Our Staff
Our staff have a passion for children and for Jesus!
Ted Keys
Director / Pastor Oversight
Ted@dpnrv.org
Ted has a B.S. in Management/ Information Systems, and has studied Ministry, Journalism, and Music Theory. He has worked with Tree of Life since 2013, acting as Director from 2016 to 2021. Ted returned to the director's chair this year. He began being involved in ministry to children and youth in 1997. Ted was a tutor for Classical Conversations Christian homeschool groups. Currently he's involved in family ministry, leading worship, and teaching Bible classes at Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship for children and adults. Ted loves teaching and sharing with people of all ages.
Ted & Allison have 3 awesome children!
Leigha Semones
Development Director / Pastor Oversight
Leigha@dpnrv.org
Leigha Semones oversees both Tree of Life and the Young Children's Ministry at Dwelling Place. She also does our Word Wednesday Program which teaches interactive bible stories. She has an B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Virginia Tech. She is certified to teach Pre-K to 5th grade. She has been a minister for 24 years. She is currently a staff minister for Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship and has served as a Children's Pastor there as well.
Leigha is a mother of four, including one of our teachers!
Cristen Semones
Assistant Development Director
Blue Room 2yrs Lead Teacher
Miss Cristen has been a teacher here at Tree of Life since 2021. Cristen has worked frequently with all the age groups here, but is currently our Blue Room Lead Teacher. She loves helping our 2 year olds grow and learn new words and new skills.
As our Assistant Development Director, Cristen helps develop our curriculum for all the classrooms/age groups, and she ensures our teachers have all the appropriate resources they need to educate our students towards Kindergarten.
Allison has a B.A. from Berea College in Studio Art and is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Art in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating at Hollins University. She was the Children's Program Specialist for the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library system for seven years, where she led story-time and music programs at four branch libraries weekly. She previously served as the coordinator for Dwelling Place children's bible classes. She has taught Art, Music, and Reading in several Elementary schools. She is currently homeschooling her two youngest children. Allison loves to share arts, learning, and fun with children in exciting and interactive ways!
Beverly Taylor
Administrative Assistant
Miss Bev has been a treasured member of Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship church for many years and is helping us provide administrative coverage and substitute teaching when needed. We are blessed to have her kindness and wisdom!
Esther Schuster
Yellow Room Pre-K Lead Teacher
Mrs. Esther has been our Yellow Room Lead Teacher and Pre-K educator for over 3 years. Esther has experience as an elementary school substitute teacher and tutor, working with children of a variety of ages. Esther has a B.A. from Appalachian Bible College in Bible/Theology and Missions. Esther loves helping children grow in maturity and education, and she works hard to prepare all of our Pre-K students for Kindergarten!
Kimberly Novak
Green Room 3yrs Lead Teacher
Mrs. Kimberly's upbeat personality is a perfect match for our fun-loving 3 year olds! Kimberly has prior years of experience as a daycare teacher, and she is a loving mom to two girls! Kimberly and her husband have both served our nation in the military.
Kaylie Martin
Red Room 1yrs Co-Lead Teacher
Miss Kaylie is an experienced teacher here at Tree of Life, teaching for over four years. Kaylie has worked with every age group of children, and she has a great easy-going flexibility! She loves helping our toddlers rise to new challenges!
Tiffany Medley
Purple Room Infant Lead Teacher
Miss Tiffany loves babies! Tiffany has a number of prior years of experience as a daycare teacher, and was an Assistant Director at her former childcare facility. Tiffany is a loving mom of a delightful little boy who attends Tree of Life with mommy!
Kellie Bratton
Purple Room Infant Teacher
Mrs. Kellie also loves babies! Kellie has previous experience working with a church-based daycare, and she attended Georgia Southern University. Mrs. Kellie is a loving mom of adult children!
Leah Tagg
Red Room 1yrs Co-Lead Teacher
Miss Leah comes to us with great experience as a nanny and babysitter, providing frequent care for a number of kids we have enrolled here at Tree. Leah loves being with little ones and delights in their exploration of new things!
Cyndi Marsh-Stevens
Associate Teacher
This is Cyndi's forth tour of duty teaching for Tree of Life since 2012, having been a lead teacher here more than once. Mrs. Cyndi worked for many years as a tutor with Classical Conversations Christian home school groups. Cyndi loves blessing children with compassion and educational growth! Cyndi is a loving mother of two.
Rylee Cash
Floating Teacher
Miss Laci is a student a Virginia Tech University majoring in Agribusiness. Rylee has experience working with children in her mother's preschool!
Laci Norman
Floating Teacher
Miss Laci is a student a Virginia Tech University majoring in Agribusiness. She loves working with kids of all ages!
Hannah Porter
Floating Teacher
Miss Hannah has served in church childcare for quite some time, and she loves helping children grow in maturity and understanding!