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Preschool Staff
We frequently receive inquiries about the qualifications of our teaching staff. This is a truly valid concern, as parents consider the best place for their children to be loved and educated. We are so proud of our staff -- we really should brag more often! Here is a bit about each staff member:
HPC Preschool Director -- Betty Ann Pagels
(757) 596-1939
Email: Preschool@hiltonpres.org
Betty Ann Pagels is a graduate of William & Mary with a BA in Elementary Education. She has taught in Hampton Public Schools and in the children's programs of several Christian organizations, has directed children's choirs, and has been with Hilton Presbyterian Preschool since 1986.
Teachers
Whitney Farris -- is a graduate of Duke University with a BA in botany. She also has done post-graduate work at Old Dominion University in early childhood education. She has been a substitute teacher in the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, Germany, and a teaching assistant in horticulture at T.C.C. Whitney has been teaching in our preschool since 1997, bringing us a wealth of experience in history, math, and science (plus a lot of "critters").
Wanda Fletcher -- is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a BS in Special Education and a concentration in Communication Disorders. She was a speech teacher for 9 years with Newport News Public School and on their preschool screening team. She has been teaching with us since 1997 and works with our youngest students, who are at the point in their lives where language is developing at a rapid pace.
Nancy Petters -- is a graduate of William and Mary with double majors in Education and French. She taught in the Virginia Beach Public School. Nancy has been teaching here since 1998, bringing a wealth of language development ideas to our younger children, as well as experience in Christian education and music. Nancy is coordinating our Spanish lessons this year.
Susan Murphy -- has a master's degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College and taught for 5 years in Hampton Public Schools. Susan has served as chairman of our Preschool Board, so she knows our program and will help prepare our students with the academic skills needed for kindergarten. She began teaching here in 2003.
Mary Murray -- who joined our staff in 2006, has a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Old Dominion University and served as the executive director of Safehaven Emergency Shelter for Children. Mary has served on our preschool board and as a substitute teacher in our program. Mary's understanding of children is a blessing to our school.
Christy Hicks -- is a graduate of Mary Washington College with a BS in Psychology with NK-4 teacher certification and taught first and second grades in Hampton Public Schools for 10 years. She joined our staff in 2007, and as a former Virginia State Reading Association Teacher of the Year, brings a wealth of knowledge in preparation for reading.
Assistants
Jami Parsons (assistant and early drop-off program) -- is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BA in Anthropology. She had 5 years of experience as a preschool teacher in Arizona and Virginia, before joining our staff in 2003. She provides a rich variety of play and learning experiences for our students before preschool.
Barbara Poteat -- joined our staff in 2006 as an assistant, after many years as a preschool mom and substitute teacher. She has shown great love for children and patience in dealing with their needs and problems.
Sharon Rodgers -- helped with the 2 1/2 year old class for several years before joining the staff in 2006. She is a former Hilton Presbyterian student! Sharon has taught in numerous children's programs in her church.
All of our staff members have been preschool parents here at Hilton Presbyterian with a total of 24 alumni or current students. They are dedicated to the preschool and its mission to education children socially, emotionally, an academically in an environment of Christian love. Each year the staff attends training sessions at local and state workshops. There are monthly staff meetings to pool ideas for the coming month's unity. Ours is a team teaching environment, where the special talents and abilities that each teacher brings are shared with all of the students, since different groups meet together during music, snack, outdoor play and center times.
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