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
Maura Artman // 3’s Assistant Teacher
Maura is originally from Buffalo, NY – Go Bills!, but has lived in Alexandria since 1994 after graduating from Hamilton College. She is married to Bob Artman (DJ Bob), and is otherwise known as Mrs. DJ Bob. They have lived in Collingwood Springs since 2001 and love it here. Their daughters Bridget and Shannon have grown and left the nest after attending school at Stratford Landing, Carl Sandburg and West Potomac. Maura was employed by a number of different non-profit associations over the years, but was excited to shift gears to a new career in teaching in 2026.
Linda Bishop // 2’s Assistant Teacher
Linda joined PHCP as the Bears assistant teacher after enjoying two years of substitute teaching at the school. She especially loves music and chapel time with the children and seeing their excitement as they learn and grow. Linda and her family have made Waynewood their permanent home following her husband’s retirement. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her elementary-aged son and being actively involved in her church.
Mary Drotos // 3’s Assistant Teacher
- Mary Drotos is an assistant in the 3’s class. She is a graduate of Radford University and an Alexandria area native. Read more
Lauren Koury // 3’s Lead Teacher
Lauren began teaching at PHCP in 2026. She substitute taught at PHCP for 2 years before becoming a full-time teacher. Lauren is originally from Connecticut with roots in Massachusetts. She went to Catholic University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught for eleven years, ten of them in kindergarten and one in third grade. She took a little break from teaching to stay home with her kids. Lauren lives in Riverside Gardens with her husband and three kids.
Edane Lee // PreK Assistant
- Edane was born in Washington, D.C. and spent most of her childhood in Maryland. Read more
-
Sumrall Morgan // PreK 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
Katie Mugg // Kindergarten Assistant
Katie has a BA in education from Covenant College and as a military spouse she has held a variety of teaching positions in a handful of different states. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Katie has called many places “home” thanks to eight military moves but considers the Fort Hunt area truly home. When not at PHCP, she enjoys gardening, cycling, running and swimming. She and her husband have three children
Courtney Nelson // 3’s Lead Teacher
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
-
Megan Thomson // Lead Teacher, 2’s
Megan is a graduate of Michigan State University and joined the PHCP staff in 2022. Read more
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