Michele Zipperer (she/her): Preschool Director

I often tell folks that I have my “dream job”; creating the program and being the director of Westover Hills Preschool!  I received my undergraduate degree in Special Education at James Madison University and my master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.  My career in education spans over 32 years and includes teaching in both public and private preschool programs, as well as working for nearly ten years with the Department of Correction Education; evaluating and instructing juvenile offenders.  Once my two children were born, I stayed home with them and when they were preschool-aged, we attended Bon Air Presbyterian Preschool (BAPP); an excellent program with which I know many of you are familiar.  I subsequently taught at BAPP for several years and then worked with a Title I elementary school in Chesterfield Co. teaching at-risk kindergarten and first graders.  More recently have worked as a Head Start educator in Richmond Public Schools.  My family has lived in the Forest Hills community for nearly three decades and I have been so gratified to see so many young families settle into this vibrant and historic neighborhood in recent years.  If the considerable activity at our popular WHUMC “Tot Lot” (corner of Westover Hills Boulevard and New Kent Avenue) is any indication; preschoolers, toddlers, and infants are delightfully abundant where we live.  In my spare time, I enjoy organic vegetable and flower gardening, tending my enormous collection of house plants, cooking, and caring for my two cats and very needy Rat Terrier. Please let me hear from you if there is any further information I can provide about our preschool program.  I am looking forward to another wonderful year of learning and growing with your child and family!

Jackie Barden (she/her): I joined the wonderful team of Westover Hills Preschool in February 2017 with the Bluebirds.  In the fall of 2017, I started co-teaching in the Eagle class which where I am currently at. Before I came to WHP,  I worked at Good Shepherd Episcopal School in their early education program (prek-3 and jk-4) for 25 years.  I also was a kindergarten assistant for several years. I truly enjoy watching children learn and grow.  My goal is to have a positive influence on the children in my care by promoting joy in learning.
Though I was born and raised in Richmond, I currently live in Keysville, VA. I am married and have two daughters and a son-in-law.  I also have 3 grandchildren, 2 boys and 1 girl, that I adore.  I enjoy are arts and crafts and making kids smile.

Jayne Bryant (she/her):  I joined the WHP family in the fall of 2016 after teaching Prekindergarten and Kindergarten for almost 25 years. I grew up in Maryland, where I met my husband. With our three children we moved to Florida and Colorado before permanently landing in Midlothian in 1993. When I’m not at school or planning for school or doing research on child development, I enjoy walks in the woods, listening to music and binge watching with my husband. 

For me, teaching 4- and 5- year old children is the greatest job in the world! I get to spend my day educating, encouraging and empowering young minds and spirits by sharing my love of song, poetry, art and science.

Liz Spewak (she/her):

My oldest son was an Owl at Westover Hills Preschool its founding year. We were both nervous on his first day but soon came to know Westover Hills as a place full of love and opportunities for growth. Fast forward two more sons later (a Westover Hills alumni and a current Eagle), and I am thrilled to join the preschool community as a teacher in the Owl classroom.

I am originally from the Richmond area and have lived in Woodland Heights for over a decade. I earned my MSW at VCU and after working in the non-profit world in both direct services and administration, I was able to stay home with my young sons by providing childcare at our house. My neighbor, a Waldorf teacher, piqued my interest in child development as I sought to organize our days, and I developed a passion for helping children learn and process their emotions through play and movement. I have several years of subbing at Westover Hills Preschool under my belt, and I am excited to be a full time teacher this year (and make messes at school instead of in my house:) ). 

My other job is a white water rafting guide, and I am always looking for excuses to be near the river with friends and family. Let me know if you want to go paddling!

Megan Cossitt (she/her): I am so excited to join WHP as a staff member with the Bluebirds!  I truly enjoy working with kiddos and helping them learn and grow their skills as tiny humans in training… I also coach soccer at my son’s elementary school and I am actively involved with the PTA.  I like to spend my time walking and reading, cooking and eating, I am an avid crossword puzzler and appreciate art and music. 

