PreK

Tarsha Ashford is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned her Master’s of Education in Early Childhood Special Education.  She spent 2 ½ years working with individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum disorders at The Faison School before becoming a special educator for Henrico County Public Schools for the past 18 years.  Ms. Tarsha was a Longdale Tiger for 9 years before turning into a Greenwood Gator!  She loves the population that she serves and puts forth 100% in ensuring they succeed.  It is Ms. Tarsha’s desire that educators serving different populations of children will have a heart to understand behavior, will learn about environmental and cultural differences, will gain compassion for those who learn at a slower rate or differently, and consider the level of frustration felt when communication skills are lacking so that all children can be included.  

Ms. Kamryn Bolton is thrilled to embark on her 2nd year as an Office and Preschool Support at Greenwood. Since becoming a part of our school family in 2022, Kamryn has made an indelible mark on the hearts of both students and staff. Her exceptional work ethic and warm smile are a testament to her passion for her role and her genuine care for the Greenwood community. As a dedicated team member, Ms. Bolton goes above and beyond to ensure the smooth functioning of the office and provide invaluable support to the preschool program. No task is too big or small for her, and she eagerly takes on any responsibility with enthusiasm and determination. One of the most endearing qualities about Ms. Bolton is her love for working with our youngest gators. She finds immense joy in guiding and nurturing them, creating an environment where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore and learn. Her patience and empathy allow her to connect with the little ones on a deeper level, making their early experiences at Greenwood positive and enriching. Ms. Bolton's dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of children is evident in every interaction she has. Whether she's comforting a tearful preschooler or celebrating a milestone achievement, her care and concern leave a lasting impact on the young minds she touches. 

Mrs. Kim Carr is grateful and excited to be starting her 16th year as an Instructional Assistant at Greenwood.  Originally from Pennsylvania, Kim lives in Sandston with her husband of almost 28 years, Tom.  She has four daughters, two granddaughters, and two crazy black cats.  Kim graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and has worked in Exceptional Education since 1993.  She chose to work with students with special needs because of her sister, Erin, who has Down’s Syndrome.  Kim believes that all students can learn and succeed in life, and that having a strong, personal relationship with students is the key to making this happen.

Mrs. Shukla Datta, is excited to start her second year as an Instructional Assistant in the Early Childhood Special Education classroom at Greenwood Elementary School. She holds a Master's degree in Education from her country of origin and has years of experience working with preschool children. Mrs. Shukla is living with her husband and their two loving children. She believes that every child is unique and with loving, caring and inspiring environments they all can grow to their fullest potential. Mrs. Shukla is excited to meet her upcoming new preschool class. 

Mrs. Lauren Dean is excited to start her sixth year as a Greenwood Gator. She is an Instructional Assistant in the Early Childhood Special Education classroom.  She has over sixteen years’ experience working with preschool age children and holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Harford Community College. Mrs. Dean is married to her wonderful husband Rob and they have two daughters, Abby and Breanna, who also attend Greenwood. Mrs. Dean believes in relationships and getting to know her students.  She finds joy working with the preschoolers and their families. Mrs. Dean is excited for the upcoming school year and to meet her new class.  She feels honored to be a part of the Greenwood family, especially the preschool team. 

Ms. Courtney Gibbons Plowcha is an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Peer Models Preschool teacher at Greenwood Elementary School. She has been teaching Exceptional Education in Henrico County for 21 years and the 2023-2024 school year is her 15th at Greenwood! Ms. Courtney received her undergraduate degree in Speech Communication and Psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan College and her master’s degree in education from VCU, with endorsements in Early Childhood Special Education, Intellectual Disabilities, and Multiple Disabilities. She is married to an HCPS middle school teacher and has a daughter who attends Henrico schools as well. Ms. Courtney takes a holistic approach to education and is passionate about the positive impact early intervention has on the lives of children with unique learning needs. She believes that communication is the key to learning and strives to create a language-rich, developmentally appropriate classroom where children learn through play. Ms. Courtney is so excited to work with her preschool Gators and their families, and to build a joyful learning community together. 

Mrs. Teresa Jones, our Early Learning Preschool teacher, is excited about entering her ninth year as a Greenwood Gator.  She received a BS in Accounting from Paine College in Augusta, GA and an MBA in Finance from Atlanta University (currently known as Clark-Atlanta University).  She spent 12 years in the corporate sector and two years as a third-party financial auditor.  Leaving Corporate America, she spent nine years as a substitute teacher in Georgia and with HCPS.  Shortly after moving to Glen Allen, VA, she went back to school and obtained a master's degree in Teaching (PK-6th Grade Endorsement) from VCU in 2005.   She is starting her 19th year of teaching in a pre-K classroom, going into her ninth year at Greenwood Elementary.  She is happily married to her amazing husband Warren, to whom she’s been married for 36 years.  They have two adult children and two active grandsons.  In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling to visit with extended family, and finding some quiet time with her husband.  Mrs. Jones believes that all children can learn when given the proper resources.  This year she looks forward to another fabulous year in the “Preschool Family” at Greenwood and preparing her class for a smooth transition into kindergarten.  She will strive to make each child feel safe and develop to the best of their abilities because they were nurtured, supported, and encouraged by the school environment. 

