FOX HILL PRESCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ministry Team
- Organist
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor / Pastor Ben Grew Up in Waynesburg, PA. He Has Served As Faith UMC 's Associate Pastor and Overseen Roots of Faith since 2014
Ben studied Bible and Theology at Malone University in Canton, OH where he met his wife, Rachael. After graduating, they moved to Pittsburgh and participated in a nine-month missional program called World Christian Discipleship. Upon choosing to remain in Pittsburgh, Ben attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and graduated in 2015.
Ben is passionate about spiritual formation, small group ministry, and teaching. In his downtime, he tends to read books that are usually too long, sip coffee at local coffee shops, explore nearby parks or hiking trails, and cheer for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Ben and his wife, Rachael, have one daughter, Adeline.
Mrs. Stevenson has taught all levels of preschool education. She graduated from Bradford School of Business and worked for ten years in customer service and accounting before beginning as a substitute teacher. Her youngest of her three daughters was a student at Fox Hill when she accepted our invitation to join our faculty. Christie enjoys volunteering for the Girl Scouts and at Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church where she has held leadership positions in children's activities such as serving as the Scout's Day Camp Director.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ministry Team
- Director, Music Ministries
Denise Patricca joined Fox Hill Preschool in the summer of 2017. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Chatham University as well as a BA in Psychology from University of Notre Dame of Maryland. Before coming to Fox Hill, Mrs. Patricca taught at various Elementary grade levels at St. Ursula's in the North Hills. While there, she designed and implemented their preschool program. In addition, she mentored undergraduate students in education and promoted and enforced the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
Mrs. Patricca resides in Gibsonia with her husband. She has two adult children. She enjoys going to the gym, reading, and going to the pool in the summer. Most importantly, Denise loves spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Curcio joined our faculty in 2000 and has taught our two's, three's, and four's classes. She holds an associate's degree in Child Development. In past work with children she has taught ages two though twelve at Western Psychiatric Hospital, for Fox Chapel Area School District as an aide, at Leap Preschool with typical and Autistic children, at Louis Child Care Center, and St. Margaret Day Care. Additionally, she is a volunteer in the nursery/toddler room at her church where she attends with her husband and two grown children. Diana loves teaching preschool and seeing how much each child grows over the year through many wonderful experiences and opportunities to learn.
Janet Mauro moved to Pittsburgh from California where she received her degree in Early Childhood Education. Janet has taught all ages of preschool for almost twenty five years. At her most recent position (of 15 years) she was the onsite director and responsible for the enrichment care program. She looks forward to creating a loving, safe and fun environment for children to learn and grow. It is so rewarding to see the joy in a child when they are learning new things.
Janet and her husband live in Oakmont and enjoy many neighborhood walks!
Miss Hayes is a graduate of The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and is certified to teach prek-12th grade. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education, Jenna taught choir and general music in the Butler Area School District for one year and joined our faculty in 2016 as a four/five-year-old teacher. She also directs the children's choir at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church and sings in Belle Voci Choir. Ms. Hayes' favorite time during preschool is morning circle. She loves getting to know each child individually by learning about what they love; including their families, favorite foods, favorite activities, and what makes school special for them. We are fortunate to have Miss Hayes bring her love of music to the children of Fox Hill.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ministry Team
- Director, Next Generation Ministries
Mrs. Flanagan has been a faculty member in our 2's class since 2010. A former Fox Hill parent, Joanna has a BA in English and a JD. Prior to becoming a preschool teacher she worked as a judicial law clerk and associate attorney in a local law firm. Joanna lives in Fox Chapel with her husband and three children. She loves teaching the 2's class and watching how much each child grows over the year. Joanna is committed to providing a nurturing, developmentally appropriate experience for children to help foster a lifetime love of learning.
Ms. Chambers brings a love of language and early literacy to the classrooms at Fox Hill Preschool. Her experience as a speech-language therapist comes across in her passion for creating a language-rich learning environment that encourages a love of books and reading, curiosity, self-expression, and self-discovery. Julia has a MA in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked with children in a variety of settings, including schools, clinical settings, and in family homes throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area.
