Tricia Carr Amstutz founded Beginning Bridges in 1993. Her son's preschool was changing its focus, and she was determined to create a play-based learning environment for children with educated and experienced teachers. Little did she know what a challenge she was undertaking! It has been a very rewarding experience as the children and families of Beginning Bridges have touched her life.
Marie Arnold joined the staff and is the Lead Teacher in the four year old Koala class and is currently teamed with Laurie Benton. Her experience includes working as an Assistant Teacher and substituting as a Kindergarten Aide. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Fashion Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing an Early Childhood Development Associate’s Degree.
Annie Bartolomeo joined the staff in 2015 as an Assistant Teacher in the Older 4/5 Panda class and is currently teamed with Betsy Gribble. Her experience with children includes being an Au Pair and working at a preschool in her home state of Michigan. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Annie’s youngest son attended Beginning Bridges.
Laurie Benton joined the staff in 2016 as the Assistant Teacher in the 4 year old Koala class and is teamed with Lead Teacher Marie Arnold. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology from the University of CT. Both of Laurie’s daughters attended Beginning Bridges. Laurie has always been an active parent volunteer with experience in both FCPS and Loudon County classrooms and with the Girl Scouts.
Pam Brennan joined the staff in 2009 and is the Lead Teacher of our four year old Penguin class and is currently teamed with Marie Eldering. Pam’s experience includes teaching in both a kindergarten and a first grade classroom. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fitchburg State College. Pam’s youngest child attended Beginning Bridges.
Pam Curry joined the staff in 1993 as a founding teacher. Pam is the Lead Teacher in the three year old Kangaroo class and is currently teamed with Ginger Douglas. Her experience includes providing in home child care over a 15 year period and working at Fairfax County Office for Children for nine years. She taught religious education classes for 14 years at St. Timothy's and St. Veronica's Catholic Churches. Pam holds a Bachelor's Degree from George Mason University. Pam's youngest child and her three granddaughters all attended Beginning Bridges.
Jackie D'Agostino joined the staff in 2009. For her first eight years, she was an Assistant Teacher. She currently is our ‘permanent’ substitute teacher. Jackie’s formal education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University.
Kathy Dolezal joined the staff in 2010 as an Assistant Teacher in the four year Tuesday / Thursday morning and Wednesday afternoon class and is currently teamed with Theresa Skopowski. Her experience includes working as an Instructional Assistant and substitute teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools as well as being a Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening tutor for FCPS kindergarten students. Kathy took several Early Childhood Education courses at University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
Ginger Douglas joined the staff in 2010 as an Assistant Teacher in the three year old Kangaroo class and is currently teamed with Pam Curry. Ginger was an active parent at Beginning Bridges when four of her five children attended. She also volunteered at St. Timothy's and Little River Elementary.
Marie Eldering joined the staff in 2013 and is an Assistant Teacher in the four year old Penguin class. She is also an Office Assistant on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Marie’s three children all attended Beginning Bridges. Marie worked as an Intervention Support staff member at a local Title 1 elementary school. She has volunteered in the classroom, library, and cafeteria at Oak Hill and Franklin Middle School. Additionally, Marie has been a Girl Scout leader for seven years.
Betsy Gribble joined the staff in 2016 as the Lead Teacher of our older 4/5 class and is teamed with Annie Bartolomeo. Betsy holds a dual Master Degree in Deaf Education and Audiology from the University of Virginia and a UVA Bachelors in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. Work experience includes FCPS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Preschool Program (Parent-Infant; 3 year old class; 4 year old class) and FCPS Kindergarten (full day program for DHH and team taught with general education Kindergarten). Volunteer experience includes Girl Scout leader 16 years, and Greater Reston Arts Center (school programs K-6 grade). Both of her daughters attended Beginning Bridges
Jodi Kuwashima joined the staff in 2015 as a Substitute Teacher and Office Assistant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters in International Education. Her experience includes teaching elementary school for 12 years. Jodi’s youngest attended Beginning Bridges.
Sara Quinn joined the staff in 2016 as an office assistant and substitute teacher. She will obtain her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education in the summer 2017 and will continue her education to obtain her Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. She worked as a nanny before pursuing her degree in education. One of daughters attended Beginning Bridges and her youngest child will be joining the preschool September 2016.
Amy Richardson joined the staff in 2003 as an Office Assistant working three days a week. She now comes in five days a week plus Wednesday afternoons. Her experience encompasses a variety of administrative positions including four years in the US Navy. Amy managed a summer camp for grades 1 through 5, at Hutchison Elementary, over the past few summers. Amy has also provided child care in various settings as well as volunteered regularly at Greenbriar West Elementary when her boys attended there.
Theresa Skopowski joined the staff in 2006, and for three years she was a Lead Teacher of older three and younger four year olds. For the past four years, Theresa has been the Lead Teacher of the four year Tuesday/Thursday morning and Wednesday afternoon class and is currently teamed with Kathy Dolezal. In addition, Theresa is the Program Director and assumes the responsibility for overseeing the staff and the preschool curriculum. Her experience includes teaching preschool and kindergarten both in the US and in Japan, as well as being a Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening tutor for Kindergarten students in Fairfax County Public Schools. As a volunteer, Theresa was Chairperson and Leader of Junior Great Books in FCPS, and she also designed and implemented a Mom and Toddler Story Time at St. Veronica's. Theresa holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Preschool Education from SUNY at Geneseo with a Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.
Jody Tucker joined the staff in 1999. For her first five years, she was an Assistant Teacher in the three year old classes. Since 2005, Jody has been a 'permanent' substitute teacher and office assistant. Her experience includes several years working as a Pediatric Dental Assistant. Jody holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from University of South Florida.