Meet our Resource Teachers!

Ms. Ramon

Hola! My name is Lies and I am going to be teaching Spanish to your children on Tuesdays starting in September. I grew up in Belgium and I studied Spanish at the university of Antwerp and after I graduated, I moved to Barcelona, Spain, where I lived for 5 years. I have always had a great passion for Spanish and I am excited to share my passion with your children!

In my free time, I love spending time with my 2 little girls. We love reading books together, and play pretend. Other passions of mine are traveling and cooking. I can't wait to meet everybody!

Mr. Brett

I have been teaching music at Westhampton for over two years.  I graduated from VCU with a Music Education/Classical Guitar degree in 2009 and was lucky enough to land a job at a school that values Music.  My wife and I have been living in Doswell for the last 13 years and have a nine month old son named Brady who I look forward to bringing with me to Westhampton in another year.  I am excited to start another school year of music class with the returning students and teaching the new students how to sing and play instruments.

Mr. Childress

My name is Cam Childress and I teach Physical Education at Westhampton Day School.

I look forward to having your child/ children in my class this year.  Some of my hobbies are: fishing, exercising at the gym, and swimming.  I currently teach swimming at the Tuckahoe YMCA.  I look forward to meeting you and your child/children.

Ms. Elizabeth

 My name is Elizabeth Heckert, and I have worked at Westhampton Dayschool since August, 2003.  I started with the two year old classes for three years, then taught two three-year old classes, taught a fourth two year old class and then moved to art, which I have taught for four years.  Make sure you check out the website and look at our art scope and sequence for the year to see the details about what we’ll be working on this year!

Meet our After School team!

 

Ms. Tyler
I am so excited to be the director of Westhampton’s After School program!! It’s going to be a fun-filled year and I cannot wait to meet everyone! But first, here are a few things about me.

I was born and raised in Goochland, VA. When I graduated from high school, I attended Virginia Tech (GO HOKIES!!!!)I majored in Psychology and was always very interested in early childhood psychology.

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite season: Summer

Favorite food: Mexican

Favorite animal: Tiger

Favorite Sport: Football

Favorite Hobby: Exercising & Shopping

Mr. Tim

I'm Mr. Tim, an assistant in the Afterschool program here at Westhampton Day School. At this point, I've been here for a little over two years and have worked with all age groups from the Twos to the Afterschoolers. Also, I'm persuing my Masters of Teaching in Health and Physical Education at VCU. Although I'm fairly busy with school and work, I enjoy participating in recreational sports leagues, exercising, exploring all of Richmond, and attending local concerts and shows.

Meet our Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Hodges!

Mrs. Hodges

I have taught students in Elementary School for many years.  I stayed home with my young children for several years after they were born, and I was fortunate to become a part of WDS last year working in Pre- Kindergarten.  I have really  enjoyed meeting the families and children that make this Day School special.  I live in Richmond with my husband, Tom, our two children, June and Kay, and our Cocker Spaniel, Bailey.  I love being artistic in my spare time. 

I am so pleased to be given the opportunity to teach Kindergarten this year.  Our kindergarten students will grow as readers, thinkers, problem solvers, and as responsible school age students.  These advancements will be evident here in our classroom and at home with their families.  I will be excited to be on this journey with you all this year!

Meet our Pre-Kindergarten Teachers!

Ms. Brigid

My name is Brigid Carbray and I am so excited to be returning to WDS as a part of the Preschool Team this year! This is my third year teaching, but my first year teaching Pre-K. The past 2 years at WDS I taught kindergarten.

I attended Radford University and received my B.S. in Elementary Education with concentrations in both Science and Special Education. My passion is teaching and I can’t wait to meet all of the students and their families this year!

Ms. Liz

I had the privilege of joining the Westhampton staff in May 2011, shortly after graduating from Longwood University where I majored in Elementary Education and minored in History. Before then, I attended St. Mary’s School for elementary and middle school and St. Gertrude for high school. After going to school k-12 in private Christian based schools, Westhampton Day School was the perfect fit for me.

