Emily Johnson
Director

Coming to Northbrook Preschool in 2002 was a blessing because I returned to what I loved most - preschool! I taught in the Early Childhood Dept. at the Univ. of West Georgia and directed their lab preschool for 16 years starting in 1976. Most recently, I was a tenured assistant professor at Kennesaw State Univ. My doctorate is from Auburn Univ. My dissertation was on children’s play. I love it here!

Carol Erbentraut
Assistant Director

My degree is from Ohio Wesleyan University in elementary education. Being the assistant director since 2002 has been an exciting challenge. Not only do I get to “play” with these amazing children, but I also am part of a team of creative, wonderful professionals. All three of my children came to school here (in the previous century) and I know that this loving environment cultivates growth

Kay Zemke
Assessment Coordinator

I began as the Assessment Coordinator at Northbrook Preschool in 2007. I received my BA in Education and English from Mercer University in 1993. I also earned my Child Development Associate in April of 2009. In addition, I have been trained by the Gesell Institute to use the Gesell Developmental Observation tool. This tool assists in determining a child’s developmental age so teachers can best work with their students as individuals helping them to learn most effectively and reach their fullest potential. My husband, Jason, and I have been church members at Northbrook since 1999 and have a daughter named Hannah. It is such a blessing to work with preschool aged children and I love their excitement and enthusiasm for learning.

Liz Favara
Lead Teacher Media

I graduated from Queens College with a BA in Early Childhood/Elementary education and a MS in Early Childhood. I started at Northbrook in 1992 and taught 3s for four years. I began the Media Center in 1996 and have been there ever since. I have a love for children’s literature and feel very blessed that I get to share stories with all the children here at Northbrook.

Marianne Borden
Art Teacher

Northbrook Preschool is such a wonderful place and I am thrilled to be a part of it! I am a Georgia native and a Georgia Bulldog as well. I graduated with a BFA in Surface Design and Weaving from UGA. My husband and I have four children, one who is just starting Northbrook Preschool this year and 2 others who have successfully moved on to elementary school. I am looking forward to discussing art forms, artists and introducing your children to new mediums of creativity.

Karen Hughes
Music Lead Teacher

I have been the music teacher at Northbrook since 2001 and was previously an assistant in twos. Originally from Connecticut, I have over 20 years of musical experience. I graduated from Montclair State University with a BA in Music Therapy. The sounds of singing, flute, guitar, piano or many other instruments are often heard coming from my classroom.

Lynda Bresnick
Music Assistant Teacher

I began working as the assistant teacher in music in 2002. I am married to Larry and have one son, Sam. I am a native Atlantan and have lived in Roswell for 14 years. I love working with the children and watching them grow. I look forward to each new year.

Audrey Power
1 year old Lead Teacher, MW and Th classes

I began teaching at Northbrook in 1990. In addition to teaching, I purchase all the supplies for the preschool each month and keep track of whether immunizations of the children are current. I came to Atlanta 29 years ago after graduating from Purdue University. I have three adult sons. My husband and I live in Alpharetta with our Chocolate Lab, Jack.

Rykie du Plessis  
MW 1s Assistant Teacher

I began teaching at Northbrook in 2008 and love it. We have lived in the United States since 1999 and in Roswell since 2003. We are originally from South Africa where I obtained a Masters Degree in City Planning. I earned the Child Development Associate national credential in the summer 2011.

Cheryl Vaughan
1 year old Lead Teacher, TF class

I love teaching at Northbrook and have taught the 18-24 month and 2s classes. I returned to Northbrook in 2007 after moving back to Roswell from Florida. My husband, Mark, and I have been married since 1984 and have 3 children, Ryan, Shelby, and Mekenna. I love boating, cooking, playing tennis, and spending time with my family and toy poodle, Miller.

Lori Purcell
MWF Older 2s Lead Teacher

After my own daughter went to kindergarten having gone through Northbrook Preschool, I decided to substitute teach here. I loved it so much, I started teaching when she went to first grade and I’ve been teaching two year olds since 2000. I completed my Child Development Associate credential in 2009.

Lisa Cash
MWF Older 2s Assistant Teacher

I began teaching at Northbrook Preschool in 2002. I love teaching the older 2s because they are loving and so eager to learn. It is fun to see their faces light up when they learn something new. To further my growth as a teacher, I completed my Child Development Associate credential in 2009.

Mary Weinschenk
MW Young 2s Lead Teacher

I began teaching at Northbrook Preschool in 2004 and have been a member of Northbrook United Methodist Church since 1995. A native of Kentucky, I’ve lived in GA since 1983. I graduated from the University of Kentucky and attended Westchester College with a major in elementary education. I love teaching at Northbrook and always look forward to spending time with the children in my class.

Rupa Desai
MW Young 2s Assistant Teacher, (TTh Older 2s

I have lived in Georgia since 1989. I am a Law School graduate (from India). I received a Child Development Certificate from Chattahoochee Tech in 2008. I began at Northbrook Preschool in 2003. I enjoy yoga and traveling.

Amy Halliday
TTh Older 2s Lead Teacher

I have been a teacher of 2’s at Northbrook since 2000 and was a parent of 3 Northbrook students for 9 years before that! My family have been members here for almost 20 years so we have much love for Northbrook. I graduated from Clemson with a degree in English and completed a Child Development credential in 2009. My husband Craig and I have 3 children-Matt, (married to Laura), Evan, and Caroline.

