Erin Aniol

Erin has a BFA in Fine Arts and Crafts with a concentration in glass blowing and a minor in jewelry metals from Kent State University.  She loves making art with children and encouraging their creativity.  With four children of her own she’s no stranger to working with kids of different ages and abilities. 

Erin has spent most of the past few years as a stay at home mom and is excited to start her new journey at Dogwood Preschool.

When she’s not teaching you can usually find her volunteering at Mary Munford Elementary where her older three children attend, climbing, painting, or creating jewelry.

Pareesa Khan

Pareesa moved to Richmond in 2005. She loved her experience in school. She engaged in the community through marching band and by participating in clubs. She graduated with an outstanding/accelerated diploma and moved to further her education at Reynolds Community College.

Pareesa comes from a large extended family and has a natural ability for caring for young children. She first cared for children as a nanny and then a teacher/assistant teacher at private institutions. Pareesa finds joy in seeing the excitement in children's faces as they learn and grow. She is excited to join a team that has excellent practices in early childhood development. Creating a positive environment brings great enthusiasm to her.

She comes from a diverse family background and is multilingual. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, cooking, baking, jewelry making and spending time with her partner of 16 years Logan and their gorgeous German Shepherd, Tatsu. 

Nancy Burns

Nancy Burns is originally from Norfolk, where she attended Old Dominion University and received a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Library Science.  From 1980 to 1991, Nancy worked in Richmond as a documentation librarian and office manager for the Commonwealth of Virginia. While raising her son, she worked at Reveille Preschool for 7 years until her husband’s health required her to stay home.  Nancy loves teaching and working with young children and seeing them have a positive start in their learning environment.

Elise Carey

Elise is a former elementary school teacher who is passionate about early childhood education. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree in early and elementary education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Outside of teaching, Elise enjoys spending time with her tw0 sons and her husband.

Susana Carranza

Susana has been working with young children for nine years in preschool settings and as a nanny. She is currently finishing up her Associates in Early Childhood Education, already has an Associates in Social Sciences, as well as a General Education Certificate, and several Early Childhood Certificates through Reynolds Community College. She plans on pursuing a Master’s in Education. 

Susana has worked as a Lead and Assistant teacher in several different classrooms over her career. She prioritizes teaching children language  development through American Sign Language and Spoken English, as well as behavioral and independent development through positive reinforcement. She is very passionate about teaching young children and believes in the saying, “It takes a big heart to teach little minds”.

When Susana is not working with children she enjoys spending time with her husband and her cat. She enjoys reading, crafting, learning, and being outside. 

Sarah Peña

Sarah has spent over ten years in the field of education serving in a wide variety of settings from public school teaching to nonprofit programming. She has a Bachelors degree in policy studies from Syracuse University and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University. Sarah is joyfully committed to cultivating positive inclusive learning experiences for children and families. 

She lives in Richmond with her husband, three young children and their dog, Ollie. They love sports, playing outside, and traveling to visit their extended family spread out all around the world from the Dominican Republic to Dubai. 

Alison Dayton

Alison has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mary Washington College in Historic Preservation. She has worked in the field of childhood education since 2015, when her youngest daughter began kindergarten. Since that time Alison has played an active role in her children’s education, including substituting regularly in their private schools in a variety of roles. Most recently, Alison served as the director for the preschool ministry at her church for last several years.

Alison is passionate about the early childhood learning process and the importance of nurturing children so that they can discover and develop what makes them unique. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband (Rick), their three daughters (Emma, Meghan, and Rachel), and their two dogs (Cody and Ivy). Her favorite activities include hiking in the mountains, reading a good book on the beach, and visiting historic sites.

Mary Yvonne Faulkner

Mary Yvonne is a graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in English and a minor in Education. Currently, she is in the Master of Liberal Arts program at the University of Richmond as well as a proud cofounder of Palate Picnics.

After eighteen years in New York City and Darien, Connecticut, and serving on numerous committees, boards, and the Vestry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, she and her family moved back to Richmond in 2015. Mary Yvonne and husband Mack have three sons (Draper, Jake, and Rett) and their sweet Goldendoodle, Rookie.

I have had the pleasure of substituting in the past and look forward to my first year as a Dogwood assistant teacher.

Nada Golden

Nada graduated from Sweet Briar College and worked with non profits in fundraising and family programming. After having children, Nada focused on volunteer work sitting on various boards including The Virginia Home for Boys and Girls and The Faison Center. Nada also volunteered at St. Stephen's Church and in the preschool eventually going on to work at St. Stephen's Preschool.

When not at Dogwood, Nada enjoys spending time with her husband (Jay), two children (Harrison and Libby), and many pets. 

Chris Kennelly

Chris grew up in Richmond’s west end. After making a career change, Chris taught for 24 years at Park View Elementary School in the suburbs of Chicago. He taught 2nd and 3rd grade as well as Kindergarten. Chris moved back to Richmond in September of 2022. When not at Dogwood, Chris can be found with a good book, hiking or walking, traveling, enjoying the Richmond dining scene or at the theater and ballet.

