Safety and confidence for every age, taught by nurses and certified educators.

Lindsay Karr is the founder and president of Mindful Beginnings and a classroom teacher with more than 20 years of experience. She started the company after looking for a high-quality babysitting course for her oldest daughter, and she still supervises student teachers in the DC area. Classes cover home-alone safety, responsible care, basic first aid, rescue techniques, and CPR, and her team also builds custom training for organizations.

Kathryn Greenberg is a community leader and market research professional who serves as Community Partnerships Liaison. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana University of PA and previously coordinated outreach for seniors and people with disabilities. She has led PTSA and booster-club work in local schools and brings those family relationships to Mindful Beginnings.

Mary Parks brings more than a decade of elementary classroom experience to Mindful Beginnings. She taught third and fourth grade in Montgomery County Public Schools and began her career with gifted and talented students in grades four through seven. She also coordinated a hands-on science program for elementary students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in French from the College of Charleston.

Travis Edwards is an educational leader with over 20 years of experience in K–12 and higher education. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s in physical education and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. He has led health and wellness curricula, taught graduate courses for educators, and coached youth sports.

Yesmina Battle is a District of Columbia Public Schools elementary teacher with a Master of Arts in Teaching and over nine years of classroom experience in pre-K through fourth grade. She is pursuing a doctorate in Curriculum, Instruction, and Policy. She has led youth programs, family engagement, and summer enrichment, and she brings a warm, student-centered approach to every course.

Kelsey Gaston is an educator with over 16 years of experience teaching middle and high school English Language Arts and Special Education. She holds a Master of Education in Special Education and has trained new educators in classroom management and instructional strategies. She also supervises student teachers and teaches middle school English in MCPS.

Jessica Katz is a second-year medical student at Georgetown University School of Medicine with a Bachelor of Science in Physiological Science from UCLA. Her clinical work includes dermatology, surgical care, community health outreach, and coordinating care for an underserved island community. She is a Georgetown Clinical Research Scholar and focuses on making health information clear for families.

Jennie Stroup brings community engagement, event management, and childcare experience to the curriculum team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Business Administration from Colorado State University. She leads volunteer recruitment for Voices for Children Montgomery (CASA), serves as PTA President for Belmont Elementary, and has worked as a live-in au pair in Madrid.

Kim Varner is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She has been Head Nurse at the German International School Washington D.C., a school nurse at Sheppard Pratt, and a newborn and mother nurse at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. A former preschool lead teacher, she makes health and safety concepts clear for young learners.

Ashira Lavine is a trauma-informed educator and founder of Mind Body Fusion, LLC, with over a decade of experience teaching mindfulness and life skills in the DC area. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Science from Towson University, and she is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500). She helps young learners build confidence and practical skills with a grounded, reassuring approach.

Brandi Beers is an elementary school teacher with over two decades of experience in early literacy in Washington, DC public and charter schools. She holds a master’s in early literacy instruction and a bachelor’s in elementary education from SUNY Cortland, and she is a trained Reading Recovery specialist. She uses behavior management and differentiated instruction so each child gets the support they need.

Marcie Berul is an early childhood specialist and former preschool director with over 20 years of experience in early education and social-emotional development. She holds a master’s in early childhood education from Boston University and certifications as a Lead Teacher and Director II. She helps children practice relationships and safety through pre-literacy and social-emotional teaching.

Chyna Brodie teaches for Swing Education across K-12 schools in the DC area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies from American University. She has mentored children as a summer camp counselor and brings that energy to every course she teaches.

Miryam Buchler is an early childhood specialist with nearly two decades of experience in special education, behavior therapy, and program leadership. She holds a Master of Science in General and Special Education from Touro University and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women. She teaches special education at SELA Hebrew Public Charter School and brings a nurturing approach to every course.

Kelley Butler is certified in Red Cross CPR/First Aid and works as a community educator, mentor, and student advocate. She holds a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University and has guided youth through fitness instruction, studio management, and K-12 tutoring. She builds inclusive rooms where young learners practice confidence and emotional regulation.

Helena Carboy is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America’s Conway School of Nursing. Her clinical background includes pediatric care at Inova Fairfax, community health at Unity Health Care Clinic, and training in psychiatric mental health and surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and brings a compassionate approach to teaching.

Michelle Cha is a registered nurse with a Master of Science in Quality Improvement and Healthcare Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College. Since 2019 she has been a Nurse Coordinator at Georgetown University’s Centers for Blood Disorders, teaching patients and families about treatment, medications, and safe follow-up care. She is certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and licensed in DC and Maryland.

Lilly Deerin is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with more than six years of nursing experience in critical care, outpatient primary care, and aesthetic dermatology. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from George Washington University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Michigan. She spent four years in the Surgical ICU at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and is certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.

Monique DeFrees is an elementary school teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools with a Master of Education in Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Maryland. She has nearly a decade of classroom experience, plus years as a paraeducator, tutor, and Girl Scout troop leader. She supports children at every learning level, including English language learners and students with IEPs.

Ingrid Froehner is a speech-language pathologist who supports children’s developmental needs. She earned her master’s in speech pathology from the University of Texas at Austin and her bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Maryland. Fluent in English and Spanish, she has provided speech therapy, home-based pediatric evaluations, and school-based interpretation.

Gaby Hodor is pursuing a dual degree in Human Development and Animal Sciences at the University of Maryland. She has more than six years of experience teaching children, including horseback riding for ages 7 to 12 and after-school STEM in Montgomery County. She uses a patient, hands-on approach to help young learners build confidence.

Bronwen Kennedy is Red Cross CPR/First Aid certified and an educator with over 20 years of experience in youth leadership and mentoring. She has run a marketing agency, guest-lectured at the University of Maryland, and taught programs from Girl Scouts and Sea Scouts to the Parent Encouragement Program. She helps children build confidence, independence, and safety skills.

Abigail Plaza is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. Her clinical background spans pediatrics, women’s health, medical-surgical care, and post-anesthesia recovery at hospitals including INOVA Fairfax, Holy Cross, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She teaches the skills caregivers need to keep children safe.

Jasmine Rhodes is a pediatric registered nurse with more than six years of experience in neonatal and pediatric critical care at Children’s National Hospital, Sibley Memorial Hospital, and Howard University Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Trinity Washington University and is certified in Basic Life Support and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program. She has taught families newborn care, safe sleep, and emergency response.

Kiera Shanahan is a neonatal intensive care nurse at Children’s National Hospital and a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Catholic University of America. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics at INOVA Fairfax, community health, women’s health, and adult medical-surgical care. She is certified in CPR, BLS, AED, and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.

Kimberly Sinkford is a registered nurse and clinical leader with three decades of healthcare experience at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from George Mason University and holds RN licenses in DC and Maryland, along with BLS certification. She has served as Nursing Director, Clinical Resource Manager, and Senior Nurse Talent Acquisition Partner.

Bela Shah Spooner is an education leader and language educator with over 20 years of experience in youth development. She holds a master’s in sociology and education policy from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. The founder of Bela’s Velas, she teaches Spanish and helps young learners build confidence and life skills.