ASHLEY GORMLEY, Director
”Ms. Ashley”

Greetings, my name is Ashley Gormley. I have worked with children for almost 20 years and have a passion for understanding the development of children. I believe that every child deserves their own curated path to growth and learning. This can be achieved by following the child's interests in order to hold their attention and make education fun. Sleepy Hollow Preschool exemplifies this value and I am so excited to be a part of the SHPS family! 

I live in Alexandria with my husband and two daughters. We have a goldendoodle named Kaia and she is very much a part of our outdoor family activities. A few of my favorite things are family bike rides, Dave Matthews Band and children’s artwork. I am currently enrolled at Grand Canyon University, working toward a Master's in Early Childhood Special Education. The goal is to utilize this education and experience to bring awareness and acceptance to the concept that everyone benefits when all children are learning to their greatest potential. 

JENNIFER HEALEY, Lead Teacher Ladybugs and Redfish (and alum parent!)
“Mrs. Healey”

I’ve been a part of this wonderful Sleepy Hollow Preschool community since 2000.  Both of my grown children are proud SHPS alums. Once they became “big kids,” they loved spending time assisting our Summer Fun program, and as young adults they even spent some time working as assistant teachers. Over the years I have enjoyed several different roles here. I have been a co-oping parent, music teacher, and assistant teacher as well as lead teacher for 2′s and 3′s. I have also worked as a preschool music teacher in the Northern Virginia community, and I have worked with an all-day, mixed-age early childhood program in Alexandria.

I’m originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s degree from James Madison University. I have found my passion working with young children, and I’m grateful to be able to work so closely with parents and fellow staff in this warm, cooperative setting to support families and children during these very special preschool years. I enjoy being outdoors, and the practice of fostering connections with the natural world is one of the many things I love about Sleepy Hollow. I enjoy reading, creating, and getting messy with my little friends, and I absolutely adore singing, dancing, and making music together!

What's your favorite color?
Pink!

What’s your favorite song?
I love singing and dancing so much, it’s hard to pick a favorite! But it’s always fun to march around to We Are the Dinosaurs by Laurie Berkner

What’s your favorite book?
Pete the Cat - I Love My White Shoes,  By Eric Litwin:  “The moral of Pete’s story is: No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song. Because it’s all good.”

COREE YOUNGBLOOD, Lead Teacher Dragonflies and Rainbowfish
“Mrs. Youngblood”

I am really excited to be at Sleepy Hollow! I enjoy working with parents who take such an interest in their children’s education. I like the concept of the full immersion program and the opportunities it offers to the children. I look forward to seeing all the changes that the students will make through this year. As always, I also look forward to the things that I will continue to learn from the 2’s and 3’s and the things that I can teach them to help encourage their social and emotional skills and their excitement to learn. I love working with all the SHPS staff and families to provide an atmosphere of learning and fun that will help the children thrive and enjoy their experience here at Sleepy Hollow.

PAMELA HOLRAN, Lead Teacher Dolphins (and alum parent!)
“Mrs. Holran”

I have been working at SHPS since 2008. It truly has been a wonderful experience working at this unique and very positive play school. I am a believer in the “Sleepy Hollow way” and hope that I can add to your child’s experience as they grow in confidence, skill, and understanding of themselves and others. I love working in a cooperative environment. I find the daily interactions with the parents to be invaluable in helping to create a truly meaningful emergent curriculum for their children.

Prior to becoming a staff member here, I was a SHPS parent.  I have two children, Carolyn and Gaarison, who both went to SHPS and are now college graduates.  Before SHPS and before children, I practiced law and worked for a number of years in a law firm specializing in wireless telecommunications law.

MAGALI MERINO FLORES, Assistant Teacher Dragonflies
“Ms. Magali”

Hi everyone, I’m Magali! I’ll be continuing as Assistant Teacher for the Dragonflies and Rainbowfish. I obtained my Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from NOVA in 2019. I’ve been working with children for the past six years, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! Something I enjoy about working with children is being able to see the progress they’ve made throughout the year. Plus I love seeing their silly side, and how creative they can get! I look forward to continuing as part of the Sleepy Hollow team, and working alongside Mrs. Youngblood.

