Philosophy

Our programs are based on the belief that each child is a unique individual with special interests, talents, and needs. We believe that children learn best in a peaceful, secure, and stimulating environment guided by enthusiastic and dedicated teachers in partnership with the child’s family.

The Children’s Garden strives to provide a gentle transition from the home to a larger world through opportunities for each child to realize his or her potential. It is our first responsibility to encourage trust and a sense of belonging, competence, and initiative in each child. As this develops, the children are able to define their own individual strengths and interests.

Our Faculty

Christina Mathai, Co-Director
Ph. D., Counselor Education, Virginia Tech
M.A., Education (School Counseling), Virginia Tech
B.S., Family and Child Development, Virginia Tech

Christina has twenty years of education experience working with pre-school age through adult students in settings including pre-schools, K-12 schools, graduate schools, and community agencies. During her career she has conducted program planning, curriculum development, teaching, counseling, clinical counseling supervision, research, parenting education and program evaluations. She is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education as a School Counselor and holds the National Board Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor credentials. Christina serves as Co-Director of The Children’s Garden along with Terry Pettinger.

Terry Pettinger, Co-Director & Lead Teacher
Ph.D., American Literature, University of South Carolina
M.A., English, Virginia Tech
B.S., Clinical Nutrition, University of Florida

Terry’s teaching career spans twenty years of working with families and children in settings that include preschools, elementary schools, universities, hospitals, and community agencies. As a WIC Nutritionist and pediatric dietitian, she has worked in both clinical settings and public health departments to teach healthy eating habits, and theraputic diets. She has also taught writing, literature, and critical thinking at Virginia Tech and the University of South Carolina. Terry strives to create a responsive classroom environment that maximizes student participation and enjoyment. She believes that when a child’s nature sense of curiosity is aroused through art, creative movement, music, play, and guided exploration, a genuine love of learning will follow. A lifelong student of music and a current member of the Community Cello Works, Terry leads our Enrichment Programs in Musical Performance and Movement and also serves as a Co-Director of The Children’s Garden along with Christina Mathai.

Jennifer Zuidema, Lead Teacher: Preschool
B.S., Education, Western Michigan University

Jennifer has taught in both public and private school settings at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade levels. She has teaching certification in grades K-8 with provisional certification in Science for grades 6-8. She has also worked as a Reading First Paraprofessional, providing interventions for at-risk 1st grade students in Kalamazoo Michigan and as an After School Care Coordinator for PreK-8th grade students in Rochester, New York. Jennifer creates a classroom environment based upon the belief that play is an irreplaceable form of interaction through which a child gains the self-awareness necessary to develop independence.

Myra Leland, Lead Teacher: Kindergarten
B.A., Sociology, Mary Baldwin College

Myra has been teaching children at the K-6 level for 12 years in both Virginia and Mississippi. She has teaching certification in K-8. Myra’s teaching is rooted in the belief that children are self-motivated and thrive in an environment where learning is integrated across the curriculum. She strives to create an open-minded curriculum that integrates the interests of the children, parents, and teachers as a community. Her classroom incorporates elements of imaginative play and authentic learning experiences in order to foster a love of learning, community mindedness, and the ability to think critically. Myra also leads our Enrichment Programs in American Sign Language.

Wynne Packard, Assistant Teacher
B.S., Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech

Wynne has over nine years of experience in childcare and education. She has served as a volunteer in the local public schools, teaching math and reading skills to groups of elementary school children. She also volunteered at The Children’s Garden during the time her sons attended our school. Wynne’s talent for teaching children is grounded by her gentle, patient, and consistent style, which reflects her philosophy that children learn what they live and live what they learn. Wynne serves as an assistant teacher in our older preschool classroom and leads our Enrichment Programs in Gardening.

Lisa Hayden, Assistant Teacher
B.S., Health and Physical Education, K-12, Radford University

Lisa has fifteen years of experience in childcare and education. She has worked as a preschool teacher in North Carolina, and prior to that, she taught at schools in Roanoke. While in North Carolina, she also performed classroom volunteer work with elementary-level special needs children. Lisa serves as an assistant teacher in our younger preschool classroom and leads our Enrichment Programs in Health and Physical Education.