Julia is the proud mother of an animal-loving daughter and curious-natured son. She lives in O'Hara Township with her husband, children, and their pet fish. When she isn't teaching at Fox Hill Preschool or providing private speech-language therapy, Julia is busy exploring local museums, libraries, and nature with her children.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ministry Team
- Director, Outreach Ministries
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Ministry Team
Job Titles:
- Teacher, 4s Home Education
Mrs. DeLuca has been a faculty member since 2007 and has taught our two's, three's and four's classes. Kelly grew up as part of the Shady Side Academy family. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in education from Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey. She has worked as a behavioral specialist with special needs children and has more than a decade of experience as a preschool teacher. Kelly's three children have all attended Fox Hill. She believes that the preschool experience is about providing opportunities for a child to learn and explore in a safe and nurturing environment.
I attended Fox Hill as a child, and now teach in the 3's class but have subbed in the 2's and 4's as well. I have worked with children all my life. I have been a nanny and babysitter for multiple families in Fox Chapel. I also volunteered at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church's daycare and youth group program. I spent time in Africa living at an orphanage where I helped to take care of the children as well as volunteered at the village's elementary school. I would love to continue my love for helping others and working with children by becoming a pediatric nurse. I live in Bellevue with my sister, but am soon to be married. I love art, summer, adventures, and most importantly spending time with my family.
Mrs. Johnson joined the Fox Hill staff in January 2016 as a teacher in our three's program. She is a certified early education teacher and is passionate about teaching children. Leslie has a degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. Before joining our faculty, she previously taught two-year-old's, second grade, and Sunday school. Outside of teaching, Leslie tutors and works at a youth camp. Leslie enjoys spending time outdoors and with her daughter and family. Her favorite activity in preschool is Dr. Seuss week because we get to be silly and creative while learning about rhyming, emotions, letters, and so much more that Dr. Seuss brings to us!
Mrs. Bracken joined our faculty in 1996. She has taught in our two's, created the curriculum and taught our three's program and taught our four/five's program. Her B.S. in Biology from Bates College and her ten-year career as a specialist in blood banking allow her to share her love of science with her students. She has also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she has been a dancer and in an a capella singing group. Melinda is the mother of three daughters and one son. While raising her children, she was a Girl Scout leader for thirteen years and a trainer for ten years, held various roles in the PTA, and has held a variety of roles in her church and volunteer organizations.
Job Titles:
- Associate Pastor
- Member of the Ministry Team
Pastor Barry was born in Upstate New York, earned a BA in English from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, and MA in English Literature from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Barry appreciates the multi-cultural aspect of the Body of Jesus Christ. He developed a passion for pastoral care while volunteering for 20 years at Hosanna Church, a Korean-American congregation in Highland, NY. Barry left a career in marketing and communications in 2016 when he and his wife followed the Lord's lead to relocate to Pittsburgh. Within a few weeks of arriving, Barry met Pastor Ben Phipps and got involved at Roots of Faith. Since then, Barry has been serving at Roots of Faith in prayer ministry, Christian education and worship leading. He completed Clergy Licensing School through the East Ohio Conference in 2019. He has been married for 22 years to Nikki Henck, a consultant in the healthcare field. Together they are raising two fast-growing boys, ages 12 and 16. Barry is a people-person who enjoys running races, traveling adventures, and playing music.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Ministry Team
- Pastor
- Lead Pastor
Pastor Scott is originally from Butler, PA and has served as a United Methodist Pastor in Fox Chapel since 2016.
Scott grew up at Crossfire, a contemporary-worship campus of Butler First UMC that was started in 1999. After studying Theology and English at Eastern University near Philadelphia, Scott went to seminary at Duke Divinity School while serving as a student pastor in two rural North Carolina churches.
Scott is passionate about vibrant worship, social justice ministries, and working for unity among churches of different denominations. Some of his hobbies include ceramics, whittling, hunting, skiing, and watching movies.
