About Cherie Pedersen, Lead Teacher
Cherie Pedersen has join the Zion Preschool staff two years ago as an assistant teacher in the 3 year-old program, last year she took on the new role of creating and implementing a program designed to enhance our 4 year-old students to explore and prepare for public kindergarten. Now Cherie Pedersen accepted the role of lead-teacher in all 3 programs Zion has to offer. Cherie comes to our facility from the public school system where she spent 8.5 years servicing children in Kindergarten through 6th grade. In September 2011, she is excited to be entering her 3rd year at Zion preschool. Cherie is a highly qualified educator with an instructional II certificate in special education N-12 and secondary social studies. She also received her Masters of Education from Grand Canyon University. Also a member of the Zion congregation, Cherie shares her time in the Preschool Sunday School room. Always enthusiastic to explore and learn with our youth, Cherie challenges you to come and enjoy our hands-on, gross motor learning.
"My experience at Zion Preschool has given me the opportunity to help young children learn and grow, while spending more time at home with my 3 children."
About Pat Carnathan, Assistant Teacher for our 4's and K-prep Programs
Pat Carnathan began teaching in Zion Lutheran’s Preschool in the class for four year olds in March 2007. Pat is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has enjoyed eleven years of teaching in preschool and lower grades for area faith-based and public schools. In 2007, she graduated from the Guest Teacher Program sponsored by the Capital Area Intermediate Unit to prepare for her return to the classroom.
Pat is retired after 27 years with the Senate of PA with an active record of administrative and legislative accomplishments. Currently Pat’s pet projects are Chairman of Developmental Board for Cathedral Consolidated School Harrisburg and librarian assistant on the Lower Dauphin Communities That Care Bookmobile. Pat’s out of school time is freely shared with her husband, Bob and two grandsons.
About Amy Peca, Assistant Teacher for our 3’s Program
Hi! My name is Amy Peca and I am excited to be starting a fresh year at Zion Preschool as a 3's teacher. I substituted last year at Zion and have gotten to know many of the children that are currently in the 4's class. I have been working with children for over 12 years and truly enjoy it each and every day. I recently graduated from Nashville State Community College with a degree in Early Childhood Education.
I have been married to my husband Joe for over 14 years and have 2 very active boys-Joseph 9 and Isaac 7. Both of my boys attend Hershey Elementary and have recently fallen in love with everything related to baseball. My husband is a Sikorsky Helicopter Representative for the Army and has recently returned from a 6 month deploment to Iraq. His job relocated us to Pennsylvania this past summer from Tennessee and we love living in the northeast. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, crafts and traveling.
I truly believe Preschool is a great beginning for children. This is a place for them to grow and develop while under a watchful eye. By introducing many life skills throughtout the year your child will blossom in front of your eyes. We are going to have so much fun and learn through many hands-on experiences.
