Our Staff

It takes a big heart to shape little minds! Our staff has over 300 collective years of experience in the teaching field or experience with young children.

Linda Morton

After over 30 years as a teacher, Linda became our Director in 2020. Linda received her BS in Business Administration from Meredith College. She is a long-time member of St. Luke UMC. She has taught every age student at the preschool before serving as a three-year-old teacher for many years. She joined our staff in 1989. Linda has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Katherine Wheby

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 has been very involved in the planning and implementation of the children's ministry at St. Luke UMC. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.

Amanda Powers

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 has two children and three grandchildren.

Holly Mohan

Holly is one of our three-year-old teachers. She attended Campbell University and completed her BS degree at UNCW. Holly has worked for LCS 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.

Kim Meza

Kim teaches one of our three-year-old classes. She attended Buffalo State College and graduated with a Master's in Special Education. She has taught in the public school system prior to joining our staff in 2022. Kim enjoys family time with her husband and four children.

Ana Martinez

Ana is one of our two-year-old teachers. She earned her Diploma as a Child Care care giver from CCCC. She has experience as a caregiver and personal assistant and is eager to care for and teach our preschool children. Ana is bilingual. She loves gardening, camping, and crafting. She is a Sanford native and lives here with her husband and three daughters. Ana joined our staff in 2021.

Tonya Walden

Tonya joins the staff in 2022 as one of our two-year-old teachers. She earned her early childhood credentials from CCCC and has many years of experience working with children in child care centers, as a nanny and as a post partum doula. Tonya loves nurturing and enriching the minds of children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.

Elizabeth Molina

Elizabeth joins the staff in 2022 as our one-year-old teacher. She comes from a pharmaceutical background but has also worked as a nanny for children of all ages throughout the years. Elizabeth is a Sanford native and lives here with her husband and three children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, crafting and working out.

Anna Russell

Anna joins the staff in 2022 as a Teacher's Assistant. She earned a BA in History from Texas A&M. She served as Interim Children's Director at FUMC, Huntsville and as the Elementary Age Camp Director at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. She has experience working in nurseries, teaching Sunday School, and volunteering with VBS. Anna enjoys reading, hiking, baking and spending time with her husband, her dog and her cat.

Samantha Merrigan

Samantha joins the staff in 2022 as a Teacher's Assistant. She has a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina. Samantha previously worked in various roles as an elementary school teacher and is excited for this new adventure at St. Luke Preschool. She enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs.

Camila Liendo

Camila joins our staff in 2022 as a Teacher's Assistant. She moved to Sanford five years ago after being born and raised in Lima, Peru. She is working on her AAS in Early Childhood Development. She also has her private airline pilot's license. Camila has worked as a nanny for several years and loves working with children. She is excited for this new experience at St. Luke Preschool.

Katie Thomas

Katie joins our staff in 2022 as a Teacher's Assistant. She has over 20 years experience in childcare and has her credentials in Early Childhood Education. Katie is married and has two children.