OUR TEACHERS & STAFF
Every one of our educators is a trained professional with a deep passion for education. Many of our educators have specialized training in fine arts such as music, art and theater.
Callie O'Flaherty
Length of Employment at B&B: Over a year and a half.
Education: Early Childhood Development Career Studies Certificate. Working towards Bachelors in Elementary Education.
Experience Working with Children: I have grown up around children and began working at B&B in 2020.
Philosophy Toward Children: I believe that each child is unique, and I value their characteristics as a person. I provide an inclusive classroom that will be a welcome and comforting environment for everybody.
Personal Info: I have a daughter who is 6, and I am a B&B graduate myself.
Samantha Hald
Length of Employment at B&B: 4 years
Education: Currently working on a bachelors in early childhood education and eventually will get a masters in curriculum and instruction.
Experience Working with Children: Been working with children from an early age. Started with babysitting to being a nanny to working in a center environment.
Philosophy Toward Children: I passionately believe that children learn through play. I will provides opportunities for children to explore, discover, create and imagine. I believe that every child is their own person and I will tend to that person through my entire time with them.
Personal Info: Born in raised in the valley. Currently living in Waynesboro with my husband Luke and our pets. Bailey, Loki, Iris, and Odin. I love spending time with family and friends.
April Watters
Length of Employment at B&B: 1 month
Education: Advanced Diploma Riverheads High School, Top of class graduate Shenandoah Valley Governors School for the Arts and Humanities, Regional Governors School, Richmond, VA
Experience Working with Children: Over 16 years creating and teaching children's theatre programs, working with both ShenanArts and Staunton Parks and Rec., and the Presbury Theatrical Training Program. Certified babysitter for 22 years.
Philosophy Toward Children: I feel children are our most important, genuine, loving little sponges. Each unique personality deserves appreciation, respect and encouragement in whatever they want to be and whoever they are. Their honest emotions and unbiased love and excitement for life inspires me daily. Their sweet smiles and silly comments brighten every day. I feel privileged to be a part of their growth.
Personal Info: Lifetime focus on theatre, performing, and teaching. Love arts and crafts and sharing with creative minds. Love kids!
Dawnelle Wetzel
Length of Employment at B&B: 1 year
Education: Staunton High School graduate
Experience Working with Children: Lots of young children in family growing up, baby sat neighbors sons for many years, volunteered in a classroom and took childcare classes all through high school.
Philosophy Toward Children: I believe that every child is an individual and that each any everyone of them deserves to be met with the same amount of respect and understand as an adult. They are learning how the world works and it's my responsibility to provide them so I can help them grow.
Personal Info:
Dawnelle's hobbies are journaling, hiking and crafting. She has lived in Staunton for most of her life. She has a cat, Nova, and a dog, Knox.
Caryn Utz
Length of Employment at B&B: 4 months
Education: Bachelors of Arts from Marymount University in Arlington and over 15 years worth of continued education classes in early childhood education and professional development. Currently working towards a formal certification in early childhood education.
Experience Working with Children: Former state licensed childcare provider in Northern Virginia that provided full time care for infants through preschool for 15 years. Upon her move to Staunton, transitioned into a traveling nanny, a substitute teacher with the Head Start program in Augusta County and a POD teacher during the 2020 Pandemic.
Philosophy Toward Children: Caryn believes early childhood is the most important age. She is very passionate about unlicensed childcare issues. She believes that the school family is something great to build on to gain trust, love and respect from the children. She has enjoyed making lifelong friends throughout this journey. She encourages children in getting enough time for play and nature. When the two come together, it's perfect! Learning is happening all the time. She also believes in big hugs.
Personal Info:
Caryn was a stay at home mom, turned single mom for a majority of her daughters' lives. She successfully raised two beautiful ballerinas and followed her heart to Staunton, remarrying in 2019. She enjoys cooking, hiking, driving and caffeinated beverages so that she can keep up with her busy life and family.
Kendra Wetzel
Length of Employment at B&B: 4 years
Education: Staunton High School graduate
Experience Working with Children: Kendra grew up looking after small children, baby sat her neighbors children for many years and took many child care classes while in high school.
Philosophy Toward Children: I feel that every child is an idividual that should be given respect an adult would receive. It is my responsibility to help them navigate their emotions as they explore and learn the world around them. Every child deserves a calm. gentle hand to help guide them.
Personal Info:
Kendra is from Maryland, but has lived in Staunton for most of her life. She has a dog, Ferne, and two cats, Jafe and Otis. Her hobbies are art, hiking and baking.
Cory Stevens
Length of Employment at B&B: 2014-2017 & 2020-current
Education: Robert E. Lee graduate
Experience Working with Children: Lots of nieces and nephews. I started volunteering at Bears and Blankets in high school. I've worked with children for 7 years.
Philosophy Toward Children: I believe in nuturing each child's growth in their own ways. Every child is different and I love getting to know them and figure out what helps them the most.
Personal Info: I love to sing, and being a mom to Mylo!
OUR CLASSROOMS
Our facilities provide children with everything they need to prosper. We have indoor and outdoor gyms, bright reading library, fully equipped performance theatre and art studio.
- Bright classrooms
- New furniture
- Outdoor garden
- Indoor play areas
- Full library
- Theater and media rooms
