Lee Ann Jamerson is our new Director at SJPK. She is a Jacksonville native and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University. After a few years of volunteering in the classrooms of her three small children she felt led to teach. She received a Masters in Elementary Education from the University of North Florida in 2007. After working as a classroom teacher for over 20 years Lee Ann considers her new director’s position as SJPK her dream job! She has three adult children and one grandson who attends SJPK in our one’s program. In her free time, she can be found at church, gardening or at the beach!

Sandie Jackson is our wonderful assistant director, she began her teaching career in Tampa, teaching fourth grade for several years before returning to her hometown Jacksonville. She taught in the two and four year old classes at SJPK  before moving to Nashville for a few years. Once she moved back to Jacksonville she returned to SJPK where she headed up the Extended Care Program before becoming the administrative assistant to the director. She enjoys interacting and helping school parents while also getting to be around our precious children.

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Stephanie Thomas is a Prek4 teacher, she is a sports enthusiast! She played golf for Purdue University. She has a Master's in Elementary Education and has been teaching for over 20 years between elementary and preschool. In her spare time Stephanie enjoys the beach, playing golf, tennis, and pickle ball with her family. She also has fun with her corgi named Cooper! She stands on the word, and her favorite bible verses are 2 Cor 5:21 and John 14:6!

Charlene Sawyer is a Prek4 teacher, she volunteered extensively for the past 20 years at every grade level in DCPS as well as Advisory Boards including Stockton Elementary, James Weldon College Prep, Springfield Middle, Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Scouts of America and Ortega United Methodist Church. 

She has been married for 31 years and has two adult sons right here in Riverside and Ortega Forest. Charlene loves music, traveling with her husband, playing with her dog, hiking, Zumba, Aquafit, trying new restaurants, cooking and gardening! Especially gardening fresh veggies to cook with!

Kara Thigpen is a Blue Door teacher, she was born, raised, and is now raising 3 children in Jacksonville, Florida. She started at SJPK in 2015 as a room mom and is now on her 8th year teaching. Kara is a self-proclaimed book nerd and Little Free Library Steward. She is a big fan of gardening, drawing, star gazing and seashell hunting. 

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Amie Jackson is a Blue Door teacher who attended the University of North Florida. She was born and raised in Jacksonville, she has been a beloved babysitter and nanny to many families throughout the community. Amie has been part of the SJPK family for 10 years. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys gardening, attending concerts, and spending time at the beac! But her favorite role of all is being an aunt to her niece and nephew.

Sarah Mclnnish is a Purple Door teacher, she moved to Jacksonville in 2001 after graduating from Auburn University. She has been in early education and childcare for over 20 years. She started as a teacher with Duval County Schools in 2004 and has been at SJPK for the past 10 years. Sarah is married with a daughter in college at the University of Alabama and another daughter in middle school at JWJ. She loves to travel, read, and watch sports (especially her Auburn Tigers)!

Melanie Montford is a Purple Door teacher, she graduated at the University of Georgia. She is married with three adult children. After being a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, she came back to early education eleven years ago. She loves walking and spending time outdoors. Melanie enjoys spending her mornings at SJPK.

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Mollie Youngblood is a Pink Door teacher, she has been happily married to her husband for 30 years.  Together, they have two adult children. Her first love is Jesus, and she believes she has the opportunity to teach so many young hearts about His love for them every day.  On weekends, she enjoys spending time with her book club where they discuss the joys of reading. In her other free time, she enjoy scuba diving, spending time with her family and her old Lab, Sugar.

Ursula Walker is a Pink Door teacher. She is a mother to a beautiful girl. She has been working at SJPK for 4 years. She is certified in early education and also has 25+ years of experience working with children. She believes in creating a positive and engaging atmosphere where kids feel comfortable learning and having lots of fun. 

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Kim Geoff is an Orange Door teacher, she has been married to her husband Kevin for over 30 years.  They have 2 adult sons, one serves in the US Army and one is enjoying conservation work.  She loved being a stay at home mom until 2013, when she began subbing at SJPK. In 2014 she came on staff at SJPK as a twos teacher.  Kim acquired and still maintains her Child Development Associate (CDA) and she fell in love with teaching the twos. She enjoys coming alongside parents, helping them navigate these amazing times they call the twos!

Sierra Higginbotham is an Orange Door teacher, she has been married for 8 years.  She has an almost 3 year old son who loves dinosaurs and currently attends the school. She has been working at SJPK for the past 8 years. Sierra is currently in school finishing her AA. In her free time she loves to have cookouts with her family, going glamping, traveling, going to Disney World and being beside any body of water! 

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Kathy Spraggins is a Red Door one's teacher. She is a widowed mom of one son. She just adopted a new puppy named Charlie! She taught elementary school for 16 years. She has, however, always loved the little babies and is thrilled to be working in our Ones class! 

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Paige Youngblood is a Red Door one’s teacher, she was born and raised in Jacksonville. She received her A.A. degree from FSCJ. She married her high school sweetheart. After years of babysitting and volunteering in child care, she felt led to teach. She enjoys hanging with her family and her pug, baking, and playing the guitar.

Lily Saucedo is a Red Door one’s teacher, she was born and raised in Jacksonville. She just graduated high school and is working towards completing her AA degree. She has always loved working with children by volunteering through churches. When she is not at SJPK, you can see her working at chick-fil-a or hanging with her family and friends. She enjoys playing pickleball, going to the beach, and going to church.

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Kylie O’Brien is a Red Door one’s teacher on Thursdays and extended care teacher, as well as SJPK's social media manager. he has been married for 9 years and has two kids that both attend SJPK. She found a love for serving people and working with children growing up attending missions trips all over the world. She was born in Texas but moved to Florida to attend bible college.  She loves fashion, shopping, antique hunting, traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Jolley is an Extended Care teacher. She was born and raised in Jacksonville. She is certified in elementary and early childhood education. She taught fourth and fifth grade in the beginning of her career and then joined the SJPK faculty in 1997. She spent many years with the 3’s and 4’s and now she’s an extended teacher. Both her daughters attended SJPK as well as many nieces and nephews and two great nieces! In her spare time, she loves to sew!

Cecelia Futo is our Music teacher. She has been at SJPK for 25+ years, and loves being the Rhythm & Movement resource teacher! In addition to SJPK, she is also the Co-Director of Dance & Drama at Fishweir Elementary School of the Arts for 27+ years. Ms Futo enjoys every minute of what she does!

Long live the arts!

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