2023-2024 TEACHING STAFF
Danielle Barie
Purple Class; Green Class
Educational Background: I have a CDA and have attended Pennsylvania State University.
Experience with children: I have been a St. Paul's Preschool staff member for 8 years. I am also a mother of two girls who both attended St. Paul's Preschool!
Goals as a Teacher: I want to emphasize the development of language and bring learning to life for the children! I want to create a learning environment which stimulates cognitive development! I want to help the children learn and grow in their social/emotional skills.
Some of my favorite things: I love the color purple. My favorite children's author is David Shannon. My hobby is reading or designing craft items with my Cricut!
Pets: I have a Black Lab named Bailey!
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I enjoy exercising and being with my family!
Sheila Cauley
Red Class; Yellow Class; Gold Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Dayton.
Experience with children: I have 21 years of teaching experience at St. Paul's Preschool!
Goals as a Teacher: I want to create a safe, happy and loving environment for the children's first experienced in school. I want to build and foster trusting relationships with the children and their families. I enjoy creating lesson plans that address the development of small motor skills, large motor skills, social/emotional skills, cognitive skills and communication/language skills.
Some of my favorite things: I like the color navy blue! I love so many children's authors and their books that there are too many to list, but a few include: Dr. Seuss, James Dean (Pete the Cat series), Mem Fox ("Whoever You Are") and Kathryn Otoshi ("One"). My hobby is reading and my book club!
Pets: My son has tropical fish.
Family: My husband Bill and 3 sons, Billy, Emmett and Michael
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I love to spend time with my family and friends.
Kayla Crivella
Lavender Class: Gold Class
Educational Background: I have an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from the Community College of Allegheny County.
Experience with Children: I worked for 7 years in the St. Paul's Drop-In Child Care program, caring for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years of age. I have worked for St. Paul's Preschool for the past two years, teaching 2- and 3-year olds! I have at least 10 years of babysitting children in my background as well!
Goals as a Teacher: I would like to allow children to grow and develop to their fullest potential. It's always so much fun to see where they are with their skills at the beginning of the end and then to watch how they have progressed and grown in their development as the school year ends. I also feel strongly about providing an environment where children have fun and feel safe!
Some of my Favorite Things: I love the color pink! My favorite children's author and book is "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. My hobby is just being outdoors!
Pets: I have a dog named King and a fish named Daisy.
Family: My fiancee's name is Justin and I have a daughter, Blakely, who is a student at St. Paul's Preschool!
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I love to spend time with my family.
Ann Cummings-Krause
Green Class; Orange Class; Purple Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.
Experience with children: I have worked at several educational and mental helath programs including Children and Youth Services, Craig House, Forbes Regional Hospital, HIghmark and Wesley Spectrum. I have been a staff member at St. Paul's Preschool since 2016.
Goals as a Teaching Assistant: I want to create a safe environment for the children. I also want to support and encourage children to work towards becoming their personal best. I want to model and encourage healthy peer and social interactions as well.
Some of my favorite things: I love the color green! My favorite children's book is "The KIssing Hand" by Audrey Penn. My hobby is baking!
Family: I am married and have 3 grown daughters.
What I like to do when I'm not working at St. Paul's Preschool: I like to bargain shop, walk and read!
Pam DeLuca
Science and Music Resource
Educational Background: I graduated from Kiski Area and have an associate's degree in Medical/Secretarial Sciences. I have worked as a dental practice manager for the past few years before coming to St. Paul's Preschool.
Experience with Children: I worked for St. Paul's Preschool/Child Care (at the McKnight location) for two years while my son was a preschool student at that location. I have worked as a youth instruction for Pre-K and kindergarten groups of the Alabaster Performing Arts, Children's Theatre Series. I have taught children choreography, singing and acting skills.
Goals as a Teaching Assistant: I would like to enrich children's minds with music and play and to experience the world through sounds!
Some of my Favorite things: I love the color blue! My favorite author is Sandra Boyton. My hobby is singing in a band with my husband and in other live events.
