MHNS Staff
Front Office
Amy Schroeder, Director
MSDE Credential Level 6, Administrator Level 4
AmySchroeder@mthebronnursery.org
Amy has been a part of the MHNS staff since 2003, starting as assistant to the director, moving up to Co-Director, and then assuming the helm as Director in 2014. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, with a BA in English Literature and a MA in Higher Education Administration and Counseling. Amy loves spending time with her husband, Fritz, and her children, Maddie and Eric (both MHNS alumni!). She is an avid reader, loves cooking, needlepoint, and being on the beach. She is devoted to the families and staff at Mt. Hebron and is proud of the children who have started their educational journey at the school.
Kelly Baumgartner, Office Manager
Kelly was a volunteer at MHNS for 5 years then joined our staff support team in 2017. In 2018 she became our office manager. She holds a BA in Business Management form Gettysburg College. Kelly and her husband Trevor have 2 children, Hayden and Max, both MHNS alums, and 2 rescue dogs, Kai and Layla. Kelly enjoys running, exercising, reading and traveling, especially to the beach!
Lead Teachers
Marielena Garbark, 5 day 4 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Marielena has taught at MHNS since 1999. Before joining our team she taught in the Charlotte Mecklenburg school system and various preschool programs. She has a BA in English and Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Marielena is married to Steve and has two sons. She loves reading, cooking, classic design, children's literature and music.
Lindsay Marrion, 5 day 4 year old Teacher
Lindsay is a Howard County native and taught Kindergarten for six years. She has five years teaching experience in the Howard County Public School System and taught for a year in Wake County, NC. Lindsay earned a BA in Early Childhood Education along with a Masters in Reading Education, from Towson University. Lindsay relocated back home to Maryland in the Fall of 2017 with her husband Kris, and two daughters, Everly and Layla (both MHNS alums). Lindsay enjoys reading, cooking, crafting, traveling, spending time with her family, and is excited to be a part of the MHNS Team.
Laurie Turner, 4 day 4 year old Teacher and ECC
MSDE Credential Level 6
Laurie started as a lead 5-day 4 year old teacher in 2013 but has been associated with MHNS for many years. Her youngest son attended MHNS. She taught kindergarten for 11 years in Baltimore County Public Schools and substituted in Howard County Public Schools. Laurie holds an AA from Villa Julie College and both a BS and MS in Early Childhood Education from Towson State University. She has been married to Bob since 1989 and has three sons. Laurie enjoys biking, tennis, gardening and spending time with her family.
Debbie Dansie, 3 day 4 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Debbie is a former MHNS parent and served on the Parent Board. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Hood College and an MS in Early Childhood Special Education from Johns Hopkins University. She taught Kindergarten in Montgomery County, where she grew up, for 9 years. After starting her family, Debbie taught 4-year-olds for 10 years in Howard County. She enjoys spending time traveling, watching movies and playing games with her husband and two children.
Kiera Johnson, 3 day 4 year old Teacher
Kiera has seven years teaching experience in the Early Childhood field. She started her teaching career in Anne Arundel County Public Schools where she worked as a Developmental Specialist for the Infants and Toddlers Program and taught an Early Childhood Intervention class for 3-5 year olds. She holds a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood from Radford University and a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education from Loyola University Maryland. Kiera is married to Dustin and has three daughters, who all attended MHNS. She enjoys traveling, the beach, spending time with family, tennis and running.
Andie Martin, 3 day 4 year old Teacher
Andie is excited to be joining the MHNS teaching staff this year. She previously taught 11 years of high school English before her daughters were born. Andie has enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher and VBS teacher to elementary school age students. She also volunteered at MHNS with her daughters as a classroom, book fair and spring fair volunteer. Andie has a Bachelor of Science in Education and English from the University of Dayton. She also earned her Masters in Liberal Studies at Dartmouth College. Andie has two daughters, who have both attended MHNS, and is married to her husband Rob. She enjoys gardening, reading, traveling with her family, and training her labradoodle puppy.
Jennifer Porter, 3 day 4 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Jennifer has been a parent and active volunteer at MHNS since 2016. Jennifer taught ESOL for Pre-K in Montgomery County and holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education, from the University of Maryland. Jennifer is married to a firefighter and has 4 children, 3 of which are MHNS Alumni! Jennifer loves running, swimming, biking, spending time with her family, reading and taking pictures.
Mary Patricia (Molly) Entrot, 3 day 3 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Molly has 25 years of experience in Early Childhood education. She has taught in our 2-day and 3-day 3 year old programs for 22 of those years at MHNS. She was also a teacher in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District in Pennsylvania for three years. She holds a BS in Special Education from King's College-PA. Molly is married and has three daughters. Her youngest daughter is an MHNS Alum.
