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Jennifer Strickler leads our team!
Jennifer Strickler is dedicated to the Early Childhood profession.  She is a graduate of James Madison University where she received both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s of Arts in Teaching.  She taught Kindergarten and First Grade in Shenandoah County for 7 years before taking a position as Assistant Director of a daycare and preschool in Strasburg, VA where she also taught the Pre-K class.  Jennifer joined the Grace Lutheran Preschool staff in August of 2015 as Executive Director.  She is a longtime member of the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (VAAEYC) currently serving on the executive board and works to support regional early childhood educators in the founding of and leadership within the Apple Valley Chapter of VAAEYC that represents the City of Winchester, and Counties of Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren.  Jennifer is currently a Doctoral student in Early Childhood Education at George Mason University.  She enjoys working with young children and watching them learn and grow with smiles!
 

Aimee Taylor: Mrs. Aimee Taylor has been our Assistant Director since 2019 and is dedicated to supporting our teaching staff and assisting children in the classrooms.  She brings a wealth of classroom experience to her position after teaching preschoolers at Grace for over fifteen years.  Prior to her role as teacher, she was an assistant teacher.  Aimee currently serves as Treasurer for the Apple Valley Chapter of the Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (VAAEYC).  She enjoys reading to children and allowing them to interact with the stories.  Best of all, she loves watching young children achieve those wonderful “ah ha” moments!

 
Pastor Jonathan Boynton: Pastor Boynton is the pastor who regularly works with our School and Board of Directors.  Your children will see him often in the building checking in, at events and also at Preschool Chapel with his puppet friend Bok Bok.  Both of Pastor Boynton's children have come to Grace Lutheran Preschool and have loved it!
 

Phelicia Beachley: Mrs. Beachley lives in Winchester with my husband and three daughters.  In 2011 I was looking for a Christian preschool for my youngest (two-year-old) daughter.  One of my friends recommended Grace Lutheran Preschool.  From the beginning I knew we were in the right place, my daughter loved to go to school.  My daughter completed three years at Grace Lutheran and was well prepared for Kindergarten.  In 2014 I started substituting at GLP and in 2015 accepted a full-time assistant position.  I love my job working with the children.  It’s rewarding to see the educational and social growth in each child and the self-pride they gain with each accomplishment.

Berni Sisler: Mrs. Sisler has been part of our Preschool family for over six years as an instructional aide and as a teacher. She loves children and watching them learn new material. Her own eight children attended Grace Preschool and she fell in love with the educational experience and opportunities for the children.

Kathy Reed:  Ms. Kathy is a 25+ year veteran of the Grace Lutheran Preschool family.  She is the lead teacher of the two year old class and of one of the three year old classes.  Her four boys completed all three years at Grace Lutheran Preschool  Kathy has worked with children most of her life, and looks forward to many more years of teaching.  She is continuing her college education in early childhood education, where she just earned her first degree in May of 2022.  Kathy is originally from the shores of Lake Michigan, but has made Winchester VA her home for the last 30+ years.

  

Becky Barker: Miss Becky says,  "I can’t wait to meet the students in my PreK class, which I am calling the “Butterfly Class”! I examine my backyard milkweed in August for tiny Monarch eggs, beautiful striped caterpillars, and even chrysalises to bring into my classroom for you to observe their full life cycle. After the Monarch season ends in October, I bring in my mealworms/darkling beetles and we observe their many life  cycles throughout the rest of the school year. (There will be some hands-on opportunities for the students, if interested, with both species!) Over the years of teaching 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s preschool, as well as K, 1st and 2nd grade, I most enjoy the natural sciences, and like to pepper that into my math, language arts and “process art“ activities. Our hands-on learning with snap cubes, sorters, and counters make math come alive, and using the students’ names in a myriad of activities helps the children with early sound and letter association. Please enjoy watching us all become scientists, mathematicians and early readers!!”

 

Margo Johnson: Margo is a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother of 10 amazing blessings. She comes to Grace Lutheran Preschool with 39 years experience in Early Childhood Education.  Margo is a graduate of Lord Fairfax Community College.  She taught for 10 years and then was  promoted to Director of Lighthouse Baptist Daycare (Rosedale Kiddie Kollege) where she directed for 9 years.  Margo then owned and directed Busy Beez Daycare  LLC from 2011 -2019.  Margo enjoys working with young children and nurturing them as they grow socially, emotionally and academically.  She believes children are our future and is dedicated to enriching their lives with  a godly influence.

Aimee Gangai: Aimee Gangai has always enjoyed working with children.  She grew up on Long Island in a family of 7 children with parents who were both teachers.  She earned her undergraduate degree in Child Study from St. Joseph’s University and her graduate degree in Library Science from Catholic University of America.  She worked in public libraries for over 20 years in Youth Services, and her love of books and literacy now spills into the classrooms at Grace Lutheran Preschool. When not in the traditional classroom, Aimee spends her time with her family, traveling and learning about other parts of the world, gardening, reading, and volunteering for various non-profit organizations in Winchester.  In the summer months, Aimee paints Little Free Libraries and raises monarch butterflies. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of books and nature with all ages. 


Betty Johnson:  Mrs. Betty is our beloved music teacher.  She has been with us since 2017 and provides 30 minute music sessions once a week to each class.  Her songs are full of movement and fun!  She also prepares our preschoolers for their Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Graduation performances.

T. Shafferman: Mrs. T is the Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministries at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and regularly leads chapel with our Preschool.  She is often found teaching the Fruits of the Spirit throughout the year.

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