Mark Gardner has been part of the Main St. community since 2005, serving as its Mental Health Consultant. Mark’s main job, by working closely with staff and parents, is to ensure that each child has all the social, emotional and cognitive skills he or she needs to be successful in the classroom and in life. These include the abilities to understand and manage his/her feelings and behavior in order to learn well, participate in classroom activities and get along with his/her teachers and classmates. Licensed by the state of Virginia as a Clinical Social Worker, Mark has been helping young children and their families for over 20 years.

Melany Hearin joined Main Street, first as a volunteer, then as an Assistant Teacher and now as an Office Assistant. A native of Bolivia, she is a bilingual speaker who loves interacting with children.

Aymee Robles is originally from El Salvador and has lived in the United States for over 23 years. Ms. Aymee has a Northern Virginia Food Manager Certificate and is taking early childhood classes so she may spend more time in a classroom with the children. Ms. Aymee has worked with children for many years and has always enjoyed being a part of their lives.

Christi Schwarten joined Main Street in 2018. Prior to joining Main Street, Ms. Christi was the Cultural Arts and Marketing Specialist for the City of Fairfax for 2 years, and the Executive Director of the Fairfax Choral Society for nearly 8 years. Ms. Christi’s passion for children started early, through volunteerism in a preschool for children with disabilities while in college. She has taught theatre to kindergarten students, as well as vacation bible school and Sunday school.

Ruth Martinez joined Main Street Child Development Center in 2014 with over 30 years as an Administrative Assistant. Originally from El Salvador, Ms. Ruth graduated as a Bilingual Secretary in Public Relations. Before Main Street, she worked as the Administrative Assistant of the Presidency for ALDECA, an American company in El Salvador.

Susan Rismiller comes to Main Street after 25 years teaching young primary aged students in Fairfax County Public Schools’ special education classes. Susan founded and led her school’s first collegial support program, mentored over 12 pre-service and new teachers, and for over 7 years, collaborated as clinical faculty with George Mason University’s Special Education cohort.

Katherine Pardo Polo was promoted to Office Manager in fall 2015 and became the Director of Finance & Administration in 2019. In her current position, Katherine oversees the organization’s financials and daily operations.

Carol Lieske has been the Director of Main Street Child Development Center since 2013. She has been in the early childhood education profession for 25 years. Carol has been a preschool teacher and assistant director. Prior to joining Main Street, Carol was the director of early childhood programs and curriculum designer at Idea-ventions, a STEM enrichment center where she has created and taught science, technology, engineering, and math programs for children, ages 3-12.

Jacqueline Schulze joined Main Street first as a substitute teacher in 2013, and more recently as an all around project assistant in 2017. She is a teacher with the Fairfax County Public Schools (Early literacy, family literacy, global program, and Head Start program), and has been the Granata Group Outreach Coordinator (Relationships and Fatherhood Programs). Jacqueline has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and two Master’s Degrees: Business Management and Strategies Management.

Virginia Susano started at Main Street in 2016. She has her Early Childhood Education Certificate from The Early Childhood Institute as well as a Northern Virginia Food Handler Certificate.

Joanna Augustine joined Main Street in 2018. Previously she worked for Merritt Academy and Kindercare.

Alexandra Susano started at Main Street as a volunteer, worked in program support, and became an Assistant Teacher in 2020. A graduate of George Mason University, Alex is studied global affairs with a concentration in human security and minor in global health.

Jose Rivas joined Main Street in 2018.

Rosa Perez joined Main Street in 2018.

Jennifer Perez joined Main Street in 2018 and became the Educational Assistant in 2020. A recent graduate of George Mason University, she studied Human Development & Family Services.

Diana Perales came to Main Street in 2016 after being a nanny for 2 ½ years. She has completed a STEM certification course and is currently working on her Early Childhood Education Certificate.

Vicky Mendoza has been at Main Street since 1993 when she earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate. A bilingual speaker, she completed her early childhood education program at the Arlington Employment Training Center, and she worked as a teacher’s aide in the Arlington Career Center and Seven Corners Children’s Center. Ms. Vicky has her Fairfax County School Readiness Program Certificate and is taking early childhood development classes such as “Art Expression for Children” to extend her knowledge.

Ms. Krista joined Main Street in 2019.

Colleen Herbert has been with Main Street Child Development Center since 1999. Ms. Colleen has her bachelor’s degree in recreation administration from Radford University. She is a Washington, D.C. native and lives in Northern Virginia. Ms. Colleen has two daughters, and in her spare time she enjoys gardening and swimming.