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BHN’s foundations can be traced to the late 1950’s, when a group of Brown Memorial Church families acknowledged the need for a mother’s group in the area. Eventually their group grew into a cooperative nursery school that served the needs of both working and non-working parents. Bolton Hill Nursery was officially founded in 1969.
In the mid-1980s, Bolton Hill Nursery became an independent, non-religious, non-profit school utilizing a play-based philosophy of learning. In December 2012, the BHN board made the decision to purchase our current building, the former home of Family and Children's Services. Importantly, the building boasts a big yard perfect for children’s outdoor discovery and spacious, bright, “homey” rooms ideal for indoor investigation.
Our Staff
2024-2025
Office & Administration
Christy Barnes
Executive Director
Christy (she/hers) is a native of south-central Pennsylvania, just East of Gettysburg. She attended Goucher College, where she studied Studio Art & Arts Administration (non-profit management), with a minor in Psychology. She came to BHN in August of 2009, shortly after graduating from Goucher College. Christy taught classes at each age level, with most of her tenure spent with the Bluebirds, taking on the Bluebird Coordinator role and then Assistant Director. Christy moved to Austin, TX in 2017 and began working in the College of Fine Arts at UT Austin as the Program Coordinator for UTeach Fine Arts, the K-12 Teaching Certification program for undergraduate students in Visual Art, Dance, Music and Theatre. An artist at heart, Christy enjoys producing visual art and she dabbles in music, recently taking up drumming. She also enjoys exploring the outdoors and is an avid reader. Her husband, Alex Toprac, is an historic preservationist who consulted with BHN as the school moved into its current building. He also previously worked as a BHN camp counselor for several summers. Christy is excited to return to the school as we build our next chapter and her son Oscar is looking forward to becoming a Bluebird in 2025.
Christy (she/hers) is a native of south-central Pennsylvania, just East of Gettysburg. She attended Goucher College, where she studied Studio Art & Arts Administration (non-profit management), with a minor in Psychology. She came to BHN in August of 2009, shortly after graduating from Goucher College. Christy taught classes at each age level, with most of her tenure spent with the Bluebirds, taking on the Bluebird Coordinator role and then Assistant Director. Christy moved to Austin, TX in 2017 and began working in the College of Fine Arts at UT Austin as the Program Coordinator for UTeach Fine Arts, the K-12 Teaching Certification program for undergraduate students in Visual Art, Dance, Music and Theatre. An artist at heart, Christy enjoys producing visual art and she dabbles in music, recently taking up drumming. She also enjoys exploring the outdoors and is an avid reader. Her husband, Alex Toprac, is an historic preservationist who consulted with BHN as the school moved into its current building. He also previously worked as a BHN camp counselor for several summers. Christy is excited to return to the school as we build our next chapter and her son Oscar is looking forward to becoming a Bluebird in 2025.
Becky Bauer
Assistant Director
Becky (She/Her) is a proud midwestern transplant who came to Baltimore to attend Goucher College. Through friends and a love of the city she knew she could make her home here. Though her focus in college was on art, working with children has always been a part of her life. She has been at BHN since 2015 and in 2020, she decided to take on the role as Assistant Director of Operations. Since then she is happy to have taken a larger leadership role for the school and is proud to be the Assistant Director She can often be found around the school wondering where she put something or asking if a child can help her get some coffee. She feels strongly about working with children two to five because they’re at such a formative age. She is always amazed at their growth and development and feels an immense joy she gets to be a part of it.
Becky (She/Her) is a proud midwestern transplant who came to Baltimore to attend Goucher College. Through friends and a love of the city she knew she could make her home here. Though her focus in college was on art, working with children has always been a part of her life. She has been at BHN since 2015 and in 2020, she decided to take on the role as Assistant Director of Operations. Since then she is happy to have taken a larger leadership role for the school and is proud to be the Assistant Director She can often be found around the school wondering where she put something or asking if a child can help her get some coffee. She feels strongly about working with children two to five because they’re at such a formative age. She is always amazed at their growth and development and feels an immense joy she gets to be a part of it.
Leigh Hibler
Director of Finance
Leigh (She/Her) grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she studied marketing and English at Virginia Commonwealth University, and then earned her MBA at the University of Richmond. After college she worked in the coal industry, focusing on market research and commodities trading, where she claims to have “sold coal to Santa Claus.” Leigh’s acquaintance with BHN began well before her time as the financial administrator. Both her sons are alumni and she served on the board of directors when BHN purchased its current building. When she isn’t crunching the numbers in the front office or keeping up with her boys, Leigh enjoys baking, soccer, spending time outdoors, or just relaxing with a good book. Leigh describes the continued appeal of BHN as a “magnetic pull” that has kept her close to the community over the years.
