Our Staff

We at Dulin are particularly proud of our teaching staff. All of our teachers are home-grown — all members of our staff are former Dulin parents and have spent a combined 48 years as part of the Dulin community. This experience makes them uniquely committed to play-based education and to the importance of family involvement in early childhood education.

Our teachers’ top priority is providing children with a warm, nurturing school environment. They are also dedicated to expanding young minds by sharing their personal passions for art, music, literature, science and nature with their students. They work together to provide many avenues for learning and growth through a wide variety of activities, crafts, games and topics. The teachers design the classroom experience to appeal and provide for many different learning styles. Our students see school as fun, not work!

All of our staff maintain MAT, DHO, CPR, and First Aid certifications, and regularly participate in continuing education. For more information about our teachers, please contact us.

Administrative Director

Administrative Director

Jen joined the Dulin community in 2009, when her daughter enrolled in the 3s class. Her son followed the next year, enrolling in the AM2s. During the combined 4 years her children attended Dulin, she was able to co-op in each age classroom. She served on the fundraising committee and on the Board of Directors as Secretary, Vice President and President. She is a strong believer in parental involvement in education and the cooperative model and play based curriculum at Dulin was a perfect fit for her family.
Jen attended college at Salisbury University in Maryland and completed coursework towards a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, including child psychology and developmental psychology. She was a member of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, while completing her coursework. In her spare time, Jen enjoys volunteering at her children’s elementary school, baking bread and learning to sew.

AM/PM 2s

Suzanne has been involved with Dulin Preschool for over a decade. Both of her sons graduated from Dulin. Suzanne taught the science classes at Dulin from 2002-2007; she also has served as a substitute and summer camp teacher. Suzanne has a Masters degree in Education. She enjoys reading, gardening, walking, and volunteering at a National Park Service insect lab. Suzanne is happy to be part of the youngest ones first experience with school. “I really like the co-op preschool model. Everyone benefits from the community that develops. We are still good friends with the families we met during our sons years at Dulin.”

3s

3s, Enrichment, Lunch Bunch

Tina is relatively new to the Dulin community, having moved to Falls Church in 2012. Her daughter, Isabella, is a proud Dulin graduate. Tina earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, where she studied biology. She worked in the Slovenian national zoo for a couple of years, leading groups of elementary school students though hands-on exhibits and activities. After that, she worked for Novartis Pharmaceuticals for seven years before moving to the States with her husband, a US Army officer. Tina enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling and spending time with her family (especially on the Adriatic coast). Dulin’s cooperative model is what Tina values most: “Dulin is not just a place for the children, but for their parents, too— their love and involvement is what makes this school so special!”

4/5s

4/5s, Enrichment, Lunch Bunch

Ellen grew up in Chester County, PA, outside of Philadelphia. She moved to Washington, DC in 1989 to attend Georgetown University, where she studied English and Psychology. After college, Ellen worked for nine years for a major trade association designing and running educational programs and trade shows, eventually earning the title of senior director of education and business development. She stopped “working” in 2004 when her son was born. Ellen joined the Dulin community in 2007 when her son entered the 3s class. Both Will (10) and daughter Megan (7) are Dulin graduates. Ellen served as both President of the board and Membership/Admissions chair during her children’s time at Dulin. She is a big fan of reading, fishing, hanging with family and being silly (when appropriate).

3/4s

Teacher-Director, 3/4s, Enrichment, Lunch Bunch

Holly discovered Dulin in 2002 after moving (back) to Virginia from Florida, and all four of her daughters are Dulin graduates. She was an active member on the Dulin board during the years her daughters attended. She joined the teaching staff in 2009 because she couldn’t bear to leave the wonderful Dulin community! She loves working with young children and believes Dulin is an exceptional preschool because of its philosophy of developmentally appropriate play-based learning and emphasis on parental involvement. Outside of Dulin, Holly’s enjoys photography, reading, cooking, travelling, and spending as much time with family as possible.
Holly earned an undergraduate degree from The University of Virginia (where her emphases were studio arts, vocal performance, and child psychology) and a Master of Education degree from Marymount University. She enjoys learning, and pursues continued education in the areas of social and emotional child development, brain development, music therapy, cultural competence, and differences in abilities and learning styles. Often she finds that preschoolers, with their keen observation skills, have a lot to teach her!