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Meet Our Staff
Preschool teachers are the first educators your children will have. Our teachers will inspire a love of learning in your child and prepare them for kindergarten. They will encourage children to explore and try new things through imaginative play and learning activities.
Beth Meador
Director
My name is Beth Meador and I am the Director of St. John’s W.E.E. School. I have been a part of the W.E.E. School for 18 years. I began my time at the W.E.E. School teaching music for one year. I then moved to a 4 year old class as an assistant teacher for 6 years and I assumed the Director role in July of 2014. I am also an active member of St. John’s UMC.
I am originally from Virginia and graduated from Radford University with a Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and a minor in Psychology. I have lived in Fort Mill for 19 years with my husband Bryan. We have 2 children, Chandler (26) and Lauren (24). We also have a cat named Hokie. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and grand puppy, traveling, especially to Disney World, reading and scrapbooking.
It is such a joy to watch the children at W.E.E. School learn and grow, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
We would love to have your family join our W.E.E. School family.
Amy Shaheen
Monday-Friday
4 year olds
My name is Amy Shaheen and this is my 16th year teaching at St. John's W.E.E. School! I have been with the "big kids" for 12 years now. I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful program! I love working with the children and preparing them to enter kindergarten. It is amazing to see how much they grow throughout the year! I am a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and have lived in the Indian Land area for 18 years. My husband John (a South Carolina) graduate and I have been married for 30 years and have four children, Nicholas (26), Patrick (24), Matthew (22), and Lizzy (20). Lizzy and Matthew are both St. John's W.E.E. School graduates! When I'm not at work, I enjoy hiking, golfing, doing puzzles and taking care of my grumpy cat Lacey. I can't wait to meet your children and look forward to another great year!
Liza Mills
Monday-Friday
4 year olds
My name is Liza Mills and I am thrilled to be assisting in the Monday-Friday 4's class at the W.E.E. School this year. I have a passion for early childhood education with a degree from Clemson University. I have over a decade of experience working with young children, as a W.E.E. School teacher as well as a kindergarten assistant in two local elementary schools. Outside of the classroom, I am a proud Clemson Tigers fan, tennis player and an avid reader. I have lived in Fort Mill for over 13 years with my husband Ken and our four children. Two of our children are W.E.E. School graduates! I am looking forward to a great year with your children getting them ready for kindergarten!
Janelle McBride
Monday-Thursday
4 year olds
Hello parents! My name is Janelle McBride and I am excited to start my third year teaching at St. John's UMC W.E.E. School. I have been so blessed to work side by side with such an amazing team of teachers.
I am originally from Long Island, New York. My husband Greg and I moved here 4 years ago. We have a 9 year old daughter and a 6 year old son and two 10 year old Boston Terriers.
In my spare time, I like to make photo books, picture projects and gifts and write personalized event poetry. I am a huge hockey fan. My favorite team is the New York Islanders! Our favorite family vacations are in Disney World.
I am looking forward to meeting your children and watching them learn and grow throughout the year. I can't wait to get started!
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Melanie Edwards
Monday-Thursday
4 year olds
My name is Melanie Edwards and I am honored to be assisting in the Monday - Thursday four year old class at the W.E.E. School this year. I have had the joy of being part of the W.E.E. School family since 2012, serving as a parent, substitute teacher, and a member of the W.E.E. School board. This school holds a very special place in my heart, especially as my two youngest sons are proud graduates of the 2's, 3's and 4 year old programs. I am a proud mom of three wonderful boys, ages 18, 15 & 13. My oldest will be a freshman this year at Clemson University, and we are incredibly proud of him. As a family we stay busy with marching band competitions, scouting events and flag football. One of our favorite ways to spend time together is hiking and enjoying the outdoors. Outside of family life, I enjoy being creative and doing all things crafty. This year, I look forward to bringing that creativity into the classroom and helping foster a love of learning in your children. It's always amazing to watch the growth that happens throughout the school year, and I am grateful to be a part of that journey.
