Our Staff

At Friends School, our teaching staff make the difference! We have an extremely qualified, experienced, and dedicated faculty.  All lead teachers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education and some have master’s degrees. Assistant teachers have earned or are working towards a minimum of a Child Development Associate’s Credential and many have higher degrees than that. Along with strong educational backgrounds, our teachers bring to the classroom many years experience with and dedication to teaching children of all abilities. Because our class sizes are so small, our teaching staff have the opportunity to work very closely with all students and everyone gets individual attention. Children and families benefit from close relationships with teachers and our faculty truly are the strength and backbone of our programs.

Administrators include:

Kristina Davis Christensen, Executive Director

Kris has a Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, a Kentucky Director’s Credential, a Kentucky Trainers Credential, a Child Development Associates Credential, and a Bachelor degree from Transylvania University. Kris was hired by Friends School in December, 2002, as the Special Needs Coordinator. In February, 2004, Kris became the director of Friends. With over 14 years of experience working with young children in a variety of settings, and over 12 years of experience in the administration of programs and schools, Kris is a dynamic and caring leader, committed to the values of inclusion and family involvement.

Cheryl Schleuning, Assistant Director and Special Needs Coordinator

Cheryl has a Master of Education in Special Education (Learning and Behavior Disorders), K-12 and a Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education, K-6, with a concentration in science. With over 15 years of experience in classroom teaching, working with students with special needs, and assisting in the administration of programs, Cheryl is an integral part of the Friends School team. She creates individual education plans for students with special needs, makes curricular modifications, and supports children and teaching staff in the classroom.

Angela Garvin, Director of Development

Angela has a Master of Education in Early Elementary Education and is a former teacher with Jefferson County Public Schools.  Angela's sons attended Friends School for preschool and elementary school, where she was a dedicated member of the parent co-operative.  She joined the staff at Friends in 2010 as Director of Development.  Angela's responsibilities include grant writing, making contacts with donors, fundraising, marketing and communications.  Between phone calls and planning events, she's never too busy to talk with a student and help out in a classroom when needed.

Jen Charlton, Admissions and Relations Manager

Melanie Willis, Accountant

Special Needs Support Staff:

Lana Ridge, Speech Therapist

Patrick Barry, Behavior Therapist

Bernice Savage, Special Needs Assistant

Preschool Staff:

Bright Beginners: 

Martha Watts, Lead Teacher and April Aubrey, Assistant Teacher

Twos: 

Beth Lawson, Lead Teacher and Casey Webster, Assistant Teacher

Threes:

Michele Harvey and Stacey Glazier, Lead Teachers

Four Day Fours:

Abby Braune, Lead Teacher and Denise Savage, Assistant Teacher

Five Day Fours:

Kate Rasmussen, Lead Teacher and Cassidy Johnson, Assistant Teacher

Elementary Staff:

Kindergarten: 

Jenni Grine, Lead Teacher and Tricia Santini and Diane Robinson, Assistant Teachers

First Grade: 

Jennifer Black, Lead Teacher and Heather Dean, Assistant Teacher

Second Grade:

Sarah Dries, Lead Teacher and Delinia Brown, Assistant Teacher

Third/Fourth Grade:

Heather Flaherty and Lindsey Hartlage, Lead Teachers

Fifth/Sixth Grade:

Kathy Beck, Lead Teacher and Tasha Baldwin, Assistant Teacher

Jessica Logsdon, Elementary Resource Teacher

Special Area Teachers:

Art:

Ann Jesukaitis

Music:

Julia Purcell

Spanish:

Nissa Warden

Technology:

Jimmy Houseall