Scott's partner in crime is Shannon, and their two accomplices are Lillian and Theodore.
Rev. Angelique O. Bradford is an Ordained Elder in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Pastor Angelique has been serving with the people of God at First United Methodist Church Ellwood City and Homewood United Methodist Church, which are located on the Butler District, since July, 2016. She is a native of Pittsburgh, PA where she grew up on the Southside of Pittsburgh in the neighborhood Beltzhoover. She is a proud alumnus of Carrick High School, which is part of the Pittsburgh Public School System, (1993). She received a Bachelors of Science in Human Services from Geneva College (2013), and obtained a Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary in the Nation's Capital (2016). Pastor Angelique was a faithful member at Stanton Heights United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh until the doors of the church closed in 2012. She later transferred her membership to Asbury United Methodist Church in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, 2013. She became a Certified Candidate for Ministry at Asbury UMC, DC. During her time in ministry, she has served as part of the ministerial staff, Intercessory Prayer Team, Youth Ministry Team, Stewardship Committee Member, and a United Methodist Women Group Member at Asbury UMC DC, a Pastor Intern at Sharon UMC in Sharon, PA, and as Pastoral Intern at Calvary UMC in Arlington, VA. She is a gifted leader with a gracious heart to lead people in gaining a better understanding of the endless possibilities that God has yet in store. Pastor Angelique enjoys engaging people through the Word of God. Her mission is to connect people to the living church, the Church of Jesus Christ without walls, as we are not called to be "pew dwellers"; we are sojourner's who are called to go out and meet people with the purpose of proclaiming and advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Pastor Angelique is a gifted and valued leader in the Body of Christ. She has served as a Committee Member on the Butler District Dismantling Racism Team, the Butler District Superintendency Committee, a Board Member of the United Methodist Foundation, and most recently became a Board Member of the Northside Christian Health Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Pastor Angelique is married to the love of her life and friend, Clarence. She is extremely proud of her family and those who share in that extended kinship. Pastor Angelique enjoys spa day with friends, good conversations with lots laughter, praise & worship workouts, inspired art projects, and operatic voices. Many will say that Pastor Angelique can be found in conversation reminding people of the love that God has for them and encouraging them with these words found in Romans 8:28, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." When you meet God's servant, you will know it's for a purpose that is full of promise.
Job Titles:
- Director of Children 's Ministry
Job Titles:
- Teacher, 2 and 3 Year Olds
Mrs. Langer joined the staff at Fox Hill in 2019 as a 2's and 3's teacher. Prior to joining Fox Hill she was a stay at home mom to her son Isaac. When Isaac began preschool Mrs. Langer was called to substitute for his class which reignited her calling to teach full time. When Isaac entered kindergarten Mrs. Langer began teaching at a local preschool in the 3 year old classroom and then began to substitute for the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. When not in the classroom, Mrs. Langer enjoys kayaking and riding her small motorcycle.
Job Titles:
- Teacher, 2, 3, & 4 Year Olds
Mrs. Wasser joined our faculty in 1997 during our third year of operation. She was a creator of the two-year-old program when that class began in 1999. She holds an associate degree in child development. Both her daughters attended Fox Hill and her family is a member of Faith United Methodist Church. Before joining our team, Susie worked at St. Michael's Woodbridge Preschool, Royal Oak School, and operated a home child care center. Mrs. Wasser teaches our three-year-old class and developed our Tumbling Tuesdays program. She is a very active member of Faith and is involved with almost everything that involves children's programming.
Mrs. Guttridge joined our faculty as a 3's teacher in 2019 having worked as a substitute teacher at Fox Hill during the 2018-2019 school year. She has a Masters Degree in teaching from Slovakia and has had the chance to work with kids ages 2-10 in different places in Europe and the United States. Mrs. Guttridge has 2 children who attend Fairview Elementary. In her free time she loves arts and crafts, gardening, baking, and cooking different cuisines.