Catherine Hopkins
Catherine has worked at BCPS for more than 6 years. She currently serves as the Teacher Support Coordinator. She holds a degree in Animal Science/ Veterinary Medicine and is licensed by the VA Board of Veterinary Medicine/ VA Department of Health. A few years ago she decided to leave her full time job as a hospital administrator to stay home with her family and better homeschool her children. She has taught animal science to 3rd-6th graders at her co-op. She is a also Disney travel agent and Plexus ambassador in her spare time. Catherine is involved with the sports her children play and also sits on the board for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Virginia Chapter.
Joelle Hawkins
Joelle teaches our Music and Creative Movement classes. She has a Music Education degree from Wright State University and has 14 years of teaching experience. "I love how free and energetic the children are in class. It brings me such joy to watch them learn and grow."
Susie Higbie
Susie’s expert care for children shows in the 5 day 5 year old classroom as she teaches them daily. She has a degree from University of Akron and an Associate Degree in Child Development. She has been teaching our preschoolers for over 20 years! “I love teaching because I enjoy seeing children learn through play. The highlight of any day is to see a child figure something out on his/her own. I love to see children grow and become independent. I love to be part of their first school experience.”
Elizabeth McNew
Elizabeth has enjoyed working with children from a young age. She holds a degree in Psychology from Longwood University and a Master's degree M.Ed in Early Childhood Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Elizabeth is licensed to teach ECSE by the Virginia Department of Education. In her free time she enjoys reading, practicing photography and exploring new parks with family. Elizabeth is the lead teacher for the 2 day 2.5 year old class and supports the 1 day 2.5 year old class as an aide.
Kristen Mathews
Kristen has a Bachelor Degree of Science from Elmira College and has worked with special ed and hearing impaired children. “I love working with children! It’s amazing watching them learn and grow during the school year. BCPS provides a fun atmosphere for students and myself.” Kristen is an aide with the 5 day 5 year old class.
Chris McKee
Chris has more than 20 years of experience at BCPS loving and teaching 3s and 4s. She is the lead teacher for our 4 day 4 year old class (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). Her love of books is the reason why she spends so much time ordering and distributing the preschool’s Scholastic Book Orders. She has a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education (Certified N-6). “I love the children’s enthusiasm for learning. My favorite activities are reading to the children and class discussions during circle time.”
Heather Nghiem
Heather is our Director! She has a B.S. in Psychology with a Teaching License Certification (Pre-K – 3) from James Madison University. She has served as the Preschool Board Chair, taught our 2.5 year olds and served as an aide for our 5 day 4 year old class. She taught elementary age students for seven years in Chesterfield County Public Schools, led training for teachers in technology integration and mentored new teachers and colleagues. Heather enjoys serving in the Children's Ministry program at TBC and 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."
Monique Novak
Monique has been a loving and caring aide for over a decade. She attended Old Dominion University. She is currently an aide with the 2 day 3 year old class and 3 day 4 year old class. “I love to see the kids eyes light up when we tell them it’s time to go outside or we have popsicles for snack. They get so excited about the little things.”
Cathy Ray
Cathy has touched many little lives as a teacher in all our programs for more than 25 years. She earned a B.S. in Child Development from Virginia Tech. Cathy is the lead teacher for the 5 day 4 year old class. “The things I love about teaching are the children’s cheerful faces, hugs, and being a part of their early education. I think Erma Bombeck said it best, "Children make your life important.’”
Sherry Smith
Sherry has been an awesome aide for BCPS of all ages for more than 10 years. She attended The Braxton School of Business. She loves the children's hugs and is always ready to give hers away! Her love for children and enthusiasm shows every day! Sherry's children are BCPS alumni. She is an aide with the 5 day 4 year old class.
Amanda Dunlap
Amanda Dunlap has a B.S. from Longwood University. Her children completed a combined total of 6 years at BCPS. She fell so in love with the preschool, that she started subbing and was part of the preschool board before she became a teacher and aide! Amanda is the lead teacher for the 3 day 3 year old class and an aide with the 2 day 2.5 year old class.
