Faculty & Staff

Jane earned a BA Honors in French and Italian from the University of Bristol, UK and an MA in Early Years Education from the University of Leicester, UK. In her dissertation she researched cultural attitudes to learning through play. She was a teacher in England for twenty years before moving to Baltimore in 2004. Since then she worked in Baltimore County schools before taking up her position at St Paul’s Lutheran Church Preschool. Jane enjoys working with young children, music, traveling and spending time with her family.

Jane earned a BA Honors in French and Italian from the University of Bristol, UK and an MA in Early Years Education from the University of Leicester, UK. In her dissertation she researched cultural attitudes to learning through play. She was a teacher in England for twenty years before moving to Baltimore in 2004. Since then she worked in Baltimore County schools before taking up her position at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Preschool. Jane enjoys working with young children, music, traveling and spending time with her family.

Griselda moved from Argentina in 1997, married in 1998 and has three children who attend private school in Baltimore County. She has been teaching Spanish to children ages 3 to 14 in both classroom and private tutoring settings since 1998. In addition to teaching the Spanish language, Griselda has also been a full-day preschool teacher in 2s, 3s, and 4s at St. Francis of Assisi School from 2004 to 2011. “I love interacting with younger students as they give me great joy in watching their quick development of languages, and I have always appreciated their mutual respect and enthusiasm for my teaching efforts.”

Alison Donnerhack completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree in Perth, Australia, and later traveled to England. She worked as a nanny in London and Oxford, and also as a teacher’s assistant in London. In 2008 she moved to New Jersey, and spent time working as a nanny, a substitute teacher, and piano teacher for beginners. Alison enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano, knitting and sewing, and swimming. She loves children of all ages, and especially enjoys sharing her love of music and arts and crafts with them.

Antonia Paterakis received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice/Pre Law from the University of Delaware. Growing up in Baltimore she spent her summers working at camps and babysitting. During her free time she loves to teach fitness classes and spend time with her three dogs. Toni is pursuing her certification in Early Childhood Development and Preschool Curriculum.

Heather Binnix received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Stevenson University. Born and raised in the Lutherville Timonium area, she has taught in private schools nearby for more than ten years. Heather, her husband and daughter reside in Lutherville and enjoy traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. “I am happy to be teaching at St. Paul’s and look forward to the school year.”

Kelly Wallis received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Towson University where her focus was clinical and child psychology. She interned at a mental health center where she worked with children and young adults. She was a nanny for three years before coming to St. Paul’s and is excited to be part of the staff. Kelly enjoys reading, traveling, and live music.

Kelly began at St. Paul’s as an extended day teacher and has been the assistant in the Threes for the past several years. She received an AA degree in Early Childhood Education from Howard Community College and has a 90 Hour Certificate in Early Childhood Development. Kelly has been a head camp counselor at McDonogh School for the past four years. She loves working with children and is very excited to be at St. Paul’s.

Hope Huber received her degree in Elementary Education from The University of New Orleans. She and her family have lived in Lutherville for the past several years. Hope has 7 years of prior experience in the public school system. She has a son and a daughter at local private schools. She enjoys reading, traveling, and attending Orioles games. “I am looking forward to another wonderful year!”

Andrea Armstrong-Fields earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland University. She worked as a Senior Rehabilitation Therapist for Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Community Psychiatry at the Children’s Center and Outreach programs; counseling children ages 5-18 and their families. After spending sometime raising her family, Andrea returned to work as a preschool teacher at Mayfield Christian Preschool before returning home again to homeschool two of her children. She also tutors elementary and middle school students in reading and math. Andrea and her husband, have four children. She currently homeschools the two youngest while the older two are in college. Children energize and delight her. Andrea is looking forward to working in the preschool.

Lisa earned her BS in early childhood education from James Madison University and spent five years as a second grade teacher with the Baltimore County Public Schools before joining the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Preschool faculty. She says, “The small group instruction time allows me to individualize teaching geared toward the specific needs of each child.” Her hobbies include running and exercise.

Nikki graduated from West Virginia University with an MA in Communication Studies and a minor in Psychology. She is certified in Early Childhood Growth Development and Preschool Curriculum. Nikki has 2 children who attended SPL from 2012 -2017. She is currently the Pre K assistant to Mrs. Chesser. Her hobbies include cooking and skiing; her favorite place is the beach.

Ruth earned her teaching degree at Edgewood College in Durban, South Africa. She taught elementary school children for four years in Durban as well as in Cape Town before she and her family emigrated to the United States. After raising her family of four children, she taught at Riderwood Elementary School as an Instructional Assistant in the Special Ed./Inclusion class for five years and as Head Teacher of the 3’s and 4’s classes at Brown Memorial Weekday School for seven years. At Brown school, she became very passionate about the Reggio philosophy where she taught through art and music. She is very excited to teach art at St. Paul’s where she will introduce the children to many different materials and to the concept that they are all artists – the principle being “the process rather than the product”. Ruth loves being with her children, four beautiful grandchildren and two cocker spaniels.

Risë Hunter grew up in Timonium and returned to the area with her family in 2016. She received her K-6th grade Teaching License and a degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. She taught 2nd grade at Abington Friends School for three years in Philadelphia before moving to Monteverde, Costa Rica in 2003. In Monteverde, she taught Preschool, 1st, 2nd and 4th grades at the Cloud Forest School with a focus on Environmental Education. In 2008, she made a transition to Monteverde Friends School, a PK through 12th grade bilingual Quaker school for local children, where she was the Assistant Director. After her work in administration for seven years, she was eager to return to the classroom and work more directly with students and taught 3rd and 4th grades at Monteverde Friends School. During her time living in Costa Rica, Risë became fluent in Spanish, met her husband, Dario, and had two boys, Joshua, who is currently attending St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool and Liam, who is a Kindergartener and recent graduate of St. Paul’s. She enjoys sharing her love of Spanish through games, songs and activities for all St. Paul’s students who attend on Wednesdays.

Karen, whose three children attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Preschool before she began teaching here, has now been at St. Paul’s for over 30 years. Karen graduated from Washington College in Chestertown with a degree in English and later earned her early childhood certification. “I thoroughly love what I am doing,” she says. “Just to be with the children is a joy and a privilege.” She has five beautiful grandchildren whom she loves spending time with and spoiling a bit. Karen also enjoys gardening, reading, exercising, and going to the beach. Karen continues to be involved with the Alumnae Association at St. Paul’s School for Girls.