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.

With 25 years of dedicated experience in early childhood education, Lana has built a career focused on nurturing and inspiring young minds. Armed with a Master’s degree in Management and Education, Lana combines expertise in education with strong leadership and organizational skills, creating meaningful programs that positively impact children and their families.

As the owner and operator of Fit Kids Charlotte, Lana is passionate about promoting physical activity and nutritional wellness for young children. The program blends fitness and fun, helping kids develop essential motor skills while fostering a love for movement.

In addition to business ownership, Lana is a skilled Music and Movement Teacher, bringing rhythm and creativity into the classroom. Her lessons focus on engaging children in ways that encourage self-expression, coordination, and joy through music and dance.

Originally from Russia, Lana is fluent in both speaking and writing Russian, offering a multicultural perspective to her work and a strong connection to diverse communities.

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.

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.

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.

Toni is a dedicated childcare professional with a strong background in both personal and professional child development. Originally from Lancaster, South Carolina, she has been passionate about working with children from a young age. She began volunteering at children’s art camps and babysitting at 13, later expanding her experience by teaching children’s church.

Toni has three years of experience in public education—two in Special Education and one as a substitute teacher—before transitioning to early childhood education, where she is currently in her second year. In addition to her hands-on experience, she is also a college student, continuously furthering her knowledge in the field.

Recently married, Toni enjoys spending her free time painting, gardening, and reading. She is committed to fostering a nurturing and engaging environment for young learners, helping them grow, explore, and develop foundational skills for the future.

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.