Our Staff

Liefya has three children, Hannah, David, and Haley and loves being a busy mom.  Her children are involved with cheer, baseball, and gymnastics. Liefya loves spending time with family and friends, working out, eating, and watching TV. 

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is watching the children grow from the first day that I get them until the last day. It’s amazing to see how much they learn and mature. Working with my coworkers is so much fun, we are always laughing and having a good time and the children feed off of us, which is awesome.

On my days off, I love to relax, watch football and TV,  and spend time grilling with friends and family…either by the pool or a fire pit with a glass of wine.”

Nikki is a wife to Clinton Pugh and a mom of six.  Her children’s ages range from 5-25!  Her loving family is a combination of biological, adopted, and foster children and they are Nikki’s world.  She has been a foster parent for over 20 years and is proud to make a difference in the lives of so many.  Nikki also has one grandchild.

“I have taught at St. Paul Preschool for 7 years, but have been in the childcare field for much longer.  My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is watching the kids take what I have taught them and become independent.  I’m really excited about every day at St Paul Preschool and can’t wait until I can get to know my babies and see them learn and laugh each day.

On my days off, I love crafting, spending time with family, and shopping.”

Favorite Verse:  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. — Proverbs 31:25

Jayme is a military wife and mother to a son and daughter.  She enjoys going on trips (mainly to Disney), going to the theatre, and spending time with her family.  She has now been teaching for eight years total, with four of those at St. Paul Preschool.

“I have been working with children since I was in middle school at my church. I love to watch them learn and grow and to see things from a child’s perspective.  My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is getting to love on all of the children.  I am truly blessed to be at St Paul Preschool!! 

On my days off, I like to nap and shop!”

Favorite Verse:   Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. — Proverb 22:6

Debra has been married to Art for over 46 years and has two children, Michael and Sarah.  She also has two granddaughters by Michael and his wife Thecia.  Their names are Anna and Kara. She loves spending time with her family including her cat, Tabby, who is 17 years-old.

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is the babies.  I love watching them learn new things and playing with the other children.  The other teachers are pretty nice, too!  I have always loved children.  It amazes me how much children change in their first year and I like knowing that I have a small part in giving them a positive start.

On my days off, I spend time with Tabby and my family.  I like to read, crochet, watch UGA Bulldogs, and HGTV.”

Favorite verse:  Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he shall not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6

Pam has been married for over 30 years to her husband, Allen. They are blessed with one daughter (Loryn) a wonderful son-in-law (Drew) and two beautiful grandchildren (Charlee and Grayson).  Her family is her world.

“Becoming a ‘Mimi’ has been the greatest joy imaginable.  I have always loved children and hoped God would allow me to have several; however, God had plans for me to protect and love other children.  I take that responsibility to heart.  Children are, without question, our most precious treasures.  Watching them grow and flourish brings to me the greatest happiness and I know God has placed me in the right place at St. Paul Preschool.”

Pam has worked at St. Paul for five years.  “My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is the feeling that we are more of a construction site – we build friendships, values, character, futures, skills, discipline, vocabulary, and so much more. Watching the progress of this “construction” brings me so much joy.

On my days off, I spend time with family and friends, travel, and enjoy reading.”

Favorite Verse:  Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. — Proverbs 22:6

Dayna has been married to Joe Johnson for 13 years, but they have known each other for 18 years.  They have two boys, Dylan and Mason.  Dayna has been teaching at St. Paul Preschool for three years.

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is from the perspective of a parent and a teacher. Whether as a parent of a student at St. Paul or now a teacher, I have always loved the feeling of family that you get from St. Paul Preschool.

On my days off, I love spending time with my family and getting together with friends! I also love to play tennis every chance that I get!”

Fours

Lynn loves spending time with her husband and two teenage children. Her extended family consists of four cats and a dog. She enjoys reading, going to the theater and working in the yard.

“I love working with children. They are at the stage in their lives where they are finding their independence. They are like little sponges, absorbing all they can. Seeing the pride on their faces after completing an activity is priceless.”

Favorite Verse: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Morgan loves spending time with her three wonderful children, Kaleb, Trace, and Addison.  She is a “baseball mom” so she spends a lot of time on the road traveling to out-of-town games. 

Morgan has worked at St. Paul Preschool for 13 years.  “I teach because I absolutely love being around children. I love watching them smile and laugh. It makes me feel good to watch them learn and to see what they accomplish during the school year. Each child is such a blessing and I am thankful God has blessed me with the opportunity to work at St. Paul.  My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is the wonderful ladies that I work with. 

On my days off, I enjoy watching baseball either on TV or traveling to watch a game live. I like to hang out with my family, ride bikes, and spend time with friends.  My husband and I enjoy bowling together every Wednesday on our bowling team.  I am a Braves fan, an Auburn fan, and a Miami Dolphins fan.  I have several animals: four dogs, two cats, two ferrets, two geckos, one rabbit, one snake, one turtle, and a hedgehog!”

