About
Our Mission
Fort Hunt Preschool is a community of families who believe that children learn best in a safe, nurturing environment, supported by a cooperative partnership of parents and teachers. Through personal experience, discovery, and play, we cultivate children's natural curiosity and foster respect for self, others, and the natural world.
We have classes for two, three and four year old children in a natural, historic setting on Mason Hill, just 3 miles South of Old Town Alexandria.
History
In 1962, parents worked with Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (MVUC) to establish a cooperative preschool and the first school year began with an enrollment of 28 students. In 1983, the preschool moved into the historic Carriage House on the beautiful grounds of MVUC where it still operates today. In 2002, in agreement with MVUC, the preschool began the process of becoming a fully and independently licensed preschool, no longer under the domain of the church. The name was changed to Fort Hunt Preschool and, in October 2003, the school was granted its full license by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Our Teachers & Staff
Jen-Marie Cavaliere
Sea Turtles 3s and 4s Teacher and Director
Jen is an Early Childhood Education Specialist and has over 15 years of experience in the field as a teacher, administrator, and programming/curriculum specialist. She loves bringing music and magic into her classroom, as well as an understanding of personal and social responsibility. That is why she will be teaching the "Sea Turtles", a beautiful, graceful endangered species that can be saved by learning about conservation and pollution, but also an animal that represents a moment when Jen overcame her greatest fear.
Monica Alvarez
Frogs 2s and Sea Turtles 3s and 4s Teacher
This is Monica’s seventh year teaching at FHP. Initially she worked at FHP right after her son Miguel (age 16) graduated from our preschool and returned shortly after having worked in other local schools. She has a graduate science degree in environmental health and a certificate in early childhood education from NOVA. It is at FHP where she can combine her two passions: her love for nature and teaching young children. The beauty of the natural grounds at FHP and the Mount Vernon area, where she has lived for more than 20 years, inspires her every day. She enjoys hiking, camping, discovering new parks and traveling.
Becky Brandt
Teaching Assistant for all classes
Becky is recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). Where she was a teacher & administrator spanning 30 years. She has a bachelor's & master's degree in education from the University of Nebraska and a supervisory certificate from George Mason University. Becky grew up in the Midwest but has lived in Virginia since 1986.
Becky has a son, Michael, who is married and lives in Salt Lake City.
2s Teacher
Join our team of caring teachers. Dedicated to learning through play in a nature rich curriculum, our teachers meet their students where they are and help them grow from there.
Licensed and Accredited
Fort Hunt Preschool is licensed by the State of Virginia and is a member of the Northern Virginia Council of Cooperative Preschools and Parent Cooperative Preschools International
