Our School
Our Staff
Eileen Reyna
Director
BS, Dance, Skidmore College
JD, University of Baltimore School of Law
90-Hr Maryland Preschool Certification
Child Development Associate (CDA)
As Director of BNS, I feel so fortunate to work closely with our children, families and wonderful staff. This collaboration is truly the cornerstone of our wonderful school community!
Prior to joining BNS, I worked as an attorney, arts fundraiser and educator. For many years I was also a professional contemporary dancer, and taught dance, yoga and mindfulness for both children and adults for over 20 years. In addition, I am a graduate of Lynn Kleiner's Music Rhapsody program. In my work at BNS, is a pleasure to call on the best of my professional background in order to best support our children's first learning experiences.
I am a Rockville native and now live in Bethesda with my husband, Ruben, our daughter, Isabella, and son, Benicio, and two Turkish rescue dogs, Chloe and Henry.
Cecilia Johnson
Sprouts and Early Morning Teacher
BA, Early Childhood Education, Universidad de Playa Ancha de Ciencia de la Education
I came to BNS in 2009 as a parent with my son Diego. Ever since, I have been connected to the school, first as a co-oper and now as a Lunch Bunch teacher. BNS is in my heart, linked by the beautiful experience I had with my son and through the loving friendships we have enjoyed through the years. I am from Chile, where I studied and obtained my degree in early childhood education. During the last 33 years, I have been a Kindergarten teacher, a director and a teaching assistant and I have worked with children with autism as well as with children learning both English and Spanish. Ourside of my time at BNS, I also teach at the Escuele Argentina de Washington DC (the Argentinian School of Washington). I understand the importance of a child's need to be understood, loved and encouraged, as well as to be exposed to dufferent cultures and languages. I love to put these priorities into practice through my teaching. In my free time, I paint with oil. When I am not with my 11 year old son, I teach art for children ages 5-12 years old in my home studio.
Claire Hearle
Saplings Teacher
BS, Early Childhood Development and Education, The University of Delaware
MS, Family Studies, The University of Maryland
As a former BNS parent and Lunch Bunch teacher, I am thrilled to join the BNS staff as the Saplings classroom teacher. This will be my 8th year at BNS. Previously, I taught for MCPS at Bannockburn Elementary for nine years (first grade for six years and kindergarten for three years). I feel passionate about child-centered learning. It is wonderful to see the world through a child's lens and I cherish all of the children as individuals. It is important to me to support a child's development through play. I also love inforporating nature-based learning and music/movement activities in the classroom. I am committed to ostering a partnership with children, parents and families.
In my spare time, I enjoy cheering on my boy/girl twins (Colin & Carleigh) at their soccer games with my husband Jeff. I also enjoy playing with the family cat and dog, volunteering at school and church, and traveling. It's always fun to see the BNS community around in Bethesda since we live nearby!
Page Craft
Mighty Oaks Teacher
BA, Public Relations, Georgia State University
Early Childhood Teaching Certificate, Mercer University
Hello! My name is Page Craft and I am thrilled to be the Mighty Oaks teacher at BNS. This is my fourth year at BNS. It is such a wonderful and loving community!
I moved to the DC area over 13 years ago. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we just celebrated 19 years of marriage. We have two wonderful daughters, Sayde (13) and EllaKade (10). In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, bargain shopping, spending time with family and friends and serving our local church.
My love for teaching started at a young age. I have been blessed to teach a wide variety of ages, ranging from two to six year olds. I taught kindergarten for several years in Georgia and North Carolina. Over the past six years I have been teaching as a preschool teacher in the DMV. My goal as a preschool teacher is to help foster the love of LEARNING! I look forward to growing, connecting and learning together this year at BNS!
Katy Karis
Lunch Bunch and Music Teacher
BS, Government and Japanese Studies, The College of William and Mary
Music has always been an important part of my life both at home and at school. In college, I performed with the Christopher Wren Singers, a co-ed student run a cappella group on campus, and before that, I was active in the high school and church choirs growing up. Additionally, I received the Monbusho Scholarship from the Japanese Government to study abroad for one year at Kanazawa University in Kanazawa, Japan. In March of 2011, I completed my training as a Music Together instructor, before joining BNS as the Music teacher in 2015.
