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About Us
Your child is in great hands.
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We believe every child is a gift from God and deserves the best in quality preschool education. We encourage the development of the whole child through our play-based learning environment.
Philosophy
At Blacksburg United Methodist Preschool, our goal is to provide a happy, secure, safe, and loving environment in which each child will develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually, and physically. We seek to provide an exceptional educational experience for each child who enters our building. BUMP employs a play-based learning approach in which the children explore, experiment, discover, and solve problems in imaginative and playful ways.
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BUMP was organized in 1949 as one of the first kindergarten programs in Montgomery County, Virginia. The United Methodist Women originally supported the school, however today we are under the umbrella of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. In 1974, after Virginia legislated public kindergartens, the program was redesigned for children from three to five years old.
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While BUMP's program is Christian-based, we welcome students and families of all faith backgrounds.
Meet the Team
We love kids, and it shows! Our talented team's experience spans decades. At BUMP, we focus on the whole child's development. We prioritize intentional connections with the children we teach, the families we serve, and our knowledgeable and compassionate peers.
Debbie McDowell
Director
Ms. Debbie joined BUMP in 2021. She was born and raised in Washington state and moved to North Carolina after college. There, she started a half-day preschool at her church. She also met her husband, Chris, a VT alumnus and dedicated Hokie fan. They have two wonderful children and two 4-legged family members. In her free time, Ms. Debbie loves to be outdoors hiking, walking in her neighborhood, swinging in a hammock, and doing yard work. She also loves to read and do anything art-related.
Ms. Susan
Lead Teacher
Ms. Susan joined the BUMP family in 2022! She has taught for many years at the elementary level (1st-5th), is a preschool Sunday School teacher, and has worked at a Parent’s Morning Out program. She and her husband have 2 children, one in college, and one attends Blacksburg High School and both are BUMP alumni. Ms. Susan has always loved BUMP and has served as a substitute teacher in the past. She loves to travel, camp, swim, and cook. She also loves to play games of all kinds, especially board games, card games, and lawn games. Ms. Susan is eagerly anticipating meeting her new classroom of friends!
Ms. Tricia
Lead Teacher
Ms. Tricia joined the BUMP team in 2017. She lives in Christiansburg with her husband, Todd, their son, and their dog Lucky. Ms. Tricia also volunteers her time as a youth basketball coach. She enjoys shopping, road trips, spending time with friends and family, and Diet Coke.
Ms. Rachel
Co-Teacher
Ms. Rachel first joined the BUMP team in 2015. She has taught in the 3, 4, and 5 day three & four-year-old classrooms. She loves the big energy, imagination, and emotions of preschool students. She also loves the wonder students have when exploring nature and new art mediums. Ms. Rachel lives in Blacksburg with her husband and snuggle pup. She is mom to five BUMP alumni! The oldest are in college and the two younger are in high school. Ms. Rachel loves cooking, baking, walking her dog, houseplants, and puzzles. She also plays the alto saxophone in the Blacksburg Community Band!
Ms. Chelsea
Co-Teacher
Ms. Chelsea has been a part of the BUMP family since her daughter joined the Magnolia Class in 2018. Chelsea officially joined as a teacher in 2023! BUMP is a wonderful place to learn, grow, and have fun. This special school has meant so much to her family. She looks forward to meeting all the new BUMP families! She lives in Blacksburg with her husband, two children (both BUMP alumni), and her cat, Ralph. If she's not busy taking her kiddos to extracurricular activities or working with their elementary school PTA, you can find her reading or in her garden.
Ms. Brandie
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Brandie officially joined the BUMP team in 2021. Her two daughters attended preschool at BUMP and their whole family loved the experience! Ms. Brandie enjoys gardening, hiking in the woods, splashing in creeks, raising chickens, building things, and going on adventures with her daughters. She lives in Blacksburg with her husband, their two daughters, and a variety of animals (both the furry and the feathered). She can't wait to meet the next generation of BUMP students and families!
Ms. Jennifer
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Jennifer has been in the Early Childhood Education field for 20+ years and has been with BUMP since 2021. She lives in Christiansburg with her husband and their son, who is a BUMP alum. She enjoys traveling, cooking, music, and spending time with family. She can't wait to meet her new friends this year!
Ms. Kristen
Float Assistant Teacher
Ms. Kristen officially became a part of the BUMP team in 2025, after several years as a dedicated substitute teacher at the preschool. She lives in Blacksburg with her husband, Josh, their two teenage children, and two cats. A fun fact, Ms. Kristen’s husband, son, and daughter all share the experience of being BUMP alumni! Ms. Kristen finds joy in simple pleasures like spending time with friends and family, taking walks, reading, cooking, organizing, and supporting both of her children with the sports they love.