Michelle Rippeon
Executive Director
Maryland Credential Level Six
Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from George Mason University. She taught elementary for six years before starting a family. Michelle has four children of her own, two of which attended St. James. Michelle has been a preschool teacher at St. James and has worked as an early childhood educator in Maryland since 2014. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cheering for her children at sporting events, exercising and crafting.

Kathryn Janiga
Preschool 2's Teacher
Maryland Credential Level Four
Kathryn holds a BS in Nursing from University of Maryland. She has been married 37 years with two grown children. She received her 90 Early Childhood Education certification from Carroll Community College. Kathryn began teaching pre-school in 2005 after practicing nursing for 25 years. While nursing, she specialized in pediatrics. She loves music, gardening and arts and crafts. Kathryn also is an avid scrap-booker. She is very excited to begin her twelfth year at St. James.

Nikki Davis
Preschool 2’s Teacher and Teaching Assistant
Maryland Credential Level Four

Christine Christner
Preschool 2's and 3's Teaching Assistant
Credential Level Pending
Born and raised in College Park MD, I moved to Carroll County in May of 2006. I have two children, Abby, a freshman and Anthony, a junior who attend South Carroll High School. Most recently I worked within the Autism Program as a paraprofessional with grades K-5., however began my start with CCPS prior to that in middle school, working 1:1 and in the BEST program. I love photography, which I do in my spare time, going to the beach with family, and watching my kiddos play sports!

Tara Heil
Pre-K Teacher and Preschool 3's Teacher
Maryland Credential Level Six
Tara has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech and Maryland Certification in Early Childhood Education. Her undergraduate degree is in Materials Science and Engineering. She taught third grade for seven years in the Annapolis area. She lives in Mount Airy with her husband and two daughters, both St. James' alums. Tara enjoys her family and friends, as well as reading, being active outdoors, and practicing yoga. She loves young children’s curiosity and is excited to help nurture their development.

Lynne Colantoni
Preschool 3's and 4's Teaching Assistant
Maryland Credential Level Two

Amanda Norman
Preschool 3's Teacher
Maryland Credential Level Three

Alexis Paul
Preschool 3's Teaching Assistant
Credential Level Three

Ashley Williams
Preschool 4's Teacher
Ashley moved to Mt Airy when she was 5 years old. She went to elementary school at Twin Ridge, then on to middle school at New Market Middle and graduated from Linganore High School. Ashley has a bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and a master's degree in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Hood College. Ashley started her teaching career with Washington County Public Schools and has teaching experience in pre-kindergarten - grade 2. Ashley has been teaching since 2009 and has 11 years of early childhood teaching experience. Ashley's husband, Justin, is a LT in the US Navy and serves as a Navy nurse in the emergency department at Ft. Belvoir Community Hospital. Ashley and her husband have two childres, Lea and Ellsea. Ashley enjoys spending time with her family and traveling to Maui every summer.

Patti Hill
Pre-K 4’s Teaching Assistant and Office Administrative Assistant
Maryland Credential Level Four

Nikki Facchine
Preschool 4's Teacher
Nikki Facchine graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She has a master’s degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in Middle School Mathematics. She also holds a certification in Early Childhood Education. Nikki has taught eighth grade, third grade and first grade. She lives in Sykesville with her husband, three children and two cats. When she is not busy running her children to their sports and after school activities, Nikki enjoys reading, running, hiking and spending time with her family and friends.

Sam Gass
Preschool 4's Teacher
Maryland Credential Level Six
Sam is a former middle school science teacher in Carroll and Frederick Counties. She has a degree in biology and a master's degree in education with a concentration in curriculum & instruction. Mt. Airy is home to Sam, her husband and two kids (both college students), however they are frequently out of town visiting far-away places. When Sam is not at St. James or watching her children play sports, you'll find her on one of the local tennis courts.

Jen Marcinko
Preschool 4's Teaching Assistant
Maryland Credential Level: Pending
Jen is a Sykesville native and has lived there for the past 20 years raising her three sons. She holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from College of Notre Dame and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Towson University. Prior to working in the education field, she worked in the mortgage securities industry. More recently, she taught Kindergarten and has experience working in both PreK as well as Special Education. She completed the Orton-Gillingham 60-hour course and loves teaching reading. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her boys play sports, exercising, fishing, and spending time with her family and friends.

America Wheat
Substitute Teacher
Maryland Credential Level Six
America has lived in Mt. Airy with her husband and four children, ages 11-16, since 2001. She obtained her Bachelor's degree from Marymount University and has completed much of the coursework for her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Towson University. America recently became a qualified Orto-Gillingham “Plus” tutor after taking a 60-hour course on the Orton Gillingham approach (a multisensory structured literacy approach to reading and writing, with an added focus on phonological awareness). America has worked as an early childhood educator in Maryland since 2015. She is current in CPR and First Aid training as well as her ADA certification. She enjoys spending time watching her children play sports. America is excited to be starting her third year at St. James.

Rachel Barlow
Substitute Teacher
Credential Level Two
