Emily Gregory, Director
I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education from Clarion University. I also obtained a Masters Degree in Education from Saint Francis University. My first teaching experience was in Mount Union, Pa. were I taught Intellectually and Emotionally Challenged students grades 7-12. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years, returning to teach special education at Juniata Valley School District grades K-12. I also taught for the ATOMS program, coached Odyssey of the Mind, created and operated a summer enrichment day camp, and worked for Governor's Institute of Life Sciences at Juniata College. After retirement I was an adjunct professor at Juniata College. I am a member of the State College Choral Society and am a volunteer usher at PSU. I like to sew, read, garden, bike, and spend time with family and friends.
I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education from Clarion University. I also obtained a Masters Degree in Education from Saint Francis University. My first teaching experience was in Mount Union, Pa. were I taught Intellectually and Emotionally Challenged students grades 7-12. I was a stay at home mom for 10 years, returning to teach special education at Juniata Valley School District grades K-12. I also taught for the ATOMS program, coached Odyssey of the Mind, created and operated a summer enrichment day camp, and worked for Governor's Institute of Life Sciences at Juniata College. After retirement I was an adjunct professor at Juniata College. I am a member of the State College Choral Society and am a volunteer usher at PSU. I like to sew, read, garden, bike, and spend time with family and friends.
Edward Preston, Pastor
I was appointed Lead Pastor of Mt Nittany UMC in 2012. As a graduate of Millersville University and Lancaster Theological Seminary, I have been in ministry for 29 years.
I conduct monthly Chapel Time with the children of the preschool, as well as occasionally reading a story, taking part in games or sitting in with Lunch Bunch.
I was appointed Lead Pastor of Mt Nittany UMC in 2012. As a graduate of Millersville University and Lancaster Theological Seminary, I have been in ministry for 29 years.
I conduct monthly Chapel Time with the children of the preschool, as well as occasionally reading a story, taking part in games or sitting in with Lunch Bunch.
Christine Warner, 2 Year Old Classroom Teacher
Welcome to the 2-Year Old Classroom! I have had the pleasure of working with young children for the past twenty years and enjoy this classroom the most. I am looking forward to my eleventh year with Mt. Nittany Preschool. I live in Stormstown with my husband and our seventeen year old son, Garett. Whether it is a day out or a quiet day at home, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am looking forward to spending time with a very important part of your family.
Welcome to the 2-Year Old Classroom! I have had the pleasure of working with young children for the past twenty years and enjoy this classroom the most. I am looking forward to my eleventh year with Mt. Nittany Preschool. I live in Stormstown with my husband and our seventeen year old son, Garett. Whether it is a day out or a quiet day at home, I enjoy spending time with my family. I am looking forward to spending time with a very important part of your family.
Dawn Foster, 2 Year Old Classroom Aide
Hello! My name is Dawn Foster. I am a State College native. I live in the Park Forest area with my husband, Terry, and our five children. All of our children have attended the Mt. Nittany Preschool! We also have a dog, three cats, two fish and a frog. When I am not working here or at home, I love to hike, read, and garden. I am thrilled to have been added to the Mt. Nittany Preschool Family and am looking forward to working with each of your children!
Hello! My name is Dawn Foster. I am a State College native. I live in the Park Forest area with my husband, Terry, and our five children. All of our children have attended the Mt. Nittany Preschool! We also have a dog, three cats, two fish and a frog. When I am not working here or at home, I love to hike, read, and garden. I am thrilled to have been added to the Mt. Nittany Preschool Family and am looking forward to working with each of your children!
Carolyn Inman, 3 Year Old Classroom Teacher
Hi! My name is Carolyn Inman and I am very excited to return to Mt. Nittany Preschool as the 3-year-old teacher! I worked at the preschool for 8 years as my three sons worked their way through each of the classrooms. I then went to work for the school district but am very happy to be back in preschool. I am originally from State College. I went to Juniata College to earn a B.S. in Elementary Education and then I continued on a few years later at Penn State, earning a M.Ed. in Special Education. Then one year a friend of mine invited me out to Arizona for vacation. I went and fell in love with the area and with my husband. I taught second grade on an Indian reservation but then my husband and I decided to move back east to start a family. Three boys and a lot of pets later, I am involved with my boys’ sports, music and scouting experiences. I love doing things outdoors, music and of course working with children. I look forward to an exciting year in the 3-year- old classroom.
Hi! My name is Carolyn Inman and I am very excited to return to Mt. Nittany Preschool as the 3-year-old teacher! I worked at the preschool for 8 years as my three sons worked their way through each of the classrooms. I then went to work for the school district but am very happy to be back in preschool. I am originally from State College. I went to Juniata College to earn a B.S. in Elementary Education and then I continued on a few years later at Penn State, earning a M.Ed. in Special Education. Then one year a friend of mine invited me out to Arizona for vacation. I went and fell in love with the area and with my husband. I taught second grade on an Indian reservation but then my husband and I decided to move back east to start a family. Three boys and a lot of pets later, I am involved with my boys’ sports, music and scouting experiences. I love doing things outdoors, music and of course working with children. I look forward to an exciting year in the 3-year- old classroom.
Katie DeCapria, 3 year old Classroom Aide
Katie works as an aide in the three year old room. Katie possesses a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University with a major in Human Development and Family Studies. She has two older sisters.
She has been very active with Mt.Nittany UMC' s children and youth ministry. Katie has been a Sunday School teacher for the last 10 years, teaching and working with all age groups. Katie displays a great deal of compassion when she is with children.
