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 an eight 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 fifth 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 two years ago and Liz fell in love with the preschool program. She came on board the following year as our administrative assistant. This is Liz's second year at First Baptist Preschool. ​
Helen Treas
Teacher: 2 year olds
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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 with the Navy they settled in Newport News with no plans of leaving. As a family they enjoy traveling, 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 fourth year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Nicole Smetana
Teacher: 3 year olds
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 four years!
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Rebecca Hinson
Teacher: 3 year olds
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Rebecca Hinson, a native of Hampton, Virginia, live with her cats Ellie and Mercury. While she doesn’t have children of her own, she is deeply involved in the lives of her nieces. Rebecca's passions include reading, cooking, coaching softball, and crafting. Her love for working with children has been a constant throughout her life.
A lifelong resident of the area, Rebecca graduated with honors from Bethel High School and has been dedicated to the field of childcare for six years. She is currently in her fourth year at First Baptist Preschool and is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Old Dominion University, where she is enrolled full-time.
Stephanie Hylton
Teacher: 4 year olds
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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 7 years. Stephanie fell in love with the preschool when her daughter attended both the 3 and 4 year classes and was excited to join as a teacher! In her free time Stephanie loves to spend time with her daughter and 2 dogs at the beach or park, read, refinish furniture, swim, and make crafts.
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 and Supervisor in the school system. She has also worked at DSS doing Foster Care and Adult Protective Services. Stephanie has a passion for children’s mental health and their social/emotional growth in the school setting. This is Stephanie's third year at First Baptist Preschool.
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Passent Elsaid
Teacher: 4 year olds
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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 15 years old and Marten 10 years old. They used to live in Dubai and then moved to the USA 7 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 loves to being a part of First Baptist Preschool team. This is her second year at the preschool.
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Hannah Melton
Teacher Assistant
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Hannah Melton is originally from Reddick, Illinois. She is currently living in Hampton, Virginia. She lives with her sister Ashley. 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 Virginia Peninsula Community College in 2024. She currently attends Old Dominion University and is working towards her 4 year elementary education degree. Hannah will then be working towards her masters degree at ODU. Hannah has worked in childcare before coming to First Baptist Preschool. This will be her second year at the preschool.
Jamie-Lee Thompson
Teacher Assistant
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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 with her Nursing Assistance license. Jamie worked as a Pharmacy Technician for 9 years. 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.
Jamie loves spending time with her loved ones. She also enjoys traveling, adventure, photography and fashion. In her free time she resells items on Poshmark and Depop. Jamie is currently pursuing her Child development Associate. 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 second year with First Baptist Preschool.
Kristi Long
Teacher Assistant
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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 her second year at First Baptist Preschool!
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Stephanie Williams
Teacher Assistant
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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 11. Stephanie's 4 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. Stephanie is excited for her second year at First Baptist Preschool!
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Tyler McClelland
Teacher Assistant
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Tyler McClelland was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. She met her husband when she was 17 and they have been married for 11 years. They have two daughters, Leila and Zoey. Tyler is a proud Dance Mom with both girls dancing seven days a week. When she has free time, she loves creating memories with her family, especially at OBX! She also enjoys making new jewelry and gifts for her small business.
Tyler decided to be a stay at home mom after her oldest daughter was born. Then she babysat multiple children from ages 6 weeks old and up until she became pregnant with her second daughter. Tyler loved volunteering at Leila's elementary school and eventually here at First Baptist Preschool while Zoey attended. She has always had a passion for nurturing children and their growth. Her children have been doing online school at home since 2020 with her as their Learning Coach. Tyler's continued involvement with First Baptist Church and volunteering for vacation bible school has led her to become a part of First Baptist Preschool. This is Tyler’s first year at First Baptist Preschool.
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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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First Spark - Virginia Quality
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Virginia Infant & Toddler Specialist Network