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. 

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.

Emani Bell

Emani is flexible, motivated, and dedicated to her students. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as first-hand experience with children as both a lead and an assistant teacher. Emani is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and achieving her goals. She is a positive and joyful colleague with her fellow teachers and Dogwood Families.

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.

Sophie Chase

Sophie is a Richmond native with a passion for children and inclusivity. A nanny of three active children, Sophie takes her experience with imagination and love and translates it to the classroom. Sophie is the child of an educator and has been working with children all of her professional career.

Sophie was a psychology major at James Madison University with a minor in elementary education.

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.

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.

Kristen Wahlbeck

Kristen is pursuing a master’s in elementary education at the College of William and Mary. Kristen has a great deal of experience working with children in early education in the Williamsburg/James City County school system. Additionally, she spends her college summers as a camp counselor.

Kristen has her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of William and Mary.

Jaiden Sims

Jaiden is an energetic and enthusiastic person whose teaching experience in early childhood includes developing activities to assist children in exploring their creativity and aiding in their intellectual development. Jaiden enjoys encouraging positive interactions among the children, and providing a safe place for them to grow.

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.

Lucy Anderson

Lucy graduated from VCU in 2019 with a B.S. in psychology. She currently works in the mental health field as a crisis stabilization specialist and hopes to continue her education in that field. Lucy currently is specializing in men's mental health, LGBTQIA+, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders but hopes to obtain her PhD in social psychology. She is an avid runner and HIIT enthusiast. Lucy, Ellie, and their dog, Astro AKA "Stinky", live in Henrico. Lucy is a big fan of music and tattoos. She makes most of Ellie's clothes, as well as many of Ellie's dad's. Lucy is from the Richmond area and attended the Steward School for K-12, along with her older brother and sister.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

Andrea Barrientos

Andrea was raised in Williamsburg, VA where she graduated with an associates degree in Health Science. She is currently pursuing her bachelors degree at VCU with a major in Health and Physical Education. She has experience volunteering as a teacher's assistant for her church and has been a nanny for the past two years. Her passion for working with kids has grown so much as she sees them develop and become more independent. In her free time she loves to be outdoors, on long walks or at the gym.

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.  

Erin Aniol