Lorton Team

Although she is beginning her career in the early childhood education field, Sehar has been around and taken care of children for practically her whole life. She is pursuing her degree in psychology at NOVA and plans to continue at George Mason. She has also worked as an ABA therapist with children from toddler age to young adults. One of her core beliefs is that a solid foundation in childhood helps children achieve the best quality of life possible.

For most of her life, Sehar has lived in London and she only recently moved to Woodbridge. She has a full household with her parents, siblings, and cousins. She is the youngest of four and the only girl in her family. Her cat Pochita is dearly loved. Sehar likes to hang out with her friends and listen to music.

Sehar hopes to create a classroom environment where children grow and improve in their learning. She enjoys being someone that her children and team members rely on for support and she has an ultimate goal of helping children build strong bonds at Brynmor.

Sana is pursuing her degree in early childhood education from NOVA and has worked as a teacher in our field for 13 years.  She is drawn to childcare as a career to help children learn and grow in a loving environment.

She grew up in Afghanistan and Pakistan and moved to Virginia in 2002.  Sana loves children and has four of her own who are young adults and teenagers.  The family has a pet bunny named Nini. Sewing and customizing dresses is her favorite hobby.

At Brynmor, Sana is excited to interact with children and families and build strong bonds.  She looks forward to seeing how the children in her classroom develop as learners and how she can help them achieve educational milestones.

Ariel grew up spending time with children and loved taking care of them.  The joy she experiences knowing that she is making a difference in a child’s life is really touching for her.  Ariel has worked in childcare since 2010.

Growing up in Woodbridge, Ariel has been in the area for most of her life.  Her mother is from North Carolina and her father is from Georgia.  She spends most of her weekends with her boyfriend and her dog Bella.  In Ariel’s free time, she loves to cook and paint.

At Brynmor, Ariel values seeing the way children grow and develop in different ways.  She is excited to expand her career in early childhood education and wants to work on obtaining her CDA.

Diana has over eight years of experience working in early childhood
education centers and earned her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood
Education from NOVA in 2023. She is excited to be a part of the Toddler
Team at Brynmor and to continue to learn about this age group.

Diana was born in El Salvador and moved to the States when she was five
years old. Hiking with her husband and their two dogs Nayla and Rocky is
a favorite pastime. She also enjoys cooking new recipes and having family
over for dinners. Another love is travel to new places and watching the
sunrises and sunsets.

Watching children in her classroom achieve every milestone, no matter how
small, is a highlight for Diana. She is the oldest of three children in her
family and has had the eagerness to teach and nurture from an early age.
Diana is excited to be starting this new chapter in her professional life with
Brynmor and looks forward to getting to know our children and families.

Anjali started in childcare by helping at a Montessori school that was near her home in Nepal.  She was inspired by her time with young children and loves seeing how curious and eager they are to learn.  Watching their faces light up when they try something new or accomplish something is incredibly rewarding.

Moving with her family from Nepal to the US a couple of years ago brought Anjali to Virginia. Her family is very important to her.  She has a strong bond with her sister and helps to take care of her twin nephews.  When not at work, you can find Anjali hiking, enjoying photography, and spending time with her dog who is a Shih tzu.

Anjali loves to see children happy and excited to learn.  At Brynmor, she hopes to contribute her warmth, patience, and creativity in the classroom.  She would like to support each child’s growth and make learning a joyful experience for them while growing herself as an educator alongside her team.

Ashley has been in the wonderful world of early childhood education for seven years, and she can truly say that no two days are ever the same.  Whether it is a spontaneous dance party or a deep discussion about dinosaurs, this field keeps her on her toes (sometimes literally).  Ashley has always been fascinated by the way young children think and grow, and she is rewarded by those lightbulb moments.  

Born and raised in Virginia, Ashley comes from a close-knit family that believes in big hugs.  When not in the classroom, you will find her sipping iced coffee, browsing through new authentic restaurants, or exploring nature trails.  She also has a dog named Oreo who thinks he runs the whole house.