Charmie Sandefur
TTh Young 2s Lead Teacher, MWF 3s Assistant Teacher

I am thrilled to have been at Northbrook Preschool since 2006. I am originally from Southern California and have lived in Georgia for almost 3 years. I received a BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. I completed my Child Development Associate credential in 2009.

Maria Alaluf
TTh 2s Assistant Teacher 

I’ve been part of the Northbrook Family since 2005. Both of my sons, Pablo and Jose Eduardo attended the preschool. In 2007 I started teaching Spanish and the following year I also became the assistant in the T/Th 2 year old program. My husband Eduardo and I are originally from México and have been living in Georgia since 1995. I completed my Child Development Associate national credential in 2010. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to work with children and grow with them.

Lauren Barimo
(TThF 3s Lead Teacher)

I am a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught Kindergarten for several years before having my own children. My husband and I have twins, Kenny and Emma, and Michael who was actually lucky enough to have attended Northbrook. I have taught 2 year olds, substitute taught in all elementary grades, and now this will be my fourth year teaching 3 year olds. I feel so lucky to be part of the Northbrook family and I’m really looking forward to an exciting year of discoveries with your children. I simply love the 3’s- I love their innocence and they are constantly reminding me how fun each moment can and should be!

Lisa Marino
TThF 3s Assistant Teacher

I am so excited to join the Northbrook Preschool faculty as an assistant teacher for the 2009-2010 school year! I very much enjoyed being a substitute teacher during the previous school year and getting to know many of the wonderful children and families at the preschool. My husband, Anthony, and I have 3 children; my youngest of whom went to Northbrook through kindergarten. We are originally from Pennsylvania but have loved living in Alpharetta for the past seven years. I have Masters Degree in engineering and have taken several secondary education classes. I earned the Child Development Associate national credential in summer 2011.

Kris Konieczny
M-Th 3s Lead Teacher

I began working at Northbrook Preschool in the Fall of 2008. I have a BA in Sociology from CSUF. I am originally from Southern California where I taught preschool for 8 years before having my own children. I live in Roswell with my husband Keith and two daughters, Kacey and Kylie. I completed my Child Development Associate national credential in 2010.

Susan Castleberry
TTh 3s Assistant Teacher

I started at Northbrook as a parent, then a substitute teacher, and after retiring from Delta Airlines, I began teaching as an assistant in the three-year-old program. In my spare time, I enjoy attending my son’s youth football games. I recently completed a degree in psychology from Kennesaw State University.

Jennifer Picquet
M-Th 4s Lead Teacher

I became a teacher at Northbrook in the fall of 2008. My children, Aidan and Lily, both attended preschool here and I enjoyed working as room mother for their classes! I have a degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Reading Education. I taught kindergarten for several years in NY, before my husband, Scott, and I moved south and began our family. Northbrook has been such a big part of my family's life and I am so proud to say I am a teacher here!

George Grindstaff
(M-F 4s Assistant Teacher)

I have always enjoyed teaching and working with children…I have now combined the two and I am enjoying the new challenges daily. I started working at the preschool in 2008 as a substitute and moved into the M-Th four-year-old classroom. I completed my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education in 2008. I also have a degree in Computer Information Science that I utilized in my previous field of work. I am prior military and moved here from my last post in 2001. My family consists of my wife, Andrea, and my two sons, James & Carl, numerous fish, & two cats.

Donna Anello
(MWF 4s Lead Teacher)

My college degree is in business, marketing communications. I earned my Child Development Associate credential in 2009 and am working to complete an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am thrilled to have been a part of Northbrook Preschool since 2006. My daughter, Gracie, attended Northbrook Preschool. It’s a joy to see your children gain confidence and understanding of how special they are!

Teensy Weldon
(M – Th 4s Lead Teacher)

My name is Aline but have been called Teensy from the day I was born prematurely. I graduated from high school in France and attended the University of Tennessee. I am married to Frank and have two sons and three grandchildren. I’ve been teaching since 1980 and began at Northbrook in 1996. The 4 year old is a delightful mix of wonder and excitement; therefore, my days are never boring!

Susie Kinkaid
(M – Th 4s Assistant Teacher)

I began teaching at Northbrook Preschool in the 4s class in 2006 after moving here from Florida where I worked as a preschool teacher assistant since 1999. Although I have an accounting degree, teaching is much more rewarding, especially teaching preschoolers! I received my Child Development Associate credential in March, 2009.

Katie Hall
(Kindergarten Lead Teacher)

I graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Early Childhood Education and am Georgia certified to teach Pre-K through fifth grade. I began teaching at Northbrook Preschool in 2006 in the MWF 3s. I love helping children grow spiritually, emotionally, and academically in a Christian environment. I am married and have two beautiful children.

Karen Wiser
(Kindergarten Assistant Teacher)

I became a faculty member in 1987 in the MMO, and then worked my way up through the two, three, four and kindergarten classes. Through the years I have been a part of the NAEYC accreditation and the study of the Reggio way of teaching. The years at Northbrook have been a wonderful journey for me because of all the children and families that have touched my life.