Our Teachers

Lynann Derrick (CNS Executive Director)
Lynann joined us for our 2009-2010 school year and we promoted her to Executive Director during the school year.  She has a B.A. from the University of Texas with a major in English and a minor in Geography. She has completed coursework in early childhood education and art history. Additionally, she has various licenses and certificates, including an Early Childhood/Pre Kindergarten-Kindergarten Standard Teaching License: District of Columbia Public Schools. Lynann has worked at the School Within School: A Reggio Inspired Charter at Peabody Elementary School and the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center. She has presented at several conferences including the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Art Educators Association. She co-authored the Museum Magic Curriculum and contributed to several educational television programs. Lynann won the National Teaching Award for Early Childhood Education in 2002 and the Diane Homiak Teaching Award in 2001. We are proud to have her.

Miss Lynann and her husband have two children, Annabelle and Philip. When asked to tell a little about herself, Lynann said that she knows just enough French and German to be dangerous and that the song, “I Love to Laugh,” from Mary Poppins could have been written about her.

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Renee Petrillo— Miss Renee joined Colonial Nursery School in 2005.  She previously taught and assisted with the 2-and 3-year olds at Temple Beth Shalom.  She also taught in the art and music program at Maryland Hall. Miss Renee has her 90-hour Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, as well as a Kindermusik License.

Miss Renee has three grown children and twin granddaughters.  When Miss Renee reflects back on her childhood she realizes she had two grandmothers to thank for guiding her to work with pre-schoolers.  Lazy afternoons spent rummaging through attics and playing dress up nourished her creativity through the power of play.  Miss Renee is fortunate to still have one of her grandmothers in her life!

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Bess Stone — Miss Bess joined Colonial Nursery School in 2009 as the 4's aide, but she is not new to the school; her youngest son has attended for the past two years. Bess graduated from Hollins University with a B.A. in Psychology and is currently working towards a certificate in early childhood education at Anne Arundel Community College. She has completed several internships during the past several years, gaining valuable experience working with children in different settings. She worked as a nanny for several years and has enjoyed raising her children and educating them every day.  Bess and her family live in Annapolis. She and her husband have three children.