Faculty

M.A.T, Manhattanville College
Author of "Mindfulness for Kids: 30 Fun Activities to Stay Calm, Happy and In Control" and "Finding Peace: Mindfulness Journal for Kids - Guided Prompts to Help Manage Big Feelings."

Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I love teaching in a community with passionate and dedicated colleagues who innovate, collaborate, and laugh together daily.

Robin Albertson-Wren is a Responsive Classroom teacher trainer and certified mindfulness instructor who teaches every morning in the Pre-School and works with our athletics teams, SAS program, Residential Life Program, and Life Skills classes. She is also an author, public speaker, workshop leader, and conference presenter for local, state, and national groups, including VAIS, NAIS, VAECE, and VBIDA. Her teaching philosophy is to create a community of learners who support, challenge, and care for another in an environment that is full of wonder, creativity, and joy. Robin’s favorite School tradition is the sign language used during the School song, Raise We Our Voices, because it connects everyone non-verbally and our senior “sandbox kids” remember it fondly.

M.Ed., Lynchburg College

M.S.Ed., Indiana University

Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
St. Anne's offers what every educator seeks in a teaching position: community, integrity, and the chance to collaborate with amazing teachers.

Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I felt JOY from the moment I visited St Anne's! I love witnessing the excitement and the love for learning in our youngest learners!

Kathy’s career with early learners began in 1994, joining St. Anne’s-Belfield in 2000. Her delight in working with these youngest learners lit a spark that has led to years of professional development and research into how young children learn best. Kathy has been a local leader on the importance of learning through play and an advocate for outdoor education. Kathy is also a proud parent to her three sons who all graduated from St. Anne’s with a combined history of 26 years.

Kathy strongly believes in the importance of parent partnerships and has led countless workshops, parent chats, and classes helping parents navigate these early developmental years. Her belief in the importance of community and connection between faculty, students, and families has guided much of her work at our school.

Kathy nurtures each child in the Pre-School so that she knows each one well and can help guide their development alongside faculty members. Kathy believes in the importance of the magical parts of childhood, for example, baking a birthday cake for every student and making whimsical window box displays delighting children each month. Joyful learning and nurturing and meaningful relationships are at the heart of Kathy’s leadership of the program.

M.Phil., University of Oxford

Mrs. Jennifer started her career as a high school English teacher in DC, MD, and SC before beginning a family and accepting an administrative position with Charlottesville Waldorf School. Her volunteer work as a docent at the Fralin Museum of Art coupled with her experience in school administration honed her desire to work more directly with young children. Mrs. Jennifer has delighted in the joy, creativity, and curiosity that the youngest school children bring into the world. Her teaching philosophy is: “Exploration! I believe this is the joyful work of the young child.”

Fun fact: Mrs. Jennifer enjoys drawing, knitting, cooking, and talking about literature with friends in a book club.

M.P.H., University of Hawaii

Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I was happy to hear that St. Anne's Pre-School spends so much time outdoors. I think this is really important for early development!

2021-22 was my first year working in the 2's class. I'm really excited to work with these beautiful children.

M.Ed., University of Washington College of < br/
Why St. Anne's-Belfield
St. Anne’s is a deeply professional and supportive place to teach, learn, and grow. The outdoor Pre-School program allows both teachers and students to explore science, reading language arts, mathematics, social studies, dramatic play, and art in a natural setting—all while building resilience and strengthening social and emotional skills.

The most rewarding part of being a Pre-school teacher at St. Anne’s is the strong and trusting relationships with our students and their families. Our students are developing their core values; in our outdoor classrooms we learn about our role in the community, what respectful communication looks like and sounds like, and the impact we have on the greater world, both social and environmental. Clear and frequent communication, weekly updates, and parent support and education help us stay connected to our student’s families, resulting in relationships that last well beyond the Pre-School years.