Katie is also working for Garden Genetics. There she works as a research technician. She can share her love of nature with the children here at the preschool. We are thrilled Katie joined our preschool team.
Katie works as an aide in the three year old room. Katie possesses a Bachelor of Science from Penn State University with a major in Human Development and Family Studies. She has two older sisters.
She has been very active with Mt.Nittany UMC' s children and youth ministry. Katie has been a Sunday School teacher for the last 10 years, teaching and working with all age groups. Katie displays a great deal of compassion when she is with children.
Katie is also working for Garden Genetics. There she works as a research technician. She can share her love of nature with the children here at the preschool. We are thrilled Katie joined our preschool team.
Julie McQuay, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Welcome to the Pre-K Class! I’m Julie McQuay and I’m very excited about the upcoming school year. This will be my ninth year of teaching at Mt. Nittany Preschool and my first year of teaching the Pre-K Class! Last year I took a sabbatical from the 3-Year Old Class to be a stay at home mom (for the last time) allowing me to spend precious time with my twin daughters before sending them off to College. My daughter Erin is now a freshman at Ohio State University in Columbus. My daughter Emily is now a freshman at Indiana University in Bloomington. Much of my professional career has been in “Corporate America” in the field of Human Resources, whereas my education has been in the teaching field. I received my Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Education and my Graduate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am extremely fortunate to be teaching the Pre-K Class as teaching and children have always been my first love and greatest passion.
Welcome to the Pre-K Class! I’m Julie McQuay and I’m very excited about the upcoming school year. This will be my ninth year of teaching at Mt. Nittany Preschool and my first year of teaching the Pre-K Class! Last year I took a sabbatical from the 3-Year Old Class to be a stay at home mom (for the last time) allowing me to spend precious time with my twin daughters before sending them off to College. My daughter Erin is now a freshman at Ohio State University in Columbus. My daughter Emily is now a freshman at Indiana University in Bloomington. Much of my professional career has been in “Corporate America” in the field of Human Resources, whereas my education has been in the teaching field. I received my Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Education and my Graduate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I am extremely fortunate to be teaching the Pre-K Class as teaching and children have always been my first love and greatest passion.
Kim Knepp, Pre-Kindergarten Aide
I was seven years old when I told my second grade teacher that I was going to grow up and be just like her. I was also thinking it would be awesome to work outdoors all the time like my dad, a forester and PSU professor. After I graduated from State High, I earned a BS in Biology, specializing in natural sciences and then earned a BS in Elementary Education, both while attending Penn State. I took advantage of the study abroad program and did my student teaching in Chichester, England, working with “5 and rising 6 year olds,” which is comparable to our kindergarten programs. I live in the State College area with my husband, daughter, 2 grandchildren, dog and 2 parakeets. When I am not here with the children at MNPS during the day, I can often be found working in patient registration and admissions at the Mount Nittany Medical Center overnights. In my “spare” time, I enjoy reading, photography and scrapbooking.
I was seven years old when I told my second grade teacher that I was going to grow up and be just like her. I was also thinking it would be awesome to work outdoors all the time like my dad, a forester and PSU professor. After I graduated from State High, I earned a BS in Biology, specializing in natural sciences and then earned a BS in Elementary Education, both while attending Penn State. I took advantage of the study abroad program and did my student teaching in Chichester, England, working with “5 and rising 6 year olds,” which is comparable to our kindergarten programs. I live in the State College area with my husband, daughter, 2 grandchildren, dog and 2 parakeets. When I am not here with the children at MNPS during the day, I can often be found working in patient registration and admissions at the Mount Nittany Medical Center overnights. In my “spare” time, I enjoy reading, photography and scrapbooking.
Nicole Snyder, Aide
Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Snyder ("Miss Nicole"). Being a very active member of the Children's Ministries at Mt. Nittany, I was so excited to hear that I can now be an active and familiar face at Preschool as well.
I have 12 years of teaching experience with a local preschool/daycare and have held many different positions while there. I have an Associates Degree in Administrative Secretarial from South Hills, a Children's Development Associate Certification (CDA). I have many hours of training, workshops, and classes under my belt, and always continue to keep up with the latest in educating young children.
In my spare time (if I have any!) I enjoy spending time with my 3 daughters Mackenzie (7), Allison (5), and Rylie (2) and my husband Mark. We love the outdoors, crafts and remodeling, acting goofy, going on adventures, and enjoy WWE (in the most innocent way possible!) we live in Bellefonte with no pets, Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I enjoy every minute of it. Who else can say they get paid to play? I look forward to a great school year and getting to know all of you. God Bless!
Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Snyder ("Miss Nicole"). Being a very active member of the Children's Ministries at Mt. Nittany, I was so excited to hear that I can now be an active and familiar face at Preschool as well.
I have 12 years of teaching experience with a local preschool/daycare and have held many different positions while there. I have an Associates Degree in Administrative Secretarial from South Hills, a Children's Development Associate Certification (CDA). I have many hours of training, workshops, and classes under my belt, and always continue to keep up with the latest in educating young children.
In my spare time (if I have any!) I enjoy spending time with my 3 daughters Mackenzie (7), Allison (5), and Rylie (2) and my husband Mark. We love the outdoors, crafts and remodeling, acting goofy, going on adventures, and enjoy WWE (in the most innocent way possible!) we live in Bellefonte with no pets, Teaching has always been a passion of mine and I enjoy every minute of it. Who else can say they get paid to play? I look forward to a great school year and getting to know all of you. God Bless!
