Meet the Team

Principia’s Early Childhood Program

The hallmarks of excellent, high-quality early education are grounded in the educators’ knowledge of how children learn, the flexibility to respond to the individual needs of each child and family, and an understanding of the vital importance of building relationships in supporting a young child’s development. Research has shown that children who attend high-quality early childhood programs are better prepared to be successful in school and future careers. During these critical early learning years, qualified early childhood professionals accelerate how our children learn, develop, and build the skills necessary to get along with others and succeed in school and life. A highly qualified early childhood educator—one who knows how to create a dynamic, accountable learning environment—is at the center of a high-quality early learning experience.

Unlike most childcare centers, Principia School is fortunate to have dedicated early childhood professionals who participate in continued professional development every week. They have adopted professional and curriculum standards and implement effective instructional strategies at all levels of the program.

Let’s meet Principia’s Early Childhood Professionals and hear what they love about working with young children.

Dorothy Halverson, MEd and MA in Educational Leadership
Early Childhood Principal

Dorothy Halverson is the Early Childhood Principal at Principia School, where she has been dedicated to fostering young minds for 34 years. Having taught in the Preschool Junior Kindergarten class for 16 years, Dorothy now provides parenting education to Principia's Acorn families and oversees the infant through preschool classes. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking walks, traveling, baking, and helping others. Dorothy is deeply committed to Principia’s mission and purpose, striving to see each child as perfect and complete, as expressed in "Education at The Principia." She finds great joy in laying the foundation for Christian living and a successful educational experience.

Christie Dearborn is a dedicated Administrative Assistant at Principia, bringing 11 years of invaluable experience in education and four years contributing to our school community. Beyond her professional commitment, Christie finds joy in planning family adventures and nurturing her love for gardening alongside her husband and children. Her favorite moments at Principia are her interactions with our dear students. She loves to engage with them, seeing their bright, smiling faces, as they embark on their educational journeys around campus each day. Whether she gets a wave, a smile, or a hug she sends the students with love as they head from one school activity to the next. 

Amy Hagenlocher has been an integral part of Principia for 8 years, bringing her expertise as a bus chaperone and assisting with the ELC and preschool programs. With 7 years of prior experience in public schools as an instructional assistant, Amy's dedication to education shines through. Outside of work, Amy treasures family time, especially doing puzzles with her husband and cooking for her family. All four of her children have attended Principia, solidifying her connection to the community. Amy's favorite aspects of working at Principia include the Christian Science based education and fostering love and joy in her interactions with children of all ages.

Melody Baillargeon is entering her 9th year working at Principia. She brings a passion for teaching as the new Lead Acorn Teacher. Outside the classroom, she finds joy in exploring the world through reading, writing, and family travels. A nature enthusiast, she embraces hiking adventures and cherishes quality time playing board games with loved ones. Melody's favorite aspect of working at Principia is the unwavering belief in the boundless potential of every child, guided by a recognition of their innate goodness.

Jodi Kent brings a heartfelt dedication to her role as Assistant Acorn Teacher, where she is entering her 3rd year of nurturing young minds. With a lifelong passion for education and a commitment to meeting every child right where they are, Jodi has found her calling in guiding the precious 2 and 3-year-olds through their formative years. She is deeply inspired by the incredible growth and development that characterizes this stage of early childhood. She finds joy and fulfillment in witnessing each child's unique journey of discovery and learning, fostering an environment where every infinite idea can flourish. Outside of her teaching role, Jodi enjoys exploring nature on long walks in the woods with her dog, Mako, hosting family game nights and playing pickleball. Jodi feels honored to contribute to a program with a strong foundation in Christian Science, where she integrates her passion for education with values that resonate deeply with her personal beliefs.

Meredith Pratt is the Lead Teacher in the Polliwogs class and has been teaching at the Principia Early Learning Center for 4 years. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and is a professional photographer, capturing the many milestones of her clients' lives. Meredith’s favorite part about working at Principia is getting to nurture the babies as they develop as individual ideas of God. Teaching at a Christian Science school has been an amazing privilege and she is so grateful to witness the limitless love and joy of our youngest students.

