A WORD ABOUT OUR STAFF

Patricia Castle - Executive Director

Pat and her husband of 20 years have resided in Mt. Airy for 11 years.  She is the mother of two boys, ages ten and fourteen.  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.  She is also a member of the Early Childhood Educator's Association of Carroll County.   Pat is currently credentialed at the level six through the Maryland State Department of Education Child Care Credentialing Program.  Pat is an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.  She enjoys going RVing, reading, and watching her sons play sports.  This is her seventh year as St. James' Nursery School's Executive Director.

Sharon Hansen - Business Manager/Assistant Director

Sharon and her husband have lived in Mt. Airy for 35 years.  Their family consists of two grown children, three grandchildren, and their dachshund!  Sharon has been a member of St. James' Church for 30 years, and a dedicated Nursery employee for the last 25 years.   She has a BA from Hood College.  Sharon enjoys bicycling, baking, card making, reading, and needlework.

Susan Basham - 3's Teacher (Main Street) and Pre-K 4's Teaching Assistant (Annex)

Susan, her husband, and their three children have live in Mt. Airy.  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.

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.  After Amanda and Michelle graduated from St. James Chris joined our staff in 1998.  Chris holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR.  Chris is currently enrolled at Carroll Community College and is taking Early Childhood Education courses.  She is credentialed through the Maryland State Child Care Credentialing Program.  Chris is involved in her daughters activities, whether its Girl scouts, 4-H or as a high school chaperone.  The Calka family is a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.  Chris enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, swimming and, playing with big and miniature horses. 

Debbie Clas - 3's Teaching Assistant (Main Street), Staff Coverage (Annex), and Floating Teaching Assistant & Office Administrative Assistant

Debbie and her husband have lived in Sykesville their entire lives.  She is the mother of four daughters.  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.  She enjoys cooking and doing crafts and spending time with her family and friends.

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

Phyllis and her husband arelong time residents of Mt. Airy.  They have two daughters, both of whom attended St. James' Nursery School.  She is the very proud grandmother of her first grandchild, Jackson! 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 credentialed through the Maryland State Child Care Credentialing Program.  She has been a devoted member of the Nursery staff for 25 years.  In her spare time, Phyllis loves to collect Santas and snowmen.

Jenny Glock - 2's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Jenny and her husband have lived in Mt. Airy their entire lives.  They have four daughters, ages 10, 8, 4 and a new baby.  The three oldest girls attended St. James' Nursery School.  Jenny, herself, graduated from St. James!! She is a graduate of Linganore High School and brings with her many years of experience working with young children. She worked as a nanny for six years for a local family and more recently enjoyed being a stay-at-home-mom.  She enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on the Redskins and collecting Longaberger baskets.

Kathryn Janiga - 2's Teacher (Main Street)

Kathryn holds a BS in Nursing from University of Maryland.  She has been married 29 years with 2 children (23 and 24 years old). She received her 90 Early Childhood Education certification from Carroll Community College.  Kathryn began teaching pre-school in 2005 after practicing nursing for 25 years.  While nursing she specialized in pediatrics.  She loves music, gardening and arts and crafts.  She also is an avid scrap-booker. She comes to St. James with much enthusiasm.

Kim Miller - 3's and Pre-K 4's Teacher (Main Street)

Kim Miller, her husband and their four children have lived in Mt. Airy for over 20 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 currently enrolled at Frederick Community College and is working on her AA in Early Childhood Education. Kim is also a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Kim is beginning her 14^th year working at St. James' Nursery School.  She also holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR. Kim is credentialed through the Maryland State Child Care Credentialing Program.  Kim is a member of St. James' Church.  She enjoys nature, swimming, reading, and being with her children when she can.

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. 

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

Tracy Stouffer and her two children have lived in Mt. Airy for 14 years.  Both children are graduates of St. James' Nursery School and currently excel in public schools. Tracy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University in Interior Design and Art.  She also holds a current certification in First Aid and CPR.  She is an active volunteer at Twin Ridge Elementary School, and 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 7 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.

Nancy Summers - 2's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Nancy has been married for 29 years. She is the mother of an adult son and daughter. She took classes for an associates degree in Early Childhood Education at Montgomery College. During the 70's she also worked for Montgomery County Day Care. When she had her own children she had a family day care business in her home. Later she volunteered at the New Market Elementary School and with both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. She started working at St. James in 1999. She enjoys visiting with family and friends, reading, walking, hiking, exercising and organizing.

Shirley Thomas - 3's & Pre-K 4'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 26 years of service with us here at St. James' Nursery School.  Shirley is credentialed through the Maryland State Child Care Credentialing Program. She and her husband have been married for 42 years and have been residents of Mt. Airy for 34 of those years. Shirley has two adult children, Ron and Jennifer, a four grandchildren!  She is a big Washington Redskin and University of Maryland Terrapin fan and loves to sing and read.

Linda Virostek - 3's & Pre-K 4's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)

Linda is starting her ninth year at St. James' Nursery School.  She and her husband of 36 years live in Winfield. Linda received her Early Childhood certification from Howard Community College and holds a current CPR and First Aid certification.  Linda is credentialed through the Maryland State Child Care Credentialing Program. She has a wealth of experience in early childhood education.

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

Dona is beginning her sixth 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 reading, writing and painting.