Meet Our Director
Heather Nghiem
Before becoming our director, Heather served as the Preschool Board Chair, taught our 2.5-year-olds, and served as an aide for our 5-day 4-year-olds
  • Has a B.S. in Psychology with a Teaching License Certification (Pre-K – 3) from James Madison University
  • from James Madison University
  • Taught elementary school for 7 years in Chesterfield County Public Schools
  • Led training for teachers in technology integration and mentored new teachers and colleagues
  • Serves in the Children's Ministry program at The Brandermill Church
  • Serves as on officer in a local chapter of the international education sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa
  • Both her children are BCPS alumni!
  • Heather delights in greeting the children each day and being a part of their emerging journey to build connections and friendships.  "Learning through play is a world of discovery through the eyes of a child filled with wonder and awe."
Meet Our Teachers
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Elizabeth Aldridge 

Main Role: Aide for the 4-day 4-year-olds
  • *Received her Bachelor of Science from Radford University
  • *Her child is a BCPS alumni
  • *She began substitute teaching at BCPS once her children were in school full time.
  • “Watching children grow and learn is a real joy.  Each stage is different and exciting in its own unique way. "
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    Stephanie Barth

    Main Role: Teacher for the 2-day and 3-day 3-year-olds
  • *Received her Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University and holds a Certification in Early Childhood Education
“I love working with children. They love learning and exploring … and they make every day such an adventure! The sense of accomplishment they feel when they figure something out for the very first time and their excitement is contagious.”

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  • Christine Cupp

    Main Role: Teacher for the 2-day 2.5-year-olds and Aide for the 3-day 4-year-olds
  • *Graduated from CNU with a Masters in Teaching
  • *Taught middle school
  • *All of her children have attended BCPS
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  • Beth Dabney
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    Main Role: Teacher for the 2-day 3-year-olds  
  • *Graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts
    *Her children attended Brandermill Church Preschool
    *She enjoys painting, paper crafts, and crocheting in her free time.
    *Her favorite part of the day is when she gets to assist her students with creating a new art project.

  • "I like to explore different methods of creating visual works of art with my students.  I enjoy seeing their pride in their creations.  It brings me such joy to see them grow and learn. "


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  • Melissa Fitzgerald

Main Role: Teacher for 4-day 4-year-olds​
  • *Time at BCPS: 18+ years
  • *Graduated from Wheelock College with a BA in Primary & Special Education K-12
  • *She has taught all grades in special education both as inclusive and pullout programs for close to a decade
  • *Melissa has two children who attended BCPS many years ago and still has great memories from those days!​                                                     
 "The best part about being an early education teacher is that each day is brand new and the smallest things or accomplishments bring the most smiles. Each day is magical as children play and learn and make friends and appreciate the wonder of everything. Every moment is a teaching moment big or small."
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  • Joelle Hawkins

  • *Main Role: Teacher for 2-day 2.5-year-olds and Teacher for Music and Creative Movement 
  • *Teaching Experience: 20+ years
    *Has a Music Education degree from Wright State University​​

"I love how free and energetic the children are in class.  It brings me such joy to watch them learn and grow."


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  • Kinsey Haynie​

  • Main Role: Teacher for 2-day and 3-day 3-year-olds
  • *Graduate of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!
  • *Grew up in Southwest Virginia
  • *Blessed with four amazing children and loves cheering them on in all of their extra curricular activities
  • *Before coming to BCPS worked as substitute teacher in Chesterfield County elementary schools and in preschool
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  • Lynn Hunter

  • Main Role: Teacher for the 4-day 4-year-olds 
  • *Air Force teaching certificate
  • *She has taught preschoolers and school age children for over 20+ years.
  • *Served in the U.S. Air Force
  • *She enjoys camping and outdoor activities in her free time.​
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  • Molly Jones
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    Main Role: Aide for 2-day 2.5-year-olds 
  • *Graduate of East Caroline University with B.S. in Science and majored in Rehabilitation Services
  • *She has worked with children for many years in a variety of learning environments in the classrooms and the community
    *All of her children attended BCPS.
    ​*In her free time she loves spending time with her family and enjoys being outdoors.  ​
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  • April Landreth Arnts

  • Main Role: Teacher for 3-day 4-year-olds
  • *Earned a M.Ed from National University and a B.A. in Psychology from JMU
  • *Before coming to BCPS she substituted in Chesterfield County schools, served on a preschool board, was a senior instructor for FIT4MOM and taught students in various grades and age groups in several states.  
  • *She is an advocate for military spouses and Type I diabetes education.  
  • *She loves spending time with her husband and 3 girls.


