Mrs. Taylor Baker, Principal

Taylor Dodson earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Winston-Salem State University. She began her teaching career at St. Ambrose School, as a new teacher in 2012, and soon began coursework toward a master’s degree.  In 2015, Taylor received her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Trinity Washington University.

Taylor is a product of the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools, having attended St. Anthony School and Bishop McNamara High School.  Strong values of faith, family, and education were instilled in Taylor by her parents at home, both of whom were employed in the field of Education. Taylor’s Catholic school experience, as a student and later as an adult, nurtured her gifts and she felt that leadership was God’s calling for her.  Taylor hopes to provide the same for future generations by ensuring that students are given a positive academic and spiritual experience so that they too can become leaders in their community.

Ms. Jennifer Blaine, Assistant Principal

Ms. Jennifer Blaine earned her degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Maryland and began her teaching career at St. Michael School in 1981.  In addition to her primary role as classroom teacher, Ms. Blaine held a variety of positions at St. Michaels including Dean of Students, Acting Principal, After Care Director, and Faculty Liaison on the School Advisory Board.

In 2009, Ms. Blaine was recognized by the Archdiocese of Washington with the “Golden Apple” Award for commitment to academic excellence and Catholic education.  Ms. Blaine joined the Saint Ambrose family in 2012, after the closure of St. Michael School.  A lifelong Catholic, Ms. Blaine was born in Washington, DC, and raised in New Carrollton, MD.  Ms. Blaine’s first love will always be that of a classroom teacher, but she looks forward to supporting the mission of St. Ambrose School by assisting with administrative duties.

Rev. Alejandro Diaz, Pastor

Father Alejandro Diaz is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington and was ordained June 18, 2011. He is a native of Bogata, Columbia, and is currently serving at his fifth assignment at St. Ambrose Church and School. Fr. Diaz explains that his path to the priesthood began when he was 12 years old. His path took a detour as he went on to study Business Administration in Columbia and worked in the banking industry for over 20 years in Bogota and Toronto. When his desire to become a priest resurfaced he thought it was too late to become a priest. A conversation with a priest in Canada opened up the possibility of being ordained in North America. This led him to Washington, DC where he was accepted as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington. Fr. Diaz took this as the will of God that he should be a diocesan priest here where he finished his studies and was joyfully ordained. 
Fr. Diaz asks that we pray for him, our parish community, and our school, that we might become holy in the challenges that we face and be beacons of Christian hope to our neighbors and each other.