Ms. Christine
Director

Ms. Christine has been in the Virginia Hills Baptist Church community for over 20 years, including being the preschool’s director since 2010 and four years as the church/preschool administrative assistant. Born and raised in Alexandria, she has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management/Finance from Virginia Tech and recently earned her Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University. Married to Eddie, they have two adult sons. Her “loves” include Christ, children, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Dani
Assistant Director

Ms. Danielle “Dani” Peeling has been an Alexandria resident since February 2016. Though she is new to the VHBC Preschool community, she has worked in early childhood education since 2014 (both in the classroom and as an administrator). Married for more than 15 years, Ms. Dani, a 6th generation Florida native, has two children and a rambunctious pup named Luna Lovegood. Ms. Dani enjoys college football, the beach, traveling home to visit family, and watching her kids play sports. She has a passion for preschoolers and desires to help build the foundation for a love of school that will carry her students throughout their educational journeys.

Ms. Justine
Office Administrator

Ms. Justine is a graduate from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in Business Administration. She has also spent her entire life as a member of VHBC thanks to her father, Pastor Purdy. She loves animals, art, music, and cooking.

Mr. Michael
Office Administrator
Music and Movement Teacher

Mr. Michael was born and raised in Alexandria.  A graduate of Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Studies and a Minor in Dance, he couples this experience with a variety of experiences working with children.  He has choreographed and directed several shows throughout the DMV area and has taught and organized summer camps at the Little Theater of Alexandria, as well as our very own Drama Camp here at Virginia Hills.  Mr. Michael loves to inspire children to a love for performing, music, and dance.

Ms. Chris
Office Administrator/Floater

For more than 40 years, Ms. Chris has been a part of the VHBC Preschool community. She began her career in the co-op program, followed by assistant teaching, and ultimately becoming the Panda teacher, a position she held for 25+ years. Married for 50 years with three children and four grandchildren. Ms. Chris, a Pennsylvania native, enjoys cross-stitching and water aerobics.

Ms. Sofia
Pre-K Teacher (Penguin Class)

Ms. Sofia has been part of VHPS since 2011 as a parent. She started working as Puppy teacher in 2013 and then moved to admin. Born and raised in South Africa, she has been working with children since she was a teenager. Started working in orphanages in Africa and with kids with disabilities. She has traveled extensively, worked with children all over the world. As a special needs Mom, her passion is helping identify all the different ways children learn and fostering what is unique about every child. She is a mom of two human babies and 7 animal babies. She loves reading, hiking, crafting and spending time with family and friends. Her goal is to create a joyful environment for kids to come to everyday where they feel loved and supported.

Ms. Gissel
Pre-K Assistant (Dinosaur Class)

Ms. Gissel is originally from Mexico. She moved to the United States 5 years ago. She is married and has 2 beautiful daughters, Sofía and Elena. She likes to spend her free time with her family, go for walks, cook, and loves to watch movies. She is very happy to be a part of the VHBC Preschool family.

Ms. Komal
Pre-K Teacher (Dinosaur Class)

Although she began her career as a flight attendant, Ms. Komal’s desire to work with children led her to a teaching career. She has been working at VHBC Preschool for 13 years and loves it. Ms. Komal earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1996 from Karachi, Pakistan. She is married with two boys and loves to bake, cook, and enjoy nature.

Ms. Irina
Preschool Teacher (Owl Class)

Ms. Irina joined the staff in 2016 after co-oping for a few years. Born in Armenia, she received her Master’s Degree in Russian Language and Literature and also holds a nursing degree. She has been in Alexandria since 2004 where she keeps busy with her daughter’s activities including scouts, swim team, and dance.

Ms. Sundas
Preschool Assistant (Owl Class)

Ms. Sundas joined Virginia Hills Preschool in 2021 and worked for a year. Now, she is happy to be back! She worked at a daycare for 3 years prior to joining VHPS. She is from Pakistan where she also attended college. She enjoys working with children and considers it rewarding and a great way to continue learning!

Ms. Amy
Preschool Teacher (Ladybug Class)

Ms. Amy has been working with children for over 10 years. She has worked with children of all ages from 1 up to 12 years old. She has a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. She is married with three daughters and lots of pets! Currently they have a dog, a cat, 3 guinea pigs, 2 gerbils, 2 turtles, a lizard, a rabbit, and many fish. She loves puzzles, books, tea, and chocolate and she hates emptying the dishwasher!

Ms. Caitlin A
Preschool Assistant (Ladybug Class)

Ms. Caitlin A has been with VHBC since the end of last school year. She has a bachelor's degree from Frostburg State University and is currently taking classes at NOVA in the childhood development program. She is excited to start a new school year at VHBC.

Ms. Ofa
Toddler Co-Teacher (Teddy Bear Class)

Ms. Ofa has had the privilege of being a part of Virginia Hills Baptist Church Preschool since 2010 after being a stay-at-home mom for 7 years. She started as a music and movement teacher then moved to the pre-k Dinosaur class. She is currently teaching in Teddy Bear Class. Working with all the children brings her great joy, and she values her role supporting moms and dads in their parenting journey. She is originally from the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific where she met her husband, who was a peace corps volunteer. They moved to the States in 2000 and now have 3 children Fiona(18), Sesilia(15), Declan(12). She enjoys walking,  reading, cooking, music, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Brittany
Toddler Co-Teacher (Teddy Bear Class)

Ms. Brittany has been a part of the VHBC preschool family since 2015 as a parent and then joined the staff in 2018. She recently moved back to the area after moving to TN for two years due to her husband’s military job. She has two daughters, Sophie (13) and Emily (10) and spends most of her time transporting them to their extracurricular activities. She enjoys cooking, reading, being outside and spending time with her family. She loves little people and animals.

Ms. Colleen
Toddler Teacher (Puppy Class)

Born and raised in Richmond, VA, Ms. Colleen attended the College of William and Mary earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and Elementary Education. While attending, she met and later married her college sweetheart with whom she has three wonderful children. All three of Ms. Colleen’s children have attended Virginia Hills with her youngest two being current students. Prior to starting her family, Ms. Colleen taught for several years in Fairfax County Public Schools in Kindergarten and First Grade. She has two large dogs – Dug (120 lb Cane Corso) and Nala (65 lb lab mix). In her spare time, Ms. Colleen enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and home decorating.

Ms. Christabell
Toddler Assistant (Puppy Class)

Ms. Christabell has been with VHBC since 2012. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and has previously worked with our three-year-old and Pre-K program as a lead teacher. She has been teaching since 1999. Teaching is her passion. She enjoys listening to music and crafting, especially knitting and cross-stitching.

Ms. Becky
Toddler Teacher (Kitten Class)

Ms. Becky, an Alexandria native, is thankful for the opportunity to join the Virginia Hills Baptist Preschool family this year. She has been a preschool teacher for 3 years, teaching children aged 18 months to 3 years old. Caring for and teaching children is such a joyful part of her life. While staying at home with her two children, when they were younger, she discovered all the fun things we adults can do to encourage their growth and learning at young ages. Prior to that, she worked in various settings as a Certified Athletic Trainer and elementary PE teacher. Ms. Becky looks forward to meeting you all soon!

Ms. Ami
Toddler Assistant (Kitten Class)

Ms. Ami is so excited to be working at VHPS! She enjoys being the assistant teacher in the kitten class and really love taking care of kids. She enjoys spending time with the toddlers; playing, coloring, reading books, and so much more. She loves and takes care of them like they are my own kids. She's so happy to be here with your children!