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  • Meredith Lindale

  • Main Role: Aide for the 3-day-4year olds and 2-day 2.5-year-olds 
  • *Graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in English and Art History 
  • *Her child is a BCPS alumni.
  • *Before coming to BCPS she worked in higher education, most recently serving as the Senior Admissions Representative and International Advisor at The Creative Circus in Atlanta, Georgia.
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  • Sharon Mahoney

  • ​Main Role: Aide for 2-day 3-year-olds and 3-day 3-year-olds
  • *Grew up in Chesterfield County
  • *Graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree 
  • *Both of her children attended BCPS
  • *More than a decade of experience working with preschoolers at her church

  • "I love to watch the children's faces light up when they laugh.  It is wonderful to get to know each little unique personality."

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  • Yoshie Motai
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  • Main Role: Aide for 4-day 4-year-olds
  • *Graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Education specializing in Mental Health Counseling
  • *Has worked with children of all ages and their families for 3.5 years as a mental health counselor before moving to Virginia
  • ​*Taught math and language to 7th-9th graders at Saturday Japanese School for 8 years
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  • Monique Novak
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  • Main Role: Aide for 5-day 4-year-olds
    • *Time at BCPS: 15+ years
      *Graduated from Old Dominion University with secondary education degree in marketing education
      *Born & raised in Charlottesville
      *Upon graduation from ODU moved to Indianapolis, IN with her husband and worked for 7 years for a non-profit agency called Noble of Indiana helping children & adults with developmental disabilities.
      *Later moved to North Carolina and worked at her church preschool, Main Street Methodist Preschool for 4 yrs.
      *Has 3 kids: 2 girls and a son. One graduated from Cornell, ODU, and one graduated from Virginia Tech.
      ​*Loves to play Pickleball & golf! 
    • "I love to see the kids eyes light up when we them it's time to go outside or we have popsicles for snack.  They get so excited about the little things."


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  • Cathy Ray

  • Main Role: Teacher for 5-day 4-year-olds​
    ​*Time at BCPS: 32+ years
    *Earned a B.S. in Child Development from Virginia Tech
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  • "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14


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  • Sherry Smith

  • Main Role: Aide for the 5-day 5-year olds
    *Time at BCPS: 15+ years​
    *Attended The Braxton School of Business*
    *​Sherry's children are BCPS alumni                                                     “
  • "Each day brings something fun and different.  I love making the children smile and seeing their excitement to learn new things at school."


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  • Abby Sykes

  • Main Role: Teacher Support Coordinator
    *Graduate of California Lutheran University with a B.A. in Communications
    *Worked as a substitute teacher for Chesterfield County Public Schools*
    *Prepared lessons and activities and provided care for children from preschool - elementary age during MOPS and church events at a local church
    *    Volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program as a Big Sister
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  • Cynthia Vandermeys

  • Main Role: Teacher for 5 - day 5 -year-olds
    *Has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Buffalo where she is originally from
    *Worked as a substitute teacher for Chesterfield County Public Schools

    "I love working with your children.  Teaching them, seeing their eyes light up when they do well, it's truly magical."



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  • Molly Walker
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  • Main Role: Aide for 3 - day 3 -year-olds
  • ​*Graduated from Longwood University with a BA in Communication Studies
  • *Previously worked in a school environment leading alumnae and development events
  • *Prior to BCPS, owned a calligraphy business and is excited to help children explore their creativity while in class
  • *Both daughters have attended BCPS and she and her family love being a part of this community
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  • Jessica Wise
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  • ​Main Role: Teacher for 3 - day 4 -year-olds
    *Graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Education
    *Previously owned and operated her own business creating and teaching science and engineering enrichment​ programs with the use of Legos.
    *    Has three children: Two at Virginia Tech and one is a junior in high school.
We can't wait to welcome YOU into our Preschool Family!