Our professional educators are focused on assisting families during the preschool years. We provide a Christian atmosphere of love that comes from our own personal relationship with God. With two teachers assigned to each classroom, our staff members meet the requirements established by the Preschool Advisory Committee of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church. These requirements include the love of young children, experience teaching or caring for young children and training in the developmental education of young children. All lead teachers have 4-year degrees and many staff members have advanced degrees.
Staff members participate in professional development classes, both individually and as a team. This includes CPR, First Aid, PMAT and 16 hours of early childhood education training annually. Most importantly, the staff is committed to a loving God, in whom and through each child becomes aware of his or her self worth and a realization of the worth of others.
Leigh Pond // Preschool Director
Leigh Pond became the director of PHCP in 2024. She first came to PHCP as a parent in 2016 and all of Leigh’s three children have attended PHCP. Leigh was born and raised in Alexandria and holds a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master’s in Education from Marymount University. Leigh has taught for over 10 years and has management experience.
Sue Murphy // Administrative Assistant
- Sue Murphy joined PHCP in the fall of 2014 as the Administrative Assistant. Sue has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State University. Read more
Alison Beresford// 2’s Assistant Teacher
Alison Beresford first came to PHCP as a parent in 2024 and joined as the assistant to the Bears class in 2025. Alison has been a Registered Nurse in the UK since 2002, serving for 15 years in the UK’s Royal Air Force. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Care and is working towards a master’s degree in Pre-Hospital Care and Public Health. During her nurse training Alison worked in childcare for 4 years Read more
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Mary Drotos // 3’s Lead Teacher
- Mary Drotos is a lead 3’s teacher. She is a graduate of Radford University and an Alexandria area native. Read more
Edane Lee // PreK Assistant
- Edane was born in Washington, D.C. and spent most of her childhood in Maryland. Read more
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Sumrall Morgan // Kindergarten Assistant
Sumrall joined PHCP as a parent in 2020 and as a teacher in 2023. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology and a master’s in English. Read more
Courtney Nelson // 3’s Assistant
Courtney has a background in art education and a degree in dental hygiene. She worked with children in a pediatric dental practice for 6 years before she and her husband had three children of their own. She taught a variety of classes at Fort Belvoir co-op for two years. Courtney is originally from North Carolina, and has happily called Alexandria “home” since 2019. She enjoys camping with her family and taking road trips!
Joy Pachucki // PreK Assistant
Joy Pachucki joined PHCP in 2025 and is the assistant in the Monkeys Junior Kindergarten class. Joy was born and raised in Pennsylvania and has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. Joy is an avid volunteer in her community and a proud Army spouse. Joy and her husband have four children and reside in the Stratford Landing community.
Lindsay Rukenbrod // PreK Lead Teacher
Lindsay joined the PHCP staff in 2024 after frequently substitute teaching during the prior school year. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Finance and International Business from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Marine Science from UNC Wilmington. Her son Luke graduated from PHCP’s Junior Kindergarten in 2024.
Pam Scherer // PreK Lead Teacher
- Pam Scherer joined PHCP in 2013 as the assistant in the 2’s classroom. She holds a bachelor’s degree in childhood education from the University of Maryland. Read more
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Arseli Strohecker // PreK Lead Teacher
Arseli joined the PHCP staff at the beginning of 2024. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Texas A&M University Read more
Megan Thomson // Lead Teacher, 2’s
Megan is a graduate of Michigan State University and joined the PHCP staff in 2022. Read more
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Mindy Traveria//PreK Lead Teacher
Mindy Traveria became the Owls teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. She has a bachelor’s degree in Allied Health and a Master’s degree in Health Education from Texas A&M University and is a Licensed Practical Nurse. Mindy’s family is a military family since 2011, and has three lovely children. Mindy joined PHCP as a parent in 2023. She is excited to be teaching again and also staying close to her youngest, who attends PHCP.
Kim Vogel // 3’s Assistant
Kim was born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Her husband, Nate, is in the Air Force. They have been married since 2016. Kim has two sons, Eddy and Ryan, who keep life fun and busy. As a family, they love spending time outdoors – boating, swimming, and playing or watching basketball together.
Annette Weichlein // Kindergarten Teacher
Annette joined PHCP in 2025 as the lead teacher for the Busy Bees’ Kindergarten class. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in International Relations and Spanish and a master’s degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University. She is a career-switcher who came into teaching as a second career, after raising her three beautiful daughters Read More