Alicia Smith
Alicia is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts teaching preK-5th grade. She taught preschool in West Virginia and fourth grade in Texas. All three of her children attended BCPS and the whole family fell in love with the preschool so much that Alicia didn't want to leave when her youngest started Kindergarten. She began substitute teaching in the spring and is thrilled to be a lead teacher in our 2 day 3 year old class. Children's imaginations, love for life and big hearts are why Alicia chose to work with children. "The smallest of things brighten their day which in turn brightens mine. I couldn't be more grateful to work with young children and the amazing staff at Brandermill". As my grandfather always said, "To merit the love of a child is to taste the Divine."
Stephanie Barth
Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University and holds a Certification in Early Childhood Education. All of her children attended BCPS and had wonderful experiences. Stephanie joined our staff when her youngest began Kindergarten and she currently is the lead teacher for the 2 day 3 year old class and 3 day 4 year old class. “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. I’m looking forward to another great year at BCPS and teaching your wonderful children!”
Beth Dabney
Beth graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She moved to Midlothian 5 years ago and her children attended Brandermill Church Preschool. She enjoys greeting the children each morning. She also 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. Beth is the lead teacher for the 2 day 2.5 year old class and the 3 day 3 year old class.
Melissa Fitzgerald
Melissa graduated from Wheelock College in Boston, MA 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. She has taught at BCPS for over 12 years in all age groups and loves preschool! Melissa has two children who attended Brandermill many years ago and still has great memories from those days! Melissa is the lead teacher in the 4 day 4 year old Tuesday - Friday class. "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".
Lisa Taylor
Lisa has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Both degrees required internships in elementary schools as well as Community Service Boards where she worked closely with children and their families. She worked as a Hospice Social Worker for 3 years with children and their families and then stayed home after her husband and she decided to start a family of their own. Prior to coming to BCPS, she worked with CCPS as a PALS tutor for 4 years at Hening Elementary. She currently is an aide in the 2 day 3 year old class. "Working with children is such a joy! Watching them as they try something new for the first time and accomplish it, or share a toy with a friend, or comfort a friend when needed, it's all so fulfilling. It's the little triumphs that count! These young, developmental years are so important to their social and emotional well-being and I love being an essential part of that"!
Yoshie Motai
Yoshie graduated from Purdue University with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Education specializing in Mental Health Counseling. She has worked with children of all ages and their families for 3.5 years as a mental health counselor before moving to Virginia. Prior to coming to BCPS, she also taught math and language to 7th-9th graders at Saturday Japanese School for 8 years. Both of her children attended BCPS and had wonderful experiences. Yoshie is an aide with the 4 day 4 year old Tuesday - Friday class. "I love working with children! It is such a joy to watch them explore and learn new things each and every day."
Laura Bortz
Laura was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa before immigrating with her husband to the U.S. She has been teaching for 21 years beginning in first grade and later as a preschool teacher after taking some time off to raise her two daughters. "I love working in early childhood education, it is truly my favorite age as the children are so inquisitive and full of joy." Laura is an aide for "a busy, fun filled year full of learning and laughter" in our 3 day 3 year old class.
Ashley Thompson
Ashley grew up in Chesterfield County. She has a background in childcare and development having worked in area daycare settings. After staying home with her children who are BCPS alumni she began substitute teaching. Ashley is an aide in our 4 day 4 year old class.
Cynthia Vandermeys
Cynthia has a Bachelors Degree from the University of Buffalo where she is originally from. She is an aide with the 5 day 5 year old classroom. Before coming to BCPS she 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 when they do well. It's truly magical. "
June Hamada
June holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Arkansas. Before moving to Virginia, she worked as an art director at a local advertising agency in Little Rock, Arkansas. Both of her children attended BCPS. She loves doing arts and crafts with the children and really enjoys how creative and happy the children are with the artwork they create. June is an aide with the 2 day 2.5 year old class and the 3 day 3 year old class.