Leigh (She/Her) grew up in Richmond, Virginia where she studied marketing and English at Virginia Commonwealth University, and then earned her MBA at the University of Richmond. After college she worked in the coal industry, focusing on market research and commodities trading, where she claims to have “sold coal to Santa Claus.” Leigh’s acquaintance with BHN began well before her time as the financial administrator. Both her sons are alumni and she served on the board of directors when BHN purchased its current building. When she isn’t crunching the numbers in the front office or keeping up with her boys, Leigh enjoys baking, soccer, spending time outdoors, or just relaxing with a good book. Leigh describes the continued appeal of BHN as a “magnetic pull” that has kept her close to the community over the years.
Kateri Pelton
Admissions and Communications Coordinator
Full-Time Teachers
Lyric Brumfield - Yellowbird 3s
Lyric (She/Her) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School with her studies of Early Childhood Development. Lyric loves spending time at the dance studio, where she studies Ballet, Modern, Tap, and Contemporary, and when she is not taking dance classes, she’s teaching dance to children as young as 18 months old. Lyric is one of six siblings and is family oriented, so spending quality time with family is very important to her. Lyric is excited for her new position and is eager to join the BNH family!
Gwyn Codd - Yellowbird 3s
Gwyn (She/Her) grew up in Portsmouth, NH, before moving to Boston, MA to attend Boston University. She is an avid bookworm and cherishes the opportunity to share this passion with anyone and everyone willing to listen. After moving to Baltimore about two years ago, she enjoyed frequent strolls through the Bolton Hill neighborhoods, especially admiring the cute school house with the green fence! She soon fell in love with childhood education as a Literacy Tutor in Baltimore city elementary schools, and leapt at the chance to join the team at that very same cute school house! She now lives in the neighborhood, and cannot wait to learn all about your little ones and their curiosities, and to share some stories of her own.
Taylor Dunbar - Yellowbird 3s
Taylor (he/him) or “Tay Tay” to his friends, lives in Bolton Hill with his wiener dog Poppy and cat Ruby. He loves playing soccer and running DnD campaigns for friends! His favorite Baltimore restaurant is Birrotecca.
Laura Fitzpatrick - Bluebird 2s
Laura (She/Her) grew up in New York and Connecticut, and attended Massachusetts College of Art where she studied Art Education. Returning to Connecticut after college, Laura taught in a two-year-olds classroom for 14 years. After a few visits, she fell in love with and moved to Baltimore late in 2016 and joined the BHN staff, already a seasoned educator. When she’s not at BHN, Laura works on her personal art, which includes pottery, painting, and paper mache sculpture. She also enjoys vegetarian/vegan cooking and walking around in cities- especially Baltimore. Laura loves working with the twos because they are curious about everything, and they always make her laugh.
Reshena Frink - Bluebird 2s
Reshena Frink (She/Her) was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended Baltimore City Community College where she obtained a A.S. in Early Childhood Education. She also studied at University of Maryland Global Campus where she received her B.S. in Psychology. She is currently seeking her Master’s in Nonprofits and Association Management there as well. She has worked in early childhood education since 2015. When she isn't working at BHN, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and girlfriend, as well as her family. She also enjoys painting, writing poetry, and spending time in nature. She looks forward to bringing all she has learned to the BHN family and is excited to be a part of the team.
Tennille Jackson - Redbird 4s
Tennille (She/Her) comes to us from Pocomoke City, “The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore.” Though she attended cosmetology school, Tennille’s passion lies in helping rather than hair. She has worked with kids since she was 17. Her extensive experience has taken her from schools to day cares to residential facilities. Her infectious smile and sharp sense of humor is invaluable at BHN, where she brightens the days of kids and grownups alike. Tennille is at home onstage as well as the classroom, whether as a stand-up comedian or a karaoke star, but nowadays dedicates most of her time outside of BHN to her daughter.
Emilia Meyer - Redbird 4s
Miss Emilia (she/her) was born and raised in New Mexico. There she completed her Undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at University of New Mexico. She has experience teaching children from kindergarten to 8th grade, primarily in ESL settings for communities facing adversity. Most recently she has used her dance background to teach a Mindful Movement: dance and yoga based, class to middle school students. Since moving to the east coast 4 years ago, Miss Emilia has explored and worked in the Design field as well. When she’s not working at BHN she works as a floral designer for weddings and events.
Paige Owen - Yellowbird 3s
Paige (she/her) grew up in Anne Arundel County, MD and attended The College of New Jersey, where she studied Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies with minors in Religious Studies and Deaf Studies. Paige has professional experience in a Montessori classroom and with the implementation of behavior intervention techniques. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at University of Maryland Baltimore with an anticipated graduation date of summer 2026. This is Paige's fourth year teaching at BHN. She loves seeing children make progress on their goals everyday. Paige has lived in Mount Vernon with her dog, Kona, since 2018. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and rock climbing.
Trisha Pandohie - Bluebird 2s
Trisha (She/Her) grew up in Howard County, Maryland, with a brief detour to California. She studied elementary education at Howard Community College but quickly found herself in the world of Montessori education. Trisha has taught at three different schools over the past fifteen years, most recently at Greenspring Montessori. Trisha enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and family, doing yoga and pilates and is an accomplished amateur chef. A resident of Mount Vernon, Trisha looks forward to bringing her passion, expertise, and years of experience to BHN.