Karen Mattingly, 2 day 3 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Karen has seven years teaching experience in Howard County Public Schools. She has taught first, second and fourth grade. Karen has a BA in Anthropology and a Masters in Education from the University of Virginia. Karen is married to her husband Kevin, and they have two children, Sage and Molly (both MHNS alums). Karen enjoys traveling, hiking and reading.
Lindsay Machiran, 2 day 3 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Lindsay grew up in Howard County and is excited to join the MHNS team. Lindsay has taught 1st and 5th grade and was also a Reading Specialist K-5 for 3 years. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from Towson University and a Master's Degree from McDaniel College, in Reading. Lindsay is happily married with four children. She loves traveling with her family, running, sports, coaching, teaching and reading.
Sarah Willey, 2 day 2 year old Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Sarah has worked at MHNS since 2014 and helped institute the 2 year old program. Sarah spent four years as a parent at MHNS, and both of her children attended our school. She was also an active volunteer and substitute teacher before joining the staff. She holds a BA from Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA. Sarah enjoys refinishing furniture, reading, and traveling with her family.
Karen Wagner, 2 day 2 year old Teacher and Enrichment Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
After spending many years as a parent and volunteer, Karen began teaching at MHNS in 2015. All four of her children are MHNS alumni! Karen was a teacher to 3-5 year old's at the Columbia Montessori School as well as 2nd and 1st grade in the Howard County School System. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and a teaching certificate as well as a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Towson University. Karen has been married to her husband Bob for 25 years. She enjoys watching her kids play sports, going to the beach with her family,
Andrea Muirhead, 2 day 2 year old Teacher and Enrichment Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Before coming on board as an MHNS Educator, Andrea spent 2 years as a MHNS parent. She was also a member of the MHNS Parent Group Board and Chairperson of games for our Annual Spring Fair for 2 years. Andrea spent 12 years in the classroom teaching 1st and 2nd grade as well as a reading reduction teacher. She was also a substitute teacher for the Howard County Public Schools. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Towson and a Masters in Reading from Walden University. Andrea enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family.
Assistant Teachers
Anne Walsh, 5 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher and Book Bear Family Reading Program Librarian
MSDE Credential Level 3
Anne has had three children attend MHNS, and was a regular volunteer here, including co-chairing the Annual Spring Fair for many years. She is now an assistant in the 5-day 4s class. Anne holds a BA in English from Washington & Lee University and an MA in English from the University of Maryland. Anne and her husband have three children, Lucy, Gracie and Asher. They also have two Boston Terriors, Stella and Sophie. Anne enjoys reading, walking, gardening, volunteering at her daughter's dance studio and anything related to Boston Terriers and dog rescue in general.
Tracy Cogdill, 5 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Tracy had two children attend MHNS, and was a Room Parent, regular volunteer and assisted with the planning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Tracy was a lead teacher in a two year old classroom at two preschools in Northern Virginia. Prior to moving to Northern Virginia in 2016, she was a sixth and seventh grade social studies teacher for eight years with Baltimore County Public Schools. Tracy has a degree in Secondary Education and Social Science from Towson University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Towson University. Tracy has 3 children – Madison (9 years old, MHNS alum), Allison (5 years old, MHNS alum) and Benjamin (1 year old) and two dogs – Bailey and Lucy. Tracy loves spending time with her family, running, playing soccer, cooking, and traveling.
Peggy Schaefer, 4 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Peggy has taught first, second, and fourth grade for a total of 36 years in Howard County Public Schools. She also taught fourth grade for two years in Lexington Virginia, and spent several years subbing in Virginia and Maryland. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Towson University and a Master of Science in Elementary Education Teacher Leadership from Johns Hopkins University. Peggy has been married to Kevin for 38 years and they have a daughter Brittany. All three of them graduated from Mt. Hebron High School. Peggy enjoys reading, shopping, walking, exercising, and dining out. She loves watching the Orioles, Ravens, and Nascar.
Janice Hoffman, 4 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Janice has seven years of teaching experience in both Prince George’s and Howard County teaching 6th and 7th graders. She attended the University of Maryland and has BA degrees in Secondary English Education, and English Language and Literature, as well as a MA in Administration. Janice loves spending time with her husband, Jason, and her four kiddos - twins Courtney & Christopher (MHNS Alums!), Connor, and Cameron, and of course, her dog Kona. She loves to laugh, read, watch movies, and travel, especially to Disney Parks!
Janel Radford, 3 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 4
Janel has been an assistant teacher at MHNS since 2010. She holds a BS in Nutrition from Montclair State University-NJ and has her 90-hour Child Care Certification. Janel and her husband Richard were married in 2000 and have a daughter, Madison born in 2002, and son, Andrew born in 2004, who both went to MHNS. Janel likes reading, walking and jogging, spending time with the family and going to the beach during the summer with family and friends.
