Christi Crittenden | Executive Director
University of Alabama - B.A. in Psychology |
Christi has a diversity of experience in early childhood education including board leadership, serving as an Executive director for multiple programs and as teacher. She is passionate about children, her family and her faith. She brings a strength of business management coupled with a deep desire to encourage families as they navigate the early years of childhood. She has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alabama (Huntsville) with a minor in math. As well as being a member of Rotary International and The Chamber of Commerce (The Voice of Business Committee), Christi has volunteered for many other organizations including serving as the Chair for numerous committees.
She and her husband Tom have been married for over 30 years. They have four children and two rambunctious pups! "In an ideal world, children and adults should always be learning and growing. In the course of opening Anna's House, I have found myself learning more than I ever imagined. We need to respect the process of learning in all individuals and model this to our children if we are going to change the world. We joy in doing this here at Anna's House!" |
Anna’s House is our child’s educational home, and all of the parents feel that our voices are heard, our values are appreciated, and that our families have come together to form an amazing community."
- Morgan and Gessner Harrison
Caryn Utz | Pre-School Teacher
Marymount University - Bachelors of Arts |
Ms. Caryn is a former Virginia State licensed childcare provider from Northern Virginia and is experienced with infants through school age children. She has a Bachelors of Arts from Marymount University in Arlington, VA and over 20 years of experience in childcare and continuing education. In 2019, she moved to Staunton, VA and has worked for several families in the area as a traveling nanny and a POD teacher during the pandemic. She also worked for several preschools in the area as a substitute and floater in her available hours, including the Augusta County Head Start program.
Caryn is currently working towards a formal certification in early childhood development. Her philosophy towards early childhood is that it is the most important age. She is very passionate about unlicensed childcare issues. She believes that the school family is something great to build on to gain trust, love and respect from the children. She has enjoyed making lifelong friends throughout this journey. Caryn encourages children in getting enough time for play and nature. When the two come together, it's perfect! Learning is happening all the time. She also believes in big hugs. Taking care of children is her choice and she enjoys caring for kids and watching them grow. Caryn is married with two daughters; Auggie, a student at Longwood University, majoring in elementary and middle school education with a specialization in science and art, and Abigail, who attends Staunton High and is involved with the band, drama, and cheer. Both Auggie and Abi assisted with Anna’s House Summer Camp 2022. She loves to take long drives with her husband on less traveled roads, collecting spring water, spotting wildlife and chasing sunsets. They have a variety of animals in their home including four furry foster fail cats, one spoiled little bunny, a fast tiny hamster and a very old hermit crab from an impromptu rescue along the boardwalk of Ocean City, MD. |
Cora Leigh Clark | Pre-K Teacher
Bachelors of Spanish Bachelors of Arts Management with concentration in Music |
Hello! My name is Cora Leigh Clark, but children usually call me Ms. Cora Leigh. I have had quite a varied teaching career. My husband was in the US Army for 23 years, so our family moved regularly and often. I began teaching Spanish to middle and high school students in a couple of different places. After our first daughter was born, I switched to preschool, first as a music teacher and then as a Pre-K teacher and I’ve never looked back! I believe very strongly in the fun of learning and that every child can learn, in their own time.
My husband, Lee, and I have 2 daughters, Porter Grace and Savannah Faith. We also have 2 dogs, a cat and a turtle-there’s never a quiet moment at our house! |
Carolyn Holland | Kindergarten Teacher
James Madison University - Degree in Early Childhood Education |
What an exciting teaching career I am having and it keeps getting better! I started teaching first grade at Keister Elementary School. This was so rewarding because I student taught at Keister and loved the school community! After 7 years at Keister our family moved to Augusta Co. Virginia where I was blessed to teach second grade at Cassell Elementary. The following year, there was an opening at Riverheads Elementary where my 3 children attended. I was thrilled to be at such an excellent school, and to teach so close to home. While at Riverheads, I taught kindergarten, third grade, and fourth grade. When we moved to Staunton in 2015, I transferred to Verona Elementary where I taught second grade. After 30 years of teaching I decided to retire.