 Currently, I serve on the Westhampton advisory board as well as the nutrition committee. I have helped with professional development as well as designing the school menu! I have really enjoyed getting involved with the Westhampton community and getting to know all of the wonderful families!

Ms. Megan

I am happy to be returning to WDS on the Pre-Kindergarten Team!  I am a graduate from Longwood University with my Degree in Education. I am licensed in Pre-K through 6^th grade. I choose to teach Pre-K because this age of wonder and excitement to learn is what made me fall in love with teaching in the first place. I have been at Westhampton Day School since 2010 and have loved every minute of  it.

Ms. Caroline

I am excited to be joining the WDS staff this year!  I graduated from Greensboro College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Communication Studies and went back to graduate school to get my teaching license from the same school.  It took me just a short year to complete my license and there I student taught in a fourth grade classroom at Colfax Elementary School in Colfax, NC.  I then went on to work in a kindergarten classroom at Creekside Elementary School in Durham, NC.  

On the personal side,  I am the youngest of three in my family.  I have an older brother who lives with his wife in Charlotte, NC and my sister lives with her husband in Washington D.C.  My parents reside in Richmond as well.  I love to cook, exercise, take my dog to the park, and watch college basketball.  I am a HUGE UNC Tarheel fan!  

I am looking forward to becoming a part of the WDS family!

Meet the Three's Teachers!

Ms. Dawn

My name is Dawn Oleniacz and I have been with WDS for six years.  I worked at several other centers in a variety of roles for seven years prior to this.  I have a degree in Child Development from Ferrum College, and I am the proud mom of a fourteen year old daughter (who heads to High School this year!). 

I prefer an open approach to communication—my door is always open and I am always eager to speak with you.  I am eager to get to know each of you this year and am looking forward to a year filled with fun!

Ms. Jeanne 

My name is Jeanne Pomfrey, and I have worked with children in a childcare setting since 1990.  Predominately, I have taught and nurtured toddlers to age four all these years.  I received a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from VCU in 1996. I enjoy earning continuing education hours each year, helping me to be a better teacher, mentor and team player. I believe experience is the best teacher.  I am a teacher who seeks out experiences for the children. It is experiences that we can relate to and gain perspectives from that foster the maturity and love of learning that we all desire in our children. 

Ms. Timberly

This is my second year teaching the three-year-olds here at Westhampton. One of my favorite things about working with this age group is watching their eagerness to learn. My goal this year is to provide engaging instruction that will encourage them to grow in four major ways: 1) Socially, 2) Emotionally, 3) Academically, and 4) Morally. My priority is to help teach your children to become well-rounded, balanced members of their class. Just as they need to be taught their alphabet and numbers, children also need to be taught how to appropriately interact with the people around them. As their teacher, I will do my very best to model the behavior that I expect from them. 

Ms. Stephanie

I am Stephanie Peloquin and I just graduated from Longwood with my BS in Liberal Studies and a minor in Psychology. I have experience working with children who have special needs, and because of that experience I recently decided to get my Masters in Counseling from Liberty.

Meet our Two's Teachers!

Ms. Finis

Hello!  I am both a mother and grandmother of three children, so I come to you with a great deal of experienceJ  I have been in childcare for nine years, and during this time, I have mostly been with my very favorite age group—two’s!  At this age their love is unconditional, they are enthusiastic, and their love of learning is amazing.  Before coming to WDS, I was a step in for the director and assisted in the day to day functions at the school.

I come into contact with so very many different personalities every day.  The shy one that needs that extra bit of attention, the motherly one that always wants to help, and the “why” child who wants to know about everything! I love watching their minds open up as they emerge into the individuals they will become.

Ms. Heather

Hello! My name is Heather Larsen and I am so excited to be back at Westhampton! I took this past year off to stay home with my daughter. Prior to that I taught in the three’s at WDS  for two years. I’ve enjoyed being a sub here since I stopped full time, but I’m ready to be back!

