Day School Staff
Kerstie Reid
Director
Director Kerstie Reid is beginning her third year at Grace Day School. Prior to joining the staff, she was both a parent and a board member at the school, giving her a personal connection to the Grace community. Kerstie has six years of teaching experience both in the United States and overseas. As a military spouse, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her three boys, all of whom have attended Grace Day School.
Maja Podkonjak
Maja is starting her second year at Grace. She is our Kindergarten teacher. Maja comes to us with a background in education from working overseas to art teacher to special education. She brings an array of knowledge to the classroom along with her creative, artsy side. Maja is a military spouse with two sons who attend YCSD. When Maja isn’t teaching you can find her with a paintbrush in her hand or in the garden section of any store.
Lee McMasters
Lee is a teacher’s assistant in our Kindergarten class. They are excited to begin their second year of teaching at Grace Day School. They have a passion for working with young children and helping to create a safe space for children to grow and learn. When Lee isn’t at school, they continue their studies in Special Education and enjoy reading, writing and video games.
Emily Hawkins
Emily is beginning her second year at Grace. She is our 4 year-old teacher. She brings valuable experience from teaching children’s chapel and Vacation Bible School at her mother’s church. Emily is the proud mother of two daughters, who are both Grace Day School graduates. With her background in theater, Emily brings a special sense of creativity and magic to the classroom each day.
Anna Kratoville
Anna Kratoville is the teacher’s assistant in our 4 year-old class. She brings a silly and creative environment to our 4’s. Anna is a Navy spouse, mom of 4 and a photographer of 10 years. Anna comes to us with experience in child care from church group to working at the local gym. Anna’s life is very active from playing pickleball to coaching T-ball, thrifting and getting lost in a good book. Anna is excited to create memories here at Grace with all the little ones.
Jennifer McMasters
Jennifer McMasters is excited to start her fifth year at Grace Day School as the 3 year-old lead teacher. She has taught preschool for 20 years, having earned a bachelor’s degree from Radford University and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from the College of William and Mary. She and her husband Brad have two children. Jennifer enjoys reading, tai chi, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Michele Donnelly
Michele Donnelly is starting her fifth year at Grace as a lead teacher in our 2 year-old class. Her goal as a teacher is to provide a safe, loving environment for children’s first school experience. Michele was an occupational therapist assistant for 31 years. During that career, she was the clinical supervisor at a private therapy company, utilizing her extended training in feeding delays, sensory integration and as a Certified Early Intervention Therapist for home health services. Her passion is working with children and nurturing their growth. Michele has been a member of Grace Community for over 20 years.
Ariel Swearingen
Ariel Swearingen is the teacher’s assistant in our 3 year-old class. Ariel is a native of Arizona but as a military spouse she has traveled across the states. She recently moved to Virginia from Las Vegas where she was an elementary art teacher in a small private Christian school. Ariel is proudly married to her husband for 18 years and a mom of 3 girls, 15, 13, and 8. In her spare time, Ariel enjoys reading, crafting, journaling, watching softball, movies, musicals and plays. She brings love, compassion, patience and creativity to our Day School.
April Walker
April Walker is the assistant teacher for the 2 year-old classroom. She is in her fourth year teaching at Grace. She studied geology and secondary education at JMU and then taught middle school science for 8 years before having her twins, Levi and Hayes. Both Levi and Hayes are graduates of our preschool program. April enjoys cycling, crafting, reading, and snuggling with her miniature dachshund, Petunia!