Ms. Taylor Dodson, 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 of 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 classroom teacher, but she looks forward to supporting the mission of St. Ambrose School by assisting with administrative duties.

Rev. Charles Cortinovis, Pastor

Father Charles Cortinovis is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington and was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl in 2009.  Father Cortinovis is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and studied science in college before coming to the Washington area to attend law school.  After briefly practicing law in Washington, Father Cortinovis entered the seminary for the Archdiocese of Washington and completed his theological studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College.  He has been assigned to several parishes in the archdiocese following ordination and served as the priest-secretary to Cardinal Wuerl before being assigned to Saint Ambrose in 2016.  He also serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the Archdiocese of Washington, facilitating the Church’s relationships with members of other faith traditions in the area.
 
Father Cortinovis loves being a priest, and particularly enjoys getting to know his parishioners.  He is grateful to be serving the dynamic and vibrant parish and school communities of Saint Ambrose, and welcomes all who would like to become members of our parish or school community. You may contact him at (301) 773-9300 or CortinovisC@adw.org