Favorite Verse:   Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6

Bonnie is the mother of one daughter and the proud “GrandGrand” of two children.  She loves church and her family in Maryland.  Bonnie enjoys learning new crafts like crocheting and needlework.  While this is her first year of teaching at St. Paul Preschool, she has worked in childcare for 32 wonderful years.

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is the staff.

On my days off, I like to rest, eat, watch football, and listen to praise music.”

Twos

Caroline has been married to Carl Anthony for 12 years. Between the two of them, they have 4 children – three boys & one girl and 4 grandchildren, three girls and one boy. She works for Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, and St Paul Preschool.

“I’m a busy bee and enjoy my babies when I’m not working and singing. Giving God all the praise for keeping me through it all.”

Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Dee Dee loves spending time with family & friends, shopping, doing makeup and traveling.  While she has no children or nieces or nephews, Dee Dee’s love for children is sincere and runs deep.

“While I have worked at St. Paul Preschool for 3 years, I have been working with children for over 10 years. Each year gets better, as I enjoy learning from children just as much as I love to teach them.  My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool are my coworkers and watching the children grow, learn, and become little independent individuals each day.  Working at St. Paul has truly been a joy.

On my days off, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love to shop and travel.”

Favorite verse:  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6

Toddlers

Shay has been married to her husband, Edward, for eight years and is a mother of three beautiful babies and a fur baby Lab. She enjoys crafting where she says that she is a jack of all trades but master of none.

“I truly enjoy watching each child blossom into tiny little people with such vibrant personalities! I am beyond grateful to be assisting with their growth and development.”

Favorite Verse: Psalm 115:14
May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children.

Movers and Shakers

JoDee has been married to her husband, Josh, for almost 10 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Railee and Andi Lynn. She also has two fur babies Layla and Chloe. JoDee enjoys going to the park with her family, running, and date nights.

“I am excited about being a teacher at St. Paul Preschool. I love watching the children grow throughout the year and develop their own little personalities. Seeing their smiling faces every morning is one of the highlights of my day. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for my class!”

Favorite Bible verse: Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in time of trouble.

Teala has been married for 13 years and has two boys. While she is new to the St. Paul Preschool staff, Teala has been teaching for seven years.

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is playing with the kids.

On my days off, I spend time with my family and enjoy watching sports.”

Regina is teaching first year at St. Paul Preschool.  She has three sisters and a twin brother.  She also has two dogs (black-lab mixes), Luna and Bella.  Regina loves Harry Potter and Marvel.

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is seeing the kids every day and watching how they grow.

On my days off, I like catching up on my shows and watching old westerns with my dad. I also like to read and play with my nieces and nephews.”

Toddlers

Susan loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loves all types of arts and crafts projects, reading, cooking, gourmet coffee, and trying new things.

“I love to teach because I have always loved learning myself and want to share that thrill with others. I especially love teaching children, they are so eager and excited to learn new things.”

Favorite Verse: Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Hannah Swift grew up in Slidell, Louisiana and moved to Columbus in 2005.  She studied Physical Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  She is the middle daughter of three girls while her husband is the middle son of three boys.  “We’ve been married 7 years.  I have 3 stepsons – Richard, Perk and Charles.  Richard and Perk graduated from Ole Miss and Charles is a sophomore at UGA.  I have 2 dogs, Phoebe and Chloe.

This is my first year of teaching at St. Paul Preschool.  My favorite part of my job is the feeling like I belong somewhere.  I love being part of something that helps children understand that they are special, smart and loved.

On my days off, I spend time with my family cooking, listening to music, and watching TV.”

Infants

Teresa loves spending time with her family. She has 2 sons and 2 grandsons. She enjoys the beach, reading, crocheting, and watching movies.

“I love watching the babies change as the year progresses. At the beginning of the year they are so little and by the end of the year they are all walking.”

Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by faith, not by sight.

Toddlers

Isabel is a new mom to a sweet toddler son named Paxton. He attends St.Paul preschool as well.

“Paxton has brought so much joy to my life which has given me such a huge passion for interacting and teaching children. Children are our future and what better way to make the world a better place than to teach them the best ways of life.”

Favorite bible verse: 1 John 3:18
Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

Carolanne has three children with the youngest two being twins.  Carolanne has worked in childcare over the last 10 years and was an elementary substitute teacher.  She home-schooled her own children in Alaska during the pandemic of COVID-19. When her own children were old enough to attend preschool, she started working at their school, St. Paul. 

“My favorite part of St. Paul Preschool is the giggles and grins seen and heard up and down the halls, the light bulb moments when something new has been discovered, and the sweet snuggles shared everyday! 

On my days off, I enjoy playing games and baking with my kids, hiking, traveling, and watching college football with my husband! Woo Pig Sooie! Go Hogs!”