Nargis Forber-Pratt is the Assistant Teacher in the infants class and brings a wealth of warmth and dedication to her role. Originally born in India, she moved to the United States five years ago and is grateful for the opportunities she's found at Principia. Nargis comes from a large family, having grown up in a one-room house with 12 people, including her 7 siblings. Known affectionately as the "baby whisperer," her favorite part of working at Principia is talking to and nurturing our littlest ones, finding joy in singing and playing with them.

Heather Hill brings her passion for education to the 1-year-old classroom as the Lead Teacher at our school. Hailing from the Florida Gulf Coast, she is dedicated to environmental conservation in her local community. Her husband works on Anna Maria Island, and together they support their 15-year-old, who happily attends Principia. Heather finds great fulfillment in her role here, where the community's shared love for God is expressed through love and humility every day.

Vicky Hoffman is diving into her first year at Principia as the Tadpole 1 Assistant Teacher. With a green thumb, a love for art, and quality family time, she's ready to bring her unique energy to the classroom. Excited to join the Principia team, Vicky has worked with children for many years in various roles. Trusting children’s innate instincts and curiosity she looks forward to fostering a love for learning in her students.

Patti Matthys-Pearce is the Lead Teacher in the Tadpoles 2 class and has been dedicated to the teaching field for 29 years, with 11 years at the Early Learning Center at Principia. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, indulging in reading and learning, taking classes, and camping in the great outdoors. Patti's favorite part about working at Principia is witnessing each child as the whole and complete child of God, while expressing joy and love every day.

Cristina King is excited to join as an Assistant Teacher to the Tadpoles 2 class. She has been teaching at Principia for the last five years. Cristina attended Principia Upper School and College. Her two children also are part of the Principia Community.  Her daughter just graduated from Principia Upper School and her son is a Junior this year.  Both of her children have attended Principia since they were in Acorn.  Cristina loves to spend time with her children, take pictures, and try new recipes.  Principia has played a major role not only in her life but in her children’s lives as well.   She feels so grateful to contribute to an organization she loves and shares her values and beliefs.

Leslie Hanlin has had a great love for children her whole life. She is an Assistant Teacher in the Tadpoles 2 class. She is known for her joy-filled singing and animated book reading, as well as her patience and understanding of the children’s needs. Leslie studied education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, graduating with honors, a bachelor degree in Elementary Ed, and a K-8 certificate. She has had a variety of experiences as an educator. She has worked as a professor in an associate degree program, subbed at the high school,  middle school, lower school and preschool levels, taught second grade in a public school, taught in a Chapter 1 remedial elementary classroom, assisted taught kindergarten before finding her favorite niche in Principia’s Early Childhood several years ago. She and her husband, Glenn have two grown children who are both out of college, who she loved homeschooling for four years of lower school. She sings for church and with the St Louis Symphony In Unison Gospel Chorus. When she is not working at the ELC in the summer, she serves as Director of the Sprouts program at CedarS Camps.

Rachael Ackermann is our enthusiastic Lead Teacher in the Frogs class. Entering her fourth year at Principia, Rachael brings over 23 years of diverse experience working with children. She loves spending time outdoors with her friends, her two children, and her dog, enjoying activities like hiking, biking, and gardening. Rachael is passionate about utilizing Principia's 360+ acres of property to empower children in their journey of self-discovery, independence, and imaginative exploration. She is dedicated to providing a loving environment where children can thrive and grow.

