Karen, our Administrative Director, has more than twenty years of experience as a previous business owner and Human Resource Executive. Prior to founding Gold Hill Preschool, Karen obtained her Certification in Early Childhood Education with the goal of developing a nurturing and enriching environment where young children can grow, learn, and thrive.

Karen is known for her hands-on approach, strong communication skills, and commitment to educational excellence. She works closely with families and staff to ensure the development of the whole child—socially, emotionally, and academically while fostering a positive work culture. Karen also teaches basic writing skills encouraging children to develop a strong foundation for future handwriting.

Karen received a B.S. in Business Administration from Ohio State University and a Masters in Human Resource Law from Troy University. She is SHRM-SCP certified, a licensed Paralegal and holds a North Carolina Early Childhood Administrative Certification.

Arielle is the Marketing and Operations Director at Gold Hill Preschool, where she combines creativity, strategic expertise, and operational excellence to support the school's mission. She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from Texas A&M Commerce and a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising Design from Virginia Commonwealth University, providing her with a strong foundation in branding, communication, and organizational leadership.

With over seven years of experience in project management within the corporate retail and marketing sectors, Arielle has led initiatives that emphasize efficiency, innovation, and seamless execution. Her expertise in streamlining processes and developing impactful marketing strategies allows her to create engaging experiences for both families and staff at Gold Hill Preschool.

Eager to transition her professional skills into a more community-centered environment, Arielle is excited to be a part of the early childhood education space. She is passionate about fostering meaningful connections, enhancing the preschool’s operations, and ensuring a warm, enriching experience for children and their families. Her goal is to help Gold Hill Preschool continue to thrive as a nurturing and inspiring place for young learners to grow.

Rhonda is the Administrative Assistant with 21 years of experience in early childhood education. She attended York Technical College, where she studied Early Childhood Education, and also holds an NC Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. Throughout her career, Rhonda has served in nearly every area of a child care setting, from teaching children of all ages to leading as a school-age and after-school coordinator.

Her passion for working with young children is evident in her commitment to creating a nurturing and calm environment where young minds can flourish. Rhonda also values building strong relationships with families, fostering meaningful connections that support children’s growth and development. Outside of work, Rhonda enjoys spending time with her daughter, embracing weekends filled with new adventures and moments of relaxation.

Debi is a dedicated educator with over 28 years of experience in early childhood education. Since beginning her career in 1997, she has gained extensive knowledge and expertise in nurturing young minds. Debi holds North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials, showcasing her commitment to high educational standards and best practices. Additionally, she is certified in SIDS training, CPR, and First Aid, ensuring the safety and well-being of the children under her care. Her passion for early childhood education and her dedication to creating a nurturing and stimulating learning environment have made her a cherished figure at Gold Hill Preschool.

Outside the classroom, Debi is an enthusiastic football fan, passionately supporting her favorite teams, the South Carolina Gamecocks and Appalachian State Mountaineers. Her positive energy and love for life are reflected in her teaching, fostering a joyful and engaging atmosphere that inspires her students and builds a strong sense of community.

Megan is a dedicated infant room teacher with a passion for early childhood development. Originally from the West Coast, she has called South Carolina home since 2016. With a strong background in childcare, Megan has been working in daycare settings since graduating high school in 2019 and has developed a deep love for nurturing and educating young children.

As both an educator and a mother, Megan understands the importance of a warm, supportive environment for infants. Her son also attends GHP, and together they enjoy traveling and creating meaningful experiences. Megan places a strong emphasis on early communication skills, incorporating sign language to help infants express their needs and reduce frustration. She also focuses on foundational speech development, encouraging simple sounds and first words.

Megan is honored to be a part of each child’s early learning journey and values the trust parents place in her. She is committed to providing a loving, enriching environment where infants can grow, learn, and thrive.

Valerie is a passionate and dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in early childhood education. Throughout her career, she has worked with children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 13 years, gaining a deep understanding of developmental milestones and the unique needs of each stage.

Valerie is particularly drawn to working with toddlers, finding great joy in their curiosity, excitement, and eagerness to explore the world around them. She is committed to fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment where young learners can thrive, build confidence, and develop essential skills.

With a strong focus on creating meaningful connections, Valerie looks forward to forming relationships with each child and supporting their growth through engaging and enriching experiences. She is excited to be part of their developmental journey in a safe, loving, and supportive setting.

Morgan is a dedicated child care provider with a passion for nurturing and developing young minds. Her foundation in child care is built on both professional and personal experiences. From 2018 to 2022, she worked with Classical Conversations, where she contributed to creating a safe, educational, and engaging environment for children. In this role, she collaborated closely with families to develop tailored care strategies that addressed the unique needs of each child.

Morgan’s journey in child care began even earlier, during middle school, when she gained hands-on experience through babysitting. This early exposure to childhood development underscored the importance of personalized attention and compassionate care. She remains committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to thrive.

Pam is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 22 years of experience working with children. Her journey in education began in 2004 when she started as a 6th grade mentor at a charter school. Shortly after, the classroom teacher recognized her natural ability to connect with students and asked her to become a classroom assistant.