Pets: I have a border collie mix rescue dog named Zoey!
Family: I am married and have a son, Logan, whos is a senior at Shaler Area School District.
What I like to do when I'm not working at St. Paul's Preschool: My family and I love the outdoors and love to camp. We also volunteer for the Shaler Area Band, Choir and Performing Arts Departments. We LOVE to attend live music events and frequently go to see theater productions.
Nicole Felinczak
Lavender Class; Yellow Class; Blue Class; STREAM Class
Educational background: I attended VTI (Veterinarian Tech Institute)
Experience with Children: I have been a stay-at-home mom of three children for the past ten years!
Goals as a Teaching Assistant: I want to create a loving and safe learning environment for the children. I also want to help encourage children to learn and grow in their social / emotional skills.
Some of my Favorite Things: I love the color Teal. My favorite children's book is If You Give A Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. My favorite hobbies are running, crafting and reading in my spare time!
Pets: We have 2 cats (Church and Patches), a bird (Aero) and a turtle amed Myrtle!
Family: My fiancee and I have been together for twelve years! We have three children, Alexis, Joseph and Ethan.
What I like to do when I'm not teaching at St. Paul's Preschool: I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening and beign outside.
Kathy Hamilton
Financial Manager
I have been the Financial Manager, handling all the preschool accounts, for the past 19 years.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University.
I am married and live in Ross Township.
I love to travel and have been to many different countries around the world!
My talents include playing the organ and piano as well as cooking!
I love to spend time with my family, especially my two grandchildren who both attended St. Paul's Preschool!
Shawnnelle Hazard
Turquoise Class; Blue Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education Integrated Studies from Liberty University.
Experience with Children: For the past 5 years, I have worked with children at St. John's Preschool. I also work as a substitute teacher at North Allegheny School District, where I teach grades K-12. I've volunteered throughout North Allegheny for the past 15 years as well!
Goals as a Teacher: My goal as a teacher is to meet students where they are at developmentally and then encourage and work with them to learn and grow in knowledge and confidence.
Some of my Favorite things: I love the color red! My favorite author is Mo Willems. I love his Elephant and Piggie books! My hobbies are baking, reading, and crafting with my Cricut!
Pets: I have a dog named Gia and a cat nemed Greyson.
Family: I have been married to my husband, Jeff, for 20 years! We have 4 daughters, Gabriella (16), Grace (14), Genevieve (12) and Gloriana (7).
What I like to do when I'm not working at St. Paul's Preschool: When I'm not working, you will find me at the field somewhere cheering on my girls' field hockey teams. I also like to go to the gym and work out with my daughters or go swimming in the backyard.
Michol Miller
Turquoise Class
Educational Background: I graduated from Hampton High School and received a Business Management Associates' Degree from CCAC.
Experience with Children: This is my second year as a teacher's aide for St. Paul's Preschool. I love it!! I have been a mother to my two children who constantly keep me on my toes and busy!
Goals as a teaching aide: To provide a happy, healthy, and safe educational experience for our young children. It is important to always listen and pay attention to the children's "wants and needs" during their time in my care.
Some of my Favorite Things: I like the color blue. My favorite children's author is J.K. Rowling. I like reading the Harry Potter series. My hobbies are reading, enjoying the outdoors, watching my favorite sports teams (Penguins and Steelers), and spending time with my family and friends.
Family: My husband Steve and I have been married for 10 years. We went to school together so we have known each other since we were 12 years old! We have 2 children...Alex who is in kindergarten and Avery, who is a student at St. Paul's Preschool.
What I like to do when I'm not working at St. Paul's Preschool: I like to be with my family and friends, enjoying our favorite sports teams and the time we spend together!
Linda Morris-Bagely
Office Manager
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, emphasizing History and Political Science from California State University at Long Beach.
Experience with Children: I began babysitting at age 12 and never looked back. I worked as a nanny for a lovely family all through my college years. I have been actively involved in all aspects of my children's education. I served on many PTO Boards and was a homeroom mother for over 13 years. As a former athlete, I loved spending many years coaching co-ed youth soccer, boys and girls basketball, softball and baseball!
