St. Luke
Preschool
"Building foundations to last a lifetime."
St Luke Preschool Staff
Our team has extensive experience in the education field or working with young children, totaling over 300 years. It requires a compassionate heart to mold young minds!
Danielle Baur
-Preschool Director-
Danielle was born and raised in Fairfax, VA and lived there for ten years after graduating from Georgia Southern University where she earned her Early Childhood Education degree. After graduating, she taught elementary school for five years and then worked with her mom at her in-home childcare business for an additional five years. She has four children and they enjoy spending time outdoors together, playing sports, and in the summer, you can usually find them at Smith Mountain Lake.
Katherine Wheby
-4s teacher-
Katherine teaches one of our four year old classes. She received a BA in Elementary Education from UNC Chapel Hill and taught elementary school before joining our staff in 2011. She enjoys reading, gardening, playing the piano, and spending time with her family, including her two daughters who are graduates of the preschool program.
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Mrs. Katherine's Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IK7HL6ES7JFK?ref=cm_sw_em_r_un_un_4FVvxXnr0RW3e
Amanda Powers
-4s teacher-
Amanda teaches one of our four-year-old classes. She attended East Carolina University and graduated with a BS in Child Development and Family Relations. Amanda joined our staff in 1989. She served as a previous director of the St. Luke After School program. Amanda and her husband Jim have two children and three grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family, cooking, gardening and reading.
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Mrs. Amanda's Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/273ZEIN6Q36LR?type=wishlist
Holly Mohan
-4s teacher-
Holly is one of our four-year-old teachers. She attended Campbell University and completed her BS degree at UNCW. Holly has worked for Lee County Schools as a tutor, teacher assistant and substitute teacher. She is the mom of four St. Luke Preschool grads and has served on our Board, as a classroom parent and as a substitute. She loves traveling and spending time with her family and dogs. Holly joined our staff in 2021.
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Mrs. Holly's Wishlist:
Maddie Thomas
-3s teacher-
Maddie joined our staff in 2023 and is one of the lead teachers for the 3 year olds. She was born and raised in Sanford, NC and attended St. Luke Preschool herself. She has her Associate in Arts and is currently finishing her Bachelor Degree from ECU, majoring in Family and Community Service with a concentration in Child Development. Maddie loves spending time with her family and friends, dancing, and traveling to Disney, NYC, and Holden Beach.
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Miss Maddie's Wish List:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/G6QT133P2F8I?ref_=wl_share
Jennifer Orellana
-3s teacher-
Jennifer teaches one of our three year old classes. She was born and raised in Sanford and has planted roots here. She has two children, both of whom currently attend preschool here. She graduated from CCCC and transferred to Meredith College where she graduated with a BS in Family Consumer Sciences and a minor in Psychology.
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Mrs. Jennifer's Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WHACFLI39CPO?ref_=wl_share
Ana Martinez
-2s teacher-
This will be Ana's 5th year at St. Luke! She is a Sanford native and graduated from Lee Senior High School. She has been married to her best friend for almost 20 years, and they share three beautiful daughters together. They are active members of St. Luke. She loves the outdoors, and they camp often at Lake James. Ana also enjoys working in her garden and spending time with her flowers. She also loves shopping at Hobby Lobby, Cotsco, and Sam's Club.
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Mrs. Ana's Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3UFFBYNZVTREY?ref_=wl_share
Hannah Sherwood
-2s teacher-
Hannah was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to North Carolina with her husband and two children in 2022. She joined the SLP team in 2023 and she feels truly blessed to be a part of such a welcoming community. She has an Associates in Early Childhood Education, and a Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies. With over 10 years of experience in the field, she has a deep passion for working with young children and supporting their growth and development. in her free time she enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family, tending to her garden, reading, and journaling.