Through this experience, Ms. Pam quickly discovered her passion for working with young children. She returned to school to earn her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and obtained her credentials in both Early Childhood and School-Age Education. Over the years, she has worked in a variety of settings including child care centers, after-school programs, and summer camps. Through these experiences, she found that her true passion lies in caring for infants and toddlers.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Pam enjoys spending time with her three-year-old grandson. Playdates and simply being around him bring her great joy and peace. In her free time, she also enjoys reading books from a variety of genres, baking, attending church, and shopping. She is currently learning how to bake and decorate specialty sweets.

Ms. Pam truly loves being part of children’s early learning journeys and takes great pride in watching young minds grow and develop.

Kathryn, affectionately known as "Kat" by her students, recently relocated to the Charlotte area with her husband after living in California for 20 years. Originally from the East Coast, the move brought them closer to family. During her time in California, Kat earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University. After several years as a manager, she decided to pursue her passion for education, obtaining a teaching certificate in Early Childhood Development from an accredited college and earning a Master Teacher Permit from the State of California.

Kat brings six years of teaching experience from her previous preschool in California. She began as a floater teacher, working with children of all ages from young toddlers to Pre-K, before becoming the lead teacher for the 2-3-year-old class, a role she held for five years. She finds immense joy in working with this age group, helping children develop their unique personalities and skills.

Dedicated to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment, Kat views teaching as a deeply fulfilling career. She is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm to the talented team at Gold Hill Preschool and to continue inspiring and supporting young learners.

Ms. Tonya brings over 25 years of experience in early childhood care and education. Working with children is not only something she enjoys—it is truly her gift. As the youngest of ten siblings, Ms. Tonya learned early in life the importance of patience, compassion, and the value of community, qualities that continue to guide her work with children and families.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and has continued her professional development through coursework at Stanly Community College. Ms. Tonya believes that teaching is more than a profession; it is a calling. She is deeply passionate about helping children learn, grow, and discover their unique strengths and abilities.

With a warm and nurturing approach, Ms. Tonya is committed to creating a positive classroom environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore. She looks forward to instilling confidence and excellence in every child while fostering a healthy, engaging, and caring atmosphere that supports each child’s development and early learning journey.

Ms. Jada is a dedicated early childhood educator with four years of experience working with children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 5 years old, including one year specializing in potty training two-year-old toddlers. She holds Early Childhood Education certificates and is passionate about supporting children during their earliest and most important developmental stages.

She believes in teaching with love while also providing firm, consistent guidance. She understands that early childhood is often a child’s first experience learning about the world around them. With patience, structure, and clear direction, she helps children build confidence, develop independence, and form positive learning habits.

Her goal is to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and developmentally. She is committed to fostering a positive classroom atmosphere that supports each child’s unique growth and early learning journey.

Angie has been dedicated to the field of Early Childhood Education since 2005, officially stepping into the role of a full-time teacher in 2007. With a background in communications, she initially entered the field unexpectedly, taking a summer position at her sons’ daycare while seeking work. This experience sparked a deep interest in child development as she supported both infants and three-year-olds, inspiring her to pursue a meaningful career in guiding young minds through critical developmental milestones.

In 2014, Angie earned her Master’s degree in Education, further solidifying her commitment to fostering growth in early learners. Her passion lies particularly with three-year-olds, whom she considers to be at a remarkable stage of cognitive and emotional development, as they begin to make connections between their tasks, growth, and understanding of the world. She feels privileged to play a role in their journey and strives to provide a nurturing, patient, and positive environment for discovery.

Outside the classroom, Angie finds joy in her family, which includes her two sons—an Engineer and an Artist—who bring her immense pride daily. She also shares her home with three spirited dogs, Loubert, Gregermery, and Jimothy. Together, they form a small but lively household filled with love and laughter.

Ms. Casey began her educational journey in 2021 when she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She went on to work as an Elementary Music Teacher for three years before transitioning to a new role in early childhood education. During her time in college, she also worked part-time as an early childhood educator, which sparked her passion for working with younger children and supporting their early development.

Ms. Casey is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology, which she uses to deepen her understanding of children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. She believes that nurturing these skills at an early age helps build a strong foundation and sets children up for long-term success.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Casey enjoys singing as an alto with the Charlotte Master Chorale. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Flynn. Family is very important to her, and she values the time she spends with her five siblings, often gathering together whenever possible.

Ms. Christine is a passionate and dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience inspiring young learners. She is committed to creating a nurturing and engaging classroom where children feel valued, supported, and excited to explore new ideas. Throughout her career, Ms. Christine has taught math, phonics, writing, and science, helping children develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. She encourages curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning in every child she teaches.

Ms. Christine believes in guiding each child with patience and care, focusing on their unique strengths while supporting their social, emotional, and academic growth. She values strong partnerships with families, knowing that collaboration between teachers and parents is essential to a child’s success.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Christine enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring nature through hiking, and experiencing the joy of live music. Her warmth, dedication, and enthusiasm make her a cherished member of the Gold Hill Preschool community.