Building relationships and trust with children and families while creating a safe and joyful space for learning is magical for Ashley.  Children’s curiosity. resilience, and endless energy makes this work incredibly meaningful.  At Brynmor, Ashley is excited to collaborate with fellow educators, support families, and contribute to a program where every child feels seen, celebrated, and encouraged to shine.

Katie has been in the early childhood education field since 2019 working with children ages six weeks through five years old. She has also been a nanny and has done a lot of babysitting. Katie is currently enrolled at NOVA pursuing her Associate’s degree in ECE and hopes to make a positive impact on children and families.

In her free time, Katie enjoys being outdoors for walks and exploring new terrain. She likes to experiment with make up and use her skills doing makeovers for friends and family. She is a proud first generation Salvadorian and loves Latin music. Living just outside of Ft. Belvoir, she shares her home with her family and many animal pets.

Seeing children accomplish milestones is rewarding for Katie. She is patient and loving and has a genuine passion for building strong partnerships with the families in her classroom. At Brynmor, Katie looks forward to learning from and fostering strong relationships with her peers.

Donovan comes to Brynmor with experience in the restaurant industry and brings high standards of food service to his role. He has a personal goal of putting a smile on the face of everyone he interacts with. Donovan is studying social sciences in college and plans to pursue a career in the education field. His mother’s career as an elementary school teacher has greatly influenced his professional aspirations.

Donovan has two older brothers and his father is in the Navy. This has allowed him to live in many different states including California, Hawaii, and Maryland before moving to Virginia. Outside of work, he enjoys graphic design and spending time at the gym.

In her immediate and extended families, Giselle has been surrounded with young children who she has helped to take care of throughout her life. She was a lead teacher in a three year old classroom for almost two years when she lived in Florida. It is rewarding to Giselle when she is able to welcome children to her class and see them be excited to start a new day.

Giselle lived in Mineola, NY until she was 13 years old and then moved to West Palm Beach, FL where she lived for 11 years. Now that she’s in Virginia, she lives with her aunt. Giselle is very thankful to her aunt and her parents in Florida for all of their support. Her family is originally from El Salvador. She has three sisters and one brother. Traveling is a passion for Giselle – whether that means a car trip or somewhere further.

One of her goals at Brynmor is to be a great partner for children as well as their parents. Giselle wants to be the person that children see as soon as they get to the Center and are excited to spend their day learning with her. It is so fun for her to see their huge smiles when they are able to accomplish a milestone and receive reassurance from her, their trusted adult.

Being a part of the early childhood field for over 20 years, Linnea was drawn to childcare because she genuinely enjoys working with children and adolescents of all ages.  She aims to be a mentor or simply someone who can provide a warm hug or listening ear to lend support as children achieve their milestones, big or small.

Linnea is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a focus on Child and Family Services.  She lives in Maryland with her husband and two sons and enjoys baking, exploring new places, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Coming to work every day and seeing the children in her classroom laugh and smile is what Linnea loves most about her role.  Her goals at Brynmor are to be a supportive team member, share new ideas, and foster an environment where children can learn and grow.

Adiba began her teaching career as a computer instructor at the Afghan Institute of Learning in Afghanistan.  She later taught Math to students from 4th to 9th grade.  After moving to the United States, Adiba began working with preschool aged children where she lived in Albany, New York.  In her role, she assisted with lesson planning, classroom organization, and daily schedules.  She is passionate about helping children develop as learners in a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment.  

Now residing in Woodbridge, VA, Adiba is originally from Herat, Afghanistan.  She is married and enjoys spending time with her family.  In her free time, she likes reading, exploring new educational strategies, and being involved in community activities.  True to her own education, she still has a strong interest in technology and enjoys learning about digital tools that can enhance education.

