All Saints values community, play, and evidence-based practices. In keeping with our values, we do not accept religious exemptions from vaccinations.
Our Staff
All Saints Episcopal Preschool has a staff whose skills and experience have made the school a consistent first choice for many families. Our Lead Teachers hold advanced degrees with most having experience as elementary classroom teachers. As a team, we continue to grow professionally each year through training and seminars in early childhood education that offer new and creative approaches in support of our mission. Every classroom includes 2 teachers, and all of our staff members are trained in First Aid and CPR. Our small class sizes allow teachers to tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the child and to work with children both individually and in small groups.
Director
Toddlers
Twos
Threes
Fours
J/K
Resources
Church
Mrs. Melissa Taylor, Director
I am excited to begin my seventh year as Director of All Saints Preschool. I'm proud that we've not only weathered the challenges of Covid, but have continued to grow and build a school community that is strong and dedicated to meeting the needs of our community. I look forward to my future with All Saints and continuing to help us grow!
Our Toddler Teachers
Kristen Sageser, Darling Ducklings Lead Teacher
Kristen is walking into her 4th year teaching the Ducklings and her 6th year in the All Saints community. She has 2 children, both All Saints Alumni. Kristen has a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science from Iona University and a Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy from Seton Hall University.
Jenn Swenson, Darling Ducklings Assistant Teacher
Jenn has been part of the All Saints community since 2015 and is in her 3rd year teaching with us. She has 4 children, all graduates of All Saints Preschool! She served as Parent Council co-chair for 2 years and is excited to continue her involvement in All Saints Preschool in a new capacity. She's a graduate from University of Richmond - Go Spiders!
Katie Workman, Darling Ducklings Assistant Teacher
Coming Soon
Our Two's Teachers
Lindsey Systermann, Fantastic Foxes Lead Teacher
Lindsey is entering her 4th year teaching at All Saints and 10th year as part of the All Saints community as both her daughters are All Saints Preschool alumni. Lindsey has a B.F.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Lisa Stnons, Fantastic Foxes Assistant Teacher
Lisa is in her 3rd year at All Saints Preschool after a short break, beginning in 2020, to take care of her children full-time. She previously taught in the Toddlers classroom. Lisa graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.B.A.
Jenn Himes, Lovely Lions Lead Teacher
Jenn is entering her 3rd year of teaching at All Saints Preschool. She and her family have been a part of the All Saints community since 2022 as a parent of 2 All Saints' alumni/student. Jenn brings with her 13 years of experience teaching elementary education in Henrico Public Schools. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. and M.A. in Elementary Education.
Brittany Doran, Lovely Lions Assistant Teacher
Coming Soon
Our Threes Teachers
Leslie Bond, Zany Zoo Lead Teacher
Leslie has over 25 years of experience working with Early Education and Elementary aged children. This is her 7th year teaching at All Saints Preschool. Leslie graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education.
Devon Hamnett, Zany Zoo Assistant Teacher
Devon is starting her 3rd year at All Saints Preschool and her 5th year as part of the All Saints community. Devon has been a substitute and Early Drop teacher in before becoming the assistant teacher in the Zany Zoo. She has 2 children, her youngest a recent graduate from our J/K program. She has a B.A. in English from Hollins University.
Coming Soon
Ellen Steel, Zany Zoo Assistant Teacher
Mary Catherine Copes, Wonderful Whales Lead Teacher
Mary Catherine is entering her 7th year teaching at All Saints Preschool and her 11th year as part of the All Saints community. All 3 of her boys are All Saints Preschool Alumni. Before coming to All Saints, Mary Catherine spent 7 years teaching at St. Christopher's. She has a B.L.A. from Longwood College.
Sarah Bass, Wonderful Whales Assistant Teacher
Sarah is entering her 3rd year teaching at All Saints Preschool and has been a part of the All Saints community for the last 11 years. She also has 3 children, all of them are All Saints Preschool alumni. Sarah is a graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Art History and a Graduate Certification from William & Mary.
Laura Cole, Busy Butterflies Lead Teacher
Laura is entering her 6th year teaching at All Saints and her 10th year within the All Saints community. She has 3 children, 2 of which are All Saints Preschool alumni, and a current All Saints student. Laura received her undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford University.
Cary Washburn, Busy Butterflies Assistant Teacher
Cary is entering her 11th year teaching at All Saints Preschool. She worked for 7 years at All Saints before moving to Pemberton Elementary School to be closer to her boys during their time there. She is back and beginning her 4th year back with us. She is the proud mom to 2 All Saints Preschool alumni, both now entering their college careers!
