Our Staff
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Laurie Florence There’s nothing better than viewing the world through the eyes of a preschooler, so my days are full of laughter, wonder, and new experiences. For this I am blessed! Knollwood is a special place. I like to describe it to people as a place where strangers become family; family for life. For that reason, I was attracted to Knollwood many years ago when we enrolled our sons (who are now in college) in this amazing program. I watched how our boys learned through play and I fell in love with Knollwood and the warm, safe environment. After years of teaching public school and raising our three boys, I knew I wanted to return to teaching and Knollwood and was able to in 2013. I am blessed to be the director of a preschool where we value each child and family and I believe we have the most talented staff imaginable. |
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Kristin O'Dell I am so excited to be serving as Knollwood’s Preschool Director starting January 2023! Knollwood is our family’s church home and it is such a wonderful place. I’m a social worker with many years of experience in child welfare. I love helping create strong family foundations and supporting families through seasons of growth. I know the importance of a strong and healthy early childhood foundation. I love how the Knollwood Preschool is one tool families have used for so many years to help their children thrive. I’m passionate about helping families build community and connect with each other and underlying all of this is the importance of helping everyone know that they are unconditionally loved as a child of God. My own family includes my husband Ben, our two daughters Norah and Brea, and our dog Sandy. We stay busy with Girl Scouts, dance, gymnastics and swim and I myself love taking a tap dance class when I am able! |
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Blanca Shumann I feel blessed to say that I grew up at KCC. As a middle and high schooler, my family and I attended the church, and it is where I was baptized. I started helping out at Knollwood Preschool when my oldest son was in the Frogs class in 2015. Having been an elementary school teacher before my kids were born, I missed being in the classroom. Being at the preschool gave me what I felt was missing in my life. When both of my boys were old enough to go to kindergarten and I was offered a spot at the preschool, I jumped at the chance. Teaching here is wonderful because I am surrounded by joy. It’s hard to be in a bad mood in a roomful of preschoolers! I am also excited by the opportunity to integrate Spanish into the curriculum. I live here in Burke and enjoy watching my boys on the baseball field, playing tennis, or reading a good book. |
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Betsy Pirhalla I have been a teacher at Knollwood Preschool for over 26 years. I teach our youngest students in the Peep class; it is such a privilege to be the very first teacher for so many kids. It is truly my happy place! Knollwood is such a special place to me and my family, in fact, three of my children went to preschool at Knollwood. Knollwood is a place of love, learning and so much fun! A place where the teachers here are just as eager as the students to come to school, and the children are set up to succeed in every aspect of their day. My husband Pete and I live in Stafford, VA with our 2 crazy dogs, Brutus and Leo! We have six children between us, including 5 grandchildren and number six on the way in May! When I am not at school, Pete and I love spending time on the water, at the beach, or playing with our grandkids! |
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Kathryn Howell Since October 2012, I have worked for Knollwood Community Church (KCC) and Preschool as a bookkeeper and ministry assistant. While I don't work directly with children, I so love to hear the laughter and joy in their happy squeals! The creativity and activities the teachers come up with amaze me. They are just so good! I am blessed with a wonderful husband and am a mom to two great young adults. I am so happy to call Knollwood Community Church my church home. |
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Anne-Margaret Ashley Many of us, myself included, consider Knollwood to be their happy place. I have been lucky to have had many different roles at Knollwood. In prior years, I have taught creative movement, library and assisted in just about every classroom. After a 5 year career detour, I am thrilled to be back as a full time assistant in the Puppy Class. I am currently attending NOVA for my early education certificate and I can’t wait to try out what I have learned in the classroom. My favorite thing to do with the kiddos is read to them. I have a passion for books and love using them as a teaching tool for many subjects. But, mostly I just like to watch the children’s reactions, hear their laughter and see their imagination grow as they are introduced to new stories. I live locally in Burke with my husband and my dog Sebastian and I am a recent empty nester. My son is currently a freshman at VCU in Richmond. We love to travel, especially the beach. We recently have discovered the joys of camping, hiking and kayaking. We are slowly becoming more adventure seeking and can’t wait to explore new places. I am very grateful to be back at Knollwood this year. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to do what I love everyday. |
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Emily Becker Nine years ago, my children began attending Knollwood Preschool, and I have loved it ever since. I couldn’t envision a more happy and loving environment for them to develop during those formative years, so I am excited to now have the opportunity to join such a wonderful staff and be a part of other children having the same positive experiences. After spending many years teaching in Fairfax County, I took a break for several years to be home with my four kids. I am excited to be returning to a classroom this year. Working with children, especially preschoolers, brings so much energy, laughter, surprise, and delight. My family lives in Burke, and we love playing games, watching baseball, and exploring all the history in the area. I also enjoy reading, playing tennis, and going on adventures with my husband and kids. |
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Claire Lawless Donahoe After a forty year teaching career, the last 25 of which as a Pre-school Special Education Teacher with Fairfax County, I was blessed to have the opportunity to join the Knollwood Community Pre-School Team. Over the last several years of my career I had the opportunity for weekly interface with Knollwood and was always impressed by their welcoming staff and high quality developmental preschool program. I am so grateful this year to be able to join this fantastic inclusive environment that meets the needs of every student thru play-based learning. I live with my husband in Burke and have two grown boys. We enjoy traveling, walking, reading and being with family. |