Nicole Timms (she/her): Assistant Preschool Director

I am so thrilled to be part of the Westover Hills Preschool staff. My two favorite things in the world are children and animals. The first half of my adult life was spent working as a veterinary technician with a specialty in surgery and anesthesia. When I married my husband in 2004, he was active duty in the Army and we were immediately stationed in Germany. Because I was unable to work in Germany, I took that time to further my education. I graduated with a degree in psychology while also minoring in sociology. In recent years I have used my skills as the Director of Community Engagement and Communications for Westover Hills UMC. When the opportunity arose to fill the Assistant Preschool Director position, my love of children called me to make this career change. While I will miss my church work, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with children. On a personal note, I love all things arts and crafts and have a minor houseplant obsession. I am a New Jersey native but proud to call RVA home! I live here with my husband, children and rescue pups Molly & Bella. We love to vacation at the lake and are slowly working our way through all of the beautiful lakes Virginia has to offer.

Joy Rogers (she/her): I fell in love with Westover Hills Preschool as a parent, and I am so excited to be teaching for a third year! I really enjoy watching preschoolers learn and experience the world, and find child development fascinating. I've worked with preschool and elementary aged students in a variety of ways over the years, including volunteer work, summer camps, a Montessori school and learning from every good teacher and parent I've met! I particularly love helping children learn to love and care for nature and animals.

I'm originally from Maine but have lived in Richmond since I was a child. I love exploring the river and parks with my husband and our two boys - you'll definitely find us out and about on the weekends! I'm looking forward to many laughs and sweet moments over the next year!

FG Rockwell (he/him): As a parent of two former Peacock students, I am so excited to join the staff of this amazing preschool! I have experience working with children with developmental disabilities and a background in applied behavior analysis. I’ve also worked in restaurants and record stores and am a graduate of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. When not teaching at WHP I enjoy reading, cooking, listening to music and spending time outside with my family.

Amy Arnold

I feel so lucky to be a part of WHP and work with it’s AMAZING team of teachers.  My years here have gone by so quickly. I can hardly believe it's been five years. I'm originally from northern California. I come from a big family and was always around children. In high school, I fell in love with Early Childhood Education. One of my electives was working in the on-campus preschool. This experience set in motion my future working with young children. 

After I graduated high school I continued my education at the local college, majoring in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. I worked for several years at a children's center before getting the opportunity to move to Boston where I worked for several wonderful families in New England as a nanny before getting married in 2003. In 2005 we moved to Virginia and I worked as a Lead Teacher at a preschool in Richmond’s west end. In 2009, my long-awaited son was born and I stayed home with him until he began kindergarten and I returned to work at his elementary school assisting the Reading Specialist in the Title 1 Program. During the past five years I also have been employed at Bon Secour and the YMCA; working with children newborn through 5th grade. I am again back in school, working towards my teaching credential.  

I'm excited to be back where I started and working with my first love... preschoolers! There is something magical about that age. WHP is magical too! There has never been a place I have enjoyed working at more than here.

Caroline Kigans (she/her): I am thrilled to be a part of the Westover Hills Preschool as a Bluebird teacher!  My youngest son Parker was a Robin, in a year that was incredibly important for his development, and I am so grateful every day that we were brought into the fold of this family!  

I have a wonderful husband, two sons and a dog large enough to basically be considered a human.  I was born in RVA and have a Bachelor's Degree in Religious Studies from VCU.  I love helping our WHP children learn and grow through play, art and movement activities.  In my spare time, I am a tie dye artist, a voracious reader, and enjoy cooking, music, and volunteering.  I look forward to many more years of laughter, art, and teaching at Westover Hills Preschool!"

Anne Bell

This will be my first year at Westover Hills Preschool as a teacher. Although I taught in Houston for several years after college (Education Major), I eventually changed careers, so I am excited to be back in a classroom. We fell in love with WHPS when our oldest granddaughter started attending as an Owl. She is now in kindergarten and our youngest granddaughter will be a Peacock this year. It is an honor to be asked to help and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with children in such a great environment. I am originally from Texas but a Virginian by marriage. My husband and I, married 43 years, have the blessing of providing child care for both grand girls Monday through Friday! We split our time between Richmond and Staunton where we also have a home. We have two grown children, both of whom live in Richmond.