Our Teachers
Lynann Derrick (CNS Executive Director)
Lynann joined us for our 2009-2010 school year and we promoted her to
Executive Director during the school year. She has a B.A. from
the University of Texas with a major in English and a minor in
Geography. She has completed coursework in early childhood education and
art history. Additionally, she has various licenses and certificates,
including an Early Childhood/Pre Kindergarten-Kindergarten Standard
Teaching License: District of Columbia Public Schools. Lynann has
worked at the School Within School: A Reggio Inspired Charter at Peabody
Elementary School and the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center. She has
presented at several conferences including the National Association for
the Education of Young Children and the National Art Educators
Association. She co-authored the Museum Magic Curriculum and contributed
to several educational television programs. Lynann won the National
Teaching Award for Early Childhood Education in 2002 and the Diane
Homiak Teaching Award in 2001.
Lynann and her husband have two children, Annabelle and Philip.
When asked to tell a little about herself, Lynann said that she knows
just enough French and German to be dangerous and that the song, “I Love
to Laugh,” from Mary Poppins could have been written about her.
Renee Petrillo—
(2's) Miss Renee joined Colonial Nursery School in 2005. She
previously taught and assisted with the 2-and 3-year olds at Temple Beth
Shalom. She also taught in the art and music program at Maryland
Hall. Miss Renee has her 90-hour Child Development Associate (CDA)
Credential, as well as a Kindermusik License.
Miss Renee has three grown children and twin granddaughters. When
Miss Renee reflects back on her childhood she realizes she had two
grandmothers to thank for guiding her to work with pre-schoolers.
Lazy afternoons spent rummaging through attics and playing dress up
nourished her creativity through the power of play. Miss Renee is
fortunate to still have one of her grandmothers in her life!
Bess Stone
— (4's) Bess joined Colonial Nursery School in 2009 as the 4's aide, but
she is not new to the school; her youngest son has attended and she has
been a VP for two years. Bess graduated from Hollins
University with a B.A. in Psychology and is currently working towards a
certificate in early childhood education at Anne Arundel Community
College.
Kim
Schneider
- (2's & 3's) Hi! My name
is Kim Schneider and I am thrilled to be joining the group at
CNS this fall. I live in Bowie, Maryland
with my husband Rob, our two boys,
our dog Harley, our cat Sidney, our turtles, and a few crabs. My oldest
son Hunter is 14, and just
starting High School this year. My youngest son
Holden is 13, and in his second year of
Middle School.
I have been teaching
for the past 29 years in the field of Education.
I've
been at the Smithsonian Early Enrichment
Center for the past 10 years; and
will continue as a Resource Teacher on Mondays and Wednesdays.
I have a Bachelors Degree
from the University of Georgia in Child Psychology and
Child Development; and have completed 90%
of my Masters in Education at
Kennesaw College in Georgia.
I am also a certified K-5 Elementary School
Teacher, and have spent many years in the
public schools. I continue to
further my education by presenting and attending workshops and
conferences at both the local and
national levels. I believe that the National
Association for Young Children is the
marker for excellence in educating the
young.
Sincerely, Kim
Schneider
