Mary Katherine Prehn

Ella Chin

Ella Chin graduated from Peabody in 2013, holds an Associate of Science in Education and an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, and is a fourth-year Spanish major at the University of Virginia. Her studies in language and culturally sustaining pedagogies support her work at Peabody and her passion for education as a social justice movement.  Ms. Chin has maintained a presence in our community throughout her high school and college years while serving as a substitute teacher, tutor, Camp Invention counselor, and Kids Night Out host. With a background in bilingual children’s theater, Bringing Science to PreK, and Mindfulness for Children, she serves as both a nurturing caretaker and an inspiring teacher, and she is excited to be a part of the Peabody PreK magic.

Lydia Funk

A Peabody alumna (‘11), Lydia Funk graduated from The College of William & Mary with a B.A. in French and Francophone Studies and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. Committed to cross-cultural communication, she studied in both Montpellier, France, and Brussels, Belgium while in school. After graduating, she served as a group leader on an exchange program for Iraqi undergraduates in Detroit. She recently returned from a year teaching English in a French high school. In her free time, Ms. Funk enjoys reading, gardening, restoring antique furniture, and planning her next travel adventure.

Rita Taylor

 

Ayesha Ahmad

Ayesha Ahmad holds a master’s degree in English from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. Before working as a reporter for a local newspaper in Maryland, she taught elementary school for two years in Raleigh, NC.; she has owned her current wedding and portrait photography business for the past 11 years. She moved to Charlottesville with her family in the summer of 2019, and the younger of her two sons attends Peabody. In her free time, she reads books excessively, but she also enjoys baking, hiking, and handwork.

Geneva Mommsen

Geneva Mommsen received her B.A. in Zoology from Miami University of Ohio and holds many certifications for environmental education programs, including Project WILD and National Geographic Educators.  Her professional experience in Environmental and Outdoor Education began with multiple positions at Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden in the Education Department, leading summer and overnight programming. Most recently Ms. Mommsen served as the Education and Volunteer Coordinator for the National Marine Life Center in Massachusetts. When not helping students make discoveries in nature, you can find her hiking or kayaking, baking something with lots of cinnamon, or brushing up on ballroom dance skills.