Shanan Geitgey

Director

Hi! I am Shanan Geitgey, Director of our preschool at First Christian Church.  We are so excited about your interest in our program, and we hope you will enjoy getting to know our staff!

My background in early childhood education began shortly after graduating from Canton McKinley High School in 1994. Upon graduating, I began working at an early childhood facility and was employed there for 4 years. When I began my teaching career, I started as an assistant teacher in the Preschool 3 class.  It was there that I realized my God given abilities in working with young children. After many hours of training and supervision in the field of early childhood development, I then took on a Lead Teacher position of the Pre-k class, where I began creating developmentally appropriate, fun and creative lesson plans and activities for young children that would enable them to learn valuable lessons & academics through play. I am trained and certified in Developmentally Appropriate Practice, First Aid & CPR, Child Abuse & Neglect and am a Certified PlayRight Signature Teacher.

After working with children and families in the preschool environment, I took on a new position working with Stark County Children Services as an Administrative Assistant and Aid in their Foster Care & Adoption Units.  I was employed there for 4 years.  While working there I was trained to work with children and families and social workers in many exciting capacities!

Soon after this I began a family of my own, and made a decision to be a stay at home mom.  I have been married to my husband Scott for 11 years and have 3 wonderful children ages 7, 5 ½  and 3. I have been a member of First Christian Church for 10 ½  years and have served as a volunteer in our Tiny Tots class, working with children ages 12 months to 3yrs. and currently serve in our pre-kindergarten Sunday school class as a team leader. I was also proud to serve as a member of our Mom’s Morning Core Team.

I took almost 3 years off from working outside the home before I realized that God was opening the door for me to a whole new adventure working with children in my very own church. I was the Lead Preschool 4 & 5 teacher for the 2004 & 2005 school years and then took on the role of Director in 2006, soon after completing my Child Development Associate credential.   In January of 2007 I was proud to help our center achieve the “Step Up To Quality” recognition, which proclaims our preschool as a quality, above state standards learning program for young children in our community!!

I am the oldest sibling of 4 in my family, and have always been a care taker, and I truly enjoy and have a passion for working with young children. I feel blessed everyday for my own family as well as the family of children I get to grow and learn with every day at preschool!  I look forward to meeting many of you!

Meet Miss Jennifer Condo

Lead Preschool 4 & 5 Teacher

Hi!  My name is Jennifer Condo. I have been the Lead Preschool 4 & 5 teacher for the past year, and am looking forward to the 2007-08 school year as well!  In April of 2007 I was awarded my Child Development Associate Credential, and have been enjoying applying all that I have learned and gained from over 140 hours of specialized training in early childhood!

I am a 1992 graduate from Perry High School. In 1993, I began employment at Aultman Hospital. I worked there as a receptionist until 1998. I then became a stay at home mom. I re-entered the work force in 2003 at Rivertree Christian School as an assistant teacher in the Pre-k class. In the fall of 2003, I was hired here at First Christian, as a room supervisor for childcare. In this position I created lesson plans and led activities with children ages 2-10.  My family and I have also volunteered in the “tiny tots” class on Sundays working with children ages 18 months to 3 years.

My husband Matthew and I have been married for 15 years. We have been members here at First Christian for the past 9 years. We have five children, four boys, and a little girl. I feel so blessed that God has given me 5 children of my own, and has led me to a career path where I get the opportunity to love, and to learn with so many other children.  A few of my hobbies include baking, organizing and shopping, and spending time with my family.

I love to watch children learn and accomplish new things. I get such joy out of sharing God’s love with them and I look forward to experiencing this with your child.

Miss Mychele Richards

Lead Preschool 3 Teacher

Lead Toddler Too Teacher

Hi! My name is Mychele Richards, and I am the Lead Preschool 3 Teacher and Lead Toddler Teacher. I am 36 years old and have been married to my husband Mike Richards for 15 years. I have two boys, ages 12 and 9. My experience working with children started at First Christian Church volunteering in numerous age groups of classrooms. I then decided to accept a position at McGregor Elementary School in Canton. There I was a lunchroom and playground monitor and realized then my connection to children and how much I enjoyed working with them. I am excited to be heading into my second year as the Preschool 3 lead teacher, as well as to be taking on the adventure of the lead toddler teacher!! I am trained and certified in first aid, CPR, child abuse and neglect and communicable disease. This summer I was awarded my Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and am looking forward to appling that knowledge in both classrooms. I am very blessed to be able to start a new career in teaching at First Years Community preschool. God is a big part of my life and I have him to thank for this wonderful opportunity.

