Heather Gallagher – Preschool Director – preschool@cmpcusa.org
Heather Gallagher began her relationship with Christ Memorial Christian Preschool as a parent when her son attended as a three-year-old in 2007. After her second child attended she became a teacher for the preschool and served in this capacity for three years. Heather now enjoys serving the preschool community as the director. Heather graduated Vanderbilt University with a degree in Elementary Education. She previously worked six years as a third grade teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio. Heather is married to Peter and they have three children Ben, Emma and Allyson.
Jeremie Lipczenko – Preschool Teacher – Jeremie.L@cmpcusa.org
Jeremie Lipczenko is excited to join the CMCP staff as the lead teacher in Classroom Love for our two- and three day classes. Jeremie has a graduate degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Brandeis University. She has taught in various capacities, in both Massachusetts and Maryland, for over twenty years, including at the preschool level. She is a proud mom of four who loves spending time baking, reading and spoiling her English Cocker Spaniel.
Julie Nienhuis – Preschool Teacher – julie.nienhuis@cmpcusa.org
Julie Nienhuis has been part of the Christ Memorial Christian Preschool family since 2013. She really loves teaching in the two-day and three-day Classroom Joy. She has a degree in psychology from Towson University. Julie also holds certification in both Child Growth and Development and Preschool Curriculum and Activities. She is the proud mother of three sons who have all received a fantastic introduction to school life by attending Christ Memorial Preschool.
Kathleen Smith – Preschool Teacher – k.smith@cmpcusa.org
Kathleen Smith has been at Christ Memorial Christian Preschool since 2012 and loves teaching our 5-day class in Classroom Hope. In addition to holding certification to teach early childhood education, she has a degree in biology from Virginia Tech. Kathleen worked in a chemical research facility before staying home to raise her children. Mrs. Smith lives with her husband and three sons in Jessup. In her spare time, she likes to read and knit.
Susan Benzing – Preschool Assistant
Susan Benzing has been with Christ Memorial Christian Preschool since 2016. She was first introduced to Christ Memorial when her oldest daughter started in the 3 year old class in 2009. Susan has a graduate degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama. She taught for seven years in Arizona before staying home with her children. Susan loves spending time with her husband, Dan, and their three children.
Jennifer Scheid – Preschool Assistant
Jen Scheid has been with Christ Memorial Christian Preschool since 2016. She holds a graduate degree in Elementary Education from Dowling College and taught kindergarten/ 1st grade for 11 years before staying home with her children. She is the proud mother of two boys and a girl who have all attended CMCP. Jen enjoys spending time with her family.
Rita Wheelock – Preschool Assistant
Rita Wheelock has been at Christ Memorial since 2018. She has two sons, Anthony and Domenic, both of whom attended Christ Memorial. She worked for the Federal Government before deciding to stay at home with her sons. In her spare time she enjoys reading, cooking and traveling with her family.
Kim Brathwaite – Staff Support
Mrs. Brathwaite has been at Christ Memorial Christian Preschool since 2012. She has two amazing children, Michael and Ciara, who both attended Christ Memorial and are now in college. Kim and her husband own a transportation company in Howard County. When not at Christ Memorial, she is either working with her husband, reading, enjoying the outdoors or enjoying the “empty nester” lifestyle with her husband and friends!
Barbara Stine – Staff Support
Barbara Stine is a long time member of CMPC. She is originally from Western Maryland and has one son. Both of her granddaughters attended our preschool. She enjoys gardening and working at the church and traveling to Paris!