A Child's Garden

Our Staff

Our teachers and staff members are enthusiastic about children and teaching! The interaction between children and adults is positive, warm and nurturing, with lots of attention to each child's needs. We find that our teachers are happy here, with many of our staff remaining for a number of years.

Lisa Buchy,
Owner

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the owner of both A Child’s Garden and Wee Lad & Lassie Early Learning Center beginning in 1985. I am especially proud of the program's Level 5 rating in MD EXCELS which is evidence of dedication to high quality early childhood education and care. Our guiding philosophy is to meet the needs of each child and family through the application of best practices in early education and knowledge of child development.

I completed my undergraduate education at Penn State University in Biology with an Early Childhood Education minor, followed by a Masters in Early Childhood Education at Towson University. In 2016 I earned my doctorate from Johns Hopkins University in Education with a specialization in Entrepreneurial Leadership. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to support our staff as they prepare young children for success in school and in life!

Lindsay Dumbrowsky, Toddler Lead Teacher

I am so happy to be part of the wonderful team here at A Child’s Garden! I come with several years’ experience and have enjoyed my time as an Infant teacher, toddler teacher, and two’s teacher. I am Infant/Toddler and Preschool teacher certified and will be in our Toddler/2’s class.

Angel Dixon, Toddler Assistant Teacher

I am so excited to be a part of the A Child’s Garden team! I started out as a floater in the school and am now an assistant in the toddler class. I have loved working with all of the children in our school and seeing them grow!

Zoey Groves, Two's Lead Teacher

Dinah Tandoc, Floater

Coming from a generation of teachers has taught me the value of education and sparked my love for working with children. From a young age, I volunteered as a classroom assistant for Sunday school at my church, eventually becoming a Sunday school teacher myself. Working with children with special needs at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s LEAP Program provided me with valuable insight into meeting kids where they are and solidified my desire to make learning fun and accessible. I am honored to be part of the wonderful team at A Child’s Garden and look forward to watching the children grow!

Grace Johnson, Director/Three's Lead Teacher

I began teaching at A Child's Garden in 2021. I recently joined the administrative team as the program director. I graduated from Loyola University with a bachelors degree in Psychology in 2018. I have lived in Severna Park my whole life, so I love being able to work in this awesome community! I've worked with children for most of my life. II love spending time with my family and friends, cooking and traveling. My favorite thing is to see children come into their own personalities. I look forward to meeting your children and watching them grow and learn.!

I worked in the twos class for the past few years and look forward to leading the class this year! I joined the A Child's Garden team in 2022 and have my A.A in Transfer Studies from Anne Arundel Community College. I have enjoyed my time in the early childhood education field and look forward to the years ahead.

Maranda Groves, Two's Assistant Teacher

I have loved working in the young 2's class since 2023. Getting to watch them grow and accomplish their goals is truly rewarding. In my free time I love spending time with my family, especially my 2 sons!

Lexi Fleshman, Two's Lead Teacher

Danielle Thorpe, Three's Lead Teacher

I am the Preschool 3s Teacher here and a current parent. I have two children who have attended A Child’s Garden since their toddler age. I received my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Towson University in 2011 and earned my Master’s in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey in 2014. In addition, I am a STEM Certified Educator and earned my Teacher of Writing Certificate from Rutgers University in New Jersey. I have been teaching since I graduated from my undergrad in 2011. My experience ranges from 3s all the way through 7th grade. In New Jersey, I taught in elementary school from 2nd – 4th grades. In 2018, my husband was relocated to Texas and there I taught 5th grade Literacy, Writing and History, as well as 2nd – 7th grade Technology. We relocated to Severna Park in 2022 and I had my son. I spent two years at home while caring for my newborn and simultaneously found a Child’s Garden for my 2-year-old daughter to attend. When I was ready to go back to work, I was lucky enough to find the opportunity to work at my child’s school and use my education and experience in a whole new way. I have loved working with the 3s this past year and using my education and experience as a mom!

Olivia Taylor, Three's Assistant Teacher

I am so happy to be a part of a child’s garden as the older 2’s lead teacher! Working with children has always been my passion. I love being able to be a part of their growth and watching them flourish into their own unique personalities. I am preschool certified and currently hold an associates degree in science. I come from a big family, making me 1 out of 10 siblings, so my whole life has been surrounded by kids and I wouldn’t change it for a thing!

Frankie Nicklin, Two's Lead Teacher

I have been working in early childcare since 2021.I have worked from children ages 2-5 but have also worked with school aged kids. I am 90 hour preschool certified and am working towards my early education degree. I am so excited to watch my students grow and learn new things!

Elleigh Jackson, Two's Assistant Teacher

I have been working with children for over 7 years and have adored every moment of it! From Daycare centers to private nannying, I have loved getting to know each unique child and helping them grow and explore. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and drawing. I’ve been working at A Child’s Garden since 2024, and can’t wait to spend more time with our awesome team and students!

I started working at A Child's Garden in 2025. The joy and satisfaction you get from working with these amazing children is unmatched. I am currently a student at Anne Arundel Community College. I have worked with children for

many years as a babysitter and nanny. I love watching our children learn and I am so grateful to work with our amazing team.