A WORD ABOUT OUR STAFF
Patricia Castle -
Executive Director
Pat and her husband of
21 years have resided in Mt. Airy for 11 years. She is the mother of
two boys, ages eleven and fifteen. 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 fourteen 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 the Early Child Educators
Association of Carroll County. Pat is currently credentialed at the
level six through the Maryland State Department of Education Child Care
Credentialing Program. She 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 31 years, and a dedicated nursery school employee for
the last 26 years. She has a BA from Hood College. Sharon enjoys
bicycling, baking, card making, reading, and camping.
Chris Calka - Preschool 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 - Preschool 3`s and Pre-K 4`s Teaching Assistant (Main Street) 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.
Cindi Curtin - 2`s Teaching Assistant (Main Street)
Cindi and her husband of 10 years have both grown up in the area. In 2007, they moved to Fort Mill, SC for a few years and have recently moved to Mount Airy. Cindi has a Bachelor`s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson University. She was a kindergarten teacher in Howard County for 6 years until having her first child. She now has three children. Her son is a 2nd grader at Parr`s Ridge and her twin girls will be in the 3`s program this year at St. James. Cindi and the girls are very excited to be a part of the St. James family. Cindi enjoys playing any sport with her kids, running, the beach, cooking, cheering on the Redskins and attending St. Michael`s Catholic Church.
Phyllis Garnand - Pre-K
4's Teacher (Main Street)
Phyllis and her husband
are long 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 over 25 years. In her spare time, Phyllis loves to collect
Santas and snowmen.
Angie Hillman - Preschool 3`s Teaching Assistant (Annex)
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 First Aid and CPR. This will be
Angie's third year working at St. James. Angie has been a Sunday school
teacher for three year old at St. Michael's Church for many years. She
has lived in Mt. Airy for nine years with her husband and three
daughters. Angie loves to scrapbook, read, and camp.
Kathryn Janiga - 2's
Teacher (Main Street)
Kathryn holds a BS in Nursing from University of
Maryland. She has been married 30 years with 2 children (24 and 25
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 is very excited to begin
her second year at St. James.
Kim Miller - 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 15th
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 - Preschool 3`s Teacher (Main Street)
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. Ignathius
Catholic Church in Ijamsville. Both daughters are alumni of St.
James'. Christine enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Nicole Robb - Floating Aide and Office Assistant
Nicole has a BS in early childhood education from Towson University. She taught kindergarten and 2nd grade in the Carroll County Public School System for several years before staying at home with her children. She and her husband live in Sykesville and have 3 children-twin boys and a daughter, all elementary school aged. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, visiting museums, reading, and crossing things off her “things to do” list.
Tracy Stouffer - Preschool 3`s and Pre-K 4`s Teaching Assistant (Main Street and Annex)
Tracy Stouffer and her
two children have lived in Mt. Airy for 15 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 Shirley Thomas - Preschool 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 27 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 43 years and have
been residents of Mt. Airy for 35 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 -
Pre-K 4's Teaching Assistant (Main Street)
Linda is
starting her tenth 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 - Preschool 3`s Teacher (Main Street)
Dona is beginning her
seventh 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. |