God Bless You, Mychele Richards

Miss Sarah Shooltz

Lead Preschool 4 & 5 Teacher

Preschool 3 Assistant Teacher

Hello! My name is Sarah Shooltz. I have the pleasure of working with the preschool 3 class as an aid, as well as leading the after preschool enrichment classes with the 4 & 5 year olds. I have worked with First Years for the past school year and have enjoyed every minutes of it! I came to First Years Community Preschool in December of 2006. I have my bachelor’s degree in Education from Michigan State University. I have a lot of experience working with children of varied ages, student teaching, planning and implementing curriculum and leading & planning extra programs and events pertaining to young children. I have been married to my husband Adam for 2 years and we have made First Christian Church our home church for the past 8 months. I am trained and certified in first aid and CPR. When I’m not engaging in my passion for teaching I enjoy scrapbooking, camping and traveling back to Michigan to hang out and visit family and friends! I am eagerly looking forward to meeting you and your child!

Miss Traci Hall

Lead After Preschool Enrichment Teacher

Preschool 4/5 Assistant Teacher

Hi, my name is Traci Hall.  It is my pleasure to be the lead after Pre-school Enrichment Teacher as well as the aide in the M-W-F four year old class with Miss Sarah.   My career in Early Childhood started in 1993 after graduating from Tidewater Community College in VA Beach, VA with a degree in Early Childhood Development.  I have experience with children ages newborn to school age.  My work experience includes working in a Montessori Pre-School, Military Child Care Center as well as an After School Program for school aged children.   I took a break from the field in 1999 to be a stay at home Mommy to our then 3 1/2 year old son and our daughter.  I was blessed to get back in to my field of study, Early Childhood Development, in February of 2007 as the Aid in the After Pre-School Enrichment program. 

My husband and I have been married since April 1993 and we have three wonderful children.  A son in 6th grade,  a daughter who is in the 2nd grade, and our youngest who is 4 who is attending First Years for her third year this year.  We are also an active duty military family. My husband is in the US Army and is looking to retire in 2008 after 20 years of service.  First Christian Church is our families’ church home.  We are active in many of its ministries. It is also a joy to work with the children on Sunday evenings during the Wide Eyed Life Service. 

When not working with children, I am active as a sports mom and dance mom. I also enjoy my card ministry for the deployed troops.  My family is my passion and my love.  Children are our gift from God and I am thankful that you are giving me the opportunity to be a part of their first years.

God Bless~
Traci 

Miss Angela Heid

Toddler Too Assistant Teacher

Hi, my name is Angela Heid. I am excited to be joining the preschool staff as an aid in the new Toddler Too class for the 2007-2008 school year. I am married, and my husband and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary this fall.  We have two children ages 6 and 4. We have been members of First Christian Church for 5 years. During my time here at First Christian, I have really discovered my heart for moms and their children. I have worked with the Mom’s Morning/ MOPS ministry at the church for the past two years as part of the planning team and as coordinator of the group. I have enjoyed working with the children in our Tiny Tots classroom on Sundays for the past 5 years and look forward to expanding my role in working with children to the preschool. I have an Associate of Arts degree from Kent State Stark and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from The University of Akron. While attending college, I gained experience working with children at a preschool/day care facility.  After college, I worked as a veterinary assistant where I learned to use traits such as patience, gentleness and compassion which I feel are essential to working with children as well. I will also begin CDA training this fall to enhance my abilities to understand child development and effective teaching methods. I look forward to beginning my career at the preschool to help your child have a successful beginning to their academic career and gain a life long treasure of a relationship with Jesus.

Miss Nicki Hartson

Preschool 4/5 Assistant TeacherAfter Preschool Enrichment Assistant Teacher

Hi, my name is Nicki Hartson and I am so excited to be the assistant teacher in Miss Jennifer’s Preschool 4/5 class.  I am also pleased to be assisting Miss Traci in the after preschool enrichment classes.  I am 28 years old and my husband and I have been married for 8 years.  We have two children of our own, ages 6 and 3.  My daughter has been enrolled at First Years for the past two years, and I have enjoyed being a part of all the wonderful things she has learned.  I have also enjoyed watching the bond that she has developed with her teachers during this time; and so now I look forward to being a part of this program and sharing in that same experience with your child!  I have always had a passion for working with young children.  My husband and I are members at First Christian Church, and I have enjoyed helping out in many of the early childhood classrooms on Sundays.  In the fall of this school year my goals are to become certified in child abuse & neglect, first aid, communicable disease as well as CPR, and to attend as many classes in child development as possible, reaching towards my Child Development Associate Credential.  I feel blessed to have this opportunity to play and learn with your children, and I look forward to getting to know you soon!