Meet our Administrative and Lead staff!
MS ASTRID, DIRECTOR: Astrid Crookshank has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from University of California, and additional college coursework in Early Childhood Administration and Curriculum Planning. She joined St James’ in September, 1993. Astrid has many years of experience teaching infants to three-year-olds, was our Assistant Director for 22 years, and has been Director since 2015.
MS JENNIFER, PART-TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Jennifer Chandler is an afternoon Administrative Assistant. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is the Pre-K/Kindergarten Head Teacher. Jennifer has over 23 years of experience working with infants through school-age children. Jennifer joined St. James’ in September, 2001.
MS SONIA, PROGRAM ASSISTANT: Sonia Schwartz is our Program Assistant. She works full-time to support the teachers with the curriculum and Maryland EXCELS standards in all classrooms. She has over 30 years of experience working in the childcare field. Sonia has taught many age groups from infants to school-age children and has several years working as a Preschool Director. Sonia has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Ryerson University (Toronto). Sonia joined our team at St. James’ in August, 2002..
MS SHARON, INFANTS LEAD TEACHER: Sharon Herft is the Lead Teacher in our Infant program. She has worked at St. James’ for over 25 years and is Lead qualified for all ages infant through school age. Ms. Sharon brings a wealth of personal experience to the infant room to support our newest families and our youngest students.
MS MARISOL, OLDER INFANTS LEAD TEACHER: Marisol Castro is the morning Lead Teacher in our Older Infant program. She is currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Montgomery College. Marisol has over 24 experience with children infant to pre-K and joined us at St. James’ in April of 2000.
MS KIM, TODDLERS LEAD TEACHER: Kim Belcher is the morning Lead Teacher in our Toddlers program. She has completed the 90-hour Preschool certification and is currently pursuing an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 26 years of experience working with infants and toddlers and joined our team at St. James’ in July, 1998.
MS DANA, TWOS HEAD TEACHER: Dana Stafford is the Head Teacher in our Twos class. She has over 28 years of experience teaching children aged toddler through two years. Dana has a Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies from the University of Maryland. She joined our team at St. James’ in September, 1996.
MS RITA, THREES HEAD TEACHER: Rita Harrell is the Head Teacher in our Threes class. Rita has a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Virginia Union University and has taken additional coursework in Curriculum and Child Development. Rita has many years of experience with children infants through school-age and joined St. James’ in August, 2017.
MS PAIGE, FOURS HEAD TEACHER: Paige Distler is the Head Teacher in our Fours program. Paige has a degree in Art and Design and a minor in Psychology from Towson University, plus the additional coursework to qualify as a Preschool and School Age Teacher. She joined St. James’ in the 2022-23 school year as Art teacher for our 2’s through PreK classes, and as Lead Teacher in the Summer School Age program.
MS ANTHONIA, PRE-K HEAD/FOURS HEAD TEACHER: Anthonia Agwamba is the Head teacher in our Pre-K/FOURS classroom. She has over 24 years experience teaching Preschool- to Elementary-aged classes, in addition to having her own center for 13 years. Ms Anthonia has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education and Master’s Degree in Health and Wellness in Education, and additional coursework in Early Childhood for Infants to Preschool. Anthonia joined our team in August of 2023.
MS JENNIFER, PRE-K/KINDERGARTEN HEAD TEACHER: Jennifer Chandler is our PRE-K/Kindergarten Head Teacher and a part time Administrative Assistant in the office a few afternoons each week. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and brings many years of Kindergarten experience to the class to make sure her students are prepared for Kindergarten or First Grade. Jennifer has over 23 years of experience working with infants through school-age children. Jennifer joined St. James’ in September, 2001