Our Staff
The Open Arms Staff
At the heart of our school is a commitment to providing a Christ-centered, Lutheran education in a loving and nurturing environment. Our experienced, dedicated educators and staff are passionate about providing each child with exceptional care while supporting their spiritual, emotional, social, and academic growth.
Parents can have peace of mind knowing their child is known, loved, and supported each day. The safety and well-being of our students is a top priority. All staff members undergo comprehensive background checks through the FBI, Virginia State Police, and Child Protective Services before working with children. We strive to create an environment where children feel safe and confident as they learn, explore, build relationships, and grow in their faith.
Through developmentally appropriate curriculum, purposeful play, hands-on exploration, and faith-based learning, children are encouraged to grow at their own pace while developing creativity, independence, confidence, and critical-thinking skills. Our goal is to nurture the whole child—mind, body, and spirit—while building a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning and faith.
Administrative Team
Our administrative team work behind the scenes as well as with families and in the classroom with teachers and children.
Teachers
Our classrooms are managed by co-lead teachers who are responsible for planning lessons and activities for their students. Teachers are provided with ongoing professional development and support from the administrative team. They also make sure parents stay involved in their child’s progress, through daily updates on FAMLY, class newsletters and emails, and invitations to participate in special class activities.
Heba
Young Infants
Gabriella
Toddlers
Jade
Older Infants
Autumn
Toddlers
Michelle
Beginning preschool
Flora
Beginning preschool
Annabel
Beginning preschool
Savi
Intermediate Preschool
Ashley
INTERmediate preschool
Erin
INTERmediate preschool
Rani
Kindergarten Prep
Yenny
Kindergarten Prep
Valerie
Kindergarten Prep
Heather
Kindergarten Prep
Mallory
Kindergarten
Specialty Teachers
These teachers offer instruction in Bible and Physical Education. Classrooms go to chapel once a week and have weekly Bible lessons. Each class spends daily time in our “Big Room” with large movement activities led by our Physical Education teacher.
Kadie
Director of Christian Education
David
Physical Education | School Age & Summer Camp
Rotating Teachers
These teachers rotate throughout the day, providing planning times for teachers, covering lunch breaks, and standing in for teachers who might be out ill or on vacation.
Amy
Floater
Jinju
Floater
Kitchen & Housekeeping Staff
Our kitchen staff delivers nutritious snacks and hot lunches daily. A morning and afternoon snack is served to children in their classrooms, and warm lunches are served to full-day and extended-day classes. Our Day Porter performs many of the functions necessary to keep our school running smoothly. They are on-hand and available to clean up the messes that happen so often with little ones.
Alejandra
Day Porter