Jan Moncure

Jan graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in Political Science. The mother of three daughters, she has been an active volunteer with the Henrico County school system and at St. Stephen’s Church. Most recently, she has spent her leisure time doting on her two grandchildren, both of whom attended Dogwood.

Angela Morrell

Angela has a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Richmond and is enrolled in the Master of Teaching Program at University of Richmond. She is from Roanoke, VA. Angela, Grace, and their rescue dog, Remy, reside in Henrico.

She has a growth mindset and loves asking questions to gain knowledge. She is honored to be a part of the Dogwood Preschool.

Angela enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling between the mountains of Roanoke, VA, and the beach in Nags Head, NC. Angela (and Grace) volunteer with the NEST organization in the Outer Banks and look forward to participating in the parade in Duck, NC, on the 4th of July, educating the community about sea turtles while passing candy out. She, and Grace, attends annual training for nest sitting to assist the sea turtle hatchlings as they begin their journey to the ocean safely.

When not at Dogwood, Angela can be found completing her homework for class, rooting for Grace’s softball team, checking on her parents, taking walks, and giving Grace practice driving hours.  

Ashley Marshall

Ashley has a degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. She taught elementary school for 11 years in North Carolina and Virginia. She made the switch to Early Childhood Education 5 years ago where she has found a true passion for experiencing the world through preschoolers. 

Ashley is from Richmond and has 2 children, Eliza and Johnny, with her husband, Ryan. She loves to move her body, serve her church, read, and spend time with loved ones.

Liz Morton

Liz Morton has been teaching preschool-aged children for the last 10 years. Liz spent 4 years at St. Stephen's Preschool where she taught almost every age range. 

She is passionate about the importance of early childhood education and providing a nourishing, rich environment for children to grow. Liz studied English at Virginia Commonwealth University and has completed her certificate in Early Childhood Education. 

Liz is from Richmond, and has two young children (Hank and Grace) with her husband Matt. She enjoys baking, crafting, spending time outdoors, and VCU basketball!

Amy Hauser Nelson

Originally from Connecticut, Amy lived on Nantucket for many years where she was a personal assistant and met her husband Robert, a Richmond native. For over 15 years there, she ran her own daycare for preschool age children. In 2012, Amy and Robert, with their children Henry and Charlotte, moved to Richmond to be closer to family. Amy fell in love with volunteering at their preschool. When her children left for Kindergarten, Amy stayed on to teach. With a passion for the importance of early childhood education, Amy is committed to nurturing the growth of each child. She enjoys cooking and creating, camping and time outdoors with family.

Alix Stowers

Alix is passionate about nurturing children's confidence, independence, and creativity through play. She has a background working in contemporary art museums and galleries, but since becoming a mother, realized her true passion is for working with young children. She is thrilled to be joining the Dogwood team!

Alix has a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University in Art History & Museum Studies and a Bachelor of Arts from The College of William & Mary in Art and Art History. She recently relocated to Richmond with her husband, Richard, two daughters, Lela (4) and Annie (2), and their pup, Emma.  

Beth Thurmond

Beth earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi. She taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade as well as gifted education for many years.

Beth and her husband, Edward, along with their children, Elizabeth and Will, love spending time at the river, playing with their three dogs, (Honey, Sugar and Sippi) and to travel. Beth is an active member of St. Stephen’s and is honored to be a part of Dogwood Preschool. She is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, her community and beyond.

Jane Van Ostern

Jane brings extensive Montessori experience to Dogwood Preschool, including her work at Richmond Montessori School.  As founding Director of Music Together of Greater Richmond, for many years she was known for energetically sharing her love of music-making with children (birth - 5 years) and their grown-ups.  Prior to her family's move to Richmond, Jane co-founded Parents' Place for her public school district in Pacific Grove, California where she taught the 16mth through pre-K classes.  Jane holds a M.A. in Ministry and looks forward to the joy of being with young ones here at St. Stephen's. 

Jose Soni-Hernandez

Jose earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Virginia Peninsula Community College. He currently attends Virginia Commonwealth University to get his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and will also be beginning the accelerated program for Counseling at VCU’s School of Education.

Jose has worked with children for the past six years through summer camps and the before and after-school programs offered by the city of Newport News. Jose is bilingual and the oldest of five siblings. When he isn’t at school, he is probably reading, running, doodling or making dinner with friends.

Jelena Nedeljkovic - Music

Jelena loves children! She is a proud mother of two (8 and 6 years old), and she recently became a US Citizen, something in which she takes great pride. Jelena is very energetic, always seeks the good in people, is optimistic, and enthusiastic about teaching children.

Jelena has a master’s degree from the Music Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.

Sarah Moyar-Thacker - Catechesis

A trained catechesist, Sarah enjoys bringing stories to life with interactive lessons and music. Sarah has a unique way of engaging the children with her warm and calm demeanor.