Our Faculty

Mr. Billy Wright has been married to Lisa Wright, R.N. since 1983. They have two sons: Joshua, and his wife Feather, and Jacob, and his wife, Angela. They also have four grand-daughters.

Billy is a former business owner and graduate of Lynchburg College with a B.S. degree in Mathematics and a minor in sport administration. He received the ETS Recognition of Excellence Award for his scores on the Praxis—Mathematics: Content Knowledge Assessments.

Billy has served in Adventist Education since 2005, teaching grades 5th through 10th at different times, as well as coaching the cross-country, basketball, and soccer teams.

He enjoys spending time with his family, various sports, crafts and restoring items.

“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15

Hello! My name is Erica Norman and I am the kindergarten teacher here at Tree of Life Preparatory School. I am passionate about creating a warm, welcoming classroom where every child feels safe, loved, and called to serve. I encourage my students to be responsible and demonstrate respect for themselves and for one another.

I earned my bachelor’s degree from Oakwood University and have over twenty years of teaching experience, primarily working with young children. I enjoy helping students build strong foundations in reading, writing, and math, while also encouraging creativity, curiosity, and kindness.

In our kindergarten classroom, learning extends far beyond our four walls. Whether exploring outdoors, playing on the playground, exercising in the gym, or engaging in classroom learning, students remain actively involved through hands-on, play-based experiences. I strive to make learning meaningful, memorable, and fun while building strong relationships with both students and their families.

Outside of school, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, and trying new vegan recipes.

Mrs. Ann Steimer brings over 30 years of experience teaching in both public and private schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1993 from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) and later received her Master’s degree in education from the University of Mary Washington in 2011.

Mrs. Steimer has a lifelong passion for teaching and learning, inspired by her own elementary school experience in Pennsylvania, where she first knew she wanted to become a teacher. She loves creating a classroom that is engaging, encouraging, and full of joy—where students feel safe to learn, grow, and be themselves.

She and her husband, Jim, a music teacher in Prince William County Schools, are proud parents of twins, Andy and Allie, both graduates of TLC Prep.

When she’s not in the classroom, Mrs. Steimer enjoys spending time with her family, encouraging her students, and finding new ways to make learning fun and meaningful. She especially loves incorporating creativity, laughter, and faith into her daily lessons.

Becky Durichek grew up in Northern Virginia and Fredericksburg. After graduating from Southern Adventist University, she moved to Florida with her husband, John Durichek, to help establish Osceola Adventist Junior Academy. She taught there for four years before returning to Virginia to focus on raising her children.

During her 17 years at home, Becky remained actively involved in education. She served on the school board, tutored students, substituted, homeschooled her children, and volunteered in local schools.

In 2007, Becky was blessed to return to teaching at her home church, Fredericksburg SDA Church, at Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School. She inspires students to love learning while building a strong academic foundation.

In recent years, Becky has developed several school-wide programs, including the annual Biography Tea, the Award-Winning Books Reading Program, and the ski program. Becky especially looks forward to leading her literacy-themed camping trip each year and Forest Fridays.

In 2014, she was honored with the Columbia Union Outstanding Educator Award. Most importantly, Becky is passionate about introducing her students to Jesus in all they learn and do, fostering a relationship where He becomes each child’s best friend. This has remained her most important goal over the last 20 years at TLC Prep.

Mrs. Hernandez is entering her eighth year of teaching and brings a diverse professional background that includes studies in psychology, as well as experience in social work, real estate, and tax preparation. These experiences have strengthened her passion for helping students learn, grow, and succeed. She is dedicated to creating a nurturing classroom where every student feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

She believes that strong relationships with students and families are the foundation of a successful learning experience. By fostering open communication and collaboration between home and school, she strives to create a positive classroom community where students develop confidence, responsibility, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Hernandez enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, learning new skills, volunteering, and making lasting memories with her family. Her faith is at the center of her life, and she finds great joy in preaching God’s Word, serving others, and sharing the message of salvation with compassion and love.