Adiba brings her passion for early childhood education, her experience for fostering positive learning environments, and her background in teaching diverse subjects to the team at Brynmor. She is eager to contribute to the growth and development of young learners and to collaborate with her colleagues to create an enriching educational experience for all children.

Genet comes to Brynmor with an 18-year career in our field, including over 15 years at the Fort Myer Child Development Center where she worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She wants to care for children because it is her calling to be a part of a child’s development and answer their every day questions with love.

Born in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia, she grew up with one sister and one brother. Genet attended the University of Addis Ababa and graduated with a degree in accounting. She was an accountant for more than ten years. In 2002, she came to the United States in the diversity visa lottery and soon after that pursued her Child Development Associate credential while at Fort Myers. She is married and has two sons. Creative pursuits like drama, music, dance, and arts and crafts occupy her free time.

Genet is committed to the goals and ideals of Brynmor and is proud to contribute her abilities and knowledge to helping our young children learn and grow.

In her career to date, Tania has worked with children of different ages from many countries speaking many languages.  She also credits being a mother for helping her to be interested in our field.  Believing that children are a special gift in life, Tania loves helping them grow, learn, and feel safe.  She strongly believes that these early years shape children’s personalities and their development in the wider community.

Tania moved to the US when she was 18 from La Paz, Bolivia which was a big adjustment not having her family close by.  She is the mother of three beautiful girls, Karina, Juliana, and Cecilia, and enjoys teaching them about Bolivian folk lore, traditions, and customs so they can learn about and feel proud of their roots. Besides sharing about her culture, Tamia also enjoys dancing in her free time.

The most rewarding part of her job is to see the joy in a child’s eyes when they feel loved, understood, and safe.  Tania feels honored to be a part of a child’s first milestones in life and strives to plant love and values in their hearts that will stay with them forever.  As she focuses on her goal of growing professionally and continuing to learn, Tania is delighted to share her experiences and dedication with the team at Lorton.

Courtney is attending Liberty University pursuing her degree in elementary education. Growing up, she volunteered in the infant and toddler rooms at her church whenever she could. During her senior year of high school, she had an internship in an elementary classroom, where her plans to be a teacher were solidified.

The opportunity to see firsthand the development that takes place in the beginning years of life is something that amazes and inspires Courtney. She is motivated to serve others and she hopes to be a positive and impactful person in every child’s life while contributing to Brynmor’s mission of helping every child meet his or her full potential. Further, she hopes that every child feels loved and valued in her care and that they develop into lifelong learners.

Courtney’s family consists of her three sisters and parents. She played soccer in college and enjoys staying active and working out regularly. Her mom and dad also played soccer in college, so she grew up in a competitive household. Outside of the classroom, Courtney plans on becoming a personal trainer, with a focus on elderly clients. She enjoys baking and spending time with friends. Her dog Dash is a lab and golden retriever mix, so probably the friendliest dog ever!

Emmaly has had the opportunity to help children from a young age. She
helped care for her siblings and has worked professionally in the field while
living in Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Health
Services. Emmaly is passionate about ensuring that a child’s well-being is
a priority and making a meaningful impact during this stage of life.

Originally from Texas and Mississippi. Emmaly is a southern girl at heart.
Some of her hobbies include playing video games and singing. She
treasures spending time with her loved ones, especially since most of her
family is in Texas. She does not have pets but considers her best friend’s
dogs as her own.

Making an impact on a child’s life and building strong connections with
families makes this career meaningful for Emmaly. She wants to provide a
learning environment filled with love, creativity, and compassion. Although
the pedagogies are new to her, Emmaly is excited to learn and implement
these approaches in her work at Brynmor.

