Amy Allman, Lead Teacher Am 4's and 2 day 3 year old class
I grew up outside of Rochester, NY and moved to Maryland to attend graduate school. My husband and I have been living in Harford County for over 20 years. I worked in Human Resources before becoming a stay at home Mom. We have three children, Lily, Luke and Eric and 2 labradoodles. We loved First Presbyterian Preschool when our children attended and I am happy that I can still be involved in this wonderful school. I enjoy watching my kids play their sports, teaching Pilates, running and playing tennis, gardening and cooking. I look forward to the new school year and being part of the First Presbyterian Preschool family.
I grew up outside of Rochester, NY and moved to Maryland to attend graduate school. My husband and I have been living in Harford County for over 20 years. I worked in Human Resources before becoming a stay at home Mom. We have three children, Lily, Luke and Eric and 2 labradoodles. We loved First Presbyterian Preschool when our children attended and I am happy that I can still be involved in this wonderful school. I enjoy watching my kids play their sports, teaching Pilates, running and playing tennis, gardening and cooking. I look forward to the new school year and being part of the First Presbyterian Preschool family.
Catherine Ryan, Lead Teacher 3 day 3 and Prep Class
I am so excited to be a part of the FPPS teaching team! I graduated in 2011 from West Virginia University with my Bachelors degree in Psychology. I then earned my Masters degree in Elementary and Special Education from Towson University in 2013. I worked as a paraeducator while attending graduate school and eventually moved into a teaching role where I taught English Language Arts to students with disabilities at a nonpublic special needs school in Baltimore City. After having children of my own, I worked virtually teaching English as a second language to preschool and elementary aged children in China. I currently have my own private tutoring business in Harford County, focusing primarily on foundational literacy skills. I have dedicated my career to teaching and working with young children! In my free time I love to read, bike with my family, and practice yoga. In 2022, I became a certified yoga teacher and I have been teaching yoga in preschool classrooms during the summer months around Harford and Baltimore Counties. My sons are graduates of First Presbyterian. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing school!
I am so excited to be a part of the FPPS teaching team! I graduated in 2011 from West Virginia University with my Bachelors degree in Psychology. I then earned my Masters degree in Elementary and Special Education from Towson University in 2013. I worked as a paraeducator while attending graduate school and eventually moved into a teaching role where I taught English Language Arts to students with disabilities at a nonpublic special needs school in Baltimore City. After having children of my own, I worked virtually teaching English as a second language to preschool and elementary aged children in China. I currently have my own private tutoring business in Harford County, focusing primarily on foundational literacy skills. I have dedicated my career to teaching and working with young children! In my free time I love to read, bike with my family, and practice yoga. In 2022, I became a certified yoga teacher and I have been teaching yoga in preschool classrooms during the summer months around Harford and Baltimore Counties. My sons are graduates of First Presbyterian. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing school!
Kellie Weygant, Lead Teacher Kindergarten Readiness Class
I am excited and looking forward to educating your little ones this year at First Presbyterian Preschool. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher and I have been teaching young children for over 20 years. I went to Goucher College and I have taught preschool through 3rd grade. I was an owner and instructor at Stroller Strides, I taught preschool classes at Fundamentals, I volunteered at Mountain Christian Church in their 4 year old program, I taught English as a second language and I have homeschooled my own children. My love and passion has always been to educate children! Together with a team of amazing and creative teachers, I am committed to providing your family with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your little ones. I can't wait to meet each of them! |
Jill Botteon, Assistant Teacher, Kindergarten Readiness Class
I am originally from the Philadelphia area but have been in Maryland for more than eighteen years. I live in Bel Air with my husband and three boys, Matthew, Eric, and Ian. All three attended First Presbyterian Preschool so, I am quite familiar with this wonderful school! I have a BA in Accounting and Finance and I worked for several years as an accountant before staying home to be with my children. Kids are amazing so, I feel fortunate and I am extremely grateful for the time with mine while they were young. I am a volunteer in both their school and Cub Scouts. When my youngest entered elementary school, I began substitute teaching here at FPPS. I am now very excited to become a permanent part of this outstanding team! I look forward to spending time with your children to help them learn new things and watch them grow!
I am originally from the Philadelphia area but have been in Maryland for more than eighteen years. I live in Bel Air with my husband and three boys, Matthew, Eric, and Ian. All three attended First Presbyterian Preschool so, I am quite familiar with this wonderful school! I have a BA in Accounting and Finance and I worked for several years as an accountant before staying home to be with my children. Kids are amazing so, I feel fortunate and I am extremely grateful for the time with mine while they were young. I am a volunteer in both their school and Cub Scouts. When my youngest entered elementary school, I began substitute teaching here at FPPS. I am now very excited to become a permanent part of this outstanding team! I look forward to spending time with your children to help them learn new things and watch them grow!
Dawn Kraft, Assistant Teacher 2 day 3 year old class and Kindergarten Readiness
I have worked with young children for over twenty years as a preschool teacher and also as a trainer for new teachers. I have lived in Harford County for the past twenty years. My husband and I have three children, Zach, Aubree and Ben. I've enjoyed becoming a grandmother and spedning time with my two grandkids. We share our home with our four legged kids, Bougie and Eddy. I enjoy the beach, reading, walking our dogs, camping. I'm very excited to start a new school year with your family.
