Meet the Team

Dedicated & Certified

Debbie McDowell

Director

Ms. Debbie joined BUMP in 2021. She was born and raised in WA state and moved to Durham, NC, shortly after completing 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, Maggie and Cowan, 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.

Rachel Tracy

Lead Teacher - Maple

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Robin Manuel

Assistant Teacher - Maple

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Amanda Allen

Lead Teacher - Redbud

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Susan Bailey

Co-Teacher - Maple

Mrs. Bailey is very excited to be joining the BUMP family in the Maple room for 2022-2023! 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: Elise (17) and Ben (almost 15) who both attend Blacksburg High School and are BUMP alumni. Mrs. Bailey has always loved BUMP and has serve 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. Mrs. Bailey is eagerly anticipating meeting her new classroom of friends!

Robin Manuel

Co-Teacher - Maple

Mrs. Manuel has been teaching at BUMP for 19 years (2022-23 school year). For the past 23 years she has lived in Blacksburg with her husband, Phillip, and their two sons, ages 23 and 20, who are both BUMP alumni. Also living at their house is a "house guarding" rooster that also serves as her alarm clock. She enjoys bargain shopping, yard sale-ing, the beach, and spending time with family. Mrs. Manuel is so excited to get back into the classroom with her littles!

Amanda Allen

Lead Teacher - Redbud

Ms. Amanda has been teaching the five day 3 year olds for five years (2022-23 school year). She taught 4th and 5th grade and K-5th grade science in North Carolina before moving to beautiful Blacksburg. She fell in love with BUMP when her younger daughter was a student and decided she wanted to stay! Ms. Amanda enjoys being outside, especially around water. Her favorite thing to do is spend time with her family and friends. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Blacksburg where they have two beagles, one black cat and four chickens. She can’t wait to meet her new Redbuds!

Lorri Moench

Lead Teacher - Wise Oaks

Ms. Moench teaches the 4-5 year olds five days each week, helping them prepare for kindergarten. She and her husband, Gary, live behind PFES with their two cats. They have three grown sons who are all BUMP alum. In her free time, Ms. Moench enjoys crafting, tent camping, bargain shopping, and going to the movies. She is excited to be starting her 29th year (2022-23 school year) with her BUMP family.

Jennifer Stonefield

Assistant Teacher - Wise Oaks

Mrs. Stonefield is the assistant teacher in the Oaks on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. She has been in the Early Childhood Education field for 20+ years. This is her second year at BUMP. She lives in Christiansburg with her husband Robert, and their 5 year old son Raylan, who is a BUMP alumni. She enjoys traveling, cooking, music, and spending time with family. She can't wait to meet her new Oak friends.

Brandie Lemmon

Assistant Teacher - Wise Oaks

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!

VACANT

Music, Movement & Float Teacher

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Abigail Middleton

Assistant Teacher - Redbud

Ms. Abigail joined BUMP in 2021! She has taught preschool in the New River Valley for the past four years. She thinks the world of a preschool-aged child is magical, and is so grateful to be a part of that world through teaching. In 2017 she moved to Blacksburg with her husband and two children. She enjoys hiking and exploring in the beautiful outdoor spaces around and near Blacksburg, especially with her son and daughter. They love to play in creeks, hunt for mushrooms, and learn to identify plants and bird songs. Ms. Abigail is also an avid gardener!

Tricia Wheatley

Co-Teacher - Magnolia

Ms. Tricia is a co-teacher in our Three Year Old 3 day and 2 day classroom. She has been teaching at BUMP for five years (2022-23 school year). She lives in Christiansburg with her husband, Todd, her son, Carlyle, and their dog Mars. 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.

Brette Arms

Co-Teacher - Magnolia

Ms. Brette joined the BUMP family in 2021 as a full-time teacher! She has two daughters that are both BUMP alum. While they were attending, Mrs. Brette fell in love with the school and staff and was eager for an opportunity to join the team. When she is not at BUMP she can be found out for a run or cheering on the Hokies. She is so pleased that you have chosen the BUMP family to spend time with your child and can’t wait to get to know him or her better!

Marci Craig

Music & Movement / Float Teacher

Ms. Marci is a music educator and has been teaching early childhood music for over twenty years. She joined BUMP in 2021. She assists in our classrooms and leads music and movement classes throughout the week. She plays guitar, piano, and harp and looks forward to sharing her love of music-making with our students. They will explore sounds and songs with their voices, move their bodies in fun and creative ways, and be exposed to a variety of musical experiences. She hopes to ignite a love for music within each child. She lives in Blacksburg with her husband and three daughters.