Ms. Debbi
Director - Debbi Mintz, M. Ed.
Debbi has been the director of our preschool since 2003. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from William & Mary and her M.ED. from Liberty University and taught 3rd grade for 6 years before joining the preschool. Committed to excellence and professionalism, Debbi sets the bar at providing only the highest level of service to the school. Debbi's mission is to operate with honesty and integrity and to always create win-win situations for those she serves. Debbi is enthusiastic, persistent, open-minded and motivated, believing in moving forward with positive energy and being grateful for this life. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, and scrapbooking, and her bucket list includes a trip to all 50 states (she’s already checked off almost 40). Debbi’s passion is children, not only her 4 wonderful children and 3 adorable grandsons, but all the children she has taught over the years.
Debbi has been the director of our preschool since 2003. She earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from William & Mary and her M.ED. from Liberty University and taught 3rd grade for 6 years before joining the preschool. Committed to excellence and professionalism, Debbi sets the bar at providing only the highest level of service to the school. Debbi's mission is to operate with honesty and integrity and to always create win-win situations for those she serves. Debbi is enthusiastic, persistent, open-minded and motivated, believing in moving forward with positive energy and being grateful for this life. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, and scrapbooking, and her bucket list includes a trip to all 50 states (she’s already checked off almost 40). Debbi’s passion is children, not only her 4 wonderful children and 3 adorable grandsons, but all the children she has taught over the years.
Ms. Ashley
Assistant Director & Music/Movement Teacher
Ashley started here in 2003 as a temporary sub and loved it so much she never left. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in speech pathology from JMU. She enjoys teaching music and movement to guide children toward greater joy and self-expression. In her classes, children engage in the creative process which connects the arts to other subject areas to develop language, physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. In 2023, she obtained her children's yoga certification. She uses her organizational and business expertise to help the front office run smoothly. Ashley loves to work with children who have special needs. She is our go-to person for creating an inclusive environment where all children can be successful learners. Her hobbies include postcrossing, making music (piano, guitar, and ukulele) and taking care of her pets, which at present include a 3-legged cat, a 4-legged cat, an elderly dog, and several tarantulas. She is a super proud mom to three amazing grown children.
Ashley started here in 2003 as a temporary sub and loved it so much she never left. She earned her B.S. and M.S. in speech pathology from JMU. She enjoys teaching music and movement to guide children toward greater joy and self-expression. In her classes, children engage in the creative process which connects the arts to other subject areas to develop language, physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills. In 2023, she obtained her children's yoga certification. She uses her organizational and business expertise to help the front office run smoothly. Ashley loves to work with children who have special needs. She is our go-to person for creating an inclusive environment where all children can be successful learners. Her hobbies include postcrossing, making music (piano, guitar, and ukulele) and taking care of her pets, which at present include a 3-legged cat, a 4-legged cat, an elderly dog, and several tarantulas. She is a super proud mom to three amazing grown children.
Ms. Penny
Asst. Teacher in Room 1
Penny has been a dedicated teacher in our pre-k program since 2005. With a background in home daycare, Penny has extensive training in early childhood development. She is the mom of 6 (yes 6!) terrific children. Penny's love of children is evident in her positive interactions with them. She feels blessed to have a job that she loves coming to everyday. We challenge you to keep up with Penny's energy. When she's not at school, she is likely volunteering at her church or organizing some charity event for the community.
Penny has been a dedicated teacher in our pre-k program since 2005. With a background in home daycare, Penny has extensive training in early childhood development. She is the mom of 6 (yes 6!) terrific children. Penny's love of children is evident in her positive interactions with them. She feels blessed to have a job that she loves coming to everyday. We challenge you to keep up with Penny's energy. When she's not at school, she is likely volunteering at her church or organizing some charity event for the community.
Ms. Angela
Lead Teacher in Room 8
Angela joined the preschool faculty in 2012. In addition to being lead teacher in Room 8, she also works in our extended care program. She earned her B.S. degree from Radford University. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling (especially on cruise ships). She is the mother of 5 (yes 5!) children: the oldest is a son, followed by 4 daughters. She has one incredibly adorable granddaughter. She has been happily married to her best friend for over 30 years.
