New Executive Director at Atlas
Jarrod Bennett follows in Douglas E. Yeuell’s footsteps as the new Executive Director of the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street.
Yeuell ed the Atlas when his organization Joy of Motion Dance Center became one of the theater’s first tenants after undergoing a major renovation. He was promoted to Executive Director in 2014 championing community and economic involvement. In his time as director, Yeulle was a mentor to Bennett who at the time was Director of Operations.
“He saw things in me that I didn’t see,” Bennett said. “Which is why I think I’ve landed where I am now … One thing that he did say to me is, don’t try to be me, be you.”
Bennett came to the Atlas from the aquatics world with experience across the public and nonprofit sectors. Across 26 years, Bennett had a variety of management positions from running a water park to the Red Cross to serving in the Marine Corps Community Services. Aquatics taught Bennett how to multitask “all the time” which prepared him for his new role.
“The difference between the two worlds is that I was dealing with life and death every day, whether it be on a beach or a water park or a pool,” Bennett said. “And so you have to be able to multitask all of the time.”
As the new Executive Director, Bennett has a four-pillar plan focused on the community and accessibility. Education is a ion of Bennett’s but he realizes the various barriers to entry when it comes to arts programs. From ballet shoes to sheet music, he’s focused on making programming more accessible.
Last year, the Atlas provided $1.6 million of free and reduced programming which Bennett hopes to increase. By working with Atlas’s art partners and the community, this is something Bennett wants people to be excited about. He’s already started working towards this by organizing free Piano Bar Open Mics with the Gay Men’s Chorus of DC—which Bennett is a member of.
“If folks have ideas about programming or things that they want to see, let us know!” Bennett said. “We’re here to help, you know, drive that art and drive community engagement.”
The Atlas has multiple community events coming up before the end of the year. More information on how to visit the Atlas can be found at www.atlasarts.org.
AppleTree Named Best Preschool
AppleTree was recently named the Best Preschool in DC for 2024. With their dedication to a personalized learning approach, this was no shocker.
The Washington Parent’s annual Parent Picks contest received 29,807 votes with six preschools on the ballot. Followed by the Merritt Academy and Katherine Thomas School, AppleTree was honored to receive the top slot. The school credits its success to strong partnerships with student families who their specialized teaching style.
“Receiving the news that we’ve been voted the top preschool in DC confirmed what I already knew: our families and the community recognize the value we provide,” Jamie B. Miles, Chief of Schools said. “The excitement and pride that come with this achievement energizes our ongoing mission.”
AppleTree’s mission is to prepare preschoolers for academic success by tackling achievement gaps. From hiring staff to their Every Child Ready curriculum, this mission guides their every move. AppleTree encourages their teachers to be continually learning and engage in frequent professional development sessions.
Critical thinking, problem-solving, bilingualism and social skills are four foundational pillars of the Every Child Ready curriculum. With a strong emphasis on data-driven instruction, small group learning, interactive reading aloud and STEM blocks are incorporated each week. These are accompanied by exciting themes like Dinosaurs and Fossils. This adaptive, multifaceted program aims to prepare “the leaders of tomorrow.”
AppleTree also wants to make this curriculum accessible. With 13 campuses around DC, AppleTree Schools can be found across the district.
“This broad geographical spread ensures that high-quality early childhood education is accessible to diverse communities, addressing educational equity from the ground up,” Natasha Parrilla, Director of AppleTree Communications said.
AppleTree has at 488 Virginia Ave. SW and 138 12th St NE. It just opened a new school at 330 Maple Dr. SW, adjacent to the DC Public Library.
More about AppleTree’s curriculum and information on enrolling your three or four-year-old can be found at www.appletreeinstitute.org.
Joel Truitt Retires
Joel Truitt officially ed the keys to his property management business to his son-in-law Oscar Alvarez. Newly renamed Truitt Realty Services (TRS) the business manages a variety of properties in DC from condos to co-ops to apartments. They specialize in business licensing and home/condo management.
Since starting the company in 1972, Truitt spent over 50 years building client relationships. He ran both his property management company and Joel Truitt Builders which specializes in remodels and restoration.
Truitt said his favorite parts of management were “seeing properties and servicing needs and foreseeing issues that could be coming up. Like does that roof need repairing? I would go check and see if it did.”
Due to health reasons, Truitt decided to step down earlier this year. Before this transition, Truitt and Alvarez worked together for three years under Truitt’s leadership. Alvarez’s over 20 years of experience and existing client relationships helped smooth the transition.
Now with Alvarez running TRS, Truitt is focused on taking time for himself and his Joel Truitt Builders company. With weekends off, Truitt enjoys the extra hours spent at home.
“My wife says that’s great. We get things done around the house for once,” Truitt said. “And I’m getting a little more rest finally.”
Madi Koesler is a new photojournalist and reporter for MidCity DC and the Hill Rag. She can be ed at [email protected] or on Instagram @madikoesler.
