Staff
As usual, we are excited to have the following wonderful teachers on our staff this year! We are always happy to touch base with parents during pick-up and dismissal times when important information for the day needs to be shared. We request that any extended discussions with your classroom teacher occur at a predetermined time outside of class by a scheduled meeting, a phone call or through email so that drop-off and dismissal flow smoothly for all. Office hours for the preschool are generally 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. M-F.
Heather McIntosh
Director / Teacher
Heather has been with the preschool since 2012 and had taught a toddler class in Florida for 10 years before moving back to State College where she grew up. Heather has a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education with added emphasis on Special Education and Marriage and Family Studies from Liberty University. Two of her three daughters attended the preschool.
She is the preschool director as well the teacher of the Almost Three's class for 2 yrs. 7 mos.- 3 year old's and the M/F teacher for the 5-day class.
Heather is a member of State College Access Church.
Catherine Droske
Teacher
Catherine has taught at Good Shepherd since 2014, having formerly taught at Fairbrook First Steps Preschool for 12 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Child Development from California State University in Chico, CA. She is currently a teacher of the T/W/TH mornings for the 5-day class as well as for our Lunch Bunch program.
Catherine is a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College.
Dianne Sefter
Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Sefter is back with us again! She has been with our program for almost all it's 30 years! She was the former director for over 25 years as well as a teacher. She has come out of retirement to assist in our classroom and spread the love and joy of Jesus to the little ones at the preschool. Mrs. Sefter is the assistant in the classroom Tuesday-Thursday mornings.
Dianne is a member of Fairbrook United Methodist Church in PA Furnace
Sookkyung Kong
Assistant Teacher
This is Mrs. Kong's first year with Good Shepherd Preschool. She has been a wonderful addition to our preschool staff! She was born and raised in Korea and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration there. She was a math teacher for young children in Korea. She came to US in 2008 and moved to State College in 2018. Mrs. Kong teaches Korean at the Korean School as well as assisting at Good Shepherd on Monday and Friday mornings.
She is a member of State College Korean Church
You might see Cindy LaBarca helping in our classroom from time to time as well! She is retired from our staff, but loves to add a little excitement to their days by coming back to preschool to help. She is a tremendous boost to our program and bring their own special gifts to our classes. The children love her, too, with all of the special attention they get! Mrs. LaBarca is the Parish Administrator for Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church - and is in the building often.
All staff attend coursework for Early Childhood Education and take classes for CPR and First Aid training for Infants and Toddlers
Director / Teacher
Heather has been with the preschool since 2012 and had taught a toddler class in Florida for 10 years before moving back to State College where she grew up. Heather has a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Early Childhood Education with added emphasis on Special Education and Marriage and Family Studies from Liberty University. Two of her three daughters attended the preschool.
She is the preschool director as well the teacher of the Almost Three's class for 2 yrs. 7 mos.- 3 year old's and the M/F teacher for the 5-day class.
Heather is a member of State College Access Church.
Catherine Droske
Teacher
Catherine has taught at Good Shepherd since 2014, having formerly taught at Fairbrook First Steps Preschool for 12 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Child Development from California State University in Chico, CA. She is currently a teacher of the T/W/TH mornings for the 5-day class as well as for our Lunch Bunch program.
Catherine is a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in State College.
Dianne Sefter
Assistant Teacher
Mrs. Sefter is back with us again! She has been with our program for almost all it's 30 years! She was the former director for over 25 years as well as a teacher. She has come out of retirement to assist in our classroom and spread the love and joy of Jesus to the little ones at the preschool. Mrs. Sefter is the assistant in the classroom Tuesday-Thursday mornings.
Dianne is a member of Fairbrook United Methodist Church in PA Furnace
Sookkyung Kong
Assistant Teacher
This is Mrs. Kong's first year with Good Shepherd Preschool. She has been a wonderful addition to our preschool staff! She was born and raised in Korea and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration there. She was a math teacher for young children in Korea. She came to US in 2008 and moved to State College in 2018. Mrs. Kong teaches Korean at the Korean School as well as assisting at Good Shepherd on Monday and Friday mornings.
She is a member of State College Korean Church
You might see Cindy LaBarca helping in our classroom from time to time as well! She is retired from our staff, but loves to add a little excitement to their days by coming back to preschool to help. She is a tremendous boost to our program and bring their own special gifts to our classes. The children love her, too, with all of the special attention they get! Mrs. LaBarca is the Parish Administrator for Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church - and is in the building often.
All staff attend coursework for Early Childhood Education and take classes for CPR and First Aid training for Infants and Toddlers