 I graduated from Bob Jones University in South Carolina with a bachelor’s in Health, Fitness, and Recreation.  After graduating I worked for The Little Gym as their Program Director and then left to teach at a preschool in Mechanicsville before coming to Westhampton. I absolutely love children and have a passion for teaching! I look forward to getting to know you all this year. 

Ms. Simone

Welcome!  I am so honored to have the privilege of teaching your child and getting to know your family this year.  I have been teaching for fourteen years, eight years specifically spent at the preschool level.  I joined the WDS family in August 2010 and have been teaching in the two’s since then.  I graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica.  Here I read for my Bachelor of Arts Degree, an English Major.

I love to teach and my passion is reading.  Love, patience, understanding, patience, kindness, and my love for books are qualities that I plan to use and share with my class daily.

What a GREAT Monday it has been!

First, our new cafeteria tables arrived!

And we sent off the Director's Report and Request for the Validation Visit for our Early Learning Leaders Accreditation

What a great way to start off this week!

The three-year-olds were scheduled to have a Water Day yesterday, but with the cool temperature and chilly breeze; the teachers decided to bring Water Day inside!!

A big thank you to Mr. Brett (our Music teacher/part-time painter)! He has spent the summer painting the two-year-old rooms and they look great!!

Ms. Finis' Room

Ms. J'Neeka's Room

Ms. Simone's Room

Meet the Administration 

Ms. Danielle Todd, WDS Director

My name is Danielle Todd, and as the Director at WDS, I am excited to be kicking off the 2013-2014 school year with you--our fantastic WDS family!  As I complete my first year as director at WDS, I enter my 20^th year in education.  I have worn quite a few hats in the circle of education, and feel like this diversity in my background helps to make me a well-rounded director.  I have taught in the private sector as well as in a Title One School in Chesterfield County.  With my masters in Early Childhood Education, I seek out professional development opportunities for our WDS staff that will allow us to grow and move toward higher standards.  By undertaking the process of national accreditation, I have set high standards for both myself and my staff as we begin the 2013-2014 academic year.

In my time away from WDS, I spend as many hours as I can on the water, curled up with a good book.  I enjoy needlework and cooking when at home, and golfing and boating outdoors.  My family is all in Chrleston, SC, and I enjoy visiting there often for Frogmore Stew (minus the shrimp) and a stroll down the Battery.  While other educators may have many loftier quotes than I to share their feelings on life, I stay true to my early childhood foundation and believe alongside Theodor Geisel that the best life is one lived to its fullest.  “If you never did, you should” (One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish).  

Ms. Todd (Left) and Ms. Alex (Right)

Ms. Alex Strabley, WDS Assistant Director

My name is Alex Strabley and I am the Assistant Director at WDS! I started working at WDS seasonally in 2008, and then became full-time in December 2010. I graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. As a WDS Alumna, this school is near and dear to my heart. I have great memories of being a student here. It’s nice to know that I have the opportunity to be a part of a child’s Westhampton memory. My favorite part about working here is that I get the chance to watch two-year-olds grow and develop into wonderful Kindergartners. Westhampton Day School is made up of enthusiastic employees, creative students, and outstanding parents and that’s why I look forward to coming to work every day!

Mr. Bill Jeffords, WDS Accounting

My name is Bill Jeffords and I serve as the WDS Accountant. I was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1932 and attended elementary and high school in Birmingham before attending the University of Alabama and Auburn University. After graduation from Auburn with a chemical engineering degree I was hired by DuPont and served in their atomic energy division and textile fibers businesses until I retired in 1993 after 38 years of service.

I am married to Beth Jeffords (the founder and first director of the day school) and have three children, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren... and with their spouses, it is a crowd at any family gathering.

I have been employed by WDS since 1993 and before that served in several volunteer roles since WDS was started!