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Mrs. Hannah's Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2ABVPZ81ZL00A?ref_=wl_share
Dazym Rodriguez
-1s teacher-
Dazym attended UNC Wilmington and earned a Bachelor's Degree in World Languages. She is a Sanford native and has taught at two different elementary schools here in Lee County. Her and her husband have two children, a 6 year old son and a 3 year old little girl. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and reading. She is very excited to start a new school at St. Luke Preschool!
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Mrs. Dazym's Wish List:​
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/37SU7RVBNHHR7?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_NYV79K0V53W57X350NXT&language=en-US
Myra Cole
-music teacher-
This will be Mrs. Myra's 2nd year at St. Luke Preschool teaching music. She is a retired elementary school teacher where she taught Kindergarten, second grade, and elementary K-5 music. She was also the owner/teacher of "Kindermusik of Sanford" for 16 years. She and her husband have 2 adult children. She graduated from Appalachian State with a BS in Elementary Education and received her Master's degree in Early Childhood Development from UNC Greensboro. She enjoys spending time with family, playing piano, reading, painting, and cooking.
Jordan Boggs
-4s assistant-
Jordan was born and raised in Sanford, NC where her and her husband now raise their three children. This will be Jordan's second year at St. Luke Preschool. She received her Bachelors degree from UNC-Charlotte, where she majored in Elementary Education and minored in childhood studies. She worked as a Kindergarten teacher for 5 years before becoming a SAHM to raise her three children. She now is so excited to work with your children at SLP.
Darlene Smith
-4s assistant-
This will be Darlene's second year at St. Luke Preschool as one of our 4 year old assistants. After 25 years working for Lee County Schools as a substitute and a tutor she is excited to be working with your children at SLP. Her and her husband have a son and a daughter-in-law who gave them the most perfect granddaughter. She cannot wait for another wonderful year at SLP.
Liz Register
-4s assistant-
Liz is joining the St. Luke Preschool team this year as a 4's assistant. Raised in Sanford, she herself attended SLP. Liz graduated from UNC-Wilmington with a degree in Elementary Education. She has three children and her youngest currently attends SLP. She is so excited to work with your children and support them, learn alongside them, and help make this a wonderful school year. In her free time you'll find her crafting or spending time with her kids. Some of her favorite things include the color pink, fall, and Christmas.
Lauren Thomas
-3s assistant-
This will be Lauren's second year working at St. Luke Preschool as on of our 3's assistant. Prior to working at SLP, she worked as a Clinical Support Technician in the ICU and also taught at CCCC for the Cardiovascular Program. She and her husband have three children, two of which are twin boys. Spending time with her children is her favorite thing to do. She loves Mexican food, shopping at HomeGoods, and her favorite color is green! She cannot wait to begin this new year with your sweet children.
Alexz Williams
-3s assistant-
Alexz is joining our team this year as a 3's assistant and she is thrilled to be at St. Luke Preschool. She is currently completing her bachelors degree in Family and Consumer Sciences at ECU. She has a 3 year old daughter who is her pride and joy. She grew up a military child and believes that having such a diverse lifestyle of moving and meeting new people has made her the person she is today.
Kristi Oldham
-3s assistant-
This will be Kristi's first year at St. Luke Preschool. She will work as one of our three year old assistants. She is married and has three wonderful sons! Prior to staying home and raising her boys, she was a preschool teacher in Morrisville. She is very excited to join the St. Luke Preschool team and meet everyone.
Katie Harris
-2s assistant-
Katie joined the St. Luke Preschool team in 2023 after retiring from her 30 year teaching career. She graduated from Appalachian State University where she earned her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. When not at SLP, you can also find Katie and the YMCA and the Library. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family. Some of her favorite things include: the color Carolina blue, Diet Coke, and shopping at Target.
Mallory Crissman
-1s assistant-
Mallory will join the St. Luke Preschool team this year as our 1's assistant. Local to Broadway, NC, she obtained her CNA certificate from CCCC. She has been a private nanny for multiple families and has gained experience in the childcare field. Recently married, she and her husband are becoming first time homeowners in the fall. She is thrilled to join the SLP team this year!
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