Kindergarten begins on August 30; Preschool begins September 5. Learn More →

Our Teachers

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

Susan Rawls

Director
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

Wendy Dixon

Assistant Director
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

Maureen Stepanian

Lead Teacher
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

Cathy Martin

Assistant Teacher
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

Beth Phipps

Assistant Teacher
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

Jennifer Britt

Lead Teacher
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

Dana Johnson

Lead Teacher
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

Rachel Jones

Assistant Teacher
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

Christy Thompson

Assistant Teacher
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

Jacque Flint

Lead Teacher
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

Anna Catherine Martin

Lead Teacher
Credentials
  • Early Childhood Education - University of Alabama
Favorite Quote
“Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning” – Diane Ackerman
Elizabeth Parker

Elizabeth Parker

Assistant Teacher
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

Estelle Short

Assistant Teacher
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

Sarah Anders

Lead Teacher
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

Shannon Daly

Lead Teacher
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

Eileen Beane

Assistant Teacher
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

Tracy Wood

Assistant Teacher
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

Rebecca Gathright

Lead Teacher
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

Lisa Nash

Assistant Teacher
Credentials
  • B.A. Early Childhood, NK-4 - James Madison University
Favorite Quote
“Inside every child is a rainbow waiting to shine.”

Need more information?

Sign Up for Summer Camp!

June 6-10 and/or June 13-17 – All camps are 9:00am – 12pm

Come join the summer fun! St. Mary’s Preschool offers two weeks of summer camp for children ages 3-6.