Meet Our Staff
Lindsay Rew
Director
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Lindsay Rew is a native of Newport News, who now resides in Hampton with her family. Lindsay and her husband Mark have a seven year old daughter together. They are all animal lovers and have rescued two cats and two dogs from local animal shelters. In her spare time you can find her with her family swimming in their backyard pool or planning their next family vacation!
Lindsay earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education interdisciplinary studies from Old Dominion University. She then earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Old Dominion University. She graduated with a Virginia teaching license and endorsement in grades pre-k through 6th grade. Lindsay previously taught kindergarten with Hampton City Schools. After moving into the private school setting she taught in a preschool classroom. Lindsay then moved into the position of Preschool Director. This is Lindsay's fourth year at First Baptist Preschool!
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Liz Corner
Administrative Assistant
Liz Corner was born in New York and raised in California. Her parents immigrated to the US from Guatemala. Liz is fluent in three languages: English, Spanish and ASL (American Sign Language). Currently, she resides in Hampton with her family. Liz and her husband have three children together that range in ages from 21-5 years old! Liz and her family have enjoyed traveling all over the world for the past 25 years! She has climbed Mount Fuji in Japan and enjoyed many hikes and snorkeling adventures in many other countries. Liz especially enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends when visits allow. Currently, her preferred destination is visiting her eldest daughter in college.
After high school graduation Liz joined the US Army. She served our country for four years. Liz has been a supportive Marine wife for the past eighteen years. While raising her children, Liz worked as an ISS teacher in Texas. Liz also worked as a para educator and a long-term substitute teacher in Japan. Liz opened her own small business in 2019. She has had great success selling her custom-made hair accessories and ships her products all over the country! Liz's daughter attended First Baptist Preschool last year and Liz fell in love with the preschool program. She came on board this year as administrative assistant for the 2023-2024 school year.
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Stephanie Hylton
Teacher - 4 year old classroom
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Stephanie Hylton is originally from Bluefield, Virginia. After moving around with her husband while he was in the Army they have settled in Hampton for the last 6 years. She loves to spend time with her 4 year old daughter Virginia and 2 dogs at the beach or the park.
Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Radford University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science from Bluefield College. She was previously employed as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor in the schools and a Manager of the program. She has also worked at DSS doing Foster Care and Adult Protective Services. This is Stephanie's second year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Ashleigh Pitts
Teacher - 4 year old classroom
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Ashleigh Pitts was born and raised in Yukon, Oklahoma and lived there until she got married. She and her husband William, and now daughter have moved around for the last 15 years with the Air Force. She now resides in Carrollton. Ashleigh and her husband have one daughter, Brynlee(2). They also have one chocolate lab, Berkley. As a family they enjoy exploring new places and local eats. In her free time she enjoys reading and shopping.
Ashleigh has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from MSU. She also has a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Delta State University. She earned a teaching license allowing her to teach K-12th grade with endorsements in English and Social Sciences. Ashleigh has taught 1-3rd grade Special Ed and 1st and 5th grade General Ed. She also spent several years in childcare before college. This will be her first year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Rebecca Hinson
Teacher - 3 year old classroom
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Rebecca Hinson is from Hampton, Virginia. She grew up in First Baptist Church of Newport News and frequently volunteers her time within the church’s Children’s ministry. She lives with her cat Ellie who loves to cuddle. Rebecca enjoys reading, cooking, coaching softball, and volunteering.
Rebecca has lived in Hampton her whole life aside from her time at the University of Mary Washington. She graduated with honors from Bethel High School. She’s been working professionally in childcare for four years. This is Rebecca's third year at First Baptist Preschool. Rebecca is currently enrolled at ODU and finishing her degree in education.
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Nicole Smetana
Teacher - 3 year old classroom
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Nicole Smetana was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida and lived there until meeting her husband. She has had the opportunity to move around for the past 17 years with her husband and children. She now resides in Williamsburg. Nicole and her husband Brian have three children: Olexa, Connor, and Addison. As a family they enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping, and just traveling in general. They also love a good Friday night movie night at home.
Nicole earned her Associates Degree in Education Studies from Liberty University. Nicole has been working in the preschool setting for the past ten years. She was a Lead Teacher at First Baptist Duluth Weekday Preschool In Georgia and an Assistant Teacher at Tiny Tots Christian Preschool in Honolulu, Hawaii. Nicole has now been at First Baptist Preschool for three years!
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Helen Treas
Teacher - 2 year old classroom
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Helen Treas is from a small town outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. While she and her husband Tim and their three children Ethan, Christopher and Caroline have moved around the past 14 years with the Navy they are recently settled in Newport News with no plans of leaving. As a family they enjoy soccer, swimming and the movie theater. In her free time, Helen likes to work on DIY home projects as well as dabble in photography.
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Helen graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Early Childhood Education qualifying her to teach birth through third grade. After graduating, Helen has taught in both the private and public preschool settings with children one to four years old. Helen maintains a deep interest in early child development as well as providing a solid developmentally appropriate foundation for young children so that they may excel socially, emotionally and academically. This is Helen's third year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Courtney Hedlund
Teacher Assistant - 3 year old classroom
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Courtney Hedlund was born in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up in Savannah, Georgia until her husband and the US Coast Guard whisked her away on an adventure across the country. C ourtney and her husband, Aaron have a 2 year old named Logan and a rescue pup named Stormie Night. They love all things outdoor - running, biking and hiking are their favorites. They also love to vacation.
