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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Izzah has been working in childcare since 2013. She has her BS in Psychology, M.Sc. in Psychology, and also a diploma in Child Psychology from an institute in the UK. Additionally, she has worked with children in early age groups in both England and Pakistan. As a psychology professional, Izzah feels that it is fascinating to work with little human beings and their curious minds. It is rewarding when young learners make positive and meaningful relationships and when her work reflects on their continuous learning.

Izzah feels that she belongs to Pakistan. She was born in Islamabad, which is a beautiful city in Pakistan, and she is the mother of a lovely boy. Her favorite place to live was in Richmond in London where she spent a fulfilling part of her life. She likes yoga and believes in positivity.

Spending time with children and learning from them about life in general is a great opportunity. She would like to contribute creating a nurturing environment for children, fostering social emotional growth, and encouraging curiosity and exploration through play. Izzah would like to promote cognitive development, help enhance creativity and imagination, and encourage children to learn and respect each other.

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.

Chenelle has been in early childhood education for more than 20 years. She is a Registered Behavioral Therapist and has worked extensively supporting children with special needs and their families. She has worked with children for as long as she can remember, including babysitting when she was younger.

After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BS in Psychology, Chenelle immediately moved into a toddler educator role. Over the years, she has taught children from toddlers to ten-year-olds. She decided to make a change from her nine-year career in the world of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) to join Brynmor. At Brynmor, she is excited to utilize her background to make all children feel welcomed and cared for on their educational journey.

Chenelle is the mother of a two-year-old little girl and a four-year-old little boy. They have a five-year-old puppy named Niko. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching YouTube and crocheting.

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.

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.

Kristina joins Brynmor with experience in after school programs where she gravitated towards working with preschool and kindergarten aged children.  She graduated from Cal State Monterey Bay with a bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Communication with a major in English subject matter prep.  She has discovered that she loves working with young children and sees her playful side in this setting.

The oldest girl in a family of six children, Kristina has three brother and two sisters – one of which is her twin.  She moved to Virginia in January from Los Angeles where she grew up in the sunshine.  In her free time, Kristina likes to visit libraries and read books.  She also loves to cook and try new recipes.

In her experience, Kristina has learned that the more care and patience she shows, children will share their trust and reveal their personalities.  In this role with Brynmor, she hopes to understand more about children’s behaviors and how to nurture and teach them.  Her future plans include returning to school with a defined area of study related to early childhood education.

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.

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.

Graduating from the University of North Dakota with a BS in elementary education, Jennifer launched a 33-year career helping children learn. She has worked as a nanny, a toddler and preschool teacher, and as a childcare provider in a church nursery setting. Her grandmother and Aunt were both primary school teachers and that piqued her interest in joining the field. Reflecting back, she also feels grateful to have had teachers in her life that were caring role models.

Jennifer was born in Omaha, Nebraska but has lived in 19 different places due to her father being in the Air Force and her husband being in the Army. She has two sons that keep her happily busy. When she has some free time, Jennifer likes to read, watch movies, attend concerts, and travel.

The most satisfying part of her job is the opportunity to shape young minds by fostering a love for learning. She loves seeing the smiles that happen when a child masters a new skill. At Brynmor, Jennifer hopes to become a part of the close knit team by creating personal relationships with children, their families, and fellow team members.

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.

Christi has an over 30-year career in early childhood education and is in the process of preparing to complete her Child Development Associate certification. Her grandfather was an educator for over 50 years and watching the relationships that he built with his students made a big impact on Christi. During high school, she participated in a peer tutoring and mentoring program at a local elementary school. Tutoring the same child for two years first sparked her passion for education.

Growing up in Springfield and Alexandria, Christi is a NOVA native. Her family is close-knit and they spent a lot of weekends up and down the Chesapeake Bay. She is married and has a daughter who is in middle school. Their family also includes two cats. When not at work, you’ll find her enjoying time with family and friends, crafting, cooking, reading, cheering on the Commanders and Capitals, and being by the water.

Being a part of a child’s village and providing a safe and loving environment is a passion for Christi. She strives to help build a strong foundation for their educational career and loves to see the pride that they take when achieving their goals. She is excited to be a part of Brynmor with its innovative approach to early childhood education and looks forward to supporting children, their families, and the Brynmor community as a whole.

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 associate’s degree and is pursing her bachelor’s degree in child and adolescent psychology. 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 Team Lead, 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.

Mishaal has been inspired to work in early childhood education because of her mother who is an educator.  While currently studying developmental psychology, Mishaal is enjoying hands-on experience in our classrooms that builds on her three years of experience in the field.  

Born in Pakistan and raised in Virginia, Mishaal lives with her parents, older sister, and younger brother.  The family also has a parrot named Mitu. Mishaal is very connected to her cultural background and loves going back home to visit her family.  She enjoys artsy hobbies such as journaling, crocheting, and drawing, as well as video games and reading.