Melissa Hardy is excited to begin her fifth year as an Early Childhood educator, and Assistant Teacher in the Frogs class. She has lived in the St. Louis area for quite some time so Principia is very near and dear to her heart. She loves the individual, cherished relationships she builds with each child (and colleague alike) and is determined to foster them and watch them grow as the year goes on. She feels fortunate to now have worked with ages 2 all the way to 6 during her career at Principia and Berkeley Hall School in Los Angeles, California. She enjoys anything musical that will lift the spirit of the classroom, and dabbles in performance art in her free time too. She is excited to be in the toddler classroom once again and hopes to bring even more to the Reggio Emilia program this year. She is eager to continue learning about the toddler’s social/emotional development, and is grateful she can always bring it back to knowing that each child is seen the way God sees them; a perfect Child of God.

Nadine Terrell is delighted to be an Assistant Teacher in the lively 2-3 year-old Frogs classroom. As a parent of a 4-year-old attending Principia, she deeply values our school community. When she’s not in the classroom, you'll often find her outdoors, exploring the wonders of St. Louis with her family. She finds that being outside is essential, and cherishes the opportunities she gets to learn and grow together with her students outside.

Bridget Cathie has been the dedicated Lead Preschool 3 Teacher at Principia since the 2019-2020 school year and has been in the teaching field since 1997. She has three teenage children, and her family has lived in California, England, and now Missouri. Bridget loves traveling the world and exploring new places. Her favorite part of working at Principia is engaging with the children on the beautiful campus and taking advantage of the numerous opportunities to interact with the physical surroundings and the vibrant community.

Lisa McCord has been passionately teaching Preschool 3 at Principia as an Assistant Teacher since 2011. With a deep-rooted appreciation for the Christian Science foundation, she cherishes every moment guiding young minds to recognize their innate divinity. Beyond the classroom, Lisa's family finds joy in outdoor adventures, immersive reading sessions, and engaging in lively games. At Principia, she revels in the serene campus atmosphere and the warmth of the community, fostering an environment where each child is seen as the beloved child of God.

Stephanie Summerlin has had the joy of Assistant Teaching in PS3 for seven years. She enjoys painting, being creative, and cooking.  Stephanie loves studying Christian Science and enjoys opportunities to see the good in children and nurture their love of God. Stephanie loves that she is able to provide art experiences in the classroom. Working at Principia allows her to share her passion for art with the students, making each day inspiring and fulfilling.

Kara Johnson is beginning her second year as the Lead Teacher in the Preschool 4 classroom. Prior to returning to Saint Louis, she taught at Berkeley Hall in Los Angeles, California, and Teton Science School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Kara holds a master’s degree in place-based education from Antioch University New England and has a passion for outdoor education. She especially enjoys exploring the woods on Principia’s beautiful campus with her students. In her free time, Kara loves spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, exploring the outdoors, watching sports, reading, and cooking. She is excited to embark on another journey with next year’s PS4 class!

Brittany Watts joins the Principia community as the Assistant Teacher in the Preschool 4 classroom. With a decade of experience as a lead first-grade teacher at a private school in California and five years of substitute teaching in preschool, Brittany brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for education to her new role. Teaching is truly her passion, and she is excited to share her love of learning with her students and help nurture lifelong learners in the Principia community.

Denyse Ogilvie has been an Assistant Teacher at all levels of the Principia Early Childhood program for three years. In Grenada, she was involved in education at the administrative and policy levels, focusing on education for adults in sustainability and climate change. With 20 years of experience, she participated as a valued stakeholder in UNESCO’s global future of education consultations for her country and region.

All four of her children have attended Principia School, with three graduating from Principia College, and one still attending the high school. She is also a graduate of Principia College. She feels blessed to be part of the future education program at Principia, a concept she once knew only in theory at UNESCO, now brought to life. My faith in Christian Science and my understanding of education’s future have culminated in my desire to facilitate the unfolding of our children's omnipotent potential.

Louise Elmgren has been teaching art at several levels at Principia for 18 years. She finds joy in supporting young children as they discover beauty in the world around them, in themselves, and in each other. Outside of school, Louise enjoys visiting family on both coasts, taking walks in nature, and indulging her love for the ocean.