After retiring it wasn’t long before I was really missing the students and being in the classroom! This is when I joined the Stuart Hall Community substituting and helping out with Dragon’s Den. I was later hired to teach kindergarten at Stuart Hall and loved every second of this amazing school! I am so excited to continue my teaching career in our new facility at Anna’s House! |
Dedicated teacher who gives great feedback and expects her students to work hard but the positive love she gives back is twice as great! Any student is lucky to have her ️ and will be better leaving her class
- April Pannell
James Balser | 1st Grade Teacher, After School Director & Summer Camp Director
James Madison University - Master's in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor's in Music |
James is a Graduate School student at James Madison University who is working towards completing his Master’s of Arts in Teaching degree. He has enjoyed a wonderful career so far teaching music in Waynesboro City Public School but is looking forward to his new career path as an early childhood educator.
James does many things on the side such as being a private piano instructor, a music director for ShenanArts Theatre, and as an Assistant Children’s Ministry Director at Victory Worship Center here in Staunton, Va. He is excited for a wonderful, learning filled year with the students here at Anna’s House! |
Mr. B is a compassionate, gentle soul. His approach to teaching instills confidence in his students. He successfully tailors his lessons to meet their individual needs. The whole class is empowered to explore the world and grow.
I’m very grateful for his kindness and care. My son’s reading and writing has improved exponentially under James’ tutelage.
LaVerne Traynham | 2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
Longwood University - Degree in Early Childhood Education |
LaVerne earned her teaching degree in Early Childhood Education at Longwood University and has done post graduate work and training at JMU and UVA. She served 20+ years in public education and has more recently worked in private education. She has extensive outside experience with children through scouting, church, day care programs, after school programs, and in-home child care. Teaching is not her profession, it is her calling. She comes to ANNA’S HOUSE with excitement and enthusiasm and a true love for children and learning. She is a self-professed life-long learner and has great passion to develop the same in others.
She is the mother of three grown children, a son and two daughters, and is a grandmother to three grandsons and a granddaughter, who all fill her life with love and laughter. Besides children, she loves to garden, camp, fish, read, craft, and have fun. She currently resides in Staunton, Virginia with her two aging Yorkies, Max and Sophie. She strives each day to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord and to treat others in the same way she would hope others would treat her children in the same situation. She is fair, firm, and friendly and knows and loves her family as well as her students. She is a member of Bridge Christian Church and serves there as a chaplain. |
Having Mrs. Traynham as a teacher has been an incredible experience. My child has developed a love of reading he has never had before. She has a way of creating a learning environment that is challenging and engaging but most of all fun.
Laura Glover | 3rd Grade Teacher
James Madison University - Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education |
Laura has been in elementary education for over 23 years. She began her career in Fairbanks, Alaska and has spent the last 16 years teaching First Grade in Augusta County.
She and her husband Chris have four children and recently became "Papa and Lali" to their first grandson. Laura has a passion for hospitality, gatherings and feeding family and friends. In her spare time she loves cooking with her husband, beach vacations, reading and watching her children play sports and show for the Market Animal Show. Mrs. Glover and her family attend Victory Worship Center in Staunton, VA. |
Jenny Wegner | 4th & 5th Grade Teacher
Liberty University - Bachelors in Elementary Education |
Jenny Wenger (Gregory) is our 4th and 5th-grade teacher. Finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University she brings a love and passion for instilling growth and knowledge into our children.
Aside from providing a classroom rich in learning opportunities, she also has experience teaching special needs children. She believes in teaching children to be the best version of themselves. |
Stephanie Taylor | Physical Education Teacher
Owner of the local Stretch-n-Grow |
Stephanie is the owner of the local franchise of Stretch-n-Grow, a children’s fitness program. She offers classes at a range of schools across the area for ages 2-12. Her goal is to provide children with physical fitness that involves proper form, motions, and names, while still being fun and exciting for the kids.
She originally worked as a veterinary technician before deciding to switch to a path working with children. When she first started as a part-time coach for Stretch-n-Grow, her goal was to finish out her degree in early childhood education at Mary Baldwin. Of course, that changed when she was offered the chance to buy the business in 2014! She has 2 children of her own, as well as quite a few pets. When she’s not in classes, she enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and catching up on Netflix shows. |
Katie Hurst | Technology Teacher
James Madison University - Masters in Educational Technology Eastern Mennonite University - Bachelors in Early Childhood Education |
Katie has spent over a decade teaching technology in elementary schools. Since 2015, she has served as Stuart Hall School’s Director of Technology Integration. She holds an M. Ed. in Educational Technology from James Madison University and a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Mennonite University.
She and her husband have two loving children and two cuddly pets. Katie loves to spend her free time being outside, reading, running, and being with her family and friends. Katie is excited to be a part of the Anna’s House family and is looking forward to a marvelous year! |