Xavier has worked with children in pre-k and second grade classrooms and has greatly enjoyed learning about the foundational stages of child development and education. He is inspired by the opportunity to help shape young minds during their most formative years and wants to contribute to their growth and development. With a degree in social sciences, he finds satisfaction in helping to build environments where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The oldest of three children, Xavier was born in Lincoln, Nebraska but grew up in Northern Virginia. He is a voracious reader, enjoying fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and non-fiction history or sociology books. Xavier is an avid football and basketball fan – go Dolphins and Celtics! He is also the proud cat dad of two kittens, Zoro and Nico.

At Brynmor, Xavier will strive to implement innovative teaching methods, foster strong relationships with students and their families, and collaborate with colleagues to continuously enhance the quality of education and care provided. His goal is to leave a lasting positive impact on the lives of children and the Brynmor community as a whole.

When Maria had two children under five years old, she wanted to learn about patience and how children develop, so she started in the field of early childhood education.  Now with over twenty years of experience, she never tires of bonding with children and seeing their faces light up when they learn something new and exciting.

While growing up, Maria’s father was in the Air Force.  She was born in Alexandria, Virginia, but moved often with his career.  Maria is an extremely proud mother of an educator and an Airman and an even prouder GiGi to her grandson.  She treasures time spent with her family and friends.

Maria strives to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of children in her care.  She loves to make a difference in a child’s life as she learns from them and celebrates their victories.  Maria encourages children and herself to continue moving forward and striving for greatness.

Kirsten joins Brynmor with ten years of experience in education – six years in an early childhood setting and four years in an elementary setting. She has had the opportunity to work with children ranging in age from toddlers to kindergarten. Her previous school was inclusive, so that provided her with a deep understanding of meeting children where they are and recognizing that each child learns differently.

Born and raised in the Fairfax, Virginia area, Kirsten is the youngest of three children. She is a loving aunt to two amazing nieces and one fur kitty. In her free time, she likes to spend time with friends, go on trips, and have intense family game nights.

Since she was a young girl, Kirsten has known that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. This feeling never changed for her, and she loves seeing children accomplish milestones and seeing their pure joy when they reach these goals. At Brynmor, she hopes to help create a fun and loving environment where children feel safe to explore and learn. Being a center director is a future goal for Kirsten as well.

Michelle has been in the early childhood education field for over eight years and is drawn to this work because she wants to be a voice for children to ensure that their words are heard. The most satisfying part of her job is being able to play and connect with these marvelous children, and she feels so fortunate to learn more from them every single day.

Michelle was born in Falls Church, Virginia but her father is from El Salvador and her mother is from Bolivia. She currently resides in Dumfries, Virginia. Michelle is the oldest of her siblings and has a younger brother named Christopher and a younger sister named Lizeth. She has a one year old puppy named Toby Benito. In her free time, she loves to binge watch shows on Netflix and spend time with her family.

For the past two years, Maya has been in the early childhood education field. Her mother was also a preschool teacher, so Maya has seen firsthand the impact that teachers have on their students. She loves helping children express themselves and helping them learn how to navigate their world.

Maya recently moved to Virginia from Dallas, TX with her partner. Her entire family still lives in Texas which includes her mom, dad, sister, and brother. She enjoys going out and exploring the DMV area since it is new for her. Maya also likes to dance and work out. If you catch her at home, she may very well be watching Netflix and eating some good food.

The most satisfying part of being an early childhood educator is watching children accomplish developmental milestones. With the right supports, children can grow and learn at rapid speeds and Maya wants to positively impact their social, emotional, and academic development. At Brynmor, Maya hopes to be a friendly and trusting presence for all of the students while helping them set and achieve their goals.

With more than three decades in early childhood education, Kimberly has found joy and purpose in her career.  She holds CDA credentials in both Infant/Toddler and Preschool and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in ECE.  Kimberly was drawn to this field when she became a mother and wanted to be with her son during his early learning years.  This experience opened her eyes to the powerful impact that caregivers and educators have.

Kimberly has called Northern Virginia home since 1989, but is originally from the Eastern Shore of VA.  She is the youngest of seven much loved siblings.  Her son is her only child and her whole heart in human form.  Outside of work, Kimberly likes to visit museums and relax at the beach.

