Meet the Teachers

Mrs. Carolyn Sweeton

Hello! I have the joy of teaching the Terrific Two’s class! I graduated from Monmouth College with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and history. In my teaching career, I have worked with children in preschools, day care centers, and public and private schools. Most recently I have been working with preschool children at a summer camp.

In 2006, I moved from a small beach town in NJ to Exeter, with my husband, George and our twin sons, Sam and Jon. Since moving here we adopted our daughter, Kayla. My sons graduated high school in 2020, and my daughter is in high school. I love spending time with my family. I also enjoy taking walks, reading, and going to the beach.  I am excited to be partnering with you and your child as they have fun learning and growing this year!

Mrs. Tracy Duff

Hello! I am very excited to be teaching in the Three Year-Old classroom! I am a graduate of Exeter Senior High School and The Wilma Boyd School of Business and Travel.

I live here in Exeter with my husband, Christopher, our children, Justin and Angela, and Golden Retriever, Dakota! I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, keeping up with my kids' activities, reading, and watching movies.

After working in the travel industry for 27 years, becoming a parent changed my priorities and focus. Watching my children grow and being involved in their education has led me to opportunities to be a cub scout den leader, substitute assistant preschool teacher, an instructional aide at Owatin Creek, a cafeteria aide at Lorane, the assistant teacher in this classroom for the 2022-2023 class, and now, the 3's Teacher here at Schwarzwald!

I can't wait to work with your kids, watch them learn, grow and have fun at Schwarzwald UCC Preschool!

Mrs. Andrea Fatkin

I am pleased to be joining the 3 year old class this school year as an assistant teacher.  I am a graduate of Exeter Township Senior High School and Millersville University.  I previously worked in Sales & Marketing for several international companies.  Most recently, I was an assistant teacher for the Schwarzwald UCC Preschool 3’s Tuesday/Thursday Program and a paraprofessional for the Antietam School District.

I live in Pennside with my husband, Derek, and my children, Eve and Gavin.   Both of my children are graduates of Schwarzwald UCC Preschool.  Eve will be a senior at Antietam Middle Senior High School and Gavin will be a fourth grader at the Mt. Penn Elementary Center. 

In my free time I enjoy baking, gardening, taking walks, going to the Antietam Pool, and spending time with my family.

I am very happy to be back at Schwarzwald UCC Preschool.   I look forward to working with your children this school year.

Mrs. Holly Keehn

Hello! I am so very excited to be working as the 3 year old teacher here at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ Preschool! I am a graduate of Governor Mifflin high school. I have worked as a home health aide with Bayada nurses, a nanny of four children for eight years, and an assistant teacher with the BCIU 3-5 preschool classroom. 

I live here in Exeter with my husband, Brandon, and my two daughters, Ellie and Emma. We have a lot of fun with our dogs, cats, hamster, bunnies and fish! I also love to travel to the beach and my favorite place, Disney World!!! 

I can not wait to welcome your children to Schwarzwald and know we will have a fantastic year learning and growing!

Mrs. Donna Crossland

Hello! I am very excited to be the Assistant Teacher in the 2 days Three-Year-Old classroom! I am a graduate of Reading Senior High School and attended Penn State Berks. I have many years of experience working with children in various roles, which is where my true passion lies. I currently work for Weaver’s Orchard as a School Tour Guide and previously worked in Sales; Marketing for several senior living communities.  I live in Exeter with my husband, Jay. I also have two grown sons, Evan and Sean. Evan attended Schwarzwald UCC Preschool. 

In my free time I enjoy hiking, biking, spending time with my family, and vacationing at the Jersey Shore.  I am looking forward to becoming part of your children’s preschool experience and partnering in their successful development and education.

Mrs. Danielle Cole

Some of you may already know me from Parents on Board last year. While that has been so much fun, I am super excited to be teaching in Schwarzwald's Pre-K classroom this year! I am a Wilson High School graduate. I have prior experience assisting in elementary classrooms, working in childcare centers, as well as being a caregiver for infants up to school age children. 

I have been fortunate enough to have a supportive husband who has provided me the opportunity to be home with my daughter, McKenna who is 8 years old, and my son, Lincoln who is 4 years old. Prior to being at home, I worked as a Supervisor at a high volume Ophthalmology practice in Wyomissing. In addition to my husband and kids, we have 2 dogs, Gunner who is 8 years old and Major who is almost 1 year old, and our 1-year-old Axolotl, Rosie. In my spare time, I enjoy making memories with my family, cooking, baking, and experiencing new things. 

