Memorial PDS Director  

Ms. Beth has been the Director of Memorial Presbyterian Day School since the fall of 2023. She is originally from Georgia, where she began her career in the field of early care and education back in 2004. Beth holds a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She has been married for 28 years and has 3 adult children, 2 girls and 1 boy. She is the proud mother of a Sailor in the U.S. Navy and 2 little Shih Tzus named Winston & Willow. She loves attending concerts, playing Pickle Ball, spending time with her family and is a lifelong Georgia Bulldogs fan. Go Dawgs!

Her favorite children’s book is Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

Her favorite quote is “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” Abraham Lincoln

Assistant to the Director

Ms. Kerry retired from St. Johns County School District after many years as both a general education teacher and as a special education teacher.  She decided that full retirement wasn’t for her so started working at PDS in 2017 as a VPK teacher.  She  transitioned to be a mentor teacher and an instructional coach to help all of our teachers be the best teachers possible, and now helps the director, oversees assessments, and fills in in the classroom too (among other things!).  She has a granddaughter in VPK–and this isn’t her first grandchild at PDS either!

Infant / Young Toddlers Guppies Teacher

Ms. Alejandra has been a teacher at PDS since 2023. She has an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She has over 5 years of experience working in childcare. She is originally from Venezuela and is fluent in Spanish. She moved to the U.S. a few years ago to be closer to her family. She is married to her husband Juan and has a beautiful little boy named Luca and a dog named Chloe. She loves hiking, road trips, watching documentaries, Disney movies, and good food!

Her favorite scripture is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Infant / Young Toddlers Guppies Teacher & Resource Coordinator

Ms. Sheila has been a teacher at PDS since 2012. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and has taught for many years out of state, as well as in St. Augustine.  She grew such a close bond with our guppies last year that she requested a move to the guppy class for the current year.  In recent years her specialty has been in Extended Day where she excels in creating innovative centers where children can learn as they play. Her creative ideas and love of children have led her to us and we are happy to have her!  She now acts as resource coordinator in addition to her work with our youngest students.  Ms. Sheila has two grown daughters and three grandchildren–two of whom are PDS alumni!

2PK Otters Lead Teacher

Ms. Jen has been a teacher at PDS since 2017. She holds an advanced credential in preschool teaching. She is originally from Pennsylvania but moved to Florida when she was a little girl. She has four children of her own from elementary school to college and enjoys spending her time at soccer games, dance recitals, reading, meditating or hiking! Ms. Jen is happy to be in 2PK as she loves the little ones and misses when her own children were that age! She is loved by all the children at PDS.

Her favorite scripture is “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Otters 2PK & VPK Sharks Teacher

Ms. Julie has been a teacher at PDS since 2023. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Penn State and over 11 years of experience in the early education field. She is the mom of 2 girls, Nora and Claire and a dog mom of 3. She enjoys baking, cooking, reading, organization and anything outside or on the water!

Her favorite children’s book is I Love You This Much by Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan.

Her favorite quote is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

2PK Otters Teacher

Ms. Judy has been a teacher at PDS since 2023. Judy has an National Child Development Associate credential (CDA) and over thirty years of experience in early childhood education. Her roles have ranged from teacher to assistant director.  She recently retired from her position at an early learning coalition school and decided sitting at home isn’t for her. We are lucky enough to reap the benefits.  Ms. Judy has taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at MPC for many years and makes all the gingerbread houses every Christmas.  She also raises chickens in her spare time and is known for her delicious fresh eggs!

3PK Seahorse Co-Teacher

Ms. Brooklyn has been a teacher at PDS since the fall of 2023. She has always had a passion for teaching young children.  She has her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has dedicated many years to working in the early care and education field.  Ms. Brooklyn is married. She and her husband have a son who also attends PDS.  In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking and crafting.

VPK Sharks Lead Teacher

Ms. Nancy has been a teacher at PDS since 2011. Nancy grew up on Long Island and moved to St. Augustine to attend Flagler College.  Like so many Flagler grads, she and her husband decided to stay in St. Augustine.  They have one daughter, a freshman at Flagler College, who is a Memorial PDS alumna, who also works part-time teaching assistant at PDS.  Nancy’s own positive experience as a PDS parent led her to become an assistant teacher in VPK and then later the lead teacher in 3PK.  Nancy returned to the VPK classroom, her first love, a few years ago.  She loves to learn and enjoys going to preschool trainings where she gets new ideas to implement in her class.

Otters 2PK & VPK Sharks Teacher

Ms. Julie has been a teacher at PDS since 2023. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Penn State and over 11 years of experience in the early education field. She is the mom of 2 girls, Nora and Claire and a dog mom of 3. She enjoys baking, cooking, reading, organization and anything outside or on the water!

Her favorite children’s book is I Love You This Much by Lynn Hodges & Sue Buchanan.

Her favorite quote is “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

VPK Dolphins Lead Teacher

Ms. Gina is the our 5 day VPK teacher. She has her National child Development Associate credential (CDA) and has enjoyed teaching preschool students for many years. She and her late husband helped plant a church in Melbourne, Florida where he was the teaching pastor for 18 years. She relocated from Palm Bay, Florida to be near her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. Her granddaughter also attends PDS. Ms. Gina is a welcome part of the staff at PDS and we are blessed she chose to make our school part of her work family.

VPK Dolphins Assistant Teacher

Ms. Deana is from Wisconsin which is where she received her BA in Business.  After she had children and moved to Florida she decided she wanted to work with children herself.  Deana started teaching VPK at Mason Elementary School and then moved to PDS to work with the shark class.  She is now with our dolphins, and we are so happy she is here!  Ms. Deana also speaks Spanish fluently so her students have the added benefit of Spanish lessons every day!

Sunshine Club Teacher

Ms. Kristen is the accounting clerk for Memorial Presbyterian Church, and she always enjoyed the children she saw while at work in the finance office.  We are lucky that she decided to take us up on our offer of teaching our early morning children before she goes to her “day” job in the other wing of the church!  Ms. Kristen graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in finance, and also spent a year in the domestic peace corps.  Many of our students know her as their soccer coach as she does that too!

Sea Turtles Extended Day Coordinator and STEAM Music Teacher

Ms. Amy has been a teacher at PDS since 2021. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma and a Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Florida State University.  She is currently a board-certified music therapist. Amy met her husband, John, in the marching band at the University of Oklahoma.  They have two daughters in college, Emma and Caitlin.  In addition to her duties at PDS, Ms. Amy is also an active leader in Bible Study Fellowship.

Enrichment Assistant & STEAM Sign Language

Ms. Amelie is an alumna of PDS and is currently a freshman at Flagler College. She graduated from St. Augustine High School where she received an Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma (AICE) which is part of Cambridge University in England.  She has worked as an intern here at PDS while in high school and now works part-time assisting our teachers during enrichments and teaching American Sign Language (ASL) during STEAM. Amelie grew up in St. Augustine and has been part of Memorial Presbyterian Church since she was very young – singing in the youth choirs, attending Vacation Bible School, and later serving as a VBS volunteer. She loves hiking, swimming in the ocean, yoga and spending time with friends, family and animals.