Witnessing the growth and development of each child, socially, emotionally, and academically while knowing that she played a meaningful role in that journey is extremely motivating to her.  Kimberly’s goal is to support each child’s unique developmental journey with intention and care in a loving and nurturing environment.  Collaborating with her colleagues, sharing experiences, and learning from each other are also hallmarks of Kimberly’s career.

Mitra has experience working with children in a preschool setting and loves this age group. She is originally from Afghanistan and worked in a preschool there and also in Albany, New York. She has her Bachelor’s degree in English literature. Mitra is rewarded by seeing children grow in a safe and loving environment.

The oldest of five children, Mitra has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. She lives in Lorton and likes to go shopping and spend time with friends in her spare time. Mitra practices make up skills as a hobby and also likes fish. Her favorite authors are William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen.

In working with children by helping them develop their creative sides and through singing with them, Mitra finds great enjoyment. She wants to be a positive role model at Brynmor and be a great partner to all of her peers.

Irene has been in the early childhood education field for the past ten years and calls this time period the best of her professional career. In high school, she was an assistant teacher in a kindergarten classroom and that’s when her interest in child development began. When she became the mother of twins, she realized that thier best learning happened through play.

Believing that a hands on, positive and curious mindset is critical in our field, Irene gains satisfaction from knowing that she is a part of a loving, healthy, and safe environment where all children can explore and use their imaginations to learn about the world around them. Her goal as an Educator at Brynmor is to create lifelong relationships with the children and families that she serves. She will encourage curiosity, and self-expression which will allow each child to discover their unique personalities.

Irene is a proud Hispanic and was born in Massachusetts. She’s been married for 29 years. Both of her sons serve in the military and Irene is looking forward to having grandbabies. In 2019, she completed her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Northern Virginia Community College.

Alisha has been in the field of early childhood education for the last 25 years and was drawn to this work to elevate the level of early childhood educators. She derives great satisfaction from seeing the growth and development of children through their early years. Alisha is committed to providing high quality education for every child and family at Brynmor. She hopes to help families understand what their children need and deserve in these critical developmental years.

Alisha is from Washington, D.C. and is happily married to her husband of 18 years. They have 4 children and 4 (almost 5) grandchildren. Alisha has a turtle name Tyrone, and during her free time, you’ll find her with her family, enjoying time outdoors, going to the movies, and creating DIY projects.

Shyann has spent the last two years of her career in the field of early childhood education. She strives to ensure that children have the best care and are in a loving environment by making sure that they know how valuable they are to her.

When she was a small child, she would ask her parents to give her dolls so she could pretend to run her own childcare center. Growing up in Woodbridge, VA, she has two sisters and one brother plus two nieces and one nephew.

Shyann is the proud mom of a one-year-old daughter. Some of her hobbies are cheerleading, softball, shopping with her mom and watching movies with her family. Shyann plans to get a degree in early childhood education and eventually move to the social services field to help families that may be in need. At Brynmor, she hopes to contribute her patience, experiences and love towards making this the best environment for children to grow and learn.

Ola joins Brynmor with three years in the early childhood education field. She has her Child Development Associate credential and is seeking a bachelor’s degree in ECE. Always having a passion for supporting children’s growth and development, she is grateful that her role allows her to make a positive impact during the most important stage of a child’s life.

Originally from Egypt, Ola now calls the Springfield, VA area home. She is the proud mom of three daughters and enjoys quality time with her family as well as watching television.

The most satisfying part of Ola’s role is watching children grow, meeting their milestones, and being supported and loved in a nurturing environment. At Brynmor, she hopes to bring her experience and ongoing education to our classrooms with creative lesson plans that meet each child’s unique needs and abilities.