Aleathea Pinder - Bluebird 2s
Aleathea (She/Her) is born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. She received my early childhood education certificate at Carver Voc Tech high school. She has been in the childcare field since 2012. Aleathea loves working with children and looks forward to creating a learning environment that allows children to be themselves and their creative minds to grow and thrive. Her goal is to cultivate an atmosphere of respect, kindness, and support for all her students. Outside of BHN, Aleathea loves couponing, cooking and shopping. She is very excited to be working at BHN.
Rachel Richardson - Redbird 4s
Rachel (She/Her) is proudly from Tulsa, Oklahoma, graduated Hamilton College, and received her MFA in fiction from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Prior to joining BHN in 2019 she taught college composition and academic literacy at CCBC. She serves as BHN’s librarian where she curates and cares for the school’s collection of books. She is a longtime writer, fast reader, slow runner, and friend to dogs of all shapes and sizes. She lives in Medfield with her husband, Dean, head brewer for Union Craft Brewing, and their beloved old mutt, Lucy Beth Wednesday Divine.
Erica Ryan - Bluebird 2s
Erica (She/Her) is from the Troy, New York, area, and moved to Baltimore when she graduated from high school. She takes courses at Loyola studying sociology and education. Some things that Erica loves in life include her cat, Marty, bright colors, going to the movies, Saturday Night Live, and calling her older sister. Erica started her work with children when was still a child, as a Disney princess at birthday parties, which led her to begin working in childcare. In the classroom, Erica is a believer in outdoor education principles, like using sticks as fairy wands or berry juice as paint. Outside of the classroom, Erica is an avid Pokèmon fan, and her hobbies include writing and going to concerts. Her prized possessions are her collections of vintage music books and horror movie dvds.
Kristen Schmitz - Redbird 4s
Kristen (She/Her) grew up in Savannah, Georgia, helping care for the many young children in her extended family. She attended the University of Georgia where she majored in Special Education. Taking her talents to the west coast, she moved to southern California where she worked as a preschool special educator. Kristen later moved to Maryland and moved up to kindergarten special-ed in Baltimore County Public Schools. She took a break from the classroom to raise children of her own, but returned to teaching in 2015. She has been a BHN parent, teacher, and board member. Kristen is conscientious, organized, and brings to BHN her years of experience as an educator and parent. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys trips to the beach, or just relaxing at home with her dog Hazel.
Sari Schutrum-Boward - Yellowbird 3s
Sari (She/Her) is a seasoned educator who grew up in Baltimore but has lived in Texas, Germany, and South Korea. While living in South Korea, Sari also taught English. Sari earned her Bachelor's degree in English, with a minor in Communications, theatre-film and video, from Guilford College and was afterwards drawn to work helping others. She has taught children with special needs at Kennedy Krieger, taught English as a second language, and worked in elder care and child care. Outside the classroom, Sari is a mother, animal lover, and world traveler. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, painting by the numbers, and reading novels. Her experience teaching children with special needs and students of varied cultures has taught her that all people learn in their own unique way, an invaluable perspective she is excited to bring to Bolton Hill Nursery.
Brad Wright - Bluebird 2s
Brad (He/Him) grew up first in New Mexico where he came to love green chiles, then in New Jersey where he came to love pizza, but has spent most of his time in and around Baltimore where he attended Goucher College and is learning to love oysters. He majored in English Literature and Secondary Education. He taught Language Arts to 11th graders for three years but has also been a busboy, copywriter, animal sitter, behavioral aid, and a driver for a summer camp. When he isn't working at BHN or elsewhere he can be found cooking, strolling outdoors, reading his way through stacks of books with wizards and monsters on the covers, watching movies, or practicing the air guitar. He lives in Charles Village with his cat named Frog. He loves hearing jokes and stories from all the kids at Bolton Hill Nursery, where he began teaching in the summer of 2019.
Substitute and Floater Teachers
Najmeh Khorramshahi
Najmeh (she/her) was a beloved blue bird teacher before retiring from BHN in 2022. Najmeh is originally from Iran, but lives in Bolton Hill with her husband. She returns to BHN ocassionally to substitute and is a wonderful addition to our community whenever she is on campus!
Victoria Ingersoll
Victoria (she/they) was born on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, grew up in south-central Virginia, and landed in Baltimore at the beginning of 2022. She now resides right here in Bolton Hill with her partner, Adrian. After joining the BHN team in 2023, Victoria spent just over two years as a full-time Bluebird teacher, honing a brand new set of skills in Early Childhood Education. She loves teaching young students and takes extra care to foster their curiosity and whimsy. Currently, she has stepped back into a part time/substitute role, leaving her extra time to pursue her other passions and start her own small crochet business. Victoria adores the strong and loving community at BHN and can't wait to see your family become a part of it!
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