Ann-Marie Lanius, Co-Director
Ann-Marie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Shippensburg University. In addition to her work at the preschool, Ann-Marie is an Assistant Professor at Northern Virginia Community College in the Early Childhood Department. She has two children. She enjoys reading, movies and playing games with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban.
Julie Hellstrom, Co-Director
Julie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University. In addition to her work at the preschool, she is an Adjunct Instructor at Northern Virginia Community College in the Early Childhood Education Department. Julie has two children. She enjoys reading, relaxing in the sunshine and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Millions of Cats by Wanda Ga’g
Judy Keiper, Administrator
Judy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from East Carolina University. Judy has two boys. She enjoys going to the beach, walking and visiting the local wineries.
Margie Mamrol, Administrator
Margie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA in Health Administration from Temple University. Margie has three children, two boys and a girl. She enjoys travel, reading, exercising and going to the beach. Her favorite children’s book is A Fly Went By by Mike McClintock.
Sarah Newland, Lead Teacher
Sarah is a lead teacher in the Toucan and Lion’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Political Science from Fordham University and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education/Curriculum and Development from Columbia University. Sarah has four children, two boys and two girls. She enjoys running, reading, cooking, and goofing off with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Here We are - Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers.
Connie Snider, Assistant Teacher
Connie is an assistant teacher in the Toucan and Lion’s class. She has a Bachelor’s of Science with a dual major of Marketing and Management. She has three children ranging from age 19 to 26. Connie enjoys playing tennis and riding her new motorcycle. Her favorite children’s book is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
Meg Antwi, Lead Teacher
Meg is a lead teacher in the Eagle’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Sociology from University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and a Master’s Degree in Education from North Carolina State. Meg has two children. She enjoys traveling, cooking and exercising. Her favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.
Ellen Vlcek, Assistant Teacher
Ellen is an assistant teacher in the Eagle’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Art History and a Teacher Certification in K - 6 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ellen has three children. She enjoys cooking, reading, and dog walking. Her favorite children’s book is Out and About - A First Book of Poems by Shirley Hughes.
Claire Tully, Lead Teacher
Claire is a lead teacher in the Robin’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Mary Washington and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from George Mason. Claire has three children. She enjoys walking her dog, going to the beach and watching movies. Her favorite children’s book is King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood.
Amy Sucherman, Assistant Teacher
Amy is an assistant teacher in the Robin’s class. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Communication Art and Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Amy has two children. She enjoys walks, movies, kayaking, drawing and vacationing with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Put Me in the Zoo by Robert Lopshire.
Amy Plate, Lead Teacher
Amy is a lead teacher in the Cardinal’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from George Mason. Amy has two children. She enjoys reading, running and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherry Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld.
Simone Hale, Assistant Teacher
Simone is an assistant teacher in the Cardinal’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from Christchurch University College in Kent, UK. Simone has two children. She enjoys tennis, barre class, art, and she loves dogs. Her favorite children’s book is The Queen’s Knickers by Nicholas Allan.
Michelle Kennedy, Lead Teacher
Michelle is a lead teacher in the Monkey and Zebra’s class. She has a Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from New Jersey City State University. Michelle has four children, two boys and two girls. She enjoys reading, walking the dog and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Olivia by Ian Falconer.
Lori Cerny, Assistant Teacher
Lori is an assistant teacher in the Monkey and Zebra’s class. She studied Public and Corporate Communications at Butler University. She has two children. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.
Beth Brown, Lead Teacher
Beth is a lead teacher in the Dragonfly’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Winthrop University. Beth has three children. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and sewing. Her favorite children’s book is Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester.
Kaija Johnston, Assistant Teacher
Kaija is an assistant teacher in the Dragonfly’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from James Madison University. Kaija has two children, a daughter and a son. She enjoys reading, cooking, watching her kids play sports, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite children’s book is Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCluskey.
Debbie Ryan, Lead Teacher
Debbie is a lead teacher in the Turtle’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University. Debbie has three children. She enjoys reading, traveling with her family, and volunteering at the animal shelter. Her favorite children’s book is The Hat by Jan Brett.
Marie Nelson, Assistant Teacher
Marie is an assistant teacher in the Turtle’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Sociology from James Madison University. Marie has four children. She enjoys baking, reading, refurbishing furniture, and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
Dawn Steinbauer, Lead Teacher
Dawn is a lead teacher in the Duck’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and specialized in Early Childhood. Dawn has two boys, both of whom attended St. David’s Preschool. She enjoys baking, attending her children’s sporting events and spending time with her family, both near and far. Her favorite children’s book is Owl Babies by Martin Waddell.
Jennifer Nash, Assistant Teacher
Jennifer is an assistant teacher in the Duck’s class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Virginia Tech. Jennifer has three children, all of whom attended St. David’s. She enjoys running, reading, watching her children’s sports, and walking her chocolate lab, Bear! Her favorite children’s book is Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman.
Sarah Posid, Lead Teacher
Sarah is a lead teacher in the K-WILD class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Recreation with a focus in Environmental Education from Virginia Tech. Sarah has two children. She enjoys being outside and spending time with her family. Her favorite children’s book is The Lorax by Dr. Seuss.
Jen Smirnoff, Assistant Teacher
Jen is an assistant teacher in the K-WILD class. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from State University of New York at New Paltz and a Master’s Degree in Literacy/Reading from University of Dayton. In addition, she is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist. She enjoys hiking, gardening, exploring nature and volunteering at her boys’ schools. Her favorite children’s book is Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey.
Adell Panetta, Music Teacher
Adell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from St. John Fisher College and is currently taking classes in Early Childhood Education at Northern Virginia Community College. Adell has two children. She enjoys traveling, reading, music and coffee! Her favorite children’s book is The Art Lesson by Tomie De Paola.