Meet The Staff
Meet the Staff at Powhatan Methodist Preschool
Our teachers are dedicated and experienced.
The staff retention rate has remained high throughout the history of the preschool. All staff are trained in CPR, AED and First Aid. Ongoing professional training is required so that teachers remain current in ‘best practices’ in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Julie Layman - Director
Julie Layman graduated from Penn State University in 1999 with a BS Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. After 7 years of teaching at Powhatan High School and 7 years of being a stay at home home she returned to work as the Family Ministry Coordinator at Powhatan United Methodist Church for 10 years. Julie has two sons that attended PUMC preschool and during their time here she fell in love with it. Julie calls the preschool "the happiest place on Earth". Julie taught 3 day threes for 3 years and served as the assistant director to Sharon Baltimore for 5 years. In her new roll, Julie looks forward to what God has in store for PUMC Preschool in this new transition.
Karen Johnson - Lead Teacher
Karen Johnson joined the staff at PUMC 22 years ago! She has worked as an assistant teacher for 2’s and a teacher for 4’s. She is currently lead teacher for the 5 day Pre K and Extended Session and helps with Early Drop off as well as Extended Care. After her son and daughter attended preschool here, Karen began taking Early Childhood Education classes and joined our staff. Karen says, “Preschool age children are my favorite because of their love, honesty and curiosity about the world.” Karen continued her studies in education and earned a bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from Liberty University.
Kerri Guest - Lead Teacher
Kerri
Michele Smithgall - Lead Teacher
Michele Smithgall has been a part of the staff for 20 years! During this time she has worked with 2’s and 3’s as an assistant and lead teacher. Currently she is the lead teacher for the 5 day 3’s and she is part of the Extended Care Team. Michele’s education background was gained through Early Childhood classes at John Tyler Community College. Both of her grown sons attended preschool at Powhatan Methodist. Michele says, “Teaching young children is my passion. I hold every child I’ve taught close to my heart.”
Robin Meyer - Assistant Teacher
Robin Meyer is an Assistant Teacher working with 3’s. She is part of the Extended Care Team. Robin is also considered our ‘nurse’ as she has considerable training and experience in this field. She first came to PUMC Preschool in 2001 and came back in 2012 after attending nursing school.
Andrea Campbell - Assistant Teacher
Andrea
Blair Rowe - Assistant Teacher
Blair
Jessica Seay - Assistant Teacher
Jessica
Amy Kluis - Assistant Teacher
Amy
Christina Lindsey- Assistant Teacher
Christina
Anna Brizendine - Assistant Teacher
Anna Brizendine is an assistant teacher for 3’s and a substitute teacher for all ages. She says, “I have had the privilege to encourage, guide, laugh and explore life with PUMC Preschool children for the past 20 years.” Anna’s two grown sons attended preschool here. When not at preschool she raises beef cattle and chickens on her Powhatan County farm. Anna’s BA degree in Psychology from Roanoke College is “used daily when working with children to create a positive, enjoyable experience as they interact with one another.”
Anastasia Wilkinson - Lead Teacher
Anastasia
Blair Rowe - Assistant Teacher
Blair
Amy Johnston - Assistant Teacher
Amy
Kim Ortiz - Lead Teacher
Kim has been working in the Early Childhood field for over 18 years with time spent in the classroom teaching, and time in administration as a Director. Currently Kim is our lead 2's teacher. She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her B.S in Psychology with a focus on child psychology. Kim was recruited out of school by a Corporate child care center, which began her career in Early Childhood Education. Kim loves working with “the littles”, as she has affectionately nicknamed our Two’s. She loves their innocence, their unconditional love, how much delight they take in doing the most simple things, and most of all, when they grasp a concept and make a connection between two things.
Kim's family moved to Powhatan in 2017 and they love it! She is married with 3 children, two girls and a little boy. They stay very busy with all of their school and sports activities. Kim and her husband both help coach some of their children's sports teams. Some of Kim's favorite things are reading, cooking, the beach, and ice cream!
Misty King - Lead Teacher
Misty
Carmen Lucas - Assistant Teacher
Carmen
Sharon Baltimore - Preschool Community Coordinator
In 1978 I came to my pastor at Powhatan United Methodist Church with the vision of beginning a preschool. The rest is history! PUMC wholeheartedly embraced this opportunity for ministry and the challenge of opening its doors to the little ones in Powhatan and surrounding communities. I began as a teacher/director and as the preschool grew became the full time director for 35 years.
After earning a Bachelor of Science Degree from VCU in Elementary Education I taught in Chesterfield and Goochland counties. When our family began to grow my husband and I decided that part time work as a preschool teacher would be a perfect way to use my education but have time to be our children, too. We raised two daughters and a son, all of whom were taught by me during their preschool years! I would like to think that preschool gave them the start that propelled them on to college, graduate school and their chosen careers. Preschool also gave me the chance to spend precious time with each of our 5 grandchildren. I love the amazing ladies I work with, who have been the backbone of our preschool, almost as much as I love the children who have continued to come through the doors at PUMC each year since 1989! Every day is an adventure and a blessing!
Extended Care Staff at Powhatan Methodist Preschool
Our before and after school program is characterized by multi-generational care that gives it a true family feel.
Shirley Houston
Sharon Owens
