Beach Day Administration

<span style="font-size: x-large;">Director</span> <strong>MA in Early Childhood Education</strong>, <em>Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA</em> <strong>BA in Communications / English Literature</strong>, <em>James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA</em> Ms. Dawn has been a part of the life of First Presbyterian Church, and Beach Day School for many years. She is a church elder, and beginning in 2000, she began her life as a BDS parent. While her three children grew, flourished, and graduated from Beach Day’s Kindergarten, Dawn served as a Board member, and then, the BDS Board chairperson. She returned to the school in 2012, when she was hired as the Assistant Director. She has served as Director since 2017. <em>“Working with and for so many talented, dedicated educators is a daily privilege,”</em> she says.<em> “It is an important responsibility that we are tasked with, and every staff member at Beach Day takes that seriously. They go above and beyond what is expected. It’s what makes this school such a special place.”</em>

Dawn Finguerra
Director

MA in Early Childhood Education,
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

BA in Communications / English Literature,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

More About Dawn
Ms. Dawn has been a part of the life of First Presbyterian Church, and Beach Day School for many years. She is a church elder, and beginning in 2000, she began her life as a BDS parent. While her three children grew, flourished, and graduated from Beach Day’s Kindergarten, Dawn served as a Board member, and then, the BDS Board chairperson. She returned to the school in 2012, when she was hired as the Assistant Director. She has served as Director since 2017. “Working with and for so many talented, dedicated educators is a daily privilege,” she says. “It is an important responsibility that we are tasked with, and every staff member at Beach Day takes that seriously. They go above and beyond what is expected. It’s what makes this school such a special place.”
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Elizabeth W. Zak
Curriculum Coordinator

BA in English Literature,
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

 

 

More About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Zak started her educational career as a preschool teacher in Norfolk in 2008, then came to Beach Day School in 2011. She taught a 3’s and then a 4’s class over the course of the next seven years. Because of the combination of her knowledge of preschool curriculum and her excellent communication skills, she was offered the position of Curriculum Coordinator in 2017. Elizabeth and her husband Will have a beautiful, 2-year-old daughter named Maisie. Thanks to her own teaching experience, Elizabeth is passionate about helping teachers plan and implement early childhood lessons that are fun and educational, and she loves working closely with them to ensure positive and engaging environments.
BDS Bio Pics (1)

Jill Thomas
Floater and Office Assistant

Warrenton, VA,

More About Jill
As a young Navy wife, Ms. Jill raised her two children much of the time while her husband was away. When the kids were grown and the family finally settled in Virginia Beach, she worked – first, as a teacher, and then as co-Director at another private preschool. She began subbing at Beach Day School in 2014, and, with the exception of another Navy move to FL for two years, Ms. Jill has been a trusted fixture here ever since! She finds her joy in assisting teachers, and in working with every age, in every grade.
BDS Bio Pics

Hannah Mason
Aftercare Coordinator

BS in Education,
Barton College, Wilson, NC

Coursework in Education,
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

More About Hannah
Hannah Mason (Ms. Hannah) retired from teaching Emotionally Disturbed K-12 students, and Hearing Impaired K-12 Students after 31 years. Retirement was not for her, and so she came to Beach Day School in order to continue her teaching adventures! She quickly became every student’s favorite, and she makes our after-care program a loving, caring, FUN place for children to be! Hannah considers every student “her” child, and stays in touch with many families even after they’ve graduated Beach Day.
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Eileen Byler
Enrichment Teacher / Computer Teacher

BA in History,
Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, PA

More About Eileen
Mrs. Byler came to Beach Day School in 2020, after working for more than 20 years at another private preschool in Virginia Beach. There, she developed a curriculum and worked as a computer skills teacher for young students. Eileen will continue to teach technology classes to Kindergarten students, and her program has become an important part of Beach Day’s curriculum. Eileen will also serve as a reading and comprehension assistant to the teachers of our older students, working with small groups and one-on-one with students. Eileen and her husband Chad, have two grown children, ages 25 and 21.