While pursuing her Associate’s degree in early childhood education, Bianca worked at a Center and loved being a resource for children. She had a time in her career as a private pediatric nurse after completing her licensed practice nurse training and board certification. She then pivoted her career and worked as an ABA therapist. Now at Brynmor, Bianca is excited to be a part of helping children learn each day in a child centered environment.

Bianca was born and raised in Germany and has lived in seven different states. She has three children and her oldest goes to college in DC. Bianca and her spouse love to be outdoors and she can also be found crocheting and crafting.

Working with children in any capacity has always been a goal of hers. Being able to observe children reaching their millstones and being a part of their journey is very rewarding for her. At Brynmor, Bianca hopes to provide a loving and nurturing environment that allows children to grow and reach their full potential.

Soad Mohamed has been caring for children for many years and finds great joy in watching them learn, grow, and reach new milestones. Her love for early childhood education comes from seeing the excitement and curiosity that children bring to each day.

At Brynmor, she hopes to help create lasting, joyful memories for every child while supporting her fellow educators. Soad believes learning should be filled with warmth, laughter, and exploration, and she strives to make every child feel loved and encouraged.

Outside of work, Soad enjoys roller skating, trying new foods, and spending time with friends. Soad is also a proud cat mom to Fruit Loops, Bubbles, and Burger.

Somaya is very passionate about working with children and has been involved in this field since 2021.  She was drawn to Brynmor because she feels that it is more than just a childcare center – it is a community rooted in respect, curiosity, and a genuine love for early learning.  

Somaya is Egyptian and makes her home now in Virginia.  She graduated from high school early at age 15.  She has two cats (Fruit Loops and Bubble Gum), and her favorite colors are red and black.

Focusing on having fun with children and teammates and building strong connections is a goal of Somaya’s at Brynmor.  She wants to be a role model for the children in her classrooms by building strong connections. Somaya plans to have fun using different strategies, thoughts, and ideas and believes that the more of yourself that you put into your work, the more you grow personally and professionally.

Zeinab comes to Brynmor with experience working with children with special needs, as well as leading before and after school care for older students. She is currently pursuing her Associate’s degree in psychology from NOVA. Being a part of how young children learn and seeing them accomplish their goals is very motivating for her.

Originally from Alexandria, Egypt, Zeinab speaks Arabic which is the native language of Egypt. She has three cats and enjoys movies, watching the sun set and trying different foods. She used to be a swimming coach and still enjoys the sport. Traveling and discovering new places and different cultures is a passion for Zeinab.

At Brynmor, Zeinab hopes to develop strong bonds with the children and see that they are excited to learn with her. She wants to be a role model to them and help them explore and be themselves.

Eglena has been in education for the past nine years. As part of her experience, she taught the Italian language to elementary aged students. She also worked in schools in her community with infants and preschoolers. One of her beliefs is that seeing the pure nature of children helps to bring out the best in ourselves.

Eglena is from Albania, which is located between Greece and Montenegro and across the Adriatic Sea from Italy. In addition to her husband, her family includes her two daughters and her son. Eglena is devoted to her family and enjoys walks outside in nature. In her free time, she also enjoys music, dancing, her pets, and flowers.

Building strong bonds with the children in her classroom is rewarding for her and she enjoys how loving they are. She admires how children are not afraid to express their feelings. At Brynmor, Eglena is committed to our Vision and Misson to bring high quality childcare to the families we serve.

After working in her first summer camp program with Fairfax County in 2017, Azaliah kicked off a seven-year journey in the field of early childhood education. She has since begun pursuing her degree in Social Science in Teacher Education at NOVA while simultaneously working on her CDA. Azaliah grew up in a big family and would always look after her three
younger siblings which started her passion to pursue working with children.

Springfield, VA has always been home for Azaliah. She was raised alongside her two sisters and six brothers. Her father is from DC and her mother from the small town of Louisa, VA. Together they created a strong family dynamic by always putting their children first. In her free time, Azaliah enjoys trying out new recipes to bake – anything from cookies to cakes to pastries. Being out in nature is her favorite way to relax, especially on nice days. She has a beautiful baby boy named Kyrie, a cat named Syx, and a red-eyed slider turtle.