I am really eager to not only get to know your children, but also be creative with them while getting them prepared for Kindergarten. 

Mrs. Becky Speicher 

I am very excited to be joining the Pre-Kindergarten classroom this year as an assistant teacher. I am a graduate of Exeter Township Senior High School and Berks Technical Institute. I previously worked many years as a dental assistant. Once I had my daughters I became a stay at home mom. When they both became school age, I was a substitute assistant teacher for Schwarzwald UCC Preschool in the 3’s and Pre-K Programs and a volunteer in the kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Lorane Elementary School. Most recently, I was an in home childcare provider for the last ten years.

I live in Exeter Township with my husband, Jason, and my daughters, Rachel and Haley. Both of my daughters are graduates of Schwarzwald UCC Preschool and Exeter Township Senior High School. Rachel is also a graduate of Thomas Jefferson University and Haley currently is a junior at Bucknell University.

In my free time I enjoy playing pickle ball, taking bike rides, going to the beach, and watching Haley play Division 1 college softball.

I am very excited to watch your children learn, grow, and have fun at Schwarzwald UCC Preschool! 

Mrs. Allison McElwee

Hello! My name is Allison McElwee (Mackle-wee). This is my third year teaching at Schwartzwald UCC Preschool, however, I have several years of experience teaching preschool, as well as directing preschool ministry at several churches.

I earned my associate degree in early childhood teaching from Reading Area Community College in 2017. My husband, Steve, and I have 3 adult sons. My oldest son lives in Nebraska with his wife and their two little ones.  In 2019, we moved to Exeter Township after 22 years in Mohnton. We love it here!

My favorite things to do besides teaching preschool and being with my grandbabies are watching movies with my family, taking photos, being at the beach, and walking at Longwood Gardens. I'm excited to begin my second year teaching at Schwarzwald Preschool. 

Mrs. Michelle Kirn

Hello! My name is Michelle Kirn. I am very excited to join Schwarzwald UCC Preschool this year as an assistant teacher in the pre-kindergarten five day classroom. I am a graduate of Twin Valley High School. I live here in Exeter Township with my husband Matthew and our three children. I have been a stay at home mom the last twelve years and in that time I have volunteered in their classrooms at school and have occasionally babysat friend’s children. My daughter Ava is going to 8th grade, Olivia is going to 6th grade, and my son Ethan is starting kindergarten at Lorane Elementary. 

Things I enjoy in my free time are spending time with my family, running, taking walks, reading, going on vacation to the beach, and watching my kids sports activities. I look forward to being a part of your children’s preschool experience and joining the Schwarzwald UCC Preschool team.

Mrs. Kim Schafer

Hello! My name is Kim Schafer and this is my third year working at Schwarzwald UCC Preschool as the Lunch Bunch teacher & coordinator. I am a graduate of Muhlenberg High School and Arcadia University. After several years using my chemistry degree working in laboratories, I became a stay at home mom to my daughter, Kayla, and my son, Owen. Once they were both attending elementary school, I started volunteering so much that their principal suggested I get a job there! I worked as a substitute instructional aide at Owatin Creek for the past 5 years. I live here in Exeter, with my husband, Michael, our children, and our two rescue dogs, Loki and Rocket. 

I enjoy walking the dogs, spending time outdoors, reading, spending time with my family, and vacationing at the Jersey Shore. Attending all my kids’ sporting events keeps me busy as well. I look forward to being a part of your children’s preschool experience and part of the Schwarzwald UCC Preschool family! 

Mrs. Lynne Cuesta

Hello!  I am excited for another year as Director at Schwarzwald UCC Preschool, working with an amazing teaching team!  I grew up in Exeter and am a Schwarzwald UCC preschool graduate myself.  I have my Associates Degree from Penn State Schuylkill and many years experience working with children.  I was an active member on the preschool board and parents on board for a few years before my director role. 

My husband, Rene and I have 3 children- Oliviana going to 4th grade and Adrian going to 2nd grade at Owatin Creek Elem. (both Schwarzwald graduates) and Emilia (Emmy) is attending the PreK at Schwarzwald this fall!  

I enjoy swimming, baking, going on vacations and spending time with my family and friends!  I also volunteer for Owatin Creek APT and stay pretty busy throughout the year with my kids sports and activities.  

My goal is to provide a happy and safe place for your child, and for them to love to come to school everyday!  We strive to give your children an exceptional early learning experience and prepare them for their academic road ahead!  

I am looking forward to having a fun year, and watching your children grow socially and  academically!