Angela joined the preschool faculty in 2012. In addition to being lead teacher in Room 8, she also works in our extended care program. She earned her B.S. degree from Radford University. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling (especially on cruise ships). She is the mother of 5 (yes 5!) children: the oldest is a son, followed by 4 daughters. She has one incredibly adorable granddaughter. She has been happily married to her best friend for over 30 years.
Ms. Sarah
Asst. Teacher in Room 8
Sarah joined our preschool team in 2013, after working as a substitute teacher for a year. Sarah's calm, unflappable nature make her a perfect assistant in busy Room 8 with our 3 year olds. She has a degree in English from George Mason University. She has 2 sons who keep her busy, but she loves going to the beach whenever possible.
Sarah joined our preschool team in 2013, after working as a substitute teacher for a year. Sarah's calm, unflappable nature make her a perfect assistant in busy Room 8 with our 3 year olds. She has a degree in English from George Mason University. She has 2 sons who keep her busy, but she loves going to the beach whenever possible.
Ms. Robin
Lead Teacher in Room 3
Robin joined our faculty in 2015 but has been a preschool teacher for over 27 years. She has extensive training in early childhood education and earned her Certificate in Child Development in 2017. Robin is a master at helping children with potty training, which makes her perfect for the 2-3 year olds. She enjoys reading and cooking and spending time with her daughter who has followed in her mom's footsteps to become a teacher too.
Robin joined our faculty in 2015 but has been a preschool teacher for over 27 years. She has extensive training in early childhood education and earned her Certificate in Child Development in 2017. Robin is a master at helping children with potty training, which makes her perfect for the 2-3 year olds. She enjoys reading and cooking and spending time with her daughter who has followed in her mom's footsteps to become a teacher too.
Lead Teacher in Room 5
Ms. Kim began her career with us as a substitute teacher in 2013. We loved her so much, we talked her into become a floating assistant, an assistant teacher, and now a lead teacher in the older infant room. Her warm, loving nature is perfect for our babies! Kim is mom to 4 wonderful children. In her spare time she likes to be with her family and friends, especially at the beach.
Ms. Kim began her career with us as a substitute teacher in 2013. We loved her so much, we talked her into become a floating assistant, an assistant teacher, and now a lead teacher in the older infant room. Her warm, loving nature is perfect for our babies! Kim is mom to 4 wonderful children. In her spare time she likes to be with her family and friends, especially at the beach.
Ms. Christina
Lead Teacher in Room 2
Ms. Christina joined the preschool faculty in 2017. She earned her Associate’s Degree from Ashworth College in Early Childhood Education. Christina has been working with children since she was 16 years old and loves being a part of children’s lives. She can run a classroom of one-year-olds and never ever raise her voice. It's incredible! She is a fur mom of three dogs; Bentley, King James, and Dakota! She loves going to the beach, traveling, jewelry-making, spending time with her nieces and walking her dogs.
Ms. Christina joined the preschool faculty in 2017. She earned her Associate’s Degree from Ashworth College in Early Childhood Education. Christina has been working with children since she was 16 years old and loves being a part of children’s lives. She can run a classroom of one-year-olds and never ever raise her voice. It's incredible! She is a fur mom of three dogs; Bentley, King James, and Dakota! She loves going to the beach, traveling, jewelry-making, spending time with her nieces and walking her dogs.
Ms. Fran
Lead Teacher in Room 4
Ms. Fran joined the preschool faculty in 2017. She earned her bachelor's Degree from Marymount University and has taken additional coursework in Early Childhood Education. Fran is an amazing teacher. Her lessons are fun and creative, but best of all, her students absolutely love her! She is married and mother to 3 young adult children and fur mom to 2 dogs. In her free time, Fran enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family.
Ms. Fran joined the preschool faculty in 2017. She earned her bachelor's Degree from Marymount University and has taken additional coursework in Early Childhood Education. Fran is an amazing teacher. Her lessons are fun and creative, but best of all, her students absolutely love her! She is married and mother to 3 young adult children and fur mom to 2 dogs. In her free time, Fran enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with family.
Ms. Erin
Receptionist
Erin became our receptionist in February 2018. She is the friendly face that will greet you at the main door of the church and help you get signed in.
Erin became our receptionist in February 2018. She is the friendly face that will greet you at the main door of the church and help you get signed in.
Ms. Karan
Floating Assistant Teacher
Karan earned her AAS from Virginia Western Community College. She worked for Dominion Bank in the customer service departments before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom to 3 wonderful children. As a floater, she gets to know every child in our program and can step into any classroom and make it run more smoothly. Karan is an avid reader. She loves to cook and spend time at the beach.