NOUR AWAD, Assistant Teacher Frogs
”Ms. Nour”

Hi, I’m Nour, assistant teacher in the Frogs class and mom to Korai in the Dolphins. I
have two daughters, now middle schoolers, who also attended Sleepy
Hollow Preschool and still hold on to the wonderful memories they made here. I
am so excited to be part of Sleepy Hollow this year, both as parent and teacher,
and I can’t wait to be part of your children’s future memories as well:) 

In my quiet and chaotic time, spare or busy, I enjoy coffee, reading, exercise,
cooking, and quality time with my family and three cats. I am particularly fond of
learning new things, much like a kid exploring the world around and within.

The opening lines of William Blake’s poem, ‘Auguries of Innocence’, are a
favorite reminder of mine to slow down and appreciate the little things in a world
that oftentimes seems too big for a life too short: 

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”

And did I say I enjoy coffee?

KENIA CASTILLO, Assistant Teacher Ladybugs and Redfish (and alum parent!)
“Ms. Kenia”

Hello my name is Kenia Castillo. I am super excited to be a part of the magic that happens at Sleepy Hollow Preschool. I have a very enthusiastic kindergartner who was in the 4's program and absolutely loved it. As an assistant teacher I am thrilled to work and explore with the students and see them flourish as individuals. I also look forward to being part of such a kind and nurturing team. I am grateful to be working alongside Mrs. Healey and being a part of not only the enriching activities, but also the love and madness that take place each day at Sleepy Hollow Preschool. 

NATALIA BOGODA, Lead Teacher Butterflies and Assistant Teacher Rainbowfish
”Ms. Nati”

Hola Sleepy Hollow!  I am thrilled to be a part of your community. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina--so of course I adore Tango!--but from 2012 to 2022 I lived in Shanghai, China. That's where my love for teaching, and my oldest son, were born.  In China I taught little ones ESL for several years before moving to a Waldorf preschool. It was there that I experienced learning-through-play in action, coupled with a creative and supportive environment, and it's why I feel so at home at SHPS! 

A few years ago we moved from Shanghai to Falls Church with our rescue cats and dogs. Last year our second son joined our furry family, and hopefully will join the Sleepy Hollow family in the future. I love music, movies, storytelling, and camping.  And good food too!

JIMMY BOXALL, Float Assistant Teacher (also SHPS alum and parent!)
”Mr. Jimmy”

I am very excited to be a part of Sleepy Hollow Preschool community.  I am a proud Alumni of Sleepy Hollow- my daughter Aria is an alum and my daughter Carrie is a Dragonfly currently. 

Before joining Sleepy Hollow in the classroom, I spent several years as a stay-at-home parent, where I developed a deep appreciation for early childhood learning, curiosity, and play. I have previously worked as an adjunct history professor while completing my doctoral studies, an experience that strengthened my love of teaching, mentoring, and supporting learners at all stages.

I enjoy creating a calm, supportive environment where children feel safe, engaged, and encouraged to explore. I am grateful to be part of a school community that has meant so much to me and my family and I look forward to supporting students and teachers throughout the school.

RACHEL GRIEBERT, Science Teacher (also SHPS Administrator and alum parent!)
”Ms. Rachel”

Hello again! I’m so excited to not only be the administrator but also the Science Teacher. With a degree in Marine Biology, I have worked as an aquarist at various locations, including Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, PETCO, and Charles River Laboratories. I’ve also volunteered with the education staff at the Natural History Museum's Ocean Department and the National Zoo's American Trail Animals. Additionally, I work as an Aquarium Maintenance Program Manager for Animal Behavior College, where I help students achieve their goal of running their own aquarist business.

I’ve loved science and animals for as long as I can remember. I’ll teach monthly classes to all age groups about various science topics, such as eggs and animal life cycles, rainbows, items that sink and float,  living and non-living things, animal facts, and so much more. I hope your little ones enjoy these lessons as much as I do!

ERIC KELLER, Music Teacher (and alum parent!)
”Mr. Eric”

I am very happy to be continuing as the Music Teacher at Sleepy Hollow Preschool this year! I have been a co-oping parent with my sons Asa and Elliot from their Rainbowfish days through his time as a Dolphin and Frog. I am honored to be among the staff, and I am looking forward to teaching fun and engaging music classes. My wife, Emily, and I met at Appalachian State University, where I graduated in 2001 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. We then moved to Washington State, where I was a Field Science Educator at the Olympic Park Institute. I designed and taught K-12 inquiry-based curriculum that fostered environmental stewardship. We then moved to Virginia, where I have been a private music instructor to kids of all ages for the last decade. I am passionate about guiding my students towards a deep and lifelong connection to music, and I am very excited for the new school year teaching at Sleepy Hollow!