Our Dedicated Team
Our Dedicated Team
Staff
Marylou Faulkner
Director
Marylou Faulkner brings over 24 years of experience to her position as Director of Bethany Learning Center. Marylou’s childcare professional training covers a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, preschool safety, behavioral management, infant to pre-K academics related to common core standards, differentiation of instruction, and administrative functions. Marylou’s faithful, long-term leadership at Bethany Learning Center has built a trusted environment for education, care, and spiritual enrichment for children and their families. Marylou’s favorite Bible verse is Psalms 51:10 which states, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Stacy Sullivan
Chairman, Bethany Church Learning Center Committee
Stacy Sullivan serves as the Chairperson of the Bethany Church Learning Center Committee and has done so for over 13 years. Stacy brings a wealth of leadership experience and business acumen to her role as Chairperson. As a member of Bethany Church, Stacy’s role as Chairperson is to lead the Learning Center Committee in supporting the center staff, and assuring a standard of educational and care excellence, spiritual formation, and best practices are upheld. Stacy has worked at Maryland Auto as a Senior Technical Lead for almost 20 years. Her entrepreneurial and artistic skills are on full display as the owner of Chantilly Design and Events which she established in 2017. To date, her business has designed and planned over 300 weddings in the DMV area and is expanding to include an exclusive wedding venue in 2024 in Baldwin, MD.
Judy Grim
Academic Support Teacher
Judy Grim is one of our newest staff members, joining the Center in August 2023. Judy serves as the Academic Support Teacher at Bethany Learning Center. Judy’s role is to provide comprehensive, center-based staff development and support to Bethany Learning Center teachers and assistants. Judy also assists with the development of strategies that support the implementation of Common Core State Standards, thereby preparing our students to enter the Howard County school system. Judy holds dual certification in elementary (1-8) and special education (K-12) from the University of Maryland and has taught for Howard County Public School System, retiring in 2023 after 24 years working as a special education resource teacher, and as a classroom teacher for second, third, and fourth grades. Judy has also taught privately, specializing in students with specific learning disabilities. Judy’s strengths include creativity, student relationships, modifying curriculum for relevancy, engagement, and individual student need. Judy’s Verse to live by is Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Susie Leibowitz
Staff Development Coach – Bethany Learning Center
Susie Leibowitz brings over three decades of experience and a deep passion for early childhood education to her role at Bethany Learning Center. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón in Lima, Peru, and a master’s degree in the same field from Towson University. Susie began her career as a special education instructional assistant in the Howard County Public School System before spending 30 years as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools. During the last eight years of her tenure, she taught in a Spanish immersion program at the kindergarten level, drawing on her bilingual skills to create inclusive and engaging learning environments. As a team leader and mentor, Susie now works closely with our Learning Center teachers, modeling effective teaching techniques, observing classroom dynamics, and providing thoughtful feedback. She uses the Science of Reading approach to guide and support educators, equipping them with evidence-based strategies that foster literacy and student success. Susie’s leadership, dedication, and collaborative spirit make her an invaluable part of our teaching team, and her commitment to nurturing both teachers and students continues to shape the heart of our learning community.
Allen Lee
Financial Assistant
teaching teams
Infant/Toddler Class
Kaye Leonard
Teacher
Maria Slack
Teacher
2's Class
Hannah Owens
Teacher
Ashley Ruzicka
Assistant Teacher
18 mos / 2's Class
Sunanda Sahni
Teacher
Ryleigh White
Assistant Teacher
3's Class
Sharon Chaffee
Teacher
(Tagalog and English)
Vincy Jacob
Assistant Teacher
4's Class/Pre-K Class
Hellen Baumgardner
Teacher
Kathryn Compton
Assistant Teacher
Tiffany Finamore
Assistant Teacher
Staff
Marylou Faulkner
Director
Marylou Faulkner brings over 24 years of experience to her position as Director of Bethany Learning Center. Marylou’s childcare professional training covers a broad range of topics including, but not limited to, preschool safety, behavioral management, infant to pre-K academics related to common core standards, differentiation of instruction, and administrative functions.
Stacy Sullivan
Chairman, Bethany Church Learning Center Committee
Stacy Sullivan serves as the Chairperson of the Bethany Church Learning Center Committee and has done so for over 13 years. Stacy brings a wealth of leadership experience and business acumen to her role as Chairperson.
Judy Grim
Academic Support Teacher
Judy Grim is one of our newest staff members, joining the Center in August 2023. Judy serves as the Academic Support Teacher at Bethany Learning Center. Judy’s role is to provide comprehensive, center-based staff development and support to Bethany Learning Center teachers and assistants.
Allen Lee
Financial Assistant
teaching teams
Infant/Toddler Class
Bo Young Lee
Teacher
(Korean and English)
Maria Slack
Teacher
2's Class
Hallie Moses
Teacher
(Associate of Arts degree in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies)
Hannah Ownens
Assistant Teacher
3's Class
Sharon Chaffee
Teacher
(Tagalog and English)
Madison Moses
Teacher
Vincy Jacob
Assistant Teacher
4's Class/Pre-K Class
Hellen Bumgardner
Teacher
Kelly Wilson
Assistant Teacher
Tiffany Finamore
Assistant Teacher
Ryleigh White
Assistant Teacher