Karan earned her AAS from Virginia Western Community College. She worked for Dominion Bank in the customer service departments before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom to 3 wonderful children. As a floater, she gets to know every child in our program and can step into any classroom and make it run more smoothly. Karan is an avid reader. She loves to cook and spend time at the beach.
Ms. Courtney
Assistant Teacher in Room 2
Ms. Courtney joined our staff in 2018 as an assistant teacher in the infant room. She loves working with young children, watching them learn and grow. She and Ms. Tina do an excellent job of creating a warm, family-like classroom where the children can thrive. She enjoys arts and crafts, being out in nature, traveling, and spending time with family. She has two cats, one of whom she rescued as a newborn. Courtney also has a love of bugs and maintains an impressive bug collection.
Ms. Courtney joined our staff in 2018 as an assistant teacher in the infant room. She loves working with young children, watching them learn and grow. She and Ms. Tina do an excellent job of creating a warm, family-like classroom where the children can thrive. She enjoys arts and crafts, being out in nature, traveling, and spending time with family. She has two cats, one of whom she rescued as a newborn. Courtney also has a love of bugs and maintains an impressive bug collection.
Ms. Laura
Lead Teacher in Room 6
Laura joined us in the Summer of 2019. She has worked with children for many years and loves being with the babies. In 2019 she earned her Early Childhood Development Certificate and a Career Studies Early Childhood Development Certificate from John Tyler Community College. Laura has 2 wonderful daughters. She enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family, friends and the family dog.
Laura joined us in the Summer of 2019. She has worked with children for many years and loves being with the babies. In 2019 she earned her Early Childhood Development Certificate and a Career Studies Early Childhood Development Certificate from John Tyler Community College. Laura has 2 wonderful daughters. She enjoys cooking, reading, spending time with family, friends and the family dog.
Ms. Vandana
PM Care Teacher
Vandana joined the preschool faculty in summer 2019 as an afternoon assistant teacher in Room 8. She was born and raised in India. She completed her B.S. in Home Science and M.S. in Home Management from Nagpur University in India. Most recently Vandana was a volunteer substitute teacher at Evergreen Elementary School. She has two sons and a daughter. In her free time she loves to paint, knit, embroider, sew, etc. as well as travel to different countries.
Vandana joined the preschool faculty in summer 2019 as an afternoon assistant teacher in Room 8. She was born and raised in India. She completed her B.S. in Home Science and M.S. in Home Management from Nagpur University in India. Most recently Vandana was a volunteer substitute teacher at Evergreen Elementary School. She has two sons and a daughter. In her free time she loves to paint, knit, embroider, sew, etc. as well as travel to different countries.
Mr. Owen
PM Care Teacher
Owen started at the preschool in February 2022 as an aide for a child with special needs. He then began to sub for us, which blossomed into a permanent role in our PM program. He loves to find ways to make the teachers' jobs easier and as such, his position has evolved to include staff support, maintenance, and groundskeeping. Owen earned an M.S. in theoretical mathematics from VCU. He has over 22 years' experience teaching high school and college mathematics and tutors middle school through college math when he has time. He is dad to two funny, amazing boys. He is an amateur songwriter, and professional electric guitarist.
Owen started at the preschool in February 2022 as an aide for a child with special needs. He then began to sub for us, which blossomed into a permanent role in our PM program. He loves to find ways to make the teachers' jobs easier and as such, his position has evolved to include staff support, maintenance, and groundskeeping. Owen earned an M.S. in theoretical mathematics from VCU. He has over 22 years' experience teaching high school and college mathematics and tutors middle school through college math when he has time. He is dad to two funny, amazing boys. He is an amateur songwriter, and professional electric guitarist.
Ms. Amy
Floating Assistant Teacher
Amy joined our team in November 2022, working mostly in the infant room, but also floating to other classrooms as needed. She has two small children at home with her husband, whom she has been with since she was fourteen years old! Even though she's a busy mom, she loves to read, cook, swim, and garden in her precious spare time. She especially loves anything paranormal, rainy stormy days and nighttime walks. Her former career was as a certified phlebotomist, but she wanted to work with kids. We feel incredibly lucky she made that switch!
