Our Staff

ADVENT'S ADMINISTRATOR

Pam Dicken-Admimistator

Pam has been a Hanover County resident for 55 years.  She is a member of the Advent Community Church.  She has been the administrator at Advent Christian Child Care Center since 9/2014.  As administrator, Pam is responsible for the entire operation of the child care center and is accountable to the Child Care Board.  The pastor serves in an advisory capacity to the administrator.

Prior to this position, Pam was the Lead teacher in The Fish Class for 13 years and served on the Child Care Board.  Pam describes her time at Advent as a "calling from God".  She is working towards her  Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential  and has a diploma form Liberty University of Advanced Biblical Studies.

Pam is Medication Administration Training (MAT)  certified, as well as, First Aid and CPR certified.  

Pam also serves on the Leadership Board for The Advent Community Church.

​​ADVENT'S PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Gail Gathright- Program Director 

Gail graduated from Varina High school and attended Radford College and Virginia Commonwealth University where she majored in Sociology and Early Childhood Education. She first worked at New Kent Primary School and then provided child care in her home until the last of her own three children began Kindergarten. Gail started here as a Lead Teacher in 1985 and later became the Administrator and now serve as the Program Director. Working here, in a loving, Christian environment has brought her Great Joy and Fulfillment. ( MAT trained, CPR and FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

ADVENT'S PROGRAM COORDINATOR

​​Miss Jordyn - Miss Jordyn is currently the Preschool  Program Coordinator  and the Before and After school Program Coordinator. She has been in childcare for over 5 years and started while in high school. She is now attending Grand Canyon University to obtain her Bachelor's in Education. Jordyn is a very hard worker and always tries her best to succeed and always do better. (Medication Administration Training (MAT) trained, CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)
Jordyn also serves on the Leadership Board for the Advent Community Church.

PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS

Mrs. Madison - Bees Class Lead Teacher ( ages 4.5-5 yrs. preschool)

Mrs. Madison attends Grand Canyon University with plans to pursue a Master's in Elementary Education. She has worked with small children for 3 years. She is organized and sweet as can be. (MAT trained, CPR and FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Miss Taylor-Fish Class Lead Teacher (Ages 3.5-4.5 yrs.)

Taylor has been working towards Special Education at Reynolds. She has been working in this childcare for over 4 years. She also helps with Advent's Youth Group every Wednesday. Taylor is always willing to step in and help. (MAT trained and CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Mrs. Geri-Bunny Class Lead Teacher (ages 3-3.5 yrs.)

Geri has been in child care for over 25 years. She formerly owned two Child Care Centers in the direct Richmond and Petersburg areas. Geri has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

​Mrs. Ashley-Turtle Class Lead Teacher (Ages 2.5-3 yrs.)

Ashley graduated from Lee-Davis High School in 2006.  She was born and raised in Mechanicsville and has been in the child care profession since 2005.  She studied Early Childhood  Education for 4 years. (CPR FIRST AID CERTIFIED)​​

Miss Andi-Dino Class Lead Teacher (Age 2-2.5 yrs.)

Andi has been a nanny for a very long time now, she has also worked with the nursery at her church for a couple years. She is the oldest of 6 siblings.  Andi works with the Preschool as well as the programs. Andi is one of our on-site artist who has recently been in the process of painting the mural of Noah's Ark in the church's nursery.(CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)​

Mrs. Terry- Terry has been in Child Care for 15 years. She currently works for Hanover County Public School's as a Instructional Assistant in the Head Start Program at Cold Harbor Elementary. She has been in that program for over 12 years. Through this program she has obtained a CDA(Child Development Associates Degree). She has been working with us for over 6 years as the Afternoon Preschool Coordinator. She is a very hard worker and is always ready to step in and take charge as a leader! (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Mrs. Elaine​- Elaine has been a Lead Teacher for preschool program for 4 years. She was home for 3 years prior with her two sons whom are now 8 and 6 and was also caring for their great Grandfather as well. Before deciding to stay home, she taught in the public school system for over 10 years. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a Bachelors in Psychology and then continued graduate work at VCU earning her teacher's certificate for grades K-12. She has worked with preschool and grade school children for over 30 years and it is her passion.

Miss Shaina-Floater/Assistant Teacher

Shaina is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing and Master's in Elementary Education. She has worked with young children for 6 years. (CPR FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Ms. Kasey- Supervisor, Class Assistant Teacher

Mrs Krystina- Class Assistant 

Teacher

Mrs Erin- Class Assistant Teacher

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL TEACHERS 

Miss Jordyn -BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL AND PRESCHOOL COORDINATOR

Miss Jordyn is currently the Preschool  Program Coordinator  and the Before and After school Program Coordinator. She has been in childcare for over 5 years and started while in high school. She is now attending Grand Canyon University to obtain her Bachelor's in Education. Jordyn is a very hard worker and always tries her best to succeed and always do better. (Medication Administration Training (MAT) trained, CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED) 

Jordyn also serves on the Leadership Board for the Advent Community Church.

Mrs. Amy- SUPERVISOR/YOUTH PASTOR

​Amy is an RN and our youth minister here at Advent.  she plays a huge role in our atmosphere with the love she shares with everyone. She enjoys doing Bible study and songs with the children in the Chapel once a week and directs our Vacation Bible school during the summer. Amy also trains our staff in CPR and First Aid and fills in as a substitute when staff are absent. (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Amy also serves on the Leadership Board for the Advent Community Church.

Miss Kayla-SUPERVISOR

Kayla has been working for Advent for 3 years now and she has worked hard to build a relationship with every child here at Advent. She is super kind, patient and loving. She has obtained her Associates Degree in Business. She is now working towards her Bachelors in Fashion Design at VCU. (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Miss Analise-SUPERVISOR (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Mr. Hunter-TEACHER AIDE (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Ms. Carly- TEACHER AIDE (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Ms. Alex- SUPERVISOR (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED)

Kitchen Staff

Mrs. Brenda: Kitchen Supervisor

Mrs. Brenda started working for Advent in 1983 and she had worked for 36 years. She started out helping in several areas including substitute teaching, filling in for preschool staff, cleaning and supervising students and more. Then she started filling in for the kitchen staff and working as a closing supervisor for the preschool in the afternoons.  Next, Mrs. Brenda started working in the kitchen full time as the kitchen supervisor. Also, she had begun opening the center in the mornings to supervise students as well.  She had never wanted to work anywhere else.  She said working at Advent has been nothing but SUPER! (CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED) 

Mrs. Ana: Teacher Aide

Mrs. Ana had been working for Advent for 3 years. She works as a Teacher Aide for the preschool and as kitchen staff. Before working at Advent she worked as a Nanny for a family in Connecticut for several years. Caring for children is her passion and she really enjoys working in the kitchen here at Advent Christian Childcare.(CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED) 

RECEPTIONIST

Mrs. Sandy:

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