About Us » Meet Our Staff | ||||||||||||||||
Our devoted staff members have over sixty combined years of experience teaching and parent helping at Fort Hunt Preschool.
Most of our staff members were FHP parents before joining the faculty, so 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. All share an abiding love for, dedication to, and understanding of our unique �learning through play� philosophy. At FHP, we all enjoy the benefit of our staff�s broad knowledge, depth of experience, and loving and gentle guidance. Nancy Renner, Hedgehogs 4�s Teacher and DirectorNancy began teaching at Fort Hunt Preschool 12 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, Abby and Alex, the mastiff.Karen Fenderson, Turtles 2�s and Hedgehogs 4�s TeacherThis is Karen�s 11th 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 TeacherRose 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 10th year of teaching the Dinosaurs this fall.Susan Ray, Bears 3�s TeacherAfter 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 4s 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 TeacherMonica parent helped at FHP with her son, Miguel, for three years. She enjoyed the experience so much that she chose to make it her new career! Monica completed a certificate in early childhood development in December 2011 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 and at a summer preschool camp prior to teaching at FHP. 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 14 years and loves nature and the outdoors.Mary Lynn Hafner, Movement TeacherMary Lynn Hafner is mom to twins Nadia and Anya who graduated from the 4s class, along with their siblings in 4th and 2nd grade. Mary Lynn joined FHP in 2011, 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 Georgetown University Hospital in acute care while also finding time to be a graduate student earning her doctorate by December 2012. Mary Lynn enjoys reading, yoga and facilitating developmental discovery in movement class!Diana Padilla Milburn, Hedgehog Teaching AssistantDiana Padilla Milburn graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. She has completed coursework for a Master of Fine Arts in Film Studies and is currently working on her thesis project. She worked as an aide in the U.S. Senate for almost eight years before joining her husband's design studio as a creative and administrative staff person. She and husband, Jon, have a son, Luis, who attends a local high school. Most recently, Diana has worked with preschool age children and loved it. She only wishes she'd known about FHP when Luis was small! Diana likes to read, crochet, knit, sew and decorate cakes. |
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