Meet the Staff
We feel blessed to have a team of teachers who love children, enjoy working together and all have the common goal of fostering kind and happy kiddos who are developing through the stages of preschool growth. Take a moment to read about our teachers below.
Angela Helge,
Preschool Director
Experience: 25+ Years in Preschool Education
Hobbies: Sewing/Quilting and Knitting
I love this preschool! I have been a member of LPC since 2009 and became involved with the preschool and the Christian Education committee of the church about a year later. I received my teaching degree in 2004 from Rhode Island College and always knew that educating children was my passion and that I would spend my life doing this in one way or another (just as my mom, sister and brother do). Our girls, now 20 and 18, are both in college but while staying home with them I spent many years helping in their classrooms and leading girl scouts. Being the preschool director gives me so much joy as I get to know all the children and their families, support the teachers and connect the preschool with the church. This is a special place to be!!
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Annie Stokes,
Music Teacher
Experience: 10 years in music education; 2nd year at LPCP!
Hobbies: Reading, writing, baking, researching odd historical facts
I'm so excited to be joining the staff at Leesburg Presbyterian Church Preschool! I grew up in Leesburg and now live here with my husband and two daughters, who both attend LPCP. I was trained in musical theatre and classical singing as a child and teen and branched out into instrumentalism and songwriting in my twenties. I stumbled into music education as a way to support my songwriting career and quickly fell in love with the beauty of sharing music with young learners. I believe that music is the birthright of all children, and my teaching style aims to support the unique learning and regulation styles of every individual. My classes include a mixture of singing, movement, guitar, piano, ukulele, and banjo!
Lexi Mack
Whales (2s) Teacher
Experience: First year at LPCP, swim instructor and previous PS assistant
Hobbies: Going on walks, playing in the pool, cooking/baking, movies/shows
Howdy! I'm beyond excited to be a part of the LPCP team this year! We had such a great experience being a part of the Whales class last year, that I jumped at the opportunity to join. I'm a Jill-Of-All-Trades and like to keep myself busy. When I'm not with the Whales, you can find me teaching a variety of classes at Ida Lee Recreation Center, coaching swim team for Loudoun Country Day School, teaching classes in Reston, or just out and about downtown being a mom to my three-year-old. I'm a born, bred, dead Tar Heel with a BA in Public Relations & Advertising from the Hussman School of Journalism & Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before my time at UNC, I earned an AS from NOVA in general studies.
Working with the little ones has always been my jam, and some of you may recognize me as the Miss Lexi from all the parent & baby or parent & child swim lessons at Ida Lee. I look forward to working with your little ones and being a part of their ever-changing and growing lives!
Mary Ann Bischoff,
Whales (2s) Teacher
Experience: Third year at LPCP
Hobbies:
My husband and I moved to Ashburn 5 years ago to be near my son and daughter-in-law and for me to be full-time Grandma to my grandson Ethan. When he started his own preschool in 2022, I joined the LPCP team. Then grandson Owen came along and I resumed full time Grandma duty. Owen has now started preschool, so I was lucky to claim my old spot with the Whales! Two-year-olds are the best! We learn new words every day, eat new foods, sing silly songs, and now and then talk about potty training. I am retired from several years working in healthcare as a surgical scheduler. During those years, I also taught Medical Office Management part-time at the Morris County School of Technology in Denville, NJ. I earned a BA degree in Communications from Douglass College (which is now part of Rutgers University) way back before most of you were born. I am also a proud member of Leesburg Presbyterian Church. I hope I can put my experience to use as I continue to learn new things right along with your children.
Mary Claire Krueger,
Whales (2s) Teacher
Experience: Third year at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, baking, traveling and hiking
I’m so thrilled to be working with the Whales this year! I received my degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a minor in Art from Bridgewater College. This is my third year of teaching and I come from a family of teachers and have always had a passion for learning. I’m not new to the LPCP community either! My daughter (now 7) was a Sea Star and Penguin and I fell in love with the school! I’m also the proud mother to a two year old boy who we look forward to attending the school when he gets a little older. I’m a Virginia native and moved to Leesburg after meeting my husband. We love the community, events, food and everything that Loudoun has to offer. When I’m not taking care of the little ones at home, you can find me catching up on the latest Netflix series, baking, or checking out piles of books at the public library!
