Honeybee Threes Class Teachers
Sally Butler
Co-Owner & Educational Director
Lead Teacher of the Honeybee Threes Class
After School Teacher
B.S. in English & Art History, The College of William and Mary
Sally first came to the Children’s Garden as a parent in 2005 after staying home with three young children. She started substitute teaching at the Blacksburg New School, where she served as vice president of the board of directors for seven years. She likes the wonder of early childhood and loves to partner with parents and co-teachers to build relationships, create beautiful and reflective environments, and help children express themselves through art, music, dramatic play, and storytelling. In her class, children will hatch chickens, learn about honeybees, and start a birdwatching journal. When she is not in the classroom Sally is passionate about making kimchi, photography, camping, homemade music, cooking, hiking, and making art.
Cyndi Marsh-Stevens
Assistant Teacher of the Honeybee Threes Class
Before School Teacher
After School Teacher
Cyndi, a former Chicago native, has been a resident of Christiansburg, VA, for almost 18 years. She joined The Children’s Garden in 2024 with over 14 years of experience in children’s education, from infants to high schoolers. Cyndi spent 12 years as a Lead Teacher at Tree of Life Daycare and served as a Tutor and Program Director for several years with Classical Conversations, focused on K-10th grades. She believes that learning is a lifelong journey best experienced through play and exploration, helping each child thrive in their unique way. Cyndi enjoys baking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog.
Friendly Fox Fours Class Teachers
Kristin McLaughlin
Co-Lead Teacher of the Friendly Fox Fours Class
B.S. in Elementary Education, Radford University
PreK – 6th Grade Teaching License, VA Department of Education
Kristin found and fell in love with The Children’s Garden in 2018 and learned of its magical teachers and environment while both her kids attended. She has lived in the area all her life and cherishes the warm atmosphere here. She taught elementary school for 9 years before having the privilege to stay home with her two amazing tiny people. She was over the moon to join the team of Children’s Garden teachers in 2025 and be a part of the magic that instills a lifelong love for learning and growth in the children. Kristin enjoys spending all the time with her kids, running, and working out. She likes all things art and loves to sketch and draw in her free time.
Crystal Johnsen
Co-Lead Teacher of the Friendly Fox Fours Class
B.S. in Social Work, Radford University
Crystal joined the Children’s Garden in 2025. She has lived in the area for over 25 years! She attended Radford University, obtained a bachelors of social work and then just never left! She spent 16 of the last 25 years running her own small business selling her own art all over the world while enjoying the blessing of being home with her (once) small children! She spent the last couple of years teaching art classes at a local private school. She loves gardening, baking, cooking, creating, and the art of “piddling”! She enjoys watching her kids play basketball and spending time with her husband!
Elizabeth Dunn
Assistant Teacher in the Friendly Fox Fours Class
B.A. in Psychology, University of St. Thomas, MN
M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction with Endorsement in Reading, Radford University
K-5Â Teaching License, VA Department of Education
Reading Specialist License, VA Department of Education
Elizabeth fell in love with Children’s Garden when her son attended as a Friendly Fox in 2023 and as a Bluebird in 2024. She joined the Children’s Garden team as a substitute teacher last year and appreciates the school’s focus on play-based learning and time outdoors. Prior to staying home with her son, she taught with Montgomery County Public schools for 17 years. In her free time Elizabeth enjoys being active, spending time with her family and all things in nature.
Bluebirds Class Teacher (PK5, Kindergarten, and First Grade)
Anna Spraker
Co-Owner & Administrative Director
Teacher of the Bluebirds Class
After School Teacher
B.S. in Elementary Education with Concentrations in Math and Special Education, Radford University
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Certification, TEFLEN Training College
In 2019, Anna came to The Children’s Garden as our Kindergarten teacher with more than 20 years of teaching experience. In the 2020-2021 school year, she also became the Administrative Director and Co-Owner. Anna enjoys building relationships with her students and their families within an encouraging and engaging learning environment. She is passionate about developing a love of reading by leading children in fun experiences with books. Anna also enjoys helping her students build mathematical understanding through number play! Outside of school, Anna likes cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband and 3 children.
Music Teacher
Jessica Hill
Weekly Music Teacher for All Classes
B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, Brigham Young University – Idaho
Everyone at school loves Music Day! Teaching music to our students is one of Jessica’s favorite parts of every week. Her background is in Early Childhood and Special Education, and she is a mom to four children. She has a lifelong love of creating music and strongly believes that making music together builds unity, sharpens minds, and softens hearts.
After School Teacher
Eli Spraker
After School Teacher
Substitute Teacher
Associate Degree in General Studies, New River Community College
Eli joined The Children’s Garden in 2024. He currently attends Radford University, studying Criminal Justice. Eli works in our After School Program and as a substitute teacher. The children often ask, “Is the tall guy coming today?” He enjoys camping, fishing, and playing basketball in his free time.
Substitute Teachers
Our substitute teachers complete all of the same background checks and trainings as our classroom teachers. They simply choose to be substitute teachers for the more flexible schedule. We are so thankful for their support throughout the year!
Liz Fowler
Substitute Teacher
B.S. in Environmental Science, Water Resources Concentration, Virginia Tech
Liz is a former Children’s Garden parent whose kids attended and were loved here for six years. She fell in love with the school and faculty, too, and is privileged to have the flexibility to help when a substitute is needed. A graduate of Virginia Tech who returned to live in Blacksburg years later, Liz loves to bike, garden, cook, and craft.
Jessica Yankowski
Substitute Teacher
B.A. in English, University of Mary Washington
Master of Library Science, University of Maryland
Jessica joined the Children’s Garden family in 2019, when her son was in the Friendly Fox class. Two years later she began to substitute when her younger daughter began as a Honeybee. Over the next few years she was happy to be able to substitute more regularly. It’s always a joy for her to spend a day at the Children’s Garden, and she sees it as a privilege to get to know so many of our youngest community members! She loves to spend time outside, listen to podcasts, and lately has been working to renew her life long love of reading.
Lane Mattox
Substitute Teacher
B.S. in Psychology, Virginia Tech
Lane loves being a part of the Children’s Garden family, both as parent and now as a substitute teacher. Her history with Children’s Garden began in 2021, when her daughter entered as a Honeybee and continued through the Pre-K program. Inspired by the school’s warm community and educational values, she started substitute teaching when her son enrolled in 2025. The flexibility of subbing fits in perfectly with her work teaching partner dance and running a sheep farm with her husband. A yearly highlight for her is bringing newborn bottle lambs to school for all the students to meet.