Beach Day Teaching Staff

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Jan Poole
Lead Teacher, M/Tu/Th 2’s Class

From Great Bend, KS and Houston, TX,

Working on: CDA (Child Development Assoc. Degree)

More About Jan
With a personality as big as Texas, Ms. Jan has been a beloved 2’s teacher at Beach Day for 12 years. Her husband, Woody, is a teacher at Norfolk Academy, and her grown children, Austin and Callie, both graduated from NA. Ms. Jan also teaches summer camps at NA, and works in the afternoons, there, as the Coordinator for their after-care program. She says that 2-year-olds are “her people,” and her favorite thing about teaching them is “seeing them laugh,” and “seeing them conquer their fears.”
BDS Bio Pics (2)

Iryna Van Gilder
Co-Lead Teacher, M/Tu/Th 2’s Class

BS in Elementary Education and School Psychology,
Drohobych State University, Lviv, Ukraine

More About Iryna
Iryna was a parent at Beach Day School in 2012, when her son Teddy attended our 4’s class. We asked her back in 2021, as a teacher assistant! She amazed us all with her kind and caring manner, and her desire to work with children! This year, Iryna will team up with long-time 2’s lead Ms. Jan, and they will work together to lead the Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 2’s class. We are so thankful to have her at BDS!
Kasia Bussey, 2's Teacher

Kasia Bussey
Lead Teacher, MWF and Tu/Th 2’s classes

MA in Library and Information Science,
Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

 

More About Kasia
Kasia is originally from Poland, and moved to the United States after marrying her American husband. Her career began as a librarian, until she became a talent agent in Warsaw. After arriving in the U.S., Kasia (pronounced Ka-sha) began working in preschools, and found her passion! For the last five years, she has been a lead preschool teacher, first in NJ and most recently, in Virginia Beach. Kasia is caring and kind, and she is passionate about child development and learning. She is dedicated to supporting the emotional, social and academic development of young children.
BDS Bio Pics (4)

Stacy Eddy
Teacher Assistant, M/W/F 2’s Class

AIM in Management ,
Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, VA

More About Stacy
Ms. Stacy is originally from Troy, PA. She worked as a teacher assistant for nine years before leaving for a series of sales and management jobs. Stacy is a single mom of three teenagers, ages 17, 15 and 13, and she has four pets: dogs Piggy and Mia, and lizards, Arlo and Lizzy! Stacy feels that preschoolers are generally joyful and happy, and find every day working with them a joy and a challenge. She says that “no day is every the same, and (the children) challenge me to be a better person.
BDS Bio Pics (5)

Joanie Craig
Assistant Teacher, Tues./Thurs. 2’s class

CDA (Child Development Assoc. Degree),
Vocational Tech Center, Virginia Beach

More About Joanie
As a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, and a caretaker of children, Ms. Joanie’s favorite thing about working with preschoolers is “watching them learn and grow, while having lots of fun. I love to hear the giggles and laughter of the little ones!” Before coming to work at Beach Day School, Joanie worked as a nanny and a home daycare provider for many years. She has helped to raise more than 60 children throughout her career! Along with her husband, Jack, Joanie also raised three sons, and she has a beautiful, 7-year-old granddaughter.
BDS Bio Pics (7)

Jamie Owens
Assistant Teacher, 3’s Class

BS in Kinesiology/Exercise Science,
California State University, Fresno, CA

More About Jamie
Originally hailing from Meridian, MS, Jamie is a proud military wife. She and her husband Daniel have one daughter, Valerie, who will be attending Beach Day School’s Kindergarten class this year. Before marrying, however, Jamie spent 8 years teaching Ballet, Tap and Jazz Dance to children ages 2-18. She has also frequently subbed at BDS, and is a favorite among teachers. Kind, nurturing and warm, Jamie will make a fantastic addition to our teaching team.
BDS Bio Pics (6)

Kate Maleski
Lead Teacher, 3’s Class

BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education,
Cabrini College, Radnor, PA

More About Kate
After college, Ms. Kate taught 2nd and 3rd grades for ten years before she took a break to start a family. While her children were young, she taught a year of preschool, and then remained at home with son Joe and daughter Cecelia. She joined the Beach Day staff as a Teacher Assistant for the 3’s class in 2017. She finds her joy in getting to know the children and families that she teaches, and hearing what the children have to tell her each day.
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Dawn Blevins
Lead Teacher, 3’s Class