Azaliah feels fortunate to be an addition to an amazing school and will work on continuing the Brynmor vision and mission. She plans to create a positive impact on the children and staff she serves with and hopes to be a
great reflection of what Brynmor represents.

Yumi has been in the early childhood education field for 18 plus years and finds it so rewarding. She believes that all successful careers are the product of great early learning. The most satisfying part of her work is building relationships with students and families. Yumi looks forward to strong partnerships with her team as well.

Yumi is from Pohnpei State in Micronesia. She moved to Virginia to help take care of her granddaughter, Ilana. Yumi has three children, Ginette, Ginero and Graven. In her free time, she likes to visit with friends and family.

Liz has been in early childhood education for 16 years, most recently helping children as a family support specialist. She has her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. Liz values being a trusted caregiver to support children’s developmental journeys. Accessibility is very important to her, and she is committed to allowing families to experience early childhood development at Brynmor. 

After her time as a Family Support Worker for DC families and children, Liz
transitioned to a role as a Child Find outreach specialist for the Office of the State Superintendent of Education in DC. She worked with families throughout the District by assessing child development and providing developmental and inclusivity training to childcare centers. Liz established strong partnerships with community-based organizations and medical facilities in DC that support families with infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

As a Director, Liz is committed to supporting her fellow educators to achieve the goal of providing high quality care to early learners. Liz’s son Adrian is a toddler and brings constant joy to her life. During her free time, she enjoys spas, reading, and writing.

Estephani has been in the early childhood education field for over seven years and has worked with many ages. She feels she has learned the most from infants and toddlers so far. Nurturing children and building bonds with them and their families is the most rewarding aspect of her work.

With a goal of creating a classroom environment where children can explore, grow, learn, and be themselves, Estephani loves to celebrate the little success that happen each day. The children in her care help bring out her creativity to approach learning in multiple ways for each child.

Originally from Mexico, Estephani moved to VA when she was seven years old. She lives with her husband and two fur babies, Jacob and Arlo. In her free time, she likes to go hiking and play video games.

Nika has been in the early childhood education field for more than 16 years. She started her professional life in retail management and initially joined the ECE profession for a change. Soon after, Nika realized that she had found her passion in a career that allowed her to watch children learn and grow. She has experience helping centers with the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accreditation process.

The most satisfying part of her job is to watch children be their authentic selves. At school, they can be bold, quiet, adventurous, shy, messy, artistic, and so may other combinations. Nika likes getting to know children and catering her teaching to meet their specific needs. She thrives on meeting each child where they are and watching them blossom.

Nika is originally from North Carolina, though she was raised in Northern Virginia. Her daughter Samia is 21 and in her senior year at Howard University, where she works with special needs children. Her son Sam is 13 and goes to Lake Braddock. He plays AAU basketball. The family has a bulldog Rayne. In their free time, they love to hike, watch movies, visit new places and enjoy time with their loved ones.

Seeing children’s hunger and curiosity to learn and absorb from their environments drew Micaela to early childhood education.  She babysat in her teen years and was a long-term nanny for families throughout college. Micaela taught in Centers in Virginia and also worked as an ABA therapist. Because she is passionate about learning about humans and how we function, she has a BS in Psychology with an emphasis in Developmental Psychology from George Mason.

Micaela moved to the US when she was four years old from Bolivia and resided in Arlington, VA for the first part of her life. Hanging out and cuddling with her own children is her favorite way to spend time.  She also loves listening to music and reading psychology research and journals.

One of Micaela’s goals at Brynmor is to contribute an experience based on partnership, openness, and developmental growth.  She wants the children in her classroom to explore materials and social/emotional experiences while they create real life connections and develop their own personalities as learners. 

