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
Co-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, and all three of her daughters have played important roles here as teachers and/or administrators.
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!
Kensie Tagg
Administrative Assistant
After serving Tree of Life for over ten years in a variety of teaching and administrative roles, Mrs. Kensie stepped down as our Assistant Director last year to spend time with her new baby daughter. Kensie now serves as an administrative assistant helping with executive office duties.
Kimberly Novak
Red Room 1yrs 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.
Kellie Bratton
Purple Room Infant Lead 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!
Kaylie Martin
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Teacher
Miss Kaylie is an experienced teacher here at Tree of Life, teaching for over five 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!
Ashley Strunk
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Teacher
Miss Ashley came to Tree of Life with years of experience teaching preschool. Ashley assists Ms. Amy with the Pre-K class, and helps in other classrooms as needed.
Rylee Cash
Floating Teacher
Miss Rylee is a student a Virginia Tech University majoring in Agribusiness. Rylee has experience working with children in her mother's preschool!
Delaney Hale
Floating Teacher
Miss Delaney brings a bubbly, positive attitude and a love for children to Tree of Life! Delaney is blessed with the experience of helping care for a loving sister with Down Syndrome.
Cristen Semones
Assistant 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.
Cristen is in college in an Elementary Education major, and she is pursuing a career teaching Kindergarten or 1st Grade. As our Assistant Director, Cristen helps develop our curriculum for most of the classrooms/age groups, and she ensures our teachers have all the appropriate resources they need to educate our students towards Kindergarten.
Amy Harris
Yellow Room Pre-K Lead Teacher
Ms. Amy is our Yellow Room Lead Teacher and Pre-K educator. Amy came to us with over 35 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, which she began in high school. She has worked with ages 2 years to preschool, and found Preschool is where her heart is. Amy states,"It is the best feeling when you can help children learn and accomplish goals and milestones. The excitement and pride they have in themselves just fills you with joy." Amy taught at a faith-based center 4 years ago, and Tree of Life is blessed to have her return to one here.
Amy is the mother of two, wonderful grown women and has a sweet 10-year-old granddaughter.
Adi Jones
Associate Teacher
Tree of Life is blessed to have Adi return to us after pursuing other opportunities for a few years. Adi was the Youth Minister here for Dwelling Place Christian Fellowship, and worked as the office manager for our church
Adi has been a lead teacher and a valued staff member at Tree in years past, and she has a wonderful heart to bless the children!
Leah Tagg
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!
Laci Norman
Floating Teacher
Miss Laci is a student a Virginia Tech University majoring in Agribusiness. She loves working with kids of all ages!