Dawna Spilmann
Monday-Thursday
3 year olds
Hi, Welcome to St. John’s W.E.E. School! I’m Mrs. Dawna and I’ve been working here at W.E.E. School since it first opened in 2006. I moved to Fort Mill in 2004 from Atlanta with my husband and three kids. I teach the 4 day 3 year olds and LOVE it!! All three of my kids went through the Fort Mill school system and graduated from Nation Ford High School. My two daughters live and work together in Rock Hill and my youngest went into the Army after he graduated in 2021. When I’m not trying to spend time with my kids(which doesn’t seem to happen too much), I enjoy traveling, cooking, watching football, and spending time with my friends.
Carrie Crocker
Monday-Thursday
3 year olds
My name is Carrie Crocker and this will be my 5th year at St. John's W.E.E. School. I am also a member at St. John's UMC. I am a native of South Carolina and have lived in Fort Mill for 22 years. I am a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Health Science. My husband, Rhett, and I have 3 children and all are W.E.E. School graduates. Ella is a junior at Clemson, Henry is in 12th grade and Luke is in 7th grade. We also have 2 sweet rescue hounds named Otis and Annie. In my free time, I enjoy watching our kids sporting events, going to Clemson football games, spending time with family at the lake, reading and walking trails with my dogs.
Nancy Neal
Monday-Thursday
3 year olds
Hi! My name is Nancy Neal. I am excited to start my 18th year teaching preschoolers at St. John's UMC W.E.E. School. Teaching preschoolers is my passion and I love watching children learn and grow throughout the school year. I am originally from North Carolina. Oh! I love my home state! My husband, Craig and I reside in the heart of Fort Mill. We are now empty nesters, which hits me with mixed emotions. As my family dynamics have changed, I am thankful for the gift of children in my career. I thrive in the wonders of children with their enthusiasm for learning, their laughter and their hugs!
I have two sons, John and Jacob. John is married to his beautiful bride, Victoria, so now I have a sweet daughter! Both Craig and John are Michigan State University alumni, so our family enjoys all MSU sports. Go Green! My son Jacob is a W.E.E. School graduate and graduated from the Citadel in May 2025. I'm a proud mom! Our family enjoys the Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes.
A few of my hobbies include flower gardening and antiquing/thrifting.
Tonda Reynolds
Monday-Thursday
3 year olds
I was blessed to join the staff at St. John's UMC W.E.E School staff in 2017 and enjoyed 7 years as a teacher with the four-year-old age group. In 2024, I began to broaden my career beyond the school, and so I decided to transition into an assistant role. I hold degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies (BS K-8) and Early Childhood Education (MAT). I started my teaching career at the elementary level before having my own children and entering the magical world of preschool.
Outside of the W.E.E. School, I enjoy reading and spending time outdoors with my family, which includes my husband and our three children: Ella, Jude and Eden. Originally from East Tennessee, I have lived in 5 different states. After many moves, we found our way to Fort Mill in 2014. We love everything our beautiful town has to offer! I am looking forward to a memorable year with each of our three- year -old students.
Suzanne Fisher
Monday Wednesday Friday
3 year olds
Hello! My name is Suzanne Fisher and I am the lead teacher in the Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3 year old class. This is my third year teaching in the 3 year old class, however, I previously taught in the 2 year old classroom for 6 years.
I am originally from Ohio, but have called Fort Mill home for 17 years. I am a graduate of Ohio University and worked as a meeting planner before I had my daughter. My husband and I have one daughter in 9th grade (a W.E.E. School graduate!) and we are active members here at St. John's UMC. Our family enjoys watching sports and spending time around the fire pit together.
I look forward to an amazing year with your children
Rachel Guy
Monday Wednesday Friday
3 year olds
Hello parents! My name is Rachel Guy, assistant teacher in the MWF 3's class. After starting as a sub at the W.E.E. School, I am entering my fourth full school year this fall. The preschool has had a place in my family's hearts long before I started working here. My daughter spent 3 fantastic years working her way through W.E.E. School. During her time here, I loved being able to volunteer for special events, sub in classrooms and lend help as needed, getting a glimpse into her beloved "school days," as she called them. I am so grateful to still be a part of the W.E.E. School family as a teacher, even though she has moved on to elementary school.
