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,
Director &
Music Teacher
Experience: 20+ Years in Preschool Education
Hobbies: Sewing, Knitting and Music
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 many years ago 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. This has held true whether in the classroom, with our two girls (now 19 and 16), with the children of the church or the girl scouts. Taking on the role of the preschool director has just given me more joy as I now get to support the teachers in our school while still teaching music every week. This is a special place to be!!
Juliana Jones,
Whales (2s) Teacher
Experience: First year at LPCP
Hobbies: Drawing and painting
While I am new to teaching at LPCP, I have worked in the nursery at Leesburg Presbyterian Church for many years. I'm originally from Peru where I grew up and received a degree in Business Admin from Lima University. I worked for several years as a Software Developer and Data Administrator in Lima, Peru. When an opportunity to teach at my daughter's school arose, I discovered my true passion was teaching.
I worked for 10 years as an elementary school teacher before moving to the US.
In 2011, I started at LCPS as a substitute teacher, while managing my photography business and working as a tutor. It was during this time I started working with students with disabilities which lead me to working as a Teacher Asst. in the K-2 Autism class at Mill Run Elementary school from 2016-2024.
I'm happily married and have two wonderful children who are already successful professionals.
Mary Claire Krueger,
Whales (2s) Teacher
Experience: First 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. Though I’m new to teaching, 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 5) was a Sea Star and Penguin and I fell in love with the school! I’m also the proud mother to a four month 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!
Maureen Carkin,
Turtles (2s) Teacher
Experience: First year at LPCP, 2 years as child swim instructor
Hobbies: Spending time with family and our 2 dogs, traveling, running, playing outside with my son
I am very excited to join the LPCP family! I moved to the NOVA area in 2009, and married my husband in 2021, where we settled in Leesburg. We love it here! I graduated from Radford University, and received my bachelor’s degree in Communications. My career has been in the corporate world, but I have always enjoyed working with children, and have always wanted to
one day become a teacher. I am very excited for this chapter, as the 2’s are so much fun! My son, Payton who is almost 3, keeps me busy with his many activities. We spend a lot of our time at karate classes, gymnastics, and swim. I look forward to a fun school year, and am eager to meet the turtles class!
Sarah Lebonitte
Turtles (2s) Teacher
Experience: First 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 join the LPCP family as the Turtles (2s) teacher! I am new to 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 now, our daughter Maggie, is a Sea Star! 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: Third 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: Third year at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, Crocheting and Hiking
I am excited to loop with my Turtles and Whales from last year and be with them 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 8 years ago. We have 3 kids ages 12, 10, & 8! 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: Second 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 8, 6, and 3), 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.
Kathy Murphy,
Pre-K Penguins Asst. Teacher
Experience: First year at LPCP
Hobbies: Knitting, Sewing, golf, mahjong, reading, traveling
While I am new to being in the classroom as a teacher, I am not new to being with and raising children. I have two children of my own and I am lucky enough to be very involved in the lives of my 4 grandchildren. I am originally from St. Louis, MO but have been in VA since 1978. I retired 12 years ago from the government after working for them and private companies for 50 years.
I'm excited to be working in the Penguins class. I adore 4 year olds and miss them as all my grandchildren are now double digits. :)
Shanan Burnside,
Pre-K Asst. Teacher and STEAM Asst. Teacher
Experience: 6 years at LPCP
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking and Traveling
I have been an active member of Leesburg Presbyterian Church for 12 years. I enjoy being on the Membership and Evangelism committee, serving as an usher and faithfully volunteering at VBS. 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.
Stacie Markel,
Stingray STEAM Teacher
Experience: First year at LPCP - 12 years teaching in public schools
Hobbies: Gardening, Reading, Crafting, Hiking, Baking, & Traveling
I am so excited to join LPCP and work with the stingrays this year!
For the last 9 years I have been a stay at home mom to my 2 daughters (9 & 6). My oldest attended LPCP and my family and I are active members of LPC. We very much adore our church and this preschool and I am looking forward to the learning and fun to come this year…
”Full STEAM Ahead .”
Aside from work, I enjoy volunteering with my church and in my daughter’s elementary school, and I love spending time with my family and going on adventures together.
