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Our dedicated faculty (or teachers) is committed to providing an early childhood program that embraces the individual child’s unique learning style. Each teacher tailors our play-based curriculum so that each child will love to learn and seek to find deeper meaning in their play. They regularly participate in professional development to deepen their knowledge and find fresh ways to engage and inspire the children in their care.
Meet the St. Mary's Faculty and Staff
Susan Rawls
Director
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Credentials
- Family and Child Development with an emphasis in Elementary Education - Virginia Tech
- M.Ed, Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us to play that make a great difference in our lives.” – Fred Rogers
Wendy Dixon
Assistant Director
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Credentials
- B.S. Early Childhood Education - Radford University
- Reading Endorsement K-12 - Radford University
Favorite Quote
“If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in” – Rachel Carson
Maureen Stepanian
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A., Communications - Mary Baldwin College
Favorite Quote
“Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” – Charles R. Swindoll
Cathy Martin
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.S. Business Management - University of Alabama
Favorite Quote
“Children are funny little people. Watching them interact with each other is pure joy!”
Beth Phipps
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- BA in Journalism - University of Richmond
Favorite Quote
“Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls.” – Erin Kenny
Jennifer Britt
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A. Psychology - University of Virginia
- Masters in Education, Counselor Education - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing? What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run about all day long? Never in his life will he be so busy again.” – Rousseau 1762
Dana Johnson
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A., Psychology and Communications - Longwood University
- Special Education Endorsement - Old Dominion University
Favorite Quote
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Rachel Jones
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- BS, Family and Child Development - Virginia Tech
- Masters in Teaching - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” – Fred Rogers
Christy Thompson
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A. Early Childhood Education K-7 - University of Richmond
Favorite Quote
“I like being part of a child’s first experience away from home and helping them tell their story.”
Jacque Flint
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.S. in Health Sciences - James Madison University
Favorite Quote
“I love how every day is different when working with children. My favorite part, however, is seeing a child’s eyes light up and a smile spread across their face when they discover something for the first time!”
Anna Catherine Martin
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- Early Childhood Education - University of Alabama
Favorite Quote
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning” – Diane Ackerman
Elizabeth Parker
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A., Psychology and English - Bucknell University
- Masters, Counseling and School Psychology - Tufts University
Favorite Quote
“Play is not only our creative drive: it’s a fundamental mode of learning.” – Dr. David Elkind
Estelle Short
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.S., Marketing Management - Virginia Tech
Favorite Quote
“The constant smiles on the children’s faces are the best thing about preschoolers!”
Sarah Anders
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology - Kenyon College
- Master of Teaching - College of William & Mary
Favorite Quote
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook
Shannon Daly
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.S. Psychology - Randolph-Macon Women's College
- Master in Early Childhood Education - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“When we treat children’s play as seriously as it deserves, we are helping them feel the joy that’s to be found in the creative spirit. It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives.” – Fred Rogers
Eileen Beane
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- BS Elementary Education, K-7 - University of Richmond
- M. Ed. Early Childhood Education - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”
Tracy Wood
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.S. in Marketing - Radford University
Favorite Quote
“Childhood means simplicity. Look at the world with the child’s eye – it is very beautiful.” – Kailash Satyarthi
Rebecca Gathright
Lead Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A. Psychology and Education - Roanoke College
- M.Ed, Reading, Postmasters Certificate, Administration/Supervision - Virginia Commonwealth University
Favorite Quote
“It’s delightful when your imaginations come true, isn’t it?“ – Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)
Lisa Nash
Assistant Teacher
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Credentials
- B.A. Early Childhood, NK-4 - James Madison University
Favorite Quote
“Inside every child is a rainbow waiting to shine.”