Barbara Sawyer, 3 day 4 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 4
Barbara has been working at MHNS since 2010, and all of her children are MHNS Alums! She has worked as an assistant teacher as well as an Enrichment, Substitute and P.E. teacher. She has also worked as a Substitute Teacher at various Howard County Schools for five years. She holds a BS in Economics and Business from Mount Saint Mary's University and has her 90-hour Child Care Certification. Barbara is married to Mike and has three children, Mikey, Caitlin and Jack. She enjoys reading, working out, walking her two beloved dogs, Charlie and Stewie, and watching college lacrosse.
Michelle Hoy, 3 day 3 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Michelle has been a Room Parent and volunteer at MHNS for the last 4 years and became an assistant teacher in 2018. She holds a BA in Communications from American University. Michelle and her husband Doug have four children, all of whom have attended MHNS. Michelle loves spending time with her family, traveling, going to the beach, reading and running.
Terry Purnell, 2 day 3 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 6
Terry started her work at MHNS as a substitute teacher and quickly was added to our staff as an assistant teacher. She has been in this role since 2009. She has also worked at Ken Crest Preschool in Pennsylvania. Terry holds a BS in Speech and Language Therapy from Penn State University. She is married and has two children, both MHNS Alumni. She likes to read, exercise and go on vacations with her family.
Stuart Unkenholz, 2 day 3 year old Assistant Teacher
MSDE Credential Level 3
Stuart started working in 2009 as an assistant teacher with special needs preschool children in a Regional Early Childcare Center (Howard County Public Schools). Stuart has also held assistant teacher, as well as lead teacher positions in private preschools. Her love of children led her to obtain her 90-hour Child Care Certification. In addition, she holds a BA in Spanish from Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. Stuart is married to John, and has three children, Ally, Andrew, and Ashley. During her free time. she likes walking, reading, watching sporting events and going to the beach in the summer with family and friends.
Jen Shea, Center Aide
Jen is excited to be returning to MHNS as an official staff member. Jen fell in love with MHNS as a parent when her younger two sons attended the school. Professionally, Jen joined the MHNS team as a substitute in 2019. In the fall of 2022, she worked as a classroom aide for the 2 day 2 program. In December 2022, Jen joined the 2 day 3 team as a long term sub and classroom aide. Jen has a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University in Baltimore. Jen and her husband, Kevin have four sons and a golden doodle dog. Jen loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, swimming, playing pickleball, and reading or listening to a good book.
Staff Support
Sharon Sanders, Early Childhood Consultant
MSDE Credential Level 6
Sharon started teaching at MHNS in 2004 and has been part of the MHNS staff for 16 years now. Sharon has taught including as well as an art teacher. Before teaching at MHNS she taught Kindergarten in Baltimore County for 10 years. Sharon holds a BA in Early Childhood Education from Towson University and a MA of Education from Towson University. She holds a current Maryland State Teaching Certificate. Sharon is married and has three daughters and enjoys spending time with her family, quilting, crafts and reading.
Mary Olds, Early Childhood Consultant
MSDE Credential Level 6
Mary started teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools. She began at MHNS as a teacher's assistant in the two day three class. She then became a lead teacher. She has over thirteen years of experience at MHNS and more then 20 years of experience in teaching. Mary holds a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland as well as an MS in Education from Johns Hopkins University.
Sarah Bond, Staff Support
MSDE Credential Level 5
Sarah came to Mt. Hebron in 1984 with an AA degree in general studies and 64 hours of Early Childhood Certification. Sarah has worked extensively in the classroom as a teacher assistant in all 3 and 4 year old programs, from 1984 to 2008. In the fall of 2008, Sarah began working effectively as classroom support to our staff. She can be found in any of the classrooms on an as needed basis working as a substitute, working one-on-one with children as well as in small groups, assisting in the office and, preparing materials for teachers. Because of her vast experience she is seamlessly able to connect with the children, and you can expect that she will come to know them as they will her.
Specialists
Alison Finke , P.E. Teacher
Alison is thrilled to be joining MHNS as the PE Specialist this year. Alison has a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Health Education from Indiana University. She previously taught High School Physical Education and Health for 7 years before her daughter, Sydney was born. She began working at preschools once her daughter started Kindergarten. Alison is married to Mitchell, who is a Captain the United States Navy. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, playing soccer, tennis and shopping at TJMaxx
Alex Cratin, Art Teacher
Alex has spent 5 years as a parent volunteer at MHNS and 2 years as a Room Parent. She has taught in Baltimore County Schools as a substitute teacher and at the Trinity After-School Care Program. Alex has a BA of Fine Arts with majors in Graphic Design and Advertising from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Alex is married to her husband Steve. They have two children, Jenna and Zachary (both MHNS alums) and her goldendoodle named Maggie. Alex enjoys gardening, decorating, art journaling and collage, working out at the gym, watching her kids play lacrosse and soccer, vacationing in Deep Creek and spending time with family and friends.
