Staff « Emmanuel Methodist Preschool

Staff

Damita Robinson, Director Contact: drobinson.emps@gmail.com	My name is Damita Robinson. I am a graduate from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland where I achieved a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education. I am currently attending Loyola University Maryland where I am seeking my Masters in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. My teaching career has taken me on a wonderful journey over the last 8 years from preschool to fifth grade, with my most recent experience as a kindergarten teacher. I am married with two sons, Nathan and Michael. I spend most of my free time with my boys but I also love to read and I still love to cut and paste. My position here with Emmanuel Preschool has allowed me the opportunity to pursue my passion for providing an exceptional first-school experience for young children.
Janine MacDonald, Office Administrator Contact: emmanuelpreschool@gmail.com	Hi, my name is Janine MacDonald, office administrator for Emmanuel Preschool. I was born in Washington, D. C. and I have lived in Maryland for most of my life. I have an Associate’s Degree in Business Management. I have held administrative roles as well as worked with children as a nursery attendant at a health club, including event and birthday party planning. I am married and have two daughters who learned some of their first valuable lessons from Emmanuel Preschool. My hobbies are reading, crocheting, solving crossword puzzles and playing board games with my family.
Vanessa Giddings, Teacher Contact: vgiddings.emps@gmail.com	Aloha, my name is Ms. Vanessa. I began working for Emmanuel Methodist Preschool in 1986. I have an AA Degree in Early Childhood Ed. It is a joy working with the parents and children of Emmanuel, as well as, the staff. My goal is to give each student an opportunity for exploring with a hands on approach. My family and I enjoy ATV/ORV and camping.
Stephanie Seiger, Teacher Contact: sseiger.emps@gmail.com	Hi, my name is Stephanie Seiger and I love being part of the staff at Emmanuel as a teacher assistant. I have a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland. In 1994, after 8 years of managing construction jobs, I decided that I’d had enough and wanted to be a full-time mom. Years of volunteering in my boys’ classrooms convinced me that I really loved working with children. I began a career as a substitute teacher at Emmanuel in 2000 and with the Howard Co. Public Schools in 2002. Joining the staff here as a teacher assistant was like a dream come true! My husband and I live with our two sons and enjoy going to the theater, traveling, reading and following the Terps.
Kelly Gross, Teacher Contact: kgross.emps@gmail.com	Hello, my name is Kelly Gross. I joined Emmanuel staff nearly 8 years ago and I have been having fun right along with the children ever since. My degree is in Communications and I have worked in both broadcast and print media. However, after becoming a mother I discovered something fabulous…”little people”! I now have the wonderful opportunity to work with your children. My family time is usually spent outdoors. We especially love national parks and all the activities that go with them!
Joyce Ferber, Teacher Contact: jferber.emps@gmail.com	Hello, my name is Joyce Ferber. I have wanted to teach young children ever since I was a little girl in “Nursery School” myself many years ago. After receiving my Early Childhood Education degree, I have been blessed with so many wonderful teaching opportunities. They span over 30 years and include 2 years in a Harford County (MD) first grade and the remaining years in Preschool. I love to sing, dance and learn right with the children. My husband and I have 3 grown children- 2 daughters and 1 son. Gardening, scrapbooking, card making and being a Grammy are some of the other joys in my life.
Ann Thompson, Teacher Contact: athompson.emps@gmail.com	Hi, my name is Ann Thompson. I have lived in Maryland since 1991, when I married my husband Kris. I received a B.A. in Politics from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1988 and received my post graduate degree in Early Childhood Education in 1991 from Lynchburg College. I have taught pre-schoolers and 2nd graders. One thing I LOVE about teaching: I love to learn with the children. I am very excited about teaching the Mother’s Morning Out Class of young 3-year olds! Some of my interests: cooking, reading, gardening, and jogging. My husband and I have a son and a daughter.
Andra Wood, Teacher Contact: awood.emps@gmail.com	Hi, my name is Andra Wood. I have lived here in this area all my life. My husband and I have three beautiful daughters who have all attended Emmanuel Preschool. I have spent many hours volunteering in my girl’s classes and was even a Girl Scout Leader for a couple of years. I started as a substitute and was lucky enough to become a part of the staff here at Emmanuel, as an assistant teacher, in 2005-2006 school year. I have completed my 90hr Child Development certification classes. I spend my free time camping with family and friends and at the soccer fields watching my girls play.
Karen Lampron, Teacher Contact: klampron.emps@gmail.com	My name is Karen Lampron. I have lived in Howard County since 1992, when my husband and I moved from Silver Spring. I attended the University of Maryland, first in Munich, Germany and finished up my bachelors degree in Marketing and Economics at College Park in 1984. I have four wonderful children, all of whom are Emmanuel Preschool alumni! My first child started at the preschool in 1997 and I love the teachers, and the philosophy of the school. I started as a substitute and am now happily on staff. My hobbies are reading, yard work, exercising and anything that keeps me out of the kitchen.
Tracy Geesaman, Teacher Contact: tgeesaman.emps@gmail.com	Hi! My name is Tracy Geesaman and this will be my first year teaching at Emmanuel United Methodist Preschool. I graduated in 1998 from Penn State University with a BA in Music. After graduation, I taught high school vocal music until I had my first child. I have been a stay at home Mom for the past 10 years and have been teaching private piano and voice lessons for the past 7 years. Last year I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time in my son’s preschool classroom and that is where I discovered my love for early childhood education and I am delighted to be joining the staff at Emmanuel Preschool. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching my boys play sports and scrapbooking.
Deirdre Gorton, Teacher Contact: dgorton.emps@gmail.com	Hello, my name is Deirdre Gorton. I live in Columbia Maryland with my husband and two daughters. My degree is in Early Childhood Education and I have worked with young children and their families for several years. I feel blessed to be a part of this wonderful preschool community. My goal in the classroom is to create a safe and nurturing environment that encourages open-ended, child-directed exploration. My interests include all aspects of the performing arts, baking and sightseeing.
Kathy Ratcliffe, Teacher Contact: kratcliffe.emps@gmail.com	Hi, my name is Kathy Ratcliffe and I am thrilled to be joining the staff at Emmanuel Methodist Preschool. I grew up in the Laurel area, and have lived in North Laurel since 1991. I received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Frostburg University in 1984. I taught kindergarten at Adelphi Elementary in Prince Georges County, and second grade at Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford, England. I love teaching and working with children. I’ve also been active with Cub Scouts as well as Murray Hill Middle School’s PTA, drama productions, and Music Boosters. My hobby is scrapbooking, and I love traveling, especially in other countries (I’ve been to Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece). My husband and I have three wonderful sons, Zach, Dylan, and Harrison, all of whom attended Emmanuel Preschool.