Watching children achieve developmental milestones and seeing them thrive and grow in her care brings Mishaal joy in her role.  While at Brynmor, she is hoping to build her experience in early childhood education while working on her bachelor’s and eventually her master’s degree.

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.

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.

In addition to lots of babysitting, Ashton grew up working in her church’s nursery for ten years. She also was a nanny and house manager for a family for seven years. Because her degree is in Social Sciences with a concentration in Psychology and Anthropology, she understands the importance of social and emotional development. Ashton believes in approaching each child where they are as an individual.

Born and raised in Fairfax, VA, she spent the past eight years in Florida. Ashton has two fur babies at home and has a passion for nature, nutrition, and neuroscience. Some of her hobbies are hiking, ice skating, photography, and working out.

At Brynmor, Ashton is excited to help create environments where children feel safe, welcome, cared for, and prioritized. She would like to make a positive impact on every child that she interacts with and feels lucky to be able to help them become the person that they have the potential to be.

While an undergraduate, Emily volunteered through AmeriCorps working
with children from different backgrounds and age groups. In previous
positions in childcare, she has been in classrooms with infants through
school aged children. Emily is motivated by watching children grow and
develop through milestones.

Originally calling the eastern shore of Maryland home, Emily has recently
moved to the DC area. She is the youngest of two children in her family,
but also considers herself a pseudo-sister to her parent’s puppy and cat.
She currently lives with her partner and their toy poodle. Emily loves
exploring the DC area, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

At Brynmor, Emily will be focused on making connections with each child
and helping them reach their full potential. She wants to contribute her
passion and enthusiasm for learning as she sees each child bring their own
unique qualities to the classroom.

In addition to independent roles as a nanny, Natalie started working in a preschool while in college studying ASL Interpreting and Education. She then went on to work in educational settings as a teacher, ASL interpreter, and resource staff member in diverse programs. Her specializations include language acquisition, speech, and learning accessibility. Natalie is passionate about helping children reach developmental and academic milestones with her support and encouragement.

Originally from Mississippi, Natalie recently moved to Northern Virginia with her fiancé after living in Chicago for five years. They have a cat named Jolene and a dog named Milo. In her free time, you will find Natalie taking walks with her dog, reading, or experimenting with new gluten-free recipes.

Being able to witness so many “first” moments with her students as they learn and grow is very motivating to Natalie. She feels it is a privilege to be part of these core memories and experiences for children and families. Her goal at Brynmor is to create a space where children can experiment and grow while feeling safe and having lots of fun.

Holding her CDA in infant and toddler studies, Kendra has been an educator for the past ten years. She is passionate about advocating for children because she believes deeply in the impact of formative experiences on their brain development. The first five years are critical to shaping how children view and interpret the world. From communicating with her students to teaching them self-soothing techniques, Kendra is dedicated to ensuring that every interaction positively contributes to their growth and well-being.

Kendra was born in Arlington, VA and is the proud parent of four children – two sons aged 18 and 15 and two daughters aged 17 and 10. Their family also includes two bunnies named Benito and Horchata. Kendra cherishes moments with her children and loves to plan family gatherings amidst busy schedules. When not with family, she enjoys comedy shows, concerts, and comic conventions. Music is her ultimate source of peace.

Her career as an educator has been incredibly fulfilling, and as Kendra embarks on a new chapter, her focus is on fostering strong, supportive relationships with families and colleagues. She is driven by a deep desire to provide comprehensive support to families, bridging the gap between home and school environments to enhance children’s learning experiences. Her ultimate goal is to transition from the classroom to a role where she can serve as a valuable resource, facilitating the diverse needs of many families and making a meaningful impact beyond traditional teaching boundaries.

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.

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.

With her patient and kind manner, Merim brings her five years of experience to the Infants team at Brynmor.  She worked in a home-based childcare center with children from three months to five years old.  Being around children, especially infants, is a source of joy to her.

Merim was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Eritrean. She now lives in Virginia and is the proud mother of three children.  One of her ways to spend free time is watching movies.

Helping soothe and comfort a baby when they are upset, seeing them smile, and watching them grow and learn are all very motivating to Merim.  She wants to make sure that the children in her classroom receive excellent care.  Merim enjoys being a part of the Brynmor team and collaborating with the other Educators.

Since 2007, Krystal has been involved in the field of education and has worked with children from toddler age groups up to first grade. She made the switch from elementary school to preschool after reflecting on her preschool student teaching and how much that age group called to her. She constantly finds joy and laughter in this work.

Originally from Hawaii, Krystal has been able to live in new places as a military spouse. She lived recently in Washington State before moving to Virginia. She has a daughter who is in elementary school. The family also counts one dog and three cats among their members. Krystal’s hobbies are crocheting, reading, and traveling.

Seeing children use their imaginations and being able to see the world through their eyes keeps Krystal in love with early childhood education. At Brynmor, she looks forward to bonding with team members and families, as well as learning from her co-teachers and the great support team at Lorton.