Favorite part of my day: Seeing a child light up when he/she learns something new!
Pets: I have one dog-a beagle named Tucker and one grand-puppy-also a beagle, named Giselle.
Family: I have 3 children, Marissa (age 24), Matthew (age 22) and Michael ( age 18). All three of my children attended St. Paul's Preschool.
Some of my favorite things: I love the color purple. My favorite children's author is Laura Numeroff. I love all of her books. "If you Give a Pig a Pancake" is my favorite! My hobby is cooking. I love experimenting with new recipes or creating my own!
What I like to do when not working at St. Paul's Preschool: I enjoy spending time with my children, playing with my dog, listening to music and watching sports. I also love traveling to visit my family and childhood friends who all still live in the New Jersey area.
Sharon Sawl
Red Class; Orange Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Lock Haven University in Early Childhood Education.
Experience with children: I have been teaching at St. Paul's Preschool for 18 years!
Goals as a Teacher: I want to help the children find the joy in learning and a joy in discovering the world around them!
Some of my favorite things: I love the color blue! I love to eat at Applebees and the Longhorn Steak House. I love to shop on Amazon and my Kindle and at Walmart, Target and Barnes & Noble! My favorite children's author is Ellen Stoll Walsh ("Mouse Paints" and "Mouse Counts"). I love to read and draw/sketch.
Pets: 2 dogs (Gunner, Lila), 6 reptiles (Pip-Bearded Dragon, Thaddeus-tortoise, Pepper- Leopard Gecko, Rascal-Uramastyx, Thor and Loki-Cuban Knight Anoles)
Family: My husband Tim, my daughter Carolyn (23 years old) and my son Jared (25 years old)
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I am a dog trainer at PetSmart. I like to read and take walks with my dog!
Heather Schneider
Lavender Class
Educational Background: I graduated frm Miami of Ohio with double majors in Psychology and Social Work and a minor in Early Childhood Education. After graduating, I completed graduate level courses and earned my Texas teaching certificate for Pre-K through 6th grade.
Experience with Children: I have assorted experience working in camp and childcare settings as well as in schools K-12. I've worked with a wide range of ages. I've been a caregiver in an infant room, taught Junior Achievement to elementary students with my husband and chaperoned high school band trips. My 6 years of classroom teacher experience was focused primarily in levels Pre-K through First grade. I paused teaching when my first child was born and am returning for the first time this year.
Goals as a Teacher: I want to get to know each child individually and help them to grow their confidence and friendships while finding joy in exploring and learning.
Some of my Favorite Things: I love the color pink! I enjoy so many children's books. I have a large collection that I started when I taught in a classroom and continued to expand with my own kids. One that has always been special to me even when I was a kid is "A Thingumajig Christmas" by Irene Keeler. I enjoy dong yoga and crafts.
Pets: I have 3 cats--a brown tabby named Gizmo, a tuxedo named Luna Bean and an orange tabby named Georgie.
Family: My husband, Todd, and I have been married for 21 years. We have 3 children. Sarah is 20 and is studying New Media Interactive Development (computer science and design combination) at RIT. Owen is 18 and is working towards the cyber security field but is still figuring out which path is going to be right for him to get there. Claire is 16 and is a junior at Shaler.
What I like to do when I'm not Teaching: I am currently the president of the District Parent Council at Shaler. I work with the building PTO's and the district administration to help with communication and parent education. My daughter, Claire, and I enjoy volunteering at Aimal Friends as cat handlers together. We also foster kittens (and sometimes mamas too) through Animal Friends.
Karrie Shields
Yellow Class; Purple Class; Stream Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education form La Roche College.
Experience with children: I have over 20 years of teaching experience at the Tender Care Learning Center and the CCAC North Campus Child Development Center. This is my third year with St. Paul's Preschool.
Goals as a Teacher: My goal as a teacher is to encourage and challenge students as they develop and learn. I want to inspire a love of learning, reading and having fun within my students!
