I also enjoy leading the Lunch Bunch Program as it allows me to work with slightly order children. My favorite is teaching ATWABA, our "Around The World And Back Again" class. The children are extremely curious and I love figuring out what and how to present the different countries, cultures and traditions to children.

Before joining the staff I was a BCNS parent. My son joined the Firefly class in 2002, and I have enjoyed working with the school ever since. I first worked as a co-oping parent, then in the crib room, and now as assistant teacher of the Frog and Fish Class. I enjoy playing and interacting with the children and seeing them learn new things everyday. I believe that the classroom provides an excellent learning environment and fun time for children to grow and develop, and I am happy to be a part of it.

I have been teaching for many years and am glad to have found BCNS. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have previously taught 1^st grade and four-year-olds. After taking a break from teaching following the adoption of my children, I began teaching the Firefly class while my daughter was in the Caterpillars class. I consider BCNS the perfect fit for me. I am able to use my love of teaching and still have time for my own children. I have been teaching the Fireflies since 1999 and love my job more each year. The Fireflies (three-year-old-children) go through so many changes during the year and it is exciting to help them to use their new skills and independence in the classroom.

I have a Bachelors degree in Bible/Missions and have spent all of my adult life in ministry with my husband, including 2 years in East Africa. I have a very nurturing personality and love of children, which drew me to teaching preschool many years ago. I spent most of that time teaching 2 year-olds but have spent time in classes of all ages. When my husband took on the pastorate at the Church in Bethesda in 2007 I joined the team at BCNS by working in the nursery and at Lunch Bunch 2 days a week. I am really excited about working with Fireflies in 2008-2009.

I have a degree in early childhood education from the University of Maryland at College Park and more than 13 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners. Highlights in my teaching career include teaching kindergarten complement at Westmoreland Children's Center in Bethesda and teaching at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center where I worked with three year olds using a museum-based curriculum. Most recently, I worked as a center director for an Early Head Start Center in Gaithersburg.

After starting my own family, I decided to leave full time administrative work and return to teaching. In the fall of 2007 I will be joining the staff of BCNS. I truly believe that the preschool years are very important, as this is the stage in development when a child's enthusiasm to learn is at its peak. I try to foster that enthusiasm to learn in each classroom I am a part of. I am looking forward to meeting all of the wonderful families at BCNS and becoming part of the BCNS community!