Our Fours Teachers
Nicole Barker, Kind Koalas Lead Teacher
Nicole is entering her 7th year teaching at All Saints Preschool and her 11th year as part of the All Saints community. Before coming to All Saints, Nicole taught kindergarten in Henrico Public Schools for 13 years. She has 2 children, both of them All Saints Preschool alumni. Nicole has her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Master's in Teaching from the Virginia Commonwealth University.
Dana Neel, Kind Koalas Assistant Teacher
Dana has worked for All Saints Preschool for the past 6 years in the 3’s & 4s classrooms. Dana graduated with a B.A. in English from Illinois State University and a M.A. in Critical Literacy from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Our Junior Kindergarten Teachers
Karen Kusterer, Outstanding Owls Lead Teacher
Karen is entering here 9th year teaching at All Saints Preschool and her 16th year as a part of the All Saints community. Karen was Director of All Saints Preschool for 2 years before transitioning to Lead Teacher to spend more time with her family. She has 3 children, all alumni of All Saints Preschool. Before coming to All Saints, Karen taught in Hanover County after graduating from the University of Richmond with her M.A.
Katherine Hornbaker, Outstanding Owls Assistant Teacher
Kathryn is entering into her 13th year at All Saints Preschool and her 4th in the J/K program. She has 2 children, in middle and high school.
_JPG.jpg)
Our Church Staff
As a ministry of All Saints Episcopal Church, our school leadership team works as partners with both the Church Vestry and the Administrative Team of the church. In addition to spiritual guidance, we are grateful for the working relationship we have with them in areas of grounds maintenance and facility safety, as well as bookkeeping and administrative support. Membership in the church is of course welcome, but not necessary for admission to our school. Preschool families who are not formal members of the church are always made to feel welcome at parish events such as the Christmas Pageant, Easter Egg Hunt and a variety of service projects throughout the year.
Ben G. Robertson IV, Rector
Ben is the 10th Rector of All Saints. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, he graduated from Kenyon College in 1996 and Virginia Theological Seminary in 2003. Before being called to All Saints in 2023, Ben served parishes in Louisville, Gastonia, NC, Memphis, and most recently as Rector of the Chapel of the Cross in Madison, MS. Ben is married to Dr. Ellen Robertson and they are blessed with two children, Anna and Henry. Ben’s passions in the Church are many, especially ministry with children and families, leadership development, using social media as an agent for evangelism, and introducing folks to the traditions of Episcopal worship.
Winston Hazelgrove, Parish Administrator
Winston was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in the Episcopal Church. She is also an All Saints Preschool graduate! She and her husband have two children. As the Parish Administrator, Winston maintains the daily operation of the office, oversees the church calendar, manages the parish database and records (including membership), and assists in developing All Saints' various communications.
Scott Hayes, Director of Music
Scott was born and raised as a Methodist pastor's son in West Virginia. Since moving to Richmond, he's become a roller coaster enthusiast, and can be found on the tallest and fastest coaster with the shortest line. Scott, his wife Amy, and their daughter live in Bon Air. As Director of Music at All Saints, he is responsible for coordinating all worship music as well as overseeing the many different choirs. He is passionate about showing God's presence through music, and helping raise new generations of musicians through music education.
Tyronn Wilkins, Facilities Manager
Tyronn joined the All Saints staff in August of 2022. He comes to All Saints with an extensive background in church work. His first job was a Church Sexton and he was employed by the now defunct Leigh Street Baptist Church (1854-2021) currently Church Hill Presbyterian. Tyronn started with them in June of 1996 and stayed until Jan 2021 their last official service before closing. He also worked for several years as a full time sexton at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church while doing some part time work for St. Mary's Episcopal Church.
Betsy Cockriel, Children's Chapel
Betsy, also known as “Grandma Betsy” leads the preschool's chapel music along with Scott Hayes. She also plans and leads music for All Saints’ Vacation Bible School program. Betsy started coming to All Saints when they opened on River Road and has been involved with a number of ministries here through the years. She loves the time she gets to spend with the children and hearing their interpretations of God and Jesus, and the love they share in this world.
Natalia Chyhryna, Financial Secretary
Natalia was born and raised in Belarus. She is married and is the proud mother of two. Natallia joined our staff in April 2012. As the financial secretary, she maintains the contribution records, handles the deposits, account receivables, and also does the bookkeeping for All Saints Preschool. She enjoys helping with Vacation Bible School over the summer and watching all the children have fun.
