Cecilia Johnson

Sprouts and Early Morning Teacher

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. 

Katy Karis

Lunch Bunch and Music Teacher

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!

Nina Jamieson

Classroom Aide

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!

Suzy Sanders

Classroom Aide

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!