Prior to becoming the music teacher for BNS, I held several different positions working with children, including teaching music for other cooperative preschools, coaching swimming and working with the Fairfax Government Childcare Center. I was also a parent volunteer for my son’s preschool when he was young, teaching Japanese. I really enjoyed using music to teach Japanese and am having even more fun with the children using music to learn stories, develop gross and fine motor skills, have fun and most importantly to spark a lifetime appreciation and love of music.
I am the mother of two sons, and have chosen to be very active with the Cub Scouts through my younger son. I have been the Cub Master of Pack 210 of North Potomac, responsible for planning and leading meetings and activities for over 50 elementary school aged boys and their families and also the den leader for the Webelos in which my younger son, Justin, is a member. We also spend a lot of time playing, watching, living and breathing baseball! My older son, William, plays on a travel baseball team in Olney, MD and on his high school team. Our baseball family is a lot like the BNS family – we spend a lot of time cheering on our kids!
Natasha Dozorova
Classroom and Lunch Bunch Aide
Yaroslavl State University, Russia
Originally from Yaroslavl, Russsia, I have been part of the Bannockburn Nursery School community since 2000. I began at BNS as a cooping parent when my son Vlad was a preschooler, then continued on as an aid at the school. I now enjoy working as a classroom and Lunch Bunch Aide, as well as a teacher during the Summer Fun program.
When I am not at BNS, I also enjoy working with older adults, reading and spending time with my husband, Alexander, and son, Vlad.
Nina Jamieson
Classroom Aide
B.S., Family Studies/Social Work, University of Maryland
90-hour Preschool Certification, Montgomery Childcare Institute
I am so happy to be working as a Classroom Aide in the Mighty Oaks classroom! I have worked in the early childhood education field for the past 20+ years as a lead teacher for 3-5 year olds and in various positions in childcare and camp administration.
I am a Bethesda native, now living in Chevy Chase. My husband Dan and I have two children and a rescue dog, Stella. Our son Cole attends Elon University and our daughter Avery is starting at BCC High School. I enjoy reading, watching the Washington Capitals games and traveling with my family. I am so grateful to be a part of the BNS community!
Michelle McGregor
Classroom Aide
Early Education Certificate, Montgomery College
I am very excited to be a Classroom Aide at BNS again this year in the Mighty Oaks, Early Morning and Lunch Bunch classrooms! I enjoy teaching children and watching them learn new things. Outside the classroom, I like to spend time with my rescue Beagle, Sadie, sew and work part time at Vera Bradley.
Suzy Sanders
Classroom Aide
BA, Geography, University of Texas
MA, Elementary Education, University of North Texas
Shortly after completing graduate school and a K-8 teacher-certification program, I moved from Texas to the Washington D.C. area to work in the National Zoo’s Office of Education. Subsequent to that position, I continued on the environmental education/wildlife conservation tract, working in the nonprofit sector for Defenders of Wildlife, The Humane Society of the United States and Project WILD. In addition to nonprofit work, I gained much-needed classroom experience by teaching for three years in a first-grade classroom.
I now feel fortunate to be part of the BNS community. I live just down the road from BNS with my husband Mike. We have twin daughters in college, Maddy and Michaela, whom I love to visit!
Kellie Zuba
Classroom Aide
B.S. Anthropology/English, East Carolina University
I am so excited to be working in the Sprouts and Saplings classrooms this year. I started working at BNS in 2018 and adore the staff, students and community. This is such a special neighborhood! I have worked with children of all ages, but have decided that working with nursery school-aged kids is where my heart feels most at home. I have two daughters, Ally (13) and Caroline (16) who bring great joy and fun to my life. I grew up in Potomac, MD and apart from my college education, have lived here my entire lift. I even live on my childhood street across from my childhood home where my parents still live. Outside of work, I am an avid book reader and love to spend time outdoors hiking and camping. I also enjoy spending time with my rescue cat, Hope. I look forward to helping out in your child's classroom this year!