Leadership & Staff

The School is led by experienced educators who are passionate about its mission.  A lead teacher and assistant teacher are present in each of the eight classrooms, with additional staff in place to support our children’s nutrition, safety, and learning needs. All teachers meet or exceed the minimum state requirements for education level, years of experience, and health & safety training.

Bouchaib Akbaoui

Bouchaib Akbaoui

Assistant Teacher - Food Services

About Bouchaib
Cassandra Behrens

Cassandra Behrens

Lead Teacher

About Cassandra

Cassie brings a variety of experiences to her work as a Lead teacher in the toddler program.  She has worked in clinical settings, classrooms, and administrative roles supporting children and families.  Cassie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy from Carlow University in 2015.

Madisyn Bender

Madisyn Bender

Lead Teacher

About Madisyn

Madisyn has worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers for the past 9 years.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Millersville University in 2021.

Kathleen Bierbower

Kathleen Bierbower

Manager, Resource Coordination Services

About Kathleen

Kathleen joined CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health as a Family Wellness Case Manager with the Behavioral Health team in July 2018. In 2021, Kathleen transitioned to her current role as a Resource Coordinator with CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health’s Healthy Communities Initiatives. She primarily supports the children and families enrolled at the St. John Neumann School for Children & Families. Prior to working at CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, she spent eight years working with adjudicated youth and their families. Kathleen graduated from Kutztown University with a Master’s in Social Work. She grew up in northeast Pennsylvania and moved to Lancaster after college. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her husband and son along with their dog, as well as exploring in and around Lancaster.

Susan Cooper

Susan Cooper

Assistant Teacher

About Susan

Susie came to the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families in November of 2021 with 9 years of valuable experience in early childhood education and her Child Development Associate credential. She enjoys helping children learn and develop and values building strong relationships with our students and their families.

Dawn Deets

Dawn Deets

Lead Teacher - Kindergarten

About Dawn
Melissa Doerr

Melissa Doerr

Assistant Teacher

About Melissa
Ana Elliot

Ana Elliot

Assistant Teacher

About Ana
Kelly Farrell

Kelly Farrell

Assistant Teacher

About Kelly

Kelly comes to the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families with 3 years of experience in childcare. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at York College of Pennsylvania. In her free time she loves to sing and read.

Zulaika Febo-Young

Zulaika Febo-Young

Assistant Teacher

About Zulaika

Zully has several years of experience working in special education. She is passionate about enriching the lives of children of all abilities through meaningful and engaging learning experiences. She holds an Associate of Arts in Teacher Education and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Her experience, both professionally and as a classroom volunteer in her local school district, has helped her gain the skills and knowledge to support the needs of children in a positive, supportive, and nurturing environment. In her free time, Zully enjoys spending quality time with her husband and four children.

E. Lucy Heisey

E. Lucy Heisey

Assistant Teacher

About Lucy

Lucy earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in 2018.  She is the Assistant Teacher in the Fruits classroom.  After years of being in the corporate world, Lucy found a position as a bus monitor/classroom aide for preschool children, then she went on to become an assistant teacher.  She loves the children and has a great passion for working with Preschoolers. She enjoys laughing and playing with them during play time, comforting them at nap time and watching them grow and develop into their own selves.  Lucy has a son who is 31yrs old and she enjoys going to the Bay to relax by the water.

Kristy Humbert

Kristy Humbert

Assistant Teacher

About Kristy

Kristy has been working in Early Childhood since 2007. She is an Assistant Teacher in the Blooms classroom.  She has a passion for creativity and helps “water” the children in her care to bloom each and every day. Kristy is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education. In her free time she enjoys sewing, painting and taking care of her plants and two fur babies.

Sarah Jeffery

Sarah Jeffery

Manager - Community Engagement

About Sarah
Carol Johnston

Carol Johnston

Family Wellness Coach

About Carol

Carol joined CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health as a Family Wellness Coach in July 2018. She holds an Associate degree in occupational therapy from Penn State University and is a licensed and certified occupational therapy assistant. She also has a Bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University with extensive experience in early education and intervention services. Recently she completed a Graduate certificate in infant mental health from Arcadia University and has a goal of receiving a Pennsylvania Association of Infant Mental Health endorsement. In her pastime, she enjoys reading, walking her dog, and spending time with family and friends.

Michelle Keim

Michelle Keim

Program Manager, Food Service & Nutrition

About Michelle

Michelle joined CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health in September 2019 as the Community Health Coordinator for Healthy Columbia and became the Food Service and Nutrition Manager for the St. john Neumann School for Children and Families in May 2020. Michelle comes to us with 20 years of customer service and management experience in the restaurant industry, accounts receivable, medical billing and nutrition and fund management with MH-IDD. The promotion of health through nutrition, cultivation and local foods is Michelle’s passion.

Michelle received her Bachelors of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics in 2018 from West Chester University as well as an Associates of Arts in Restaurant and Food Service Management in 2015 from Harrisburg Area Community College. She plans to continue her education with the pursuit of a graduate degree in the near future.

She recently purchased her second home in Marietta and is looking forward to spending time on the local trails with her dog, Rue. Michelle enjoys time spend with family and friends, cooking and creating new recipes as well as traveling. ​

Nicole Marcello

Nicole Marcello

Lead Teacher

About Nicole

Nicole has 11 years of experience in the early childhood education field, serving families in Lancaster and Dauphin counties, and teaching children of all ages from birth through kindergarten. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Millersville University. Nicole is happy to be serving her hometown of Columbia. She looks forward to supporting our community and young children as they explore, learn, and grow!

Kierstan Mclasky

Kierstan Mclasky

Assistant Teacher

About Kierstan

Kierstan has been working with young children for the last 4 years.  She earned her Child Development Associate position during that time and she brings that knowledge to her work at SJN where she serves as a teacher and Food Service and Nutrition Assistant.

Amanda Schein

Amanda Schein

Lead Teacher

About Amanda

Amanda came to the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families in June of 2021 with 7 years of experience in childcare serving children and families in the Elizabethtown area. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Children and Family Ministries from Lancaster Bible College and she enjoys watching children grow and develop – each in their own unique way.

Amanda lives in Lancaster with her husband, young daughter and a Morki named Piper, and has a passion for music.

Now open, enroll your child today!