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Emily Dower The thing that I love about Knollwood is the welcoming atmosphere that makes us feel like family. This has been and continues to be such a blessing considering we have no family in the area. The moment we walked in the door in 2016 looking for a preschool for our oldest, I knew this was the school for our family. The love I felt then as a mother and continue to feel now as a staff member is truly something special. Knollwood has always provided a tailored love that makes my family feel safe and right at home. I was luckily given the opportunity to start volunteering at Knollwood while my kids were still attending and have been blessed to officially become one of the amazing Knollwood staff as of 2019. I absolutely love working with preschoolers because of their sweet inquisitiveness about the world around them. They bring so much joy and energy everywhere they go. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with children and encourage their need to learn through play and absorb the world around them. Plus, they are just too cute. My husband and our 2 children (Knollwood Alumni) also currently attend Knollwood Community Church. We were pleased to find the people equally as gracious and kind. We are a local family that like to explore the area and go on adventures. |
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Fabiola Green I have always enjoyed working with children of It is my first-year teaching at Knollwood and Two of our children, Conrad and Heidi, are attending Fairview Elementary School and our youngest, Luisa, is a Super Star here at Knollwood. Our family enjoys walks with our dog Nala, movie nights and visiting our family in Germany. |
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Julie Kramek I love Knollwood because is a safe and loving environment for preschoolers and their families to share in their first school experience. I love that Knollwood is play-based so the kids are having so much fun they don’t even realize they are learning. I love teaching preschoolers because they are so honest and genuine and you always know where you stand with them. I feel like my job is to instill in them a love for school and learning that they will hopefully have for the rest of their lives. I’ve been at Knollwood since 2006 (minus the three years we lived in CA). I have two boys who went to Knollwood and are now in college! I love to read, bake, and travel. My happy place is the beach. |
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Liz Pierce Growing up with music all around me, it is only natural that I have stepped into the role of Music Teacher for Knollwood. Playing music or singing with children has always been my favorite part of the classroom experience. Seeing a Preschooler's natural love for moving to any music brings so much joy and happiness to all around. As an Early Childhood educator, I have taught all ages. Prior to coming to Knollwood, I worked with infants through Kindergarten for almost 15 years. My time in the classroom took a pause as I stayed home with my two children for a few years, but I am excited to be coming back in this role. Sharing the Love of Jesus, singing, and playing instruments with preschoolers is not just a job for me...it's so much fun! |
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Tracy Riedlinger The warm and caring atmosphere at |
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Kirsten Sorensen My favorite thing about Knollwood is the warm family community that is created here. It makes being part of the team a blessing & it’s what made sending our son here many years ago the perfect choice! I love working with preschoolers and watching them grow in their confidence & seeing the joy on their face when they try something new! I’ve been an assistant teacher at Knollwood for 10 years and feel privileged to be a support to our amazing teachers. My family and I are big movie goers, board-game players, basketball watchers (when our son is playing) and weekend bike riders. |
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Shawna Townsend Twenty four years ago I chose Knollwood Preschool for my oldest child because of the warmth of the staff, the lesson plans, chapel time, and the Discovery Center. When my youngest was 3, I had the great fortune to to join the staff at Knollwood Preschool. I have four children who all attended Knollwood Preschool. My oldest, Zack, is married to Jessica and they live in San Diego, Ca. Kacie, my only girl, is married and lives in Bethesda, Md with her husband, Niko. My two youngest boys, Devin & Ryan, both attend James Madison University. My husband, Wade, works for the Dept. of Homeland Security and is also a football & baseball coach for Robinson Secondary School. We have lived in Burke for 28 years. We have a dog named Tucker & a cat named Kirby. I love working at Knollwood. Preschoolers are loving, independent, genuine, curious, funny and a downright joy to work with. I love setting up and enriching the Discovery Center, watching the students engage in different activities and watching their excitement & delight each & every time we change the theme. |
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Patti Vegso I have been a part of Knollwood Preschool for the past 16 years: first as a parent, then as a substitute and creative movement teacher and for the last 10 years as a lead teacher. I have loved this school in each one of these capacities. I brought my children here because of the obvious love the teachers had for the children and for fostering independent thinking and creativity. I have stayed because walking through the halls of Knollwood Preschool feels like coming home. Hearing the children greeted by the teachers every morning still warms my heart. There is an overwhelming feeling of warmth and caring that is unique. My children (now in college and high school) still enjoy coming to Knollwood to help teach for the day! I currently teach the 3 day a week classes for 4s and 5s. I adore this age because they are really starting to ask good questions and developing their sense of humor. They keep me on my toes and LAUGHING! One of my favorite lessons involves inviting the kids to try their hand at play-acting. It tickles me to watch them try on the roles of the big bad wolf or the brave billy goat gruff. My family has lived in Fairfax for 20 years. We love hiking, playing games and going to local farms and festivals. I will be an empty nester soon enough, so I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with your kiddos and experience the wonder of the world through children's eyes. It is truly a gift! |