Courtney is a Master Cosmetologist by trade, working in salons while accompanying her husband to San Antonio, Texas (twice) and Monterey, California. In Georgia she owned her own hair business as well as worked in a Mothers Morning Out program. She loves kiddos and is very excited to be able to work with them again! This will be Courtney’s first year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Passent Elsaid
Teacher - 2 year old classroom
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Passent Elsaid was born in Alexandria, Egypt. She currently lives in Yorktown , VA. She lives with her husband Remon and their kids, Justen 14 years old and Marten 9 years old. They used to live in Dubai and then moved to the USA 5 years ago. Passent loves spending time with her family and doing everything together. She loves listening to music, walking around in the sun and she loves cooking. On Sundays Passent goes to church and participates as a Sunday school servant.
Passent graduated from Faculty of Education English department in 2008, Since graduating Passent has worked as a Kindergarten teacher in Egypt, Dubai and then in Yorktown. She loves kids and loves spending time with them. Passent is so excited to be joining First Baptist Preschool this year and gaining more experience!
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Hannah Melton
Teacher Assistant - 4 year old classroom
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Hannah Melton is originally from Reddick, Illinois. She is currently living in Newport News, Virginia. She lives with her sister Ashley, whom she helps with homeschooling. Newport News is where Hannah met her now fiancé, Andy. Like the saying goes, Virginia is for lovers. She enjoys traveling to see family in many different states. Hannah and her family enjoy going out on new adventures and movie nights. In her free time she likes to participate in art activities at the library.
Hannah graduated from Herscher High in 2020. She currently attends Virginia Peninsula Community College and is working towards her 2 year social science education degree. Hannah will then be working towards her 4 year degree at CNU. Hannah has worked in childcare before coming to First Baptist Preschool this school year!
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Jamie-Lee Thompson
Teacher Assistant - 3 year old classroom
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Jamie-Lee Thompson was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent her early childhood in Kingston, Jamaica where her family is from. She now resides in Newport News. Jamie graduated from Clara Barton High School for Health Professions with her Nursing Assistance license. Jamie worked as a Pharmacy Technician for 9 years at Walgreens pharmacy in her hometown New York City. Currently, Jamie is a Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is also running a successful cleaning company which has been in business since 2016. Her business has serviced clients in New Jersey, New York, Georgia, Florida and Virginia. It is safe to say that Jamie has a calling to help people in many aspects of their lives.
Jamie has a love for traveling, adventure, photography, content creation and fashion. In her free time she resells items on Poshmark and Depop. Jamie is currently pursuing her Environmental Field Skills Certificate and her CDA. Jamie has been a janitor at First Baptist Church since 2017. Her love for children and their early development has made her transition into the preschool a smooth one. This is Jamie’s first year with First Baptist Preschool and she is thrilled to be a part of the team.
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Kristi Long
Teacher Assistant - 4 year old classroom
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Kristi Long is originally from Northern VA, and now lives in Hampton, VA. Kristi spent her twenties taking some college classes and working. Kristi met her husband at age twenty-nine and they have been married for twenty-two years. They have three children together. The Navy re-located Kristi’s family to Newport News and then to Hampton in 2002. In her spare time Kristi loves to garden, craft, go to the beach, cook, take pictures and shop. She also enjoys binge watching DIY, HGTV, reality shows and CBS series with her husband.
Kristi grew up in a Christian home and her mom was a stay-at-home mom. She ran a daycare, so Kristi's exposure to caring for children started at a young age. Kristi babysat often, was a nanny twice, volunteered in the church nursery and worked in daycare. Kristi chose to be a stay-at-home mom until her two youngest children were in 1st/2nd grade. While volunteering at their elementary school, she also returned to college for her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Kristi started teaching during her last semester and very much enjoy working with and caring for children! Kristi is looking forward to finishing out the year here at First Baptist Preschool. She hopes to return next year!
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Emma Ellefson
Teacher Assistant - 2 year old classroom
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Emma Ellefson was born in Okinawa, Japan. She currently lives in Hampton, VA. Emma has traveled extensively with her family. She loves learning about new cultures, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
Emma graduated from Phoebus High School and is currently pursuing a career in the medical field. While enrolled in school Emma chose to work at First Baptist Preschool. She has always loved babies and children. She has been babysitting for many years and was excited to make the transition into a preschool setting. This is Emma's third year at First Baptist Preschool. She also works in the First Baptist Church nursery!
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Stephanie Williams
Teacher Assistant - 2 year old classroom
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Stephanie Williams was born in Massachusetts and raised in upstate New York. She joined the Navy right out of high school! Stephanie met her husband in 2008 while stationed in Norfolk. They have been married since 2010 and have three children. Stephanie is currently homeschooling her two oldest children. They are 9 and 10. Stephanie's 3 year old child attends First Baptist Preschool! She loves traveling and spending time with family and friends. Stephanie also loves creating memories with her family.
After serving in the Navy, Stephanie obtained her Associates Degree in Applied Sciences, as a medical assistant. She loved working in pediatrics. This inspired Stephanie to begin pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She became a substitute teacher for York County school division in 2018. In 2023 Stephanie began substitute teaching at First Baptist Preschool and in November she joined us as a teacher assistant! Stephanie is excited to work at First Baptist Preschool every day!
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Training & Affiliations
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Our staff regularly receive high-quality training
and resources from organizations such as:
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Virginia Department of Social Services
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Childcare Aware of Virginia
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Smart Beginnings - Virginia Quality
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Virginia Infant & Toddler Specialist Network