Sarah Lebonitte
Turtles (2s) Teacher
Experience: Third year at LPCP, 12 years teaching in Orange and Hillsborough County, FL
Hobbies: new sourdough enthusiast, reading all genres of books and enjoying nature
I am so excited to be back with the LPCP family as the Turtles (2s) teacher! This is my third year teaching at LPCP, but taught for 10+ years in Tampa, FL - grades 2nd-4th. We moved to Leesburg in December of 2021 (from Tampa where I spent my whole life - I still don't do snow!) and immediately found LPCP for Noah to attend. He was a Penguin and our daughter Maggie just graduated from the Penguins! I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education, eventually earning my M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of South Florida. Education is my passion and I cannot wait to share my love for learning with your children. In my free time, you’ll find me cooking, reading, hiking, or at a playground with our kids!
DeLani Mathias,
Sea Stars (3s) Teacher
Experience: Fifth year at LPCP
Hobbies: Hiking, Running and Photography
LPC Preschool holds a special place in my heart because when my husband, 3 beautiful children and I moved to Leesburg in 2019 we enrolled our youngest child in the 3’s class.
My passion has always been working with children, which I enjoyed as a school counselor for children ages 3-12, after getting my undergrad and graduate degrees from JMU and earning my MEd/EdS degree in school counseling.
My kiddos keep me very busy on the ball fields and horse rings (which I love).
Tera Quink,
Sea Stars (3s) Teacher
Experience: Fifth year at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, Crocheting and Hiking
I am excited to be back in the Sea Stars class this year! I have always loved children and have found teaching preschool to be quite a rewarding job for this time of my life.
My husband and I met at West Point when we joined the Army but moved to Leesburg 9 years ago. We have 3 kids ages 14, 12, & 10! We love spending most of our free time at softball and baseball fields.
I am looking forward to another great year!
Deena Faust,
Pre-K Penguins Teacher
Experience: Fourth year at LPCP - 9 years teaching in the public schools
Hobbies: Gardening, Biking and playing outside with my kids
I am so excited to be a part of the LPCP family!
After earning my Masters in Elementary and Special Education from UVA, I spent many years teaching in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, both as a first grade teacher and as a special education teacher. We moved to Leesburg in 2018 and just love it here! I took a few years off from teaching to be home with my boys (now 10, 8, and 5), and I am thrilled to be back working with young students again!
When I am not at school, I love to spend time working in my garden or being outside with my husband and our boys.
Liz Kubie,
Pre-K Penguins Asst. Teacher
Experience: Fourth year at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, gardening and baking
I was so thrilled to be back at LPCP last year after taking time off to deal with an injury. I have been a busy stay at home mom of three kids, spending time volunteering in their classrooms and for their various activities and sports teams. Now that our oldest two are in college we just have our daughter home with us and she is a busy figure skater. We moved here from Boston 14 years ago and we still enjoy going back every summer to catch a Red Sox game and vacation in Maine.
Shanan Burnside,
STEAM Teacher
Experience: 8 years at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking and Traveling
I have been an active member of Leesburg Presbyterian Church for 14 years. I have enjoyed being on the Membership and Evangelism committee, serving as an usher, faithfully volunteering at VBS and this year becoming the Elder for our Christian Education Committee. Our youngest daughter Abby attended LPCP so when Angela asked me to join the teaching team, it was an easy yes since the preschool is the reason we joined this church with my husband John and older daughter Erin.
I was born in El Paso, TX but moved around a lot with my dad as a career Army officer. I enjoyed this opportunity to travel and see so many wonderful parts of the country before settling in NoVA in the late 80’s.
Lynn Colavita,
Stingray STEAM Teacher
Experience: 2nd year officially teaching at LPCP!
Hobbies: Reading, Tennis, and Travel
I’m excited to be an official staff member at Leesburg Presbyterian Church Preschool! I’ve been a member of LPC for 13 years and have spent much of that time working with and for the children and families of LPC as a Sunday School teacher, Christian Education committee member and VBS volunteer. I currently serve as a deacon for LPC where I get to help members of all ages. I’ve loved my time the last few years as an LPCP substitute teacher, and particularly the last 4 years getting to know so many families as the LPCP bookkeeper.
I grew up in Virginia Beach and got my bachelor's degree in math from the College of William and Mary, moved to Northern Virginia, and got my master's degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. My husband, Jay, and I have three sons - a 20 year old and twin 17 year olds. I love hanging out with them, but I always look forward to some time with the preschoolers! I can’t wait to dive into some STEAM with the Stingrays this year!
