Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Maryland
Worship Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

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.


Theresa March – Preschool Teacher – t.march@cmpcusa.org

Theresa March was introduced to Christ Memorial Christian Preschool as a parent when her son attended in 2015. Her youngest daughter attended a few years later from 2018 to 2020. After spending many years as a stay-at-home mom, Theresa is excited to join the staff as a teacher this fall. Theresa will be the lead teacher in Classroom Love for our 4-year-old class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. A life-long lover of literature, she graduated from Towson University with a degree in English in 2004. She has worn many volunteer hats while staying home to raise her three children including preschool co-op teacher, homeschool teacher, and small group bible study leader. She loves to read and write, create art, and grow plants.


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. She is looking forward to the 2019-2020 school year and getting to know the families of CMPC Preschool.


Vanessa O’Connor – Preschool Teacher – v.oconnor@cmpcusa.org

Vanessa O’Connor started her journey with Christ Memorial Christian Preschool family in 2021 when her first daughter started school here. Two years later, her second daughter will also be attending. Vanessa will be the lead teacher in Classroom Love for our 3-year-old class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Vanessa has a background in clinical social work specializing in children and families. She is fascinated by neuroscience and how play facilitates integration between left and right hemispheres of the brain both in typical development and learning as well as when utilized in initiating a healing process. She enjoys engaging with children because of their honesty, laughter, and curiosity about the world around them.


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!