About Our Staff
Professional teachers are responsible for the daily program of classes and for supervision of participating parents.  Our teachers are fully qualified to teach at CPI.  All teachers hold one of the following:

1. A degree in Elementary Education or related field;
2. Equivalent experience in early childhood education; or
3. Two years experience at CPI.

CPI teachers guide and help our children grow and develop at their own pace and ability level.

Your interest in your children and CPI is the common ground you share with your teachers. Teachers schedule parent conferences and are available throughout the school year for discussion of specific problems or concerns relating to their students.

Staff Biographies

DIANA BOLES, Lead Teacher, Fours Program, joined CPI’s staff in 2000. Diana will be teaching both a co-op and non-coop four-year-old class this year. She has worked as a counselor for abused and neglected children. Diana has also worked in retail sales and graphic art. Diana is originally from Michigan and moved to Virginia in 1988. She has provided day care in her home for numerous children since 1989. She taught CCD at St. Timothy’s Catholic School for 12 years.  Diana, an avid fan of wildlife conservation, has trained to be a rescuer/handler for the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia and has been a volunteer with them for the last 2 years. Diana resides in Chantilly and has one son with her husband.

ANN ROSENER, Lead Teacher, Fours Program, is a graduate of Lady Cliff College in New York with a BA in English and a minor in Education. She is certified to teach grades N-6. Ann, who is married to an Army man, has taken her teaching career all over the world. She has taught kindergarten and preschool for over 25 years, most recently at Munger Academy in Sterling where she received “Teacher of the Year” Award. Ann and her now retired husband reside in Centreville.  They have with two grown children. Ann began teaching at CPI in 2000.

KAREN STRASSBURG, Teacher Director, Lead Teacher Fours Program, is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.S. in Elementary Education and has taken additional course work through the University of Virginia. For eight years, she taught second grade in Loudon County, Virginia.  Karen also served as the President of the Board of Directors at CPI and was recognized as “Outstanding Teacher” by VCPC during the 1994-95 and 1999-2000 school year!  She and her husband have two children and live in Centreville. Karen has been teaching at CPI since 1982.

PATTI LESSER, Teacher Director, Lead Teacher, Threes Program and Explorers Program, graduated from Molloy College in Rockville Center, N.Y. with a B.A. degree in Elementary Education. She came to CPI with seven years experience teaching 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers in New York and in Springfield, along with serving as Director. Patti also served as the President of the Board of Directors at CPI, and received the VCPC Outstanding Teacher Recognition Award for the 1996-97 school year! She and her husband have two sons and live in Chantilly. Patti has been teaching at CPI since 1990.

ELAINE CHAPMAN, Lead Teacher, Threes Program and Explorers Program, Assistant Teacher Fours Program, joined CPI’s staff in 2002.  She lives in Centreville with her husband and 3 children, who have all attended CPI. Elaine was a home day care provider since 1986, working with children attending kindergarten through 6th grade. She has also been a substitute Aide and Parent Helper for Fairfax County schools. In her spare time, she enjoys art and is very creative.

TERESA STEINHILBER, Lead Teacher, Beginner’s Program and Assistant Teacher, Threes Program, received a B.A. in Sociology from the George Washington University and a law degree from the George Mason School of Law. She practiced law with a private firm prior to coming to CPI and began teaching in 2005.  She lives in Centreville with her husband and three children. All of her children attended CPI and Teresa has served on the CPI Board of Directors during that time. She also coaches youth soccer and basketball.

DIANE SEARLES, Lead Teacher Threes Program, graduated from Averett University with B.S. degrees in Management and Psychology. She lives in Warrenton with her husband and two children, both of whom attended CPI for three years. Prior to having children, she worked in the brokerage business for eight years. Since having children, she has been Room Mother several times, has been a substitute teacher for CPI and her children’s elementary school; and served on the CPI Board of Directors as Secretary for 2003-2004. She has also served on the PTA at each of her children’s schools.  Diane began teaching at CPI in 2005.

MAUREEN LARRAZABEL, Assistant Teacher Threes, is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a BS degree in Children’s Counseling and Human Services.  She has been very active in CPI, serving as Fund Raising Director and Secretary on the Board of Directors.  She has been a substitute teacher at CPI, owner of a children’s craft and pottery store and active in Girl Scouts where she is her daughter’s Team Leader.  Maureen and her husband live in Fairfax with their 2 children.

KRISTIN ROBINSON, Assistant Teacher Beginners and Explorers, is a graduate of University of Virginia with a BS in Finance and Management.  She lives in Centreville with her husband and 4 girls.  Her younger girls attended CPI for 3 years each. Kristin served on the CPI Board of Directors for 4 years as Enrollment Director, Fund Raising and Vice President.  When her youngest left the preschool in 2009, Kristin joined the CPI staff as a substitute teacher  She also spends her time volunteering at the elementary school.

Administrative
JOYCE GHOBASHI, School Clerk, joined CPI as the school clerk in 2000.  Joyce has numerous years of experience in accounting and payroll as well as business management.  She held Board positions of Fund Raising and Maintenance Director while her three boys attended CPI.  She lives in Centreville with her husband and two of their three children.

CHRISTINE KOENEKE, Accounts Receivable Clerk, is a graduate of Loyola University in Baltimore, MD with a BS in Mathematics.  Christine began her role at CPI as Accounts Receivable Clerk in 2010 and prior to that served on the CPI Board of Directors for four years as Vice Treasurer. Christine’s three children all attended CPI for three years each.  Christine spends her spare time volunteering at the elementary school and with her children’s sports teams.  Her professional background is in Management Consulting.  Christine and her husband live in South Riding with their children.