Meet Our Nurturing Early Childhood Teachers
Mrs. Beth Clark
Mrs. Clark teaches Kindergarten and has been teaching at Chesapeake for 16 years. Beth was born in Kilmarnock, and attended college at Mary Washington, as well as Georgia State University. She is also the Early Childhood Division Head. Beth will tell you that she loves teaching because it keeps her close to that special sense of wonder small people have. In Beth’s spare time, she enjoys reading, horseback riding and spending time with her children.
Ms. Sandy Johnson
Ms. Johnson team teaches Kindergarten and will be entering her fourth year at Chesapeake Academy. Sandy is originally from Northern Virginia, and attended college at the University of California in Santa Cruz. She received her BA in Child Development and Education from San Jose State University. Sandy believes the rewards of teaching are untouchable-- watching a young person learn how to master a skill and also look on as they discover the world. Sandy also directs the Academy's PALS (Performing Arts and Lecture Series) and Brown Bag Lunch Program. Outside of the classroom, Sandy enjoys going to concerts and loves to listen to music. In her spare time Sandy enjoys gardening, as well as traveling with her son.
Mrs. Molly Vanderpool
Mrs. Vanderpool team teaches Pre-Kindergarten and directs our Extended Day Program for four to six year olds. Molly taught first grade at Chesapeake for three years until she moved from the area in 2000. She is originally from North Carolina and received her BA degree from Fayetteville State University. Molly loves the process of teaching, especially watching her students make connections with each other and her curricular goals. She has high expectations for her students and it shows in their success. In her spare time Molly enjoys cooking, sewing, gardening, cleaning house, and spending time with her sons and husband.
Mrs. Karen Baker
Mrs. Baker team teaches Pre-Kindergarten and is Chair of the Curriculum Committee. She grew up in Wicomico Church, and attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she received a BA in English an a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. This is Karen's second year at Chesapeake Academy. Before joining our Early Childhood Team, Karen taught Elementary Education in the Lancaster County Public School system. She lives with her husband and three young children in Wicomico Church, and enjoys bike riding and walks with her family. When time allows, scrapbooking and reading are among her favorite past times.
Ms. Julie Zimmerman
Ms. Zimmerman is the Academy's Preschool teacher. She spends her mornings in the classroom and her afternoons working on publications for the Academy's Development Office. Julie is originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of Richmond with a BA in journalism in 1983. She believes the greatest skills a preschool teacher can have are kindness, spontaneity, compassion, a quick wit, and fair knowledge of the sequence of how a child learns. In her spare time Julie enjoys exercising in nature, exploring the Northern Neck and traveling with her sons.
