A Word About Our Staff:  2007-2008

Executive Director 

Patricia Castle

Pat and her husband of 18 years have resided in Mt. Airy for eight years.  She is the mother of two boys, ages eight and twelve.  She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development and Education from Northern Virginia Community College, a Bachelors Degree from UMBC in American Studies and Early Childhood Education, and a Masters Degree from Towson University in Early Childhood Education.  She has worked as an early childhood program director for ten years and has taught many classes at the college and university level.  She has also taught numerous workshops and seminars.  Pat has over 20 years experience working in early childhood education.  She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and enjoyed attending the national conference two years ago.  She is an active member of the Early Childhood Educator's Association of Carroll County.   Pat is also currently serving on an Education Advisement and Planning Committee for the Carroll County Public School System.  Pat is an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.  She enjoys going RVing, reading historical and science fiction literature and collecting children's books.  She is beginning her fifth year as St. James' Nursery School's Director.

Business Manager/Assistant Director

Sharon Hansen

Sharon and her husband have lived in Mt. Airy for 33 years.  Their family consists of two grown children, two grandchildren, Elliot and Charlotte, and Henry, their dachshund!  Sharon has been a member of St. James' Church for 28 years, and a dedicated Nursery employee for the last 23 years.   She has a BA from Hood College.  Sharon enjoys bicycling, baking, card making, reading, and needlework.

Teachers & Teaching Assistants

Susan Basham - 4's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Susan, her husband, and their three children (14, 13, and 5 years old) have lived in Mt. Airy for the past four years.  She has a BA degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  Her experience includes teaching for 13 years in the public school systems of WV and VA.  Susan is a member of FaithPoint United Methodist Church, where she is actively involved in Children's Ministry.  She enjoys running, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Karla Boss - 2's Teacher (Main Street)

Karla is a graduate from Frederick Community College with a Secretarial Degree. Karla has completed the 90-hour certification for early childhood at Carroll Community College.  She holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR.  This will be Karla's seventh year working at St. James' Nursery School.   She and her husband of 27 years reside in Woodbine, Maryland and have three daughters.  Karla is an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church.  In her spare time she enjoys running and walking.

Chris Calka - 3's and Pre-K 4's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Chris Calka, her husband, and their two daughters have lived in Mt. Airy since 1988.  Chris is a graduate of Chesapeake High School in Pasadena, MD.  Chris holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR. She has been an assistant at St. James since 1998.  Chris is a Cadette Girl Scout Leader and helps with her girls 4-H projects.  Chris is a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. She loves to spend her spare time gardening, swimming and doing crafts.

Debbie Clas - 3's Teacher and Pre-K 4's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Debbie and her husband have lived in Sykesville their entire lives.  She is the mother of four daughters, ages 18, 13, 8 and 4.  Debbie attended Villa Julie College and received her 90 hour certification from Catonsville Community College.  She has over 20 years of experience working with children.  Debbie is currently the Drama Booster President at Century High School and is actively involved with fundraising at Savage Dance Company.  She enjoys cooking and doing crafts and spending time with her family and friends.

Phyllis Garnand - Pre-K 4's Teacher (Main Steet)

Phyllis and her husband of 39 years are also long time residents of Mt. Airy.  They have two daughters, (26 and 31 years old) both of whom attended St. James' Nursery School.  She is the very proud grandmother of her first grandchild, Jackson, born last spring! Phyllis attended Montgomery College and has received her 90 Hour Early Childhood Certificate.  She holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR.  Phyllis is a member of a Baptist church in Wheaton, MD.  She has been a devoted member of the Nursery staff for 22 years.  In her spare time, Phyllis loves to collect Santas and snowmen.

Angie Hillman - 3's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Angie Hillman is currently working towards her AA in Early Childhood Education at Carroll Community College. She has completed her 90-hour classes for early childhood education as well as holds a current certification in CPR.  Angie has worked at St. James as a substitute teacher for the last two years and this will be her first year as a teaching assistant.  For the past five years she has taught Sunday school to three year olds at St. Michaels Church.  Angie currently co-leads to Girl Scout Brownie Troops as well. She has lived in Mt. Airy for seven years with her husband of sixteen years and their three daughters, ages 8, 6, and 3.  Angie loves to scrapbook, knit, read, and camp.

