Our Staff
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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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Amie Bucks Knollwood is a very special place to our family. As a military spouse it can be difficult moving every few years, especially with children. When we found out we were moving to Virginia in 2021, my mama heart hurt knowing that my kids would have to start over with a new school and new friends. The Knollwood family welcomed us with open arms. My children quickly adjusted and connected with their classmates and the teachers have cared for my children as if they were their own. Thanks to the amazing staff at Knollwood my children have grown so much socially, emotionally and spiritually. My husband and our two children live in Springfield and love doing anything outdoorsy. This summer we enjoyed playing tennis and mini golf together. My daughter recently graduated from Knollwood and is off to kindergarten. Although I’m still in denial that she isn’t returning to Knollwood, she is well-prepared for the transition. My son will be a Happy Camper this year and asked me all summer when he can go back to school. After seven years of teaching, and taking a little break to be with my babies, I am so excited to be back in the classroom setting as a Wildflower! |
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Cari Burns Knollwood will always be a very special place for our family. All three of my children were lucky to have been students here and each had such an amazing experience. My youngest started kindergarten this year and I was so excited to have the opportunity to join the Knollwood family as an assistant teacher in the Peeps class. Knollwood provides such a loving and safe place for kids to learn and grow and I'm looking forward to being a part of that for the new group of kids coming in. |
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Rhea Byrd I am so excited to be the assistant teacher for the Happy Campers class! I grew up in Fairfax, and now live in Burke with my husband, our twins, and son who will be joining Knollwood this year! I enjoy outdoor activities like gardening, biking, hiking, rock climbing, martial arts, and of course chasing my kids around the various parks and playgrounds of Fairfax County. I play the violin with a community orchestra, and I volunteer running a local food pantry garden. I aim to help provide a nurturing and comfortable space for our preschoolers to learn and grow. Although technically the kids will be the students, I believe that as parents and educators, we can learn quite a bit from the children as well, and be reminded of the simple wonders and beauty of the world around us. |
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Suzi Cervino There were so many wonderful things that attracted our family to Knollwood. We appreciated the love and care that was so evident from all of the staff. We felt a strong sense of community and we valued the emphasis on teaching God’s love in the curriculum. But the thing that my girls remembered and mentioned again and again after our first tour was the Discovery Center. I am a firm believer that “play is the work of the child” and I am thrilled to be helping in the Discovery Center this year. I look forward to watching your children grow and to helping them explore the world through play. After thirteen years as a high school science teacher in Rhode Island and Virginia I have spent the last few years at home with my children. I am originally from Massachusetts and I now live in Burke with my husband and twin daughters who started kindergarten this year. We especially love hiking, the beach, swimming and pretty much any type of outdoor adventures. I also love cooking, reading and puzzles. |
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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 My journey at Knollwood started in 2021. My youngest daughter was in the Superstar class and I became the lead teacher in the Puppy class. I have always enjoyed working with children of all ages. I cherish the moments of wonder and surprise as we discover the world around us together. There is so much to see when you look through the eyes of a child! I have a hard time imagining doing anything else! My family and I live in Burke. We enjoy the outdoors, movie nights and visiting our family near and far. |
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Karen Hearin Bio to come |
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Matti Jamison As a mother of a former Happy Camper, I know that Knollwood is a special place. The school’s play-friendly philosophy made me want to become more involved. I began to substitute in the classrooms, and now I’m so excited to be an assistant teacher. One of my favorite parts of working with younger children is seeing how they blossom and grow over the school year. I love the smaller class sizes because it really gives me a chance to get to know the children individually. I grew up in New Hampshire and, after graduating from Gordon College with a degree in history, moved to Virginia. I live in Burke with my husband, a military musician, our 6-year-old son, and our two kitties. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the last six years, but it was rarely just me and my son. I babysit my niece and nephew (both Knollwood attendees) as well as some of my friends’ children. I’m heavily involved at the nursery at our church, Alexandria Presbyterian Church. From Bible studies, to Sunday night programs, to VBS, I’m always happy to be there caring for our little ones. We love visiting all the wonderful parks this area has to offer. |
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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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Laura Lewis I have been a part of the Knollwood family since 2019 when my oldest was a Funky Frog. It was also our first year living in Burke, and I was thrilled to find such a welcoming and loving community in Knollwood. My second child became a Peep shortly after and continued on to be a Funky Frog just like his brother. I loved watching both of them thrive at Knollwood as they learned the skills they’ve needed to be successful in elementary school and beyond. The teachers at Knollwood created such a fun, warm, and loving environment that I wanted to be a part of it and started substitute teaching. Being there with the kids, watching them laugh and learn, has been such a blessing for me. I love seeing a child light up once they’ve discovered something new or overcome an obstacle. When I had the opportunity to become an assistant teacher, I jumped at the chance. I am looking forward to loving your child and helping them thrive at Knollwood, just as mine did! |
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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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Bethany Portock I knew the moment I walked into Knollwood it would be the perfect fit. All 3 of my children attended Knollwood Preschool and absolutely loved it. My oldest daughter spent 3 years at Knollwood and my twins spent 2 years there. Knollwood has been like a family to us since the beginning and the amount of love and nurture the teachers show every single day to the children is one of the most amazing gifts. The play-based learning, Discovery Center, and teachers are what makes Knollwood such a treasure. I am so excited to be a part of Knollwood again this year, as a teaching assistant in the Peeps class. I was also a teaching assistant for the Happy Campers 3 years ago and I taught 7th grade Life Science for 11 years in FCPS. I live in Burke with my husband Ken, our daughter Emma, our twins Caeleigh & Connor, and our Golden Retriever Maisie. We love traveling to Colorado and Pennsylvania to visit our families, hiking, camping, playing board games, spending time with friends and being at the beach. |
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Tracy Riedlinger The warm and caring atmosphere at |
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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! |