Amy joined our team in November 2022, working mostly in the infant room, but also floating to other classrooms as needed. She has two small children at home with her husband, whom she has been with since she was fourteen years old! Even though she's a busy mom, she loves to read, cook, swim, and garden in her precious spare time. She especially loves anything paranormal, rainy stormy days and nighttime walks. Her former career was as a certified phlebotomist, but she wanted to work with kids. We feel incredibly lucky she made that switch!
Mr. Devin
Lead Teacher in Room 3
Devin joined the preschool staff in December 2022 as a co-lead teacher in Room 3, where he very quickly demonstrated an incredible gift for working with little people. He has his associate degree in early childhood education and liberal arts. He began his career working with children when he was 16 as a professional costume character actor! He has played Angry Bird, Peppa Pig, and several Avengers to name a few. He enjoys working with children and helping them develop new skills.
Devin joined the preschool staff in December 2022 as a co-lead teacher in Room 3, where he very quickly demonstrated an incredible gift for working with little people. He has his associate degree in early childhood education and liberal arts. He began his career working with children when he was 16 as a professional costume character actor! He has played Angry Bird, Peppa Pig, and several Avengers to name a few. He enjoys working with children and helping them develop new skills.
Ms. Anne
Lead Teacher in Infant Room
Anne joined the preschool staff in January 2023 as a co-lead in the younger infant room. Anne grew up on the east coast of Florida but has spent most of her life in Virginia’s Northern Neck and the Richmond area. She discovered her love of teaching young children while volunteering at a failure-to-thrive clinic in Romania and a preschool in Brazil. She has taught preschool in the Richmond area since 2019 and has found her home in our infant program. In her off-time she loves exploring Richmond, visiting bookstores, spending time at her family's river cottage, drinking coffee, and just hanging out at home with her two cats.
Anne joined the preschool staff in January 2023 as a co-lead in the younger infant room. Anne grew up on the east coast of Florida but has spent most of her life in Virginia’s Northern Neck and the Richmond area. She discovered her love of teaching young children while volunteering at a failure-to-thrive clinic in Romania and a preschool in Brazil. She has taught preschool in the Richmond area since 2019 and has found her home in our infant program. In her off-time she loves exploring Richmond, visiting bookstores, spending time at her family's river cottage, drinking coffee, and just hanging out at home with her two cats.
Ms. Lizzy
Assistant Infant Teacher
Ms. Lizzy joined our staff in August 2023 as an assistant teacher with infants/toddlers. She spends most of her free time hanging out with her high school age sons, watching their sports and marching band. She's a Swiftie who loves photography, skulls, musical theatre, yoga, and the beach.
Ms. Lizzy joined our staff in August 2023 as an assistant teacher with infants/toddlers. She spends most of her free time hanging out with her high school age sons, watching their sports and marching band. She's a Swiftie who loves photography, skulls, musical theatre, yoga, and the beach.
Ms. Roz
PM Care Teacher
Ms. Roz joined our faculty as an afternoon floating teacher in 2024. She earned her AA degree in Early Childhood Development from J. Sargent Reynolds in 2009. She has 30 years experience teaching and working with preschool, elementary, and autistic children. She loves interior decorating, ushering at her church, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Ms. Roz joined our faculty as an afternoon floating teacher in 2024. She earned her AA degree in Early Childhood Development from J. Sargent Reynolds in 2009. She has 30 years experience teaching and working with preschool, elementary, and autistic children. She loves interior decorating, ushering at her church, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.
Inclusion Program Coordinator/ABA Specialist
Emily joined our staff in Sping 2024, though she started her work in the field of Behavior Analysis in 2008, and has since held various teaching and supervisory roles across preschools, private day schools, and organizations - all with a mission of improving the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Emily earned her certification as an Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2016, her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin University in 2019, and her Board Certification in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology in 2020. Emily and her husband have a young daughter and son, and as a family they enjoy spending their time exploring the outdoors at the beach or in the mountains.
Emily joined our staff in Sping 2024, though she started her work in the field of Behavior Analysis in 2008, and has since held various teaching and supervisory roles across preschools, private day schools, and organizations - all with a mission of improving the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Emily earned her certification as an Assistant Behavior Analyst in 2016, her Masters of Arts in Teaching from Mary Baldwin University in 2019, and her Board Certification in Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology in 2020. Emily and her husband have a young daughter and son, and as a family they enjoy spending their time exploring the outdoors at the beach or in the mountains.