Kim Miller - 3's and Pre-K 4's Teacher & 4's Enrichment Class Teaching Asst. (Main Street)

Kim Miller, her husband and their four children have lived in Mt. Airy for 17 years.  Kim is a graduate of Laurel High School, has received the 90 hour Early Childhood certificate, and has completed some college level courses through the University of Maryland.  Kim is beginning her tenth year working at St. James' Nursery School.  She also holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR.  Kim is a member of St. James' Church.  She enjoys nature, swimming, reading, and being with her children when she can.

Toni Nardo - 2's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Toni and her husband have lived in Mt. Airy for almost 10 years.  They have three children in 4th through 10th grades - 2 were St. James graduates.  Toni graduated from Villa Julie College with an AA degree.  She is a member of Calvary Church in Mt. Airy where she teaches VBS each summer and has been an instructor in their fitness program.  She also regularly volunteers and substitute teaches at Parr's Ridge Elementary School/Mt. Airy Elementary School and loves working with the kids, helping them learn and grow.  Toni also serves as team mom for her son's high school football team and will assistant coach for her daughter's cheerleading team.  She enjoys swimming, gardening, walking, and rooting for her kids' sports teams.

Christine Pullen - Floating Teaching Assistant & Office Administrative Assistant

Christine attended Towson University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.  She has completed some course work towards a Masters degree in Elementary Education at Trinity College in Washington, D.C.  She taught Kindergarten at St. Elizabeth's Catholic School for eight years before staying home with her children.  Christine lives with her husband and two daughters in Monrovia and are active members of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Damascus.  Both daughters are alumni of St. James'. Christine enjoys spending time with family and friends. 

Stephanie Shell - 3's, Pre-K 4's & Pre-K 5's Teaching Assistant (Annex)

Stephanie and her husband Kirk have been married for 19 years; living in Mt. Airy for the last 8 of those years.  They have two children (10 and 12 years old) who are both graduates of St. James.  Stephanie worked as a substitute teacher at Parrs Ridge and Mt. Airy Elementary schools before coming to work at St. James.  She and her husband are active members of Calvary United Methodist Church, where she teaches Sunday School.  In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her family.

Tracy Stouffer - 3's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Tracy Stouffer, her husband and two children have lived in Mt. Airy for 12 years.  Both children are graduates of St. James and currently excel in public schools. Tracy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University in Interior Design.  She is an active volunteer at Twin Ridge Elementary School, and is has been a teacher's aide for the 3 year old Sunday School class at The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Damascus for the past 5 years.  She also has been caring for her neighbor's children on a part-time basis for the past 4 years.  Tracy also has a home business creating scrapbook pages, note cards, and embellishments to sell at craft shows.  She enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and playing with her children.

Shirley Thomas - 3's, Pre-K 4's & Pre-K 5's Teacher (Annex)

Shirley holds a BS degree in Education from the University of Maryland and a current certification in First Aid and CPR. Shirley taught for five years in the Montgomery County Public School system and is now celebrating 22 years of service with us here at St. James' Nursery School.  She and her husband have been married for 40 years and have been residents of Mt. Airy for 32 of those years. Shirley has two adult children, Ron and Jennifer, a grandson, Nathan, and a new granddaughter Natalie!  She is a big Washington Redskin and University of Maryland Terrapin fan and loves to sing and read.

Dona Wilson - 3's Teacher and 4's Enrichment Class Teacher (Main Street)

Dona is beginning her forth year on our staff and brings with her years of experience with children.  She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from University College and a Masters in Educational Management and Supervision from Loyola.  Dona is a retired Howard County School teacher.  Twenty-three of her twenty-seven years of teaching were with first grade children.  She has three grown children and six grandchildren.  She enjoys to read, write and paint.