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 almost 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, 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 almost 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, 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 oldest son is a graduate of First Presbyterian and my youngest is currently enrolled in the 5 day Kindergarten Readiness program. I am grateful to be a part of this amazing school!
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 oldest son is a graduate of First Presbyterian and my youngest is currently enrolled in the 5 day Kindergarten Readiness program. 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! |
Diana Unitas, Assistant Teacher, Kindergarten Readiness Class
I am so excited to be a part of the FPPS teaching team! I was the preschool substitute teacher during the 2013-2014 school year and am thrilled to be a permanent part of the team. I have been in the FPPS family for a very long time as I have 3 children of my own who are all FPPS graduates, Ethan, Emmett and Gabriella. I have my bachelors from Shippensburg University and Master's from Loyola and worked in corporate America for more than 10 years before enjoying life as a stay at home mom. I was so thankful to have the ability to participate so much in my children's lives during their early developmental years. Now that they are in school full time, I am excited for this phase of my life with First Presbyterian Preschool. I am eager to get to know your child and participate in their lives while they start their early educational careers.
I am so excited to be a part of the FPPS teaching team! I was the preschool substitute teacher during the 2013-2014 school year and am thrilled to be a permanent part of the team. I have been in the FPPS family for a very long time as I have 3 children of my own who are all FPPS graduates, Ethan, Emmett and Gabriella. I have my bachelors from Shippensburg University and Master's from Loyola and worked in corporate America for more than 10 years before enjoying life as a stay at home mom. I was so thankful to have the ability to participate so much in my children's lives during their early developmental years. Now that they are in school full time, I am excited for this phase of my life with First Presbyterian Preschool. I am eager to get to know your child and participate in their lives while they start their early educational careers.
Jill Botteon, Assistant Teacher, Prep class and 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 3 year old classes
I have worked with young children for over twenty years as a preschool and PreK teacher and also as a trainer for new teachers. I have lived in Harford County for the past ten years. My husband and I have three children, Zach, Aubree and Ben. We share our home with our four legged kids Jake, Kima and Pixel. I enjoy the beach, walking our dogs and I love 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 and PreK teacher and also as a trainer for new teachers. I have lived in Harford County for the past ten years. My husband and I have three children, Zach, Aubree and Ben. We share our home with our four legged kids Jake, Kima and Pixel. I enjoy the beach, walking our dogs and I love camping. I'm very excited to start a new school year with your family.
Jill Peters Assistant Teacher morning 4 year old class
I am so excited to be a part of the First Presbyterian Preschool family. I live in Bel Air with my husband and my children, Jenna and Jackson. We enjoy spending time with family, friends and our guinea pigs Ziggi and Oreo. You will often find me watching Jackson’s baseball games or shopping with Jenna.
I have a Bachelor's degree from Towson University in Health Science and a Master’s degree in Education from Loyola University. Before pausing my career to start a family, I was a health educator in the Howard County Public School System.
I am looking forward to a great year!
I am so excited to be a part of the First Presbyterian Preschool family. I live in Bel Air with my husband and my children, Jenna and Jackson. We enjoy spending time with family, friends and our guinea pigs Ziggi and Oreo. You will often find me watching Jackson’s baseball games or shopping with Jenna.
I have a Bachelor's degree from Towson University in Health Science and a Master’s degree in Education from Loyola University. Before pausing my career to start a family, I was a health educator in the Howard County Public School System.
I am looking forward to a great year!
Colleen Donahue, Director
I am originally from outside of Philadelphia but have LOVED living in Bel Air for more than 10 years. I graduated from Millersville University with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Before having my own children, I taught a preschool class for children with autism. I continue to work with families that have children on the autism spectrum in the evenings and also work with the ARC. I started subbing at First Presbyterian when my youngest son attended and they just couldn't get rid of me after he graduated. I enjoyed staying at home with my 4 children but now that they are all in school full time, I am enjoying spending my days with the children at this school. I love to run, do musical theater, camp and explore the community with my family. I look forward to getting to know all of the families at First Presbyterian.
I am originally from outside of Philadelphia but have LOVED living in Bel Air for more than 10 years. I graduated from Millersville University with degrees in Elementary and Special Education. Before having my own children, I taught a preschool class for children with autism. I continue to work with families that have children on the autism spectrum in the evenings and also work with the ARC. I started subbing at First Presbyterian when my youngest son attended and they just couldn't get rid of me after he graduated. I enjoyed staying at home with my 4 children but now that they are all in school full time, I am enjoying spending my days with the children at this school. I love to run, do musical theater, camp and explore the community with my family. I look forward to getting to know all of the families at First Presbyterian.
Amy Ausmus, Former Assistant Teacher 3's & 4's, Substitute
I have been with FPPS for over 17 years. I have also been the President of the preschool board prior to becoming a member of our teaching team, and I am also a church member of First Presbyterian Church. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Towson University and previously worked in sales and child care. I have been blessed with two children of my own; Jack and Kate. They are both FPPS alumni, so I know first hand what a wonderful program it is! I love working with children, they never fail to bring a smile to my face and joy to my day. I look forward to getting to know you and your child; it's going to be a great year!
I have been with FPPS for over 17 years. I have also been the President of the preschool board prior to becoming a member of our teaching team, and I am also a church member of First Presbyterian Church. I have a Bachelor's Degree from Towson University and previously worked in sales and child care. I have been blessed with two children of my own; Jack and Kate. They are both FPPS alumni, so I know first hand what a wonderful program it is! I love working with children, they never fail to bring a smile to my face and joy to my day. I look forward to getting to know you and your child; it's going to be a great year!