

"I love working for PP because I enjoy (especially throughout the years) seeing how much the kids have grown and being such an important part of helping them thrive. I love building relationships with the kids and their families. It's so important for them to have somebody outside of home who they can trust.

I love kids. Period."

How long have your worked for Polite Piggy's?

9 years! I'm JO's PP Program Assistant. I also serve as the Performing Arts teacher for JO Wilson ES during the day.

What is your favorite thing about working for Polite PIggy's?

The various activities provided for the little ones.

How long have you lived in the area?

I've lived in the area all my life.

How do you practice self-care?

Taking a mental health day once a month.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Travel, visit casinos, see Broadway plays.

What is your favorite food?

Burgers!

Ms. Onika has over seven years of Education experience and has worked with Polite Piggy’s at Tyler Elementary for over three years.

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She has a BA in History and an MS in Homeland Security.

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She enjoys uplifting and motivating her staff and students!

How long have your worked for Polite Piggy's? Which location?

SWS eight years

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What is your role at Polite Piggy's?

Assistant Administrator

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What is your favorite thing about working for Polite Piggy's?

The joy that we see when a child has done something for the first time and they love the experience

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How do you practice self-care?

With a bi-weekly manicure and pedicure

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What do you like to do in your free time?

Shop!!!!

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What is your favorite food?

Anything Mexican or Italian

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How long have you lived in the area? My whole life!!

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Shaaren grew up in Massachusetts, but moved to DC in 1997 after graduating from Earlham College with a degree in Human Development & Social Relations, a minor in Spanish, and a focus in Education.

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Shaaren started out as a Maury mom to a PreK4-er in 2012 and quickly began her Polite Piggy's career co-hosting Knitting Club with Aunt Lizzie in 2014. In 2017 she began working at Maury in a mixed 1st-2nd grade classroom, and then transitioning to Kindergarten in 2019. Since then, she has rotated through a few different Polite Piggy's clubs (Good Trouble Book Club, Cursive Class, Newspaper Club, Hiking Club substitute) on top of Knitting. In 2022 she began handling Polite Piggy's blog, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. 

She can't get enough time with her daughter, now 15, and she loves to knit, sew, and refurbish furniture. 

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In her free time, she advocates for racial justice, adoptees, and families of those with substance use disorder. She has written and spoken widely on these topics, and her work has appeared in Masala Mommas, Upworthy, and The Washington Post. She also co-authored a book about addiction, and is a regular presenter at adoption conferences. Her experience in these areas helps her be more aware of where our kids are coming from when they walk through our doors.