Ariel D.S. Cheng, Founder & Director

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Mrs. Ariel DS Cheng is the visionary founder and director of A Dean’s List Academy and Care. With over 20 years of experience working with children in educational settings, including a decade of service in the public school system, Ariel brings a deep well of knowledge, passion, and resilience to early childhood education.

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Her professional credentials reflect an exceptional commitment to excellence: Ariel holds an Advanced Professional Certificate from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) with endorsements in Early Childhood Education (Grades PreK-3), Special Education (Birth–Grade 12), Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), Middle School Language Arts (Grades 4-9), Middle School Social Studies (Grades 4-9), Secondary Political Science (Grades 7-12), Secondary History (Grades 7-12) and Secondary English/Language Arts (Grades 7–12). She has also earned innumerable certifications from MSDE-approved professional development courses.

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Before founding ADLAC, Ariel served as a public school teacher, school and district level professional development leader, and district instructor in professional development for nearly a decade, writing and facilitating MSDE Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to support educators throughout Maryland.​ Her journey to founding ADLAC is rooted in both professional expertise and personal perseverance. After facing health challenges that led to early retirement from public education, Ariel transformed adversity into opportunity, establishing a school designed to empower every learner while accommodating diverse needs, including her own.

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A proud graduate of Howard University, Ariel earned her Bachelor’s degree in English, Political Science, and Psychology, reflecting her deep interdisciplinary understanding of people, language, and society. She then advanced her expertise with a Master’s in Education from Bowie State University, preparing her for both classroom excellence and educational leadership. Ariel’s current academic pursuit of an Ed.D. in Education Administration and Supervision further underscores her dedication to lifelong learning and strong, innovative leadership in education. Her approach to early childhood education emphasizes child-centered, inquiry-based, and culturally affirming instruction grounded in the Maryland Early Learning Standards, COMAR regulations, and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

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Her personal motto, which fuels ADLAC’s mission, is simple yet profound: "Knowledge is Power." Ariel is passionate about ensuring that every child who walks through ADLAC’s doors leaves equipped not only with academic skills but also with confidence, resilience, and a love for lifelong learning.

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