Some of my favorite things: I love the color purple. My favorite children's author is Eric Carle ("Mister Seahorse"). My hobby is reading and crafting!
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I love to read and make crafts!
Laurel Webster, Director
I have been working for St. Paul’s Preschool since September 1993. Before I began as a teacher, I was an active parent whose 4 children were students at St. Paul’s Preschool! I began as a teacher and have worked with all the age groups: 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. I moved up to the Head Teacher position for three years (at the time St. Paul’s Preschool had 3 separate locations in the North Hills) and then moved into the Assistant Director position for the next three years, working under Georgia Couch (the very first preschool director and my fabulous mentor). I worked as a Co-Director for four years, (working between the Ferguson Road Center and the McKnight Center), which enabled me to teach as well as function as an administrator. For the past 12 years, I have been the sole director of St. Paul’s Preschool. It has been and continues to be a joy for me!
I also work as an adjunct faculty member at CCAC, teaching Early Childhood and Education courses in the evenings. This helps me keep up with any new developments in the field of early childhood education. I also enjoy helping to train new early childhood teachers!
I have a B.A. degree in English from California State University of Pa. and a MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
I serve as an Early Childhood Administrator on the North Hills P-3 Elementary School Team. This group was an initiative created by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, the PA Departments of Education and Human Services and our state leadership. The purpose of the P-3 Collaboration is to help school districts, early learning providers, and community organizations throughout the commonwealth make the vital connections and collaborations necessary for student success from prenatal development through third grade.
I am a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.
One of the most rewarding times of the day for me are the times I visit the classrooms and see all the wonderful ways the children are learning. Each child is unique and learns in his/her own way. Children are creative with materials and are so curious about how things work and “what might happen if I do this?” I watch children try to work together to build “the tallest building in the world” or measure how many “Legos long a stuffed animal may be”! I love all the wonderful personalities which come together to create each class!
I have 8 grandchildren to cherish and watch grow into their own special selves! I don’t have any pets at home anymore, but enjoy watching beautiful birds visiting our many bird feeders and making homes in our various bird houses.
My favorite color is green! I love to eat Indian food! You might see me either walking around North Park or riding my bike around the lake!
I am so honored to be able to be a part of each child’s education and early development. What a wonderful place to work!
Jessica Vicheck
Turquoise Class; GoldClass; Stream Class
Educational Background: I am from Cambria County and graduated from Cambria Heights in 2005.
Experience with children: I have 6 years of experience in the early childhood field and have enjoyed every moment of it! This is my second year at St. Paul's Preschool.
Goals as a Teaching Assistant: I want to make sure that all the children have a smile on their face. I want the children to be excited to tell their families what they did at school! I want to come up with fun and creative ways for the children to enjoy learning.
Some of my favorite things: I love the color blue. My favorite children's authors are Bill Cotter ("Don't Push the Button") and H.A. Rey (Curious George books). My hobbies are exercising and watching crime drama shows!
Pets: I have a German Shepard named Adele.
Family: My husband Steve, a son Ryan (15 years old), a son Landon (6 years old) and a daughter Myla (2 years old).
What I like to do when I'm not working at St. Paul's Preschool: I love to spend time with my family and go to the beach!
Sherri Zavasky
Green Class; Orange Class
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Edinboro University.
Experience with children: I have been teaching children in some capacity for 33 years! I have worked in the public school system as an elementary teacher and also private school programs as a preschool teacher. This is my 9th year at St. Paul's Preschool.
Goals as a Teacher: My goal as a teacher is to foster the love of learning in every child and to provide hands on experiences for each child to explore, observe and learn on their own!
Some of my favorite things: I love the color purple. My favorite children's authors are Eric Carle and Margaret Wise Brown. My hobby is walking my dogs in North Park!
Pets: I have 2 Golden Retrievers named Cooper and Toby.
Family: My husband Ron and two sons, Ronnie (23 years old) and Kyle (21 years old)
What I like to do when I'm not teaching: I like to watch movies, read and shop!
