Our devoted staff members have over sixty combined years of experience teaching and parent helping at Fort Hunt Preschool. Every staff member was an FHP parent before joining the faculty, so all are familiar with the joys and challenges of parenting preschoolers, as well as the level of commitment necessary to be a part of this cooperative preschool.
Nancy Renner, Hedgehogs 4’s Teacher and Director
Nancy began teaching at Fort Hunt Preschool 11 years ago, after son, Nate, graduated from our program. The Renner family has a long history with FHP: Curtis, Nancy’s husband, was a member of one of the first Fort Hunt Preschool classes! While their son Nate was at FHP, both Curtis and Nancy were active in the classroom and Nancy served on the Board as Treasurer. Her role at FHP expanded to include that of Director 3 1/2 years ago. She has a degree from Harvard Law School and an undergraduate degree in American Studies with a concentration in Art History from Middlebury College. Nancy loves nature and the outdoors, and studied landscape design before joining FHP. The Renner family also includes dogs Pickle and Abby.
Karen Fenderson, Turtles 2’s and Hedgehogs 4’s Teacher
This is Karen’s 10th year as a teacher at FHP. Karen has over 6 years of experience in parent-helping for her children Sarah and Anastasia, and served on the FHP Board of Directors in the positions of Admissions and Education Policy as an FHP parent. Karen has a graduate degree in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a Masters of Business Administration. She worked for 15 years in the Chief Administrator’s Office at the U.S. House of Representatives. Karen is married to Eric Sapirstein, who also has proudly parent helped and lent support and encouragement to her and the preschool.
Rose Covert, Dinosaurs 3’s Teacher
Rose graduated from St. Joseph’s University with a Post Baccalaureate in Elementary Education and taught 2nd grade in Philadelphia before having her own children. She also has worked as a substitute teacher in the Fairfax County elementary schools. Rose has been married to her husband, John, for 24 years. They have five children, all FHP alumni. In fact, Rose may hold the FHP record for consecutive years of parent helping, with a total of 11 consecutive years! During her years as an FHP parent, she served as a Class Parent and Education Policy Chair. Rose begins her 9th year of teaching the Dinosaurs this fall.
Susan Ray, Bears 3’s Teacher
After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Susan Ray worked for many years as an international journalist and writer. She is married to an astrophysicist, Paul, and spent four years with their two children at FHP, both of whom enjoyed highly successful transitions to elementary school. After her children graduated from FHP, Susan accepted the position as assistant to Nancy Renner in the 4’s class. She has attended classes with Dr. Rene Hackney of Parenting Playgroups and, during her tenure as a teaching assistant, attended workshops and educational programs to further her teaching experience. Susan believes firmly in learning through play and peer interaction as a means to help foster children's talents and skills to help prepare them for formal schooling.
Monica Alvarez, Ducks 2's Teacher
Monica has parent-helped at FHP for her son, Miguel, for the past three years. She enjoyed the experience so much that she chose to make it her new career! Monica is about to complete a certificate in early childhood development and has received the Early Childhood Preschool Endorsement and the Infant and Toddler Endorsement from the Virginia Department of Social Services. She worked as a teaching assistant at a local preschool last school year and at a preschool camp over the summer. Monica has a graduate degree in environmental health and worked as an environmental scientist for the private sector and the federal government for 10 years. She has lived in the Mount Vernon area with her husband for the past 13 years and loves nature and the outdoors.
Mary Lynn Hafner, Movement Teacher
Mary Lynn Hafner is mom to twins Nadia and Anya in the 4’s class, along with their siblings in 3rd and 1st grade. Mary Lynn joined FHP last year, and enjoyed parent helping so much that she also agreed to become our new Movement Teacher. She is a physical therapist with over 15 years of experience and works per diem for a University DC hospital in acute care while also finding time to be a graduate student earning her doctorate. Mary Lynn enjoys reading and yoga and facilitating functional discovery in movement class!
Sarah Moore, Hedgehog Teaching Assistant
Sarah joins our FHP staff as a Teaching Assistant in the Hedgehogs class this year. She has been an active FHP parent for the past three years and has had two children graduate from the Hedgehogs class. Sarah was integrally involved behind the scenes during her children’s time at FHP. Sarah has a law degree from Vermont Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Wisconsin. Sarah will split Teaching Assistant duties in the Hedgehog class with Alison O’Quinn.
Alison O'Quinn, Hedgehog Teaching Assistant
Alison has been a Fort Hunt cooperative parent for the past 4 years and has had three children graduate from the Hedgehog class. Alison was very involved as an FHP parent, serving on the Board as President and Fundraising Chair. She has a Masters Degree in counseling from the University of Maryland and experience in personal and family counseling. Alison will share Teaching Assistant duties in the Hedgehog class with Sarah Moore.
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| About Us |
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| Our Mission and Goals |
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| Meet Our Staff |
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| History |
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Parent Testimonials
"FHP's teachers are nurturing, caring, and bring so much to the classroom. They all seem to care deeply about the children and the school."
"The staff and the approach of learning through play are the school's greatest strengths."
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