Staff & Students
We care about the kids.
Only the BEst
We Know How to Make Learning Fun For Kids
Our philosophy as teachers is to guide them in a world of social, developmental, and academic interaction that will prepare them for the routine and experience of kindergarten.
At Shenandoah, we hope that your child grows as a self-confident, independent, and curious individual.
Our Staff
Teachers Who Care
The primary task of the staff is to provide care, attention, opportunities, and experiences that will encourage learning through play and creative activities.
Margoth Bartenstein
Pre-K teacher
Margoth has been at Shenandoah Preschool since 2006. Raised on a Colombian coffee farm, Margoth has her certificate in Early Childhood Development from DLCC and has worked in multiple learning centers/preschools in Lexington. Margoth loves how her students get so excited about the simplest things. They are sponges full of curiosity and energy. It is her pleasure to encourage that natural love of learning through hands-on activities and fun experiments.
Mona Koth
Classroom Assistant
Mona assists in each classroom to give extra hands during projects, transition times, and any need that arises at the preschool. She taught the Toddler class for many years, and is back with us to help in any and all ways needed here. Mona is a published author and illustrator of a board book series named Panda Panda.
Brooke Lawhorn
Pre- K teacher
Brooke teaches Monday-Thursday Pre-K. She graduated from Southern Virginia College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has numerous years experience as a preschool teacher. She likes to teach using Art, Music, and other creative outlets for learning. She believes that the early years of a child’s life are highly formative and crucial to development. She is committed to her students’ successful cognitive, physical, and emotional progress.
Jenna Donahue
Toddler teacher
Jenna starting working at Shenandoah in 2014 and teaches our Toddler students. She loves working with children, helping them learn, and celebrating their successes. She is a master in the art world and loves to help her students creativity grow. She firmly believes in the importance of Early Childhood Education.
Michelle Riley
Toddler teacher
Michelle has been with Shenandoah Preschool since 2006 as one of our Toddler teachers. She loves spending time with her students, watching them grow and develop over their year with her. The bonus is that they make her laugh every day! Michelle provides a loving, structured, and developmentally appropriate environment for our youngest students.
Bethany Hull
Movement Teacher
Bethany is our Movement Teacher. She will be teaching our students many skills to strengthen both gross and fine motor skills. They will be listening to directions in words and in songs and coordinating their movements to give them better body awareness and control. All the while having a fantastic time with Ms. Bethany!
Amanda Bertschi
Pre-K Teacher
Amanda has been with SPS since 2015, first as an assistant, then as a Discovery teacher, and now as a Pre-K teacher. Amanda has a background in culinary arts, which she brings to classroom projects. She also loves doing all different art projects with the students. She loves children’s literature and often shares with our students her latest, favorite library finds.
Deborah Raynor
Discovery Teacher
Ms Debbie joined the SPS staff in 2020 in our Pre-K program, then after a short hiatus for her health, she came on five days/week in 2022. Debbie has a background of babysitting children in her home for 12 years, and working in childcare for several years after that. Debbie loves to see the children learn and grow in independence.
Sidney Sterling
Pre-K Teacher/Afternoon Program Teacher
Ms Sid started teaching at Shenandoah Preschool in 2022. She holds an undergraduate degree in American Sign Language and has several years teaching experience at Waddell Elementary School and Yellow Brick Road. Ms Sid brings a wealth of knowledge to our program.