Karen Steele, Interim Director
Karen has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Radford University and has been working with children for over 35 years. She began her teaching career as a Head Start Teacher, spent time as a SACC teacher for FCPS and then found a home teaching 3 & 4 year olds at BUMP before moving into the administrative side of the preschool. She is blessed with two grown daughters, Megan and Emily, son-in-law Kenyon, and rescue dog Cleo. She likes to spend time with her extended family and has an identical twin sister in the area. In her free time, she volunteers at her church cooking for FACETS and volunteering for DONATE LIFE. She loves to read, do puzzles, and go for long walks with her dog. |
Missy Greeley
Teacher
Missy has lived in the Northern Virginia area since 2003. Living in this area has given her so many opportunities and places to explore. She started working as a BUMP preschool teacher in 2021. She loves the experiences she gets working with children and loves providing education in a fun learning atmosphere. She's married to her husband Bobby, and they have two boys, Andrew and Brady. They also have two dogs (Buddy and Bailey). They love to explore the woods and go hiking. Recently, they took up kayaking as a family! In her down time, Missy loves to read books. |
Ayesha Farrukh
Assistant Teacher
Ayesha has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Pakistan. She came to the US in 2009 after getting married. She lives in Burke with her three kids. Her daughter will be in the Stars class this year. In her free time she loves to bake and spend quality time with her kids. She is really excited to teach at BUMP. |
Blair Dolinger
Teacher
Blair studied at Radford University and successfully ran her own home daycare for 13 years. She is passionate about piquing her student’s curiosity for learning through science and adventure in the great outdoors. She began her work at BUMP as a substitute teacher, moving to Assistant Teacher for 6 years before becoming Lead Teacher of the 3 year old Quackers class in 2014. She has a blended family with her husband Thom that includes 6 children, 4 grandchildren, and their dogs Heidi and Oliver. Blair enjoys cooking, baking, and is crazy about hiking, biking, swimming, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Blair studied at Radford University and successfully ran her own home daycare for 13 years. She is passionate about piquing her student’s curiosity for learning through science and adventure in the great outdoors. She began her work at BUMP as a substitute teacher, moving to Assistant Teacher for 6 years before becoming Lead Teacher of the 3 year old Quackers class in 2014. She has a blended family with her husband Thom that includes 6 children, 4 grandchildren, and their dogs Heidi and Oliver. Blair enjoys cooking, baking, and is crazy about hiking, biking, swimming, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.
Khalida Aldabbagh
Teacher
Khalida has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and has been teaching preschool students for over 20 years. She enjoys working with young children and being a part of their daily learning experiences. Story time and arts and crafts are some of her favorite preschool activities. Khalida has loved the wonderful environment and sense of community that BUMP provides. She is a wife and a mother of two daughters and loves to spend time with her family. In her spare time, Khalida loves to cook, read, and listen to music. |
Dena Hale
Assistant Teacher
Dena is a native of North Carolina. She began by working at Stay and Play and as a substitute when needed. She is excited to now work as a teacher's assistant for the three year olds. In the past, she has been active in church children's ministries and Sunday School. She enjoys spending time with her husband. She enjoys being with the children in the classroom and getting them excited about learning! |
Carrie Goodale
Teacher
Carrie has a bachelor's degree in history from Mary Washington College where she interned for a year at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. She is a wife to husband Daryl and mother of two children, Ellie and Duncan (a BUMPster graduate). She worked as an analyst for the airlines for 11 years before she quit to stay home with her children. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling. |
Sandy Bechara
Assistant Teacher
Sandy grew up in the Mount Vernon area. She was the only daughter of an Air Force Colonel who proudly served in three wars. As a young woman she held a classified administration position with the United States Government. She is now the proud mother of three grown boys who also live in the NOVA area. She spent her time as a young mother volunteering in her children's schools. In her free time, she loves to swim, read, and travel with her family to make new memories! Her newest accomplishment is being a Grandmother to her first grandbaby. |
Natasha Leija
Teacher
Natasha studied at Salisbury University and The Art Institute of NYC. She is married and has 3 boys, two who are BUMP graduates, and one current student. Natasha has worked previously in Before and After School programs and growing Enrichment Programs in the MD/VA/DC areas. She loves to travel and spend time with family at Disney. Natasha enjoys painting, working on art projects and doing yoga in her free time.
Teacher
Natasha studied at Salisbury University and The Art Institute of NYC. She is married and has 3 boys, two who are BUMP graduates, and one current student. Natasha has worked previously in Before and After School programs and growing Enrichment Programs in the MD/VA/DC areas. She loves to travel and spend time with family at Disney. Natasha enjoys painting, working on art projects and doing yoga in her free time.
Tammy Zerbo, Music Teacher
Tammy Zerbo received a Master of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music with concentrations in vocal and choral performance and completed teacher certification for Orff Schulwerk Pedagogy. She has taught high school and middle school chorus, elementary general music, music theater, voice, and piano.
Throughout her family's many military moves, she has worked for several churches as director of youth choir, assistant chancel choir director, featured soloist, and Vacation Bible School music director. Tammy is mom to Tamara, Sara, and Zac.
Throughout her family's many military moves, she has worked for several churches as director of youth choir, assistant chancel choir director, featured soloist, and Vacation Bible School music director. Tammy is mom to Tamara, Sara, and Zac.
Joe Wells, P.E. Teacher, Sea Turtle's Assistant Teacher
Mr. Joe, as the students call him, has been involved at BUMP since 2012 when his son became a BUMPster. He is the P.E. Teacher, a Stay and Play Facilitator, and an Assistant Teacher in the Puppies class. He enjoys playing games with the students and seeing the joy they get out of simply being kids.
He is also a professional musician who forewent a busy national and international travel schedule to be at home with his son, who is a BUMP graduate. In his free time, he enjoys the Nationals, Football, Tennis, Fishing, museums, aquariums, and a variety of nature activities with his wife and son.
Mr. Joe, as the students call him, has been involved at BUMP since 2012 when his son became a BUMPster. He is the P.E. Teacher, a Stay and Play Facilitator, and an Assistant Teacher in the Puppies class. He enjoys playing games with the students and seeing the joy they get out of simply being kids.
He is also a professional musician who forewent a busy national and international travel schedule to be at home with his son, who is a BUMP graduate. In his free time, he enjoys the Nationals, Football, Tennis, Fishing, museums, aquariums, and a variety of nature activities with his wife and son.
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Karen Steele, Interim Preschool Director
6200 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke, Virginia 22015
703.250.3657
karensteele@burkeumc.org
6200 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke, Virginia 22015
703.250.3657
karensteele@burkeumc.org