GREAT BEGINNINGS
CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL and KINDERGARTEN
Our Teachers
Michelle H. Alvanos
M.S. in Elementary Education, University of Pennsylvania (PA).
Michelle performed her student teaching at the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown. She has recently substituted at the elementary level in Chester County. Michelle joined Great Beginnings in 1996.
Bonnie Heath Amoroso
B.S. in Elementary Education, Shippensburg University (PA)
and Masters Equivalency in Elementary Education. Bonnie has over 10 years elementary classroom experience in Pennsylvania. She has taught at Great Beginnings since it was founded in 1989. Bonnie is also our Financial Administrator.
Cathy A. Baylouny
B.S. in Management and Finance, LaSalle University (PA) Cathy was a writing tutor while attending LaSalle. She has been a kindergarten classroom volunteer at St. Phillips and James school. She has been an assistant at Great Beginnings since 2004. She is currently completing courses for her Early Childhood Certification. She began teaching in 2007.
Carol A. Braun
B.S. in Early Childhood Education, University of Pittsburgh (PA). Carol has taught at Great Beginnings since 1990. She had previously taught preschool in Uniontown, PA. Carol is also an administrative assistant.
Mary Alice Cross
B.S. in Early Childhood Education, Temple University (PA). Mary Alice performed her student teaching in Layfayette Hill, Blue Bell and Norristown areas. She joined Great Beginnings staff in 1999.
Bridget D. Ellison
B.S. in Mass Communication, St. Bonaventure University (NY) Bridget completed her Elementary Teaching Certification at the State University of New York at Cortland. She completed her student teaching in Virginia through Virginia Wesleyan College (VA). She taught second grade for four years in Virginia Beach. Bridget joined Great Beginnings in 2006.
Donna L. Garthwaite
B.S. in Education, Millersville University (PA) with Pennsylvania Certification as a School Librarian. Donna is trained as an Educational Media Specialist and has preschool teaching experience in Augsburg, Germany. She has taught at Great Beginnings since it was founded in 1989 and is our Curriculum and Programs Administrator.
Sarah M. Hart
B.A. in Psychology, Bucknell University (PA). Sarah completed her Early Childhood and Elementary coursework at Cabrini College (PA). She has worked in the early childhood field in the Bryn Mawr area. She joined the Great Beginnings staff in 2000.
Stephanie A. Kollhoff
B.A. In Communications and Public Relations, Lycoming College (PA) Stephanie has completed education courses as part of her major. She taught at the Bucks County YMCA Preschool Program for 3 years. She joined our staff as an assistant in 2001 and began teaching our One Day Program in 2006.
Patrice M. Lord
B.S. in Early Childhood Education, West Chester University (PA). Patrice has 8 years preschool teaching experience in the Aston area. She joined the Great Beginnings staff in 2000.
Kathy A. Melso
B.S. in Special Education, Bloomsburg University (PA). Kathy has over 7 years experience in the special education field, including 5 years at the primary grade level. She joined the Great Beginnings staff in 1991.
Karrin Stone
B.S. in Special Education, West Chester University (PA). Karrin taught in the Pennsvilles, NJ school system for 9 years. She joined our staff as an assistant in 2002 and then became a Lunch Bunch Program Coordinator.
Deborah W. Wales
B.S. in Elementary Education, Catawba College (NC).
Debbie has elementary experience in Maryland and Germany and substitute teaching experience in the Downingtown schools. She gives private piano lessons. Debbie has taught at Great Beginnings since it was founded in 1989 and also holds the position of Public Relations and Personnel Administrator.