AIM in Hospitality Management,
School of Computer Technology, Pittsburgh, PA

More About Dawn
A native New Yorker, Ms. Dawn has lived in Virginia Beach for the last 27 years. She’s been a preschool teacher since 2008, and she finds joy in working with little ones. She and her husband, David, have three children, ranging in age from 16-22. She’s also mom to a maltipoo pup named Bubbie! Her favorite things are watching her children play sports, and reading.
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Taylor Ely
Assistant Teacher, 3’s Class

Bachelor of Science / Political Science,
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

More About Taylor
Just a year out of college, Taylor already has experience with young children and the patient nature of a preschool teacher. Her mother has taught in Virginia Beach for many years, and Taylor has been a nanny since 2020. Her cheerful and energetic personality makes her a favorite among our students, and our staff!
BDS Bio Pics (9)

Tara Scheier
Lead Teacher, 4’s Class

Beckley, WV,

More About Tara
Mrs. Scheier came to Beach Day in 2017 after having spent several years working in the hotel and hospitality industry. Prior to that she worked as a lead teacher at another private preschool in Virginia Beach, and as a substitute teacher for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Mrs. Scheier’s family includes her husband Jason, her two grown daughters, Jada and Lanie, her chihuahua, and four colorful cockatiels!
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Shaun Stauffer
Teacher Assistant, 4’s Class

Virginia Beach, VA,

More About Shaun
Ms. Shaun is a Beach Day fixture, and has nurtured hundreds of students here since 2003. Before then, she offered daycare in her home. Ms. Shaun has been a Teacher Assistant in the 2’s, 3’s and 4’s classes, and adores children of every age – almost as much as they love her! She often remains close to her students and their families, long after they grow up and leave her class. Shaun is married and has a grown daughter named Kaitlyn and a beautiful new grandbaby named Ellie.
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Valentina O’Brien
Lead Teacher, 4’s Class

Masters of Education, Curriculum and Instruction,
Averett University, Chesapeake, VA

BS in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies/ Minor in Early Childhood Education,
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

More About Valentina
Before coming to Beach Day School, Mrs. O’Brien worked for VBCPS for 10 years. She taught 3rd grade at Linkhorn Elementary, in various settings, including Math and Science Academy. She and her husband, Happy, have three beautiful children, ages 4, 6 and 8. Valentina was born in Italy, has family in Peru, and she danced ballet for 15 years! She says that “looking at life through (children’s) eyes makes life so much more exciting!”
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Sharon Pavlikowski
Teacher Assistant, 4’s Class

Virginia Beach, VA,

More About Sharon
Mrs. Pavlikowski began working at Beach Day School 22 years ago, and has seen the school go through lots of changes! She has been an assistant in the 3’s class, Kindergarten, and has been with the 4’s for the last ten years. Mrs. ‘P,’ as the students call her, says that her favorite thing about teaching is “watching the children’s faces light up when they realize they understand”.
BDS Bio Pics (8)

Jennie Lutz
Lead Teacher, Kindergartenr

BA in Elementary Education ,
Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA

More About Jennie
Mrs. Lutz has been working with and teaching children for most of her adult life. She began teaching preschool at age 18, while still in college. She taught children ages 3 and 4 for 16 years, before coming to Beach Day School to teach Kindergarten, in 2018. Mrs. Lutz has also nannied for the same family for the last 17 years, and has a husband and a 3-year-old son, named Hudson. Mrs. Lutz’s teaching style is to build relationships with her students; she believes trust and understanding are essential components for learning.
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Tonya Brown
Assistant Teacher, Kindergarten

Oklahoma City, OK ,

More About Tonya
Mrs. Brown came to Beach Day School several years ago, as a (much requested!) sub. Before her arrival she worked for nearly 15 years as a preschool teacher, and for seven of those years she also served as a youth counselor at VB United Methodist Church, working with middle and high-school aged youth. Tonya is married, and has 3 (practically) grown children, ages 22, 20 and 16. Her favorite thing about working with Kindergarten students is “how excited they get when they figure something out. I love being a part of that process for them!”
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