Christ Church Episcopal Preschool


Home Class Info Our Staff Contact Us Testimonials FAQ Calendar	Preschool Director: Cheri Erk 2's Lead Teacher: Mrs. Blanton 2's Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Hasek 3’s Lead Teacher: Mrs. Gebhard 3’s Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Young 3’s Lead Teacher: Mrs. Gertz 3’s Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Sasser 4’s Lead Teacher: Mrs. Brocklehurst 4’s Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Mitchell	Pre-K Lead Teacher: Mrs. Templeton Pre-K Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Hall Pre-K Lead Teacher: Mrs. Barney Pre-K Assistant Teacher: Mrs. Palmer Music Teacher: Mrs. Monica Bookkeeper: Carie Kuzemchak Sexton: Mr. Jimmy Hanks

Cheri Erk - Preschool Executive Director

Cheri graduated from Purdue University with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Physical Education. This is Cheri's sixth year at CCEP. She taught a PreK class for ten years at a West End preschool and served as their Assistant Director for four years. Cheri also worked for Henrico County Public Schools as a PRIME teacher before joining Christ Church Preschool in May 2006. Her true love is working with preschoolers; nurturing, and preparing them for elementary school. She loves the children’s enthusiasm and joy they bring to school daily. Cheri is most excited about growing this ministry of Christ Church Episcopal that serves the children of this community. As director, her vision is to create a curriculum where children enjoy a Christian environment using a multi-sensory approach that encourages the children to explore the world that surrounds them. Cheri is married with three daughters. In her spare time; she enjoys reading, time at the beach, and snow skiing.

Mrs. Rebecca Blanton - 2 year old Lead Teacher
Rebecca is a former kindergarten teacher and is in her first year at CCEP. She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Richmond. Rebecca posses patience and the ability to teach children with a variety of personality and behavioral traits to ensure a positive learning experience for her students. She easily interacts with children and parents and is enthusiastic about teaching young children. Rebecca is married with 3 children.

Mrs. Leslie Hasek - 2 year old Assistant Teacher
Leslie brings 13 years of early childhood experience to CCEP. She taught in the preschool classroom for one year and has been an independent daycare provider for the past 12 years. Leslie has been on staff as a substitute teacher for the past 3 years before moving into the assistant teaching position for our two year olds. She loves working with preschool children and watching them grow and become independent learners. Leslie is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management. She is married with four children.

Mrs. Gebhard - 3's Lead Teacher
This is Lori's first year at CCEP. She brings over 13 years of elementary classroom experience to our preschool. Lori holds a Master's in Education and is currently working toward her Administrator 1 Certification. Lori is energetic and is passionate about teaching in the classroom. She loves getting to know the children in her class and using their likes/dislikes to help them develop a love for school and learning. Lori enjoys using children's literature to bring themes to life. She loves learning and loves to share the joy of discovery with her students. Lori is married with three children.

Mrs. Young - 3's Assistant Teacher
Barbara graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Food Science and Technology. She is in her second year at CCEP as our 3 year old assistant teacher. Barbara enjoys working with preschool children and teaching them to become confident, comfortable and independent learners in the preschool classroom setting.

Mrs. Gertz - 3's Lead Teacher
Jennifer brings 10 years of teaching experience in the 3 year old classroom. She is in her fifth year at CCEP and in second year as our lead teacher of the older 3 year old class. Jennifer graduated from the University of Tennessee with a BS in Tourism, Food and Lodging. After college she returned home to Northern Virginia to work at the American Society for Training and Development in advertising. Richmond became her home in 1991. Jennifer is a true "child at heart" and understands the importance of teaching children through song and play. She has been at CCEP for 5 years. Jennifer and her husband of 23 years have a son in college and a daughter in high school.

Mrs. Sasser - 3's Assistant Teacher
Renee graduated from University Of Richmond with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology. After working in her field for five years, she stayed home to raise her children for 11 years. Renee brings much love and joy to the children each day. Her goal is to nurture our 3 year olds while teaching independence and building self confidence in the early preschool years. Renee is in her 4th year at CCEP. She teaches Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and is on Board of Children’s Ministries at her church. She is married and the mother of twin boys.