Aimee Daly, Music Specialist & Staff Support
MSDE Credential Level 3
Aimee came to Mt. Hebron in 2013 when her youngest of three children William began attending the 3 day program. After volunteering continuously for any position available it became apparent that her love of children and nurturing attitude would be a natural fit. As a mother of three (Zachary, Cecilia and William) she has years of on the job training. After attending Broome Community College in Binghamton, NY for Business Management she and her husband moved to Gainesville, Georgia for 5 years before finally settling in Ellicott City in 2011. Aimee has been married to Matt since 2001 and enjoys reading, volunteering, and anything having to do with children. Aimee finds joy in connecting with children and can’t wait to watch them learn and grow while at Mount Hebron.
Jen Buchwald, ELA Support
Jen has volunteered at MHNS over the years, teaching Spanish language enrichment lessons to our students and will now be joining us as part of the ELA support staff. Previously, she taught Spanish in both Baltimore and Howard County Public Schools. She holds a BA in Secondary Education from The University of Maryland, and earned her MA in School Counseling from Loyola University of Maryland. Jen is married to her husband, Darren, and they have two children, Olivia and Dylan - both of whom are MHNS alums. In her free time, Jen enjoys reading, photography, traveling with her family, and playing with her golden retriever, Phoebe.
Laura Collins-Diaz, Outdoor Curriculum Specialist
Laura has been a long-time parent and volunteer at MHNS. She has been a room parent since 2011. Three of her four children are MHNS alums! Laura has been the Spring Fair Chair and Book Fair Chair numerous times. Laura has been a HCPSS substitute since 2013 and also has served her community by: volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Cookie Mom & SU Manager, taking her Frenchies to nursing homes with Pets on Wheels, PTA at her children's schools and coaches Girls on the Run. Laura enjoys spending time with her husband Welvy, her 4 kids and 3 Frenchies! She also enjoys photography and running on the beach.
Samantha Miseta, MS, OTR/L
Since Samantha was a small child, she always knew she wanted to work with children when she got older. She first became a teacher then decided that she wanted to work with children outside of the classroom as well. She returned to school for her Masters of Science at Towson University and was voted "most likely to never leave pediatrics" by her classmates. Samantha holds a Proficient DIR Floortime certification, Astronaut Training Protocol certification, and Tummy Time! Method certification along with many hours of continuing education on various sensory, development, and play topics. She has experience working with young autistic children (suspected + diagnosed), children with sensory processing differences, ADHD, and more.
Louisa Lopez, M.A., CCC-SLP, Bil-TSSLD
Louisa has been practicing speech-language pathology for over 12 years. She worked for the New York City Department of Education in both special education and general education classrooms. She also has experience working in private practice and multidisciplinary clinics before launching her own small private practice in August of 2022. Louisa moved from NYC to Maryland in May of 2019. She was a stay at home mom for 2 years and then returned to the field in 2020, working in the clinical setting. This experience allowed her the opportunity to co-treat and collaborate with other professionals such as Occupational and Physical Therapists. Louisa is always seeking opportunities to continue learning and growing within her field as a clinician. She identifies as a NeuroDiversity affirming therapist and is passionate about supporting autistic children and their families. Louisa is an avid lover of all things nature. She is a wife and a mother to her 5-year-old son & currently living in the Baltimore area. Louisa loves discovering new places in Maryland any chance she can get. She loves going on adventures, trying out new restaurants, practicing yoga, hiking with family, playing with their puppy, making her house into a home and spending quality time with her family.
Tara Zeller, Yoga Club Instructor
Tara has been an ASHA certified and State of Maryland licensed Speech-Language Pathologist for over 27 years. She has worked primarily in early intervention programs (birth - 6 years) in local schools and Head Start centers. Tara can be contacted by phone (410-960-3291) or email (tara@zenergetickids.com).
Melanie Facchiano, Webmaster and Online Registration Coordinator
Melanie has had three children attend MHNS and is an MHNS alum herself. She was a parent volunteer at the school for many years including co-chairing galas and acting as President of the Parent Group. She has worked for MHNS since 2013 and has had various roles including PR and Marketing, Assistant Teacher for the 5day 4's class with Ms. Marielena as well as working in our front office for four years. She continues to work as our webmaster and online registration coordinator.
The Maryland Child Care Credential Program recognizes individual child care providers who increase their qualifications beyond the requirements of state licensing and registration regulations. There are six staff credential levels and four administrator levels offering various recognition of achievement based on a child care provider’s professional development/education, years of experience, and professional activities. Our staff credentials can be found in their biographies at this link HERE.