Originally from Louisiana, my husband and I have called Fort Mill and the Carolinas home for over the last 13 years. Along with our now 9 year old daughter, we have an 11 year old son. We love being outside fishing, kayaking, hanging at the greenway, playing (and watching) soccer and gardening. On my days off, I also work as a sub for the FMSD, usually at our neighborhood elementary school. For the past couple of years, I also have had the honor of serving on the W.E.E. School board. I look forward to helping our beloved school continue to grow, and continue to be an extraordinary place for Fort Mill preschoolers to call home!
I am thrilled to get to know your kiddos this year! We will learn so much together, and have the most fun while doing so!
Suzanne Bayko
Monday Wednesday Friday
2 year olds
My name is Suzanne Bayko and I am the lead teacher in the MWF 2 year old class. I am excited to begin my third year teaching in the two year old classroom. I joined the W.E.E. School as a substitute teacher and gained first hand experience in each of the classrooms!
I am a Fort Mill native! My husband Dave and I have been married 17 years and we have 3 children ages 7, 10 and 12 who are all W.E.E. School graduates! I received a Bachelor's degree from Francis Marion University and worked as a paralegal prior to becoming a stay at home mom. I love lattes, working in my yard and cheering on my kiddos at their sporting activities!
I am excited to get to know your children and look forward to a wonderful year!
Jen Bolek
Monday Wednesday Friday
2 year olds
My name is Jen Bolek, assistant in the MWF two year old class and this will be my third year teaching at the W.E.E. School. My husband Chris and I have been married for 12 years and have 2 sweet children who are both W.E.E. School graduates. My son, Miles, will be in 3rd grade this year and my daughter, Lila, is headed to 1st grade.
In 2019, we had the opportunity to move from the suburbs of Chicago, IL to Fort Mill and we are so glad we did! My family and I love to spend our free time outdoors, playing sports and hiking at the Greenway. I look forward to watching your little ones grow and learn this year!
Molly Meier
Tuesday Thursday
2 year olds
Hello WEE School families! My name is Molly Meier, lead teacher, and this will be my third year working at St. John’s WEE school. Before joining the WEE School staff, I spent 5 years as a stay at home mom to my two children: Ellis, will be in 2nd grade, and Sutton, will be entering kindergarten. Prior to staying home, I was an elementary teacher for 7 years. I have my bachelors in elementary education and a masters of education in curriculum and learning. I live in Fort Mill with my husband and children, but am originally from Iowa/Minnesota! GO HAWKEYES! In my free time I like to exercise, play with my dog, and travel. I am so excited to watch your little ones learn and grow this year!
Angela Woods
Tuesday Thursday
2 year olds
Hi! My name is Angela Woods and I am excited to be the Tuesday/Thursday 2's assistant his year! I had the privilege of subbing last year at W.E.E. School and enjoyed getting to know the children and staff. I am originally from Charlotte, NC. I have a background in nursing and have spent many years as an assistant preschool teacher at Carmel Baptist W.E.E. School. I have two children, a 27 year old daughter, a 30 year old son in law, a 22 year old son and two precious grandchildren, one of whom will be in the 4's class this year at W.E.E. School. I enjoy spending time with my family and my Bernadoodle Hagrid, as well as reading, practicing yoga and cooking. I can't wait to meet my class and their families.
Mallory Capps
Music and Chapel
Hello! My name is Mallory Capps and I am the Music teacher here at St. John's W.E.E. School. I also serve as the Children and Youth Director at St. John's UMC. I have been with the W.E.E. School since February 2022 and have loved every minute. I have all classes once a week so I have the privilege of working with all of our children. In my spare time, I love to cook, go on walks with my dog, Luna, and travel to Walt Disney World. I believe everyone deserves a little magic and music!
