Meet Our Staff
Passionate Educators
We’re proud to present our amazing team. Their care, enthusiasm and dedication to helping students exceed pushes Hopkins House Early Childhood Learning Institute to the next level. We invite you to take a moment and read some of their stories below.
Derek Vanover
Early Childhood Learning Institute (ECLI) Assistant Director
Derek Vanover has been an educator in northern Virginia for over 25 years. He has a passion for Early Childhood Education and Hopkins House Early Childhood Learning Institute. Hello, I am Derek Vanover. I am looking forward to helping you on your journey toward a degree in Early Childhood Education. My experience in the field of early childhood includes teaching for various preschools in the area. I have served as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, master teacher, and Director of Curriculum, Education & Training. I earned my B.A. in Early Elementary Education at Alice Lloyd College. In the fall I will be pursuing my M.Ed Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
Christine Schull
Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Coordinator
Loved by students and staff alike, Christine Schull brings knowledge, enthusiasm and joy to Hopkins House Early Childhood Learning Institute. Hello, I am Dr. Schull. I am looking forward to meeting all of you. My experience in early childhood includes teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools as a first-grade Spanish immersion teacher. I have also taught in other non-traditional teaching settings including a psychiatric care facility. I have taught parents who were referred by the probate court for drug and alcohol or parenting classes. I have worked as a childcare teacher and an early childhood research fellow working in the area of school readiness research. Prior to teaching here at NVCC, I taught at the University of Maryland. I earned my M.A. in Child Development at Michigan State University and my Ph.D. at the University of Maryland. I love working here at NVCC because there is an emphasis on teaching, which is what I love to do! Please feel free to call or email me with course questions or for academic advising