Bluann Faber is an educator who jumpstarted her passion when she began assisting in her church’s youth programs as a teen and young adult. Her mother, who was also an educator, homeschooled her and her three younger sisters. She studied Elementary and Secondary Education at Union College before deciding to graduate with a B.S. in Business Marketing from Western Governors University.

Her experience in teaching ranges from 2 year olds up to adults. Some of her favorite ages to teach include kindergarten and middle school. When she’s not teaching at TLC Prep, you can find Ms. Faber teaching dance and tumbling at a local non-profit, practicing her guitar, or rereading some of her favorite books which include classics like Jane Eyre and Anna Karenina.

My name is Amir Wright. I have been teaching for a little over 5 years. I love being outside and enjoying nature. You can usually find me riding my longboard through downtown, playing sports, hiking a trail, or laying in a field.

When I am not on an adventure, I am making music, dancing, playing an instrument, or praising God. I produce, write, and compose. I also perform all over the DMV area. You can find me on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube.

However, I became a teacher to help inspire and to spread the message of God’s love to the youth through music. With my smile and love for music, I pray to make a difference by being different.

My name is Vera Flavia Tourinho. I am from Brazil and have lived in the USA for about 28 years. I have been teaching art for 17 years at TLC Prep as of 2026. I love cooking, crafting, and gardening. I love to travel the world, explore new places, watch movies and TV series, and play games with friends. My favorite colors are yellow and green. Brazilian and Iranian foods are my favorite, along with pizza.

It is a pleasure to see how the kids grow and how their art skills grow with them. I’m always trying to incorporate different aspects of art and teach them that we can recycle things and transform them into something new and useful. I love to see the great creativity the kids bring to the class every week!

Arturo “AJ” Derryberry was born and raised in Texas. In 2001, upon graduation from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. AJ would serve for 20 years in the Marine Corps, deploying eight times to regions around the world, including the Middle East, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Horn of Africa, and Pacific. Early in his career, he was trained as a formal school instructor and curriculum developer to educate new Marines in their occupational specialties. AJ was privileged to serve as a leader, mentor, and educator of Marines at each level of command, culminating with command of a detachment of 500+ Marines.

AJ retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2022 and soon became involved in his daughter’s school, Oceanside Adventist Elementary (OAE) in Oceanside, California. As an OAE volunteer, AJ served as a hot lunch cook, traffic monitor, guest speaker, and chaperone for his daughter’s 1st/2nd grade class. In 2024, upon his arrival to Fredericksburg, Virginia, AJ again became involved in his daughter’s school, Tree of Life Christian (TLC) Preparatory School. As a TLC volunteer, AJ served as a chaperone for his daughter’s 3rd/4th grade class. In 2025, AJ was hired to serve as a Teacher Aide at TLC, where he now teaches 1st/2nd grade language arts and K-4th grade physical education.

I am Cindy Joy Rosica, a dedicated Teacher’s Aide at Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School with a passion of nurturing young learners in a loving and supportive environment. With over 10 years of experience as a Sabbath School teacher, I am committed to helping children grow in both knowledge and faith while teaching them about God’s amazing love.

I also bring hands-on experience with Montessori-style learning through teaching my own children during their preschool and kindergarten years, focusing on keeping little hands busy and minds engaged. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and strive to create a classroom where every child feels heard, valued and comfortable.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy cooking, shopping and building LEGOs with my kids.

Mr. Shawn has worked at TLC since 2017 as a Volunteer, Substitute Teacher, and Before Care Employee. His twin boys are 7 year alumni (2nd through 8th grade) and he is very grateful to all that TLC Prep has provided to prepare his children for high school and the rest of their lives.

For this reason and many more, he applies his degree in networking and experience with computers to provide IT services for the school at no cost. He finds it a privilege to be part of the TLC Family and watch the students grow and succeed.