Ms. Katherine Miller is excited to be starting her seventh year as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher and her fifth year as a Greenwood Gator! She was born and raised in Richmond and is a proud product of Henrico County Public Schools. Ms. Katherine graduated from VCU in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree, and again in 2015 with a Master of Education in Early Childhood Special Education degree. After graduating, she worked at Greenwood as an Instructional Assistant in the preschool autism classroom (the same classroom that she now teaches in) before leaving to teach pre-K in Hampton, VA. Coming back to teach in her old classroom at Greenwood has been one of her best decisions and she feels fortunate that she gets to work with an amazing group of people who make each day fun! Even after five years, working in the preschool autism classroom is STILL her dream job and she can’t wait to see what this year brings! She believes that students do their best work when they feel loved and accepted and her educational philosophy is rooted in building meaningful relationships with her students in a safe, respectful, and fun environment. She loves teaching social and emotional skills through play and having opportunities to collaborate with the rest of the preschool team. Outside of school she likes to spend her free time relaxing in a park, hiking, or napping with her dog, Joni. She can’t wait to meet her new preschool gators and watch them shine!

Mrs. Jennifer Robinson, our Family Advocate for Early Learning Preschool, has served Greenwood, Crestview, Echo Lake, Skipwith and Springfield Park Preschoolers for three and a half years. Mrs. Robinson was the School Secretary at Echo Lake Elementary for 13 years prior to changing careers with HCPS. She attended New River Community College. Her vision for the 2022/2023 school year is to connect families with valuable resources to improve the daily lives of children at school and home. Her love and passion for our early learners is what drives her to help families in need. If your family has an obstacle to overcome in order to thrive- Keep Calm and Let the Family Advocate Help YOU! 

Mrs. Froozan Sabawoon is excited to start her fourth year at Greenwood Elementary School as an Instructional Assistant in the Early Childhood Special Education classroom. As an Instructional Assistant in the Early Childhood Special Education classroom, Mrs. Froozan is deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of her students. Her unwavering belief in the potential of every child drives her to pour her heart and soul into assisting them on their educational journey. In her role, Mrs. Froozan's dedication goes far beyond the classroom curriculum. She understands that each student is unique and brings their own strengths and challenges to the learning process. With genuine care and empathy, she tailors her support to meet the individual needs of each child, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Leading with love is Mrs. Froozan's guiding principle. Her kindness and compassion create a safe and nurturing space where students feel encouraged to explore, learn, and grow. By providing a sense of security and acceptance, she empowers her students to gain confidence in their abilities and take on new challenges with enthusiasm.

Ms. Ashley Taylor is excited to be entering her ninth year as the Early Learning Preschool Instructional Assistant. She attended Care Courses and received her CDA in Early Childhood Education. For the past nine years Mrs. Taylor has been working with preschool aged children to help them better their skills academically, socially, and emotionally. Mrs. Taylor attended Greenwood as a student and is very happy to be back and working with some of the teachers that she learned from growing up. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her dogs, and crafting all sorts of different things. She believes that all children learn and grow socially and academically by being able to work together and have hands on learning experiences. This year Mrs.Taylor is super excited to meet her ninth group of preschoolers and help them strive to be ready and prepared for kindergarten. She will work hard to make sure that each child receives the love, care, and attention that they need in order to be successful not only in preschool, but moving up to kindergarten as well. 

Mrs. Jan Wheeler is an Early Childhood Exceptional Education teacher with more than 25 years experience.  She grew up in Buffalo, NY, and graduated from Sweet Home High School.  She moved to Ohio to attend Ashland College where she earned a degree in Exceptional Education.  Mrs. Wheeler has taught students of all ages, and is especially fond of preschoolers.  For the past 20 years, Mrs. Wheeler has worked with preschool children and their families. Currently she works as a preschool evaluator and is responsible for the evaluations and placement of preschool children requiring exceptional education services.  Mrs. Wheeler believes that all children can learn and be successful given the proper  tools. She also believes in the importance of building positive relationships with families for optimum success of children.  Mrs. Wheeler is married and has three grown children.  She is also a sign language interpreter.