Mrs. Brocklehurst - 4's Lead Teacher
Lorie brings experience and love of preschool children to Christ Church Episcopal Preschool. She has taught preschool for 9 years and is in her fifth year with CCEP as our lead 4 year old lead teacher. Lorie is creative and brings much energy to her classroom on a daily basis. She understands the importance of instilling a love of learning at an early age and enjoys watching her children grow and mature in their early years. Lorie understands the importance of allowing children the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on classroom experiences. Lorie is married and the mother of two children.

Mrs. Mitchell - 4's Assistant Teacher
Jackie brings to us her love of children and twelve years working experience with special needs children in Northern Virginia and Henrico County. Jackie worked for Henrico County for 6 years as an instructional assistant and is in her 6th year at CCEP. Prior to staying home to raise her children, Jackie worked at the Northern Virginia Training Center for the Mentally Retarded for six years. She loved caring for and teaching the residents life long skills with a long term objective of placing them in a group home. Jackie also currently teaches third grade Sunday school at her church. Jackie is married and has three children.

Mrs. Templeton - PreK Lead Teacher - 4 Day
This is Debra's third year at CCEP. She graduated from University of Kansas with a B.S. in Education. Debra has 23 years of teaching experience with 19 years in the preschool classroom. Debra has a natural love for teaching preschool children. She brings her energy and creativity to the classroom, and she actively engages her children throughout their day. Her former preschool director states, "Debra is probably one of the best teachers I've worked with in 35 years" Debra is married and has two children.

Mrs. Hall - PreK Assistant Teacher - 4 Day
Libby graduated from Randolph-Macon College with a BA in 1993. She is in her fourth year at CCEP. Libby was an assistant teacher for three years at a West End preschool before joining Christ Church Episcopal Preschool. Libby has been a head swim team coach and worked in a Washington D.C. think tank before moving to Bermuda and working in a small publishing firm. She returned to Richmond once her two daughters were born. Libby provides a fun and creative place for children to experience the joy and thrill of learning.

Mrs. Barney - PreK Lead Teacher - 5 Day
Debby graduated from Radford University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught elementary school for six years before staying home to raise her two children. Debby is in her fifth year at CCEP. She provides a warm and nurturing environment, encourages independence, and understands the importance of preparing her children for kindergarten. When not volunteering in her children's school, Debby enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two children.

Mrs. Palmer - PreK Assistant Teacher - 5 Day
Trish is in her fifth year at CCEP as the assistant PreK teacher. Before joining Christ Church Episcopal Preschool she worked at Nuckols Farm as an instructional assistant. She is a long-time member of the Richmond Philharmonic and teaches both piano and violin. Before her twin daughters were born she followed a career in computer programming and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Psychology from Mary Washington College. Trish enjoys preparing children for kindergarten in a fun, caring way. Trish is married with twin daughters.

Mrs. Monica - Music/Movement Teacher
Laura has her MS in Early Childhood Special Education from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Psychology for The Colorado College. She is in her sixth year with Christ Church Episcopal Preschool. Laura was a lead 3 year old teacher at CCEP before stepping step into our lead music and movement teacher. She enjoys providing developmentally appropriate activities for children of all ages and instilling a love of life-long learning. Laura is married with 2 children.

Carie Kuzemchak – Bookkeeper
Carie graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Accounting and Finance and is in her fifth year at CCEP. She spent ten years in corporate accounting. She has spent the past fifteen years at home raising her girls, volunteering at school and leading Girl Scout troops. She and her family are parishioners of Christ Church.

Jimmy Hanks - Church Sexton
Jimmy has been sexton at Christ Church Episcopal for 5 years. He maintains our preschool in addition to the church building and grounds. Jimmy is willing to help when needed and always does so with a smile.