In her family, Tiara is the Auntie who watches all of the kiddos, which grew her love for children. After 15 years in the early childhood education field working with children from the ages of six weeks to 5 years old, she especially loves to witness children grow and develop. She thrives on building strong bonds with her families and fellow teammates.

Born in DC but raised in Maryland, Tiara moved to Virginia in 2021. She has a six- year-old son Aiden who is her best friend. Some of her hobbies are creating art, dancing, and singing.

Tiara wants to bring fresh and creative ways that children can learn to Brynmor. She can’t wait to see her students learn, grow, and develop their individual personalities. She looks forward to building meaningful and long-lasting relationships with her children, families and colleagues.

Cathy Taylor has been passionate about working with children since she was 12 years old, when she began babysitting and “playing school” with her siblings. She holds a CDA in Infants and Toddlers and has built her career around nurturing and guiding young learners through their earliest milestones.

Cathy believes in creating a supportive and encouraging environment where children can develop confidence and curiosity. The most rewarding part of her work is building strong relationships with children and families and watching little ones grow more independent and joyful each day.

Originally from Newport News, Virginia, Cathy enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves exploring new restaurants, shopping, and watching cooking shows that inspire her to try new recipes.

Beginning in the early childhood education field when she was in college, Mya has been in this arena for the past three years. She was inspired by her mother and grandmother who are both teachers and was motivated to follow in their footsteps. Growing up in a big family, Mya always loved being around children and watching them grow and blossom into themselves. She is very grateful to be a part of this process at Brynmor.

Mya was born in Charleston, West Virginia but she grew up in the Woodbridge area. She started school away from home but decided to move back to be closer to her family. In her free time, she likes to draw, animate, and make cosplay costumes. Mya really enjoys sewing and designing clothes. Cats are her favorite animals, and she hopes to adopt one soon.

While at Brynmor, Mya is excited to be a part of watching the children in her care develop and grow as the next generation. Educationally, Mya will be finishing her undergraduate degree and starting law school and during this time, she would like to be the best possible version of herself and be confident in her teaching abilities. She would also like to promote cultural diversity and share her Sudanese culture with others.

Jhenifer is new to the childcare world professionally, but recently earned her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development and has been working with children in different roles since 2008.  Beginning as a receptionist at a preschool in Brazil, she then moved on to create a volunteer program to support at-risk children in her community.  She also worked as an au pair for two years, and as a summer camp counselor in Alaska.  The belief in her of her first grade teacher, who helped her when Jhenifer was struggling, inspired her to provide that same support to children in her care.

Jhenifer speaks Portuguese and is learning Spanish.  She is a proud aunt to her ten-year-old nephew who is a national chess champion in Brazil.  In her free time, she enjoys dancing, playing the guitar, cycling, and being outdoors  The youngest of three children, Jhenifer is the first one in her whole family to graduate and travel abroad.  Learning new cultures and connecting with others are her passions.

With a plan of creating a warm, inclusive, supportive environment, Jhenifer knows that she is helping to shape children’s futures – not just in the short term, but for life.  She loves to be able to support children as they grow, learn new skills, and navigate their emotions.

Gabby joins Brynmor with a work history in restaurants and customer service where she prioritized accuracy and timelines. Her mother was a substitute teacher and also worked in a preschool. Gabby volunteered at this preschool after her school day ended. She loved seeing the children and their parents as well as seeing what fun activities that had completed that day.

A part of a military family, Gabby was born in Colorado, but moved to Canada when her father was assigned there. They then moved back to Colorado and then settled in Virginia. Her brother is a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania. Gabby has a daughter and also shares her love with two Saint Bernard/Poodle mixed dogs. In her free time, she likes to garden and read. One of her goals for the next couple of years is to go back to school for her Cosmetology license.

At Brynmor, Gabby hopes to develop a better understanding of childhood milestones and development while providing and serving great food that puts a smile on the children’s faces.