Miss Dusty - Director

 

   Miss Dusty was introduced to Heart of Valley last year as her son attended the 3 Year Old class.  After falling in love with the school and the staff, she was so excited to take on the role of Director this year.  Miss Dusty has worked as a behavior interventionist with preschool -aged children and as a middle school guidance counselor.

   She earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Mount Union College and a Master's degree in School Counseling from Walsh University.

   Miss Dusty grew up in western Pennsylvania.  Currently, she resides in Auburn Township with her husband and two children.

   Her favorite childhood memory - "Playing 'school' in my room with my stuffed animals!"

Miss Cris - 4's Teacher/Discovery Tuesdays Teacher

  
   Miss Cris has been at HOVCP since 2002.  Prior to teaching here, she worked as a part-time faculty member in the Early Childhood Department at Lakeland Community College.
   She has a Master's degree in Education (Pre-K through 3rd grade) from Kent State University.
   Miss Cris is married, has two sons, two cats, and a dog. She loves to read and go on vacations.
   Her favorite childhood memory - "Riding my orange bike everywhere!"

Miss Holly - 4's Teacher

 
   Miss Holly is entering her third year at Heart of Valley.  She has worked for the past 21 years with children in various capacities.  She was the Director of Creative Beginnings Daycare for 5 1/2 years.
   She received her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Lakeland Community College.
   Miss Holly grew up in Eastlake, Ohio.  She attended St. Justin Martyr Elementary School and Lake Catholic High School.  She is the proud mother of four beautiful children:  Haley - 15, Kiley - 14, Tyler - 11, Patrick - 10.  They live in Chesterland.
   Her favorite childhood memory - "Camping with my family at Clay's Park.  There was always so much to do and with two brothers and two sisters there was always someone to play with."

  

Miss Nancy - 3's Teacher/Mom and Tot Teacher/Discovery Tuesdays Assistant

  
   Miss Nancy is beginning her fourth year at HOVCP.  Her children went to Heart of Valley and now she is enjoying teaching there.  Miss Nancy has taught preschool for 20 years.  She has also taught an after school science program at Hathaway Brown, was the assistant director of Camp Invention, and has been involved in children's ministry at her church for a number of years.
   She has an Early Childhood Education degree from Malone College.
   Miss Nancy has been married for 24 years and has two children, ages 11 and 10.  She resides in Russell Township with her family.  She enjoys sailing, camping, cooking, and taking family bike rides around the Chagrin area.
   Her favorite childhood memory - "I grew up in Ethiopia where my parents were missionaries to the Anuak people.  We lived in a small village of which I have so many fond memories.  One of my favorite childhood activities was to make a mud slide and slide into the Baro River, which we lived along.  I was in Ethiopia through my 9th grade year of school and have great memories of living overseas."

Miss Karen - 4's Assistant/Part-time 3's Assistant

   Miss Karen is very excited to start her first year at Heart of Valley.  She is an assistant teacher, a writer, and a mom!  Prior to joining the HOVCP family, Miss Karen was a freelance writer and a substitute preschool teacher.

   She earned her Bachelor's degree in English from Ohio State University and her Master's degree in English from Cleveland State University. 

   Miss Karen has two children who are in first and third grades at St. Joan of Arc School.  She learned at an early age that to be a good writer, you must first be a good reader.

   Her favorite childhood books - Harold and the Purple Crayon, Edward Lear's Nonsense Book, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and anything by Dr. Seuss. (I was the first in my family to be able to read aloud the tongue twisters from Seuss's Fox in Socks!) Today I love Kitten's First Full Moon, Princesses Are Not Quitters, King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, all the Fancy Nancy and Belinda Ballerina books, and anything with beautiful illustrations. I look forward to sharing favorite books and discovering new ones with my class this year!

Miss Jessica - 4's Assistant

   Miss Jessica is also really looking forward to beginning her first year at HOVCP.  She has a background in business but is excited to begin a career in education.
   She earned a Bachelor's degree in Business from Ursuline College. 
   Miss Jessica grew up in South Russell and now lives in Bainbridge Township.  For the past six years, Miss Jessica has enjoyed raising her two sons, David and Thomas who have both attended Heart of Valley.  Her hobbies include reading, painting, and photography.
   Miss Jessica's favorite childhood memory -  "Spending the summers exploring the woods around my childhood home with my three younger siblings and other children on our street."

Miss Betsy - Music Teacher

   Miss Betsy is returning for her second year as HOVCP's music teacher.  Her roots run deep as both of her children attended Heart of Valley for preschool.

   She attended Miami University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education.  She was also trained in early childhood music education through Music Together.

   Miss Betsy grew up in Twinsburg and Bainbridge.  She was married at our own Valley Presbyterian Church in 1995.

   Her favorite childhood memory - "Going to my best friend's house who had a HUGE Barbie doll house and we'd play Barbie's all day!"