I have worked with young children for over twenty years as a preschool teacher and also as a trainer for new teachers. I have lived in Harford County for the past twenty years. My husband and I have three children, Zach, Aubree and Ben. I've enjoyed becoming a grandmother and spedning time with my two grandkids. We share our home with our four legged kids, Bougie and Eddy. I enjoy the beach, reading, walking our dogs, camping. I'm very excited to start a new school year with your family.
Alyse McLhinney, Assistant Teacher Prep class
I grew up in Bel Air and am a Bel Air High School alumni along with my husband, Pat! I knew I wanted to teach after coaching all star cheerleading for 10 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Towson University (Go Tigers!) After a short time teaching in Harford County, I became a stay-at-home mom to my two boys, Nolan and Beckett, and now work part time at a local urgent care. If I’m not at the baseball field, you can find me at the gym, creating with my Cricut machine, or going to our beach condo in Ocean City! Both of my sons are FPPS graduates and I was so sad we wouldn’t be there anymore. I’m so grateful I’ve been given the chance to work with children again with the best preschool around!
I grew up in Bel Air and am a Bel Air High School alumni along with my husband, Pat! I knew I wanted to teach after coaching all star cheerleading for 10 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Towson University (Go Tigers!) After a short time teaching in Harford County, I became a stay-at-home mom to my two boys, Nolan and Beckett, and now work part time at a local urgent care. If I’m not at the baseball field, you can find me at the gym, creating with my Cricut machine, or going to our beach condo in Ocean City! Both of my sons are FPPS graduates and I was so sad we wouldn’t be there anymore. I’m so grateful I’ve been given the chance to work with children again with the best preschool around!
Pam Nixson, Assistant Teacher 3 day 4 year old class
I am originally from a small town in Central New York, but my husband's job brought us to Maryland over 25 years ago. We raised our two children here, both of whom are proud First Presbyterian Preschool graduates! We recently became empty nesters as our daughters have now graduated from college and are both living and working outside of Philadelphia. I have over 10 years experience as a preschool teacher assistant, and I am so excited to be returning to the classroom after subbing here at FPPS for the last few years. I have run my own photography business for 11 years now, and when I'm not editing photos, you can find me visiting my daughters, my family in NY, or trying to put my husband's frequent flier miles to good use. I'm thrilled to be joining the FPPS family, and I can't wait to share the new school year with all of you!
I am originally from a small town in Central New York, but my husband's job brought us to Maryland over 25 years ago. We raised our two children here, both of whom are proud First Presbyterian Preschool graduates! We recently became empty nesters as our daughters have now graduated from college and are both living and working outside of Philadelphia. I have over 10 years experience as a preschool teacher assistant, and I am so excited to be returning to the classroom after subbing here at FPPS for the last few years. I have run my own photography business for 11 years now, and when I'm not editing photos, you can find me visiting my daughters, my family in NY, or trying to put my husband's frequent flier miles to good use. I'm thrilled to be joining the FPPS family, and I can't wait to share the new school year with all of you!
Charlotte Grabenstein , Assistant Teacher 3 Day 3 year old class
I’m Charlotte Grabenstein, my husband and I celebrate our anniversary every year around Thanksgiving. We love to travel, especially in our family's RV. We take many trips to visit my mother and cousins in North Carolina. We have one cat, we just lost our dog of 16 years this past March (We plan to adopt another.) I’m a graduate from Towson University with a bachelor’s in English and writing, and an associate’s in secondary education from Harford Community College. My hobbies include anything in fiber art, knitting, crochet, and cross stitch. I also have become a sourdough enthusiast and have enjoyed baking bread. My husband works for a bakery and has been notorious for bringing his work home with him. I love working with children, especially in Early Education because each day is new and exciting. Children absorb so much information through hands on an activities and discovery through play. I always said that I had the best of both worlds when I work with younger kids and part time I have a job at the college working in adult literacy. In both worlds I get to experience students who enjoy learning. In pre-school we prepare them for kindergarten, and that’s what excites me!
I’m Charlotte Grabenstein, my husband and I celebrate our anniversary every year around Thanksgiving. We love to travel, especially in our family's RV. We take many trips to visit my mother and cousins in North Carolina. We have one cat, we just lost our dog of 16 years this past March (We plan to adopt another.) I’m a graduate from Towson University with a bachelor’s in English and writing, and an associate’s in secondary education from Harford Community College. My hobbies include anything in fiber art, knitting, crochet, and cross stitch. I also have become a sourdough enthusiast and have enjoyed baking bread. My husband works for a bakery and has been notorious for bringing his work home with him. I love working with children, especially in Early Education because each day is new and exciting. Children absorb so much information through hands on an activities and discovery through play. I always said that I had the best of both worlds when I work with younger kids and part time I have a job at the college working in adult literacy. In both worlds I get to experience students who enjoy learning. In pre-school we prepare them for kindergarten, and that’s what excites me!
Leslie Kaloostian, Director I am so excited to be a part of the First Presbyterian Preschool! I am originally from Louisville, Kentucky and graduated college from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. As a military family, we have had the opportunity to call many places home from Hawaii to Germany, Washington to Florida, and many states in between. My education background includes teaching middle school science, substituting across all grade levels, and teaching Sunday school. In my free time, I love to swim, hike, and be with my husband and two children, Kendall and Connor. I am thrilled to bring my passion for education and children to this wonderful preschool, as well as connect with the community, students, and families!