---

 My child looks forward to arriving at school and being greeted by Stay and Play's friendly staff and teachers.  The teachers do a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere that is engaging and encourages learning through play and exploration.  We are so grateful for Stay and Play and the care and attention they've given to our family over the years.           - Christina McDonald


Stay and Play Staff - (Equal Opportunity Employer)
*Due to COVID-19 our classrooms have been adapted for 2020-2021 (noted in parenthesis)- what is seen here is from the 2019-2020 school year for our usual regular program classrooms.

---

Fabulous Fours

Emma Sutterlin - Lead Teacher
​*(Fabulous Foxes: 3 & 4 year olds)

• Grew up in State College
• Has been caring for children for 10 years
• Very excited for second year teaching at Stay and Play
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Enjoys cooking, making crafts & going to Disney

Sarah Cooper - Assistant Teacher
​*(Currently not teaching)

• Married with 2 elementary age children (both attended S&P)
• Lives in  State College
• Previously a teacher in Tiny Tots
• B.S. in Elementary Education from The University of Iowa

---

Rainbow Fours

Jennifer Carr – Lead Teacher
*(Currently not teaching)

• Married with 2 children
• Lives in Port Matilda
• Been a teacher for early childhood and her own children for many years
• Bachelors in Elementary Education
• Excited to be working in a classroom with children again.

​

Jackie O'Hara – Assistant Teacher
​*(Currently not teaching)

• Married with 2 children, one at S&P
• Lives in State College
• PSU grad with degree in Recreation Parks & Management with a focus in Therapeutic Recreation
• I love reading, cooking and baking, cross stitching, water skiing and traveling
• “I'm so excited to be in the classroom!  I can't wait to meet the children and see how they learn and grow over the year!"

---

Thrillin' Threes

​Valerie Anderson – Lead Teacher
​*(Fabulous Foxes: 3 & 4 year olds)

• Has 2 adult children of her own
• Lives in Howard on the family farm
• Has a B.Ph. in Dance with a minor in Education
• Been teaching preschool for many years –Taught at Saint Andrews before joining the Stay and Play family
• Also teaches at her own dance studio for both children and adults
• “Children are my passion. I love being able to be part of helping them develop into well-rounded little individuals.”

Chris Hunsberger –
​                           Assistant Teacher
*(Currently not teaching)

• Married with 3 children
• Lives in Boalsburg
• Master's of Social Work: experienced in clinical behavior and mental health for children & their families.
• ​Love to run and spend time outside hiking, camping & skiing.
• "Surrounding myself with children thriving and developing new skills in a classroom setting is such a challenging and rewarding experience."

---

​Terrific Twos *(Terrific Tiny Turtles: 1 & 2 year olds)

Zsuzsanna Reimherr –
                                         Lead Teacher

• Married with 3 children (2 still at S&P)
• Lives in State College
• Background is in mathematics and early childhood education
• Enjoy teaching from infants to college students - there are a lot of similarities!
• ​Enjoys anything & everything Star Wars, snuggling my pets (very young dog and very old cat) and coffee!
• ​Favorite Quote: "For Children play is serious learning.  Play is really the work of childhood." - Fred Rogers

Allison Woods – Assistant Teacher

• Married with 2 boys (1 still at S&P - both attended)
• Lives in State College
• Degree in Architecture
• First year teaching toddlers after being a substitute for several years
• Enjoys spending time at the pool with her kids, photography, reading and drinking coffee.
• "I am honored to be helping kids grow socially and emotionally through play, testing their skills and trying new things while also building their confidence."
• Favorite Quote: "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may just be the world."

I like teaching Toddlers because... They have so much curiosity and are at the early stages of discovering themselves and the world around them.  I like helping to build a foundation of their future learning friendships and exploration.
Stay and Play is special because ... The care and dedication of the staff and teachers for the individuality of each child and respect for them and their families.
When People say 'you have your hands full teaching a full class of little ones' ... I respond with You must be able to laugh and move quickly!

---

Tiny Tots (Class not open this year)

​Melissa Pike – Lead Teacher (M-F)
*(Adventure Afternoons & Wonderful Wolves: 3 & 4 year olds)

• Married with 2 children (both attended S&P)
• Lives in State College
• Graduated from Slippery Rock University with a BS in Math and a Masters in Secondary
• I enjoy fitness and reading for pleasure in my free time.
• Member of State College Presbyterian Church.
• “I’m very excited to be working with the Tiny Tots, especially since I no longer have a tiny tot of my own. It is so fun to see the children learn and grow.”

Chrissy Fritton – Assistant teacher (M/W/F)
*(Rainbow Raccoons - 3 & 4 year olds - MWF)

• Married with one daughter (who attended S&P)
• Lives in State College
• Graduated from Penn State with a degree in recreation park management – therapeutic recreation.
• Avid runner, volleyball player, sports and fitness enthusiast.
• Big animal lover – also a mom of 2 dogs and 2 cats.
• “I love watching the children develop and form special bonds with them!”

---

Patt Campolongo - Assistant Teacher
(Adventure Afternoons & Substitute)

• Married with 3 grown sons and her second grandchild               on the way
• Lives in State College
• Retired Teacher of the SCASD
• Has been connected to and serving the  S&P program as             a member of SCPC for many years
• Loves children and is passionate about teaching.
• "Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning." -Fred Rogers

Why do you like teaching toddlers/preschoolers?     Being a teacher and caregiver has always been part of who I am. Children are precious.
It’s fun to see them grow and change. And to see that “ah ha” moment in their expressions of understanding or questioning something new. Playing and using imagination is learning and everyone loves to play.
      The other day during Adventure Afternoons in the big room, a child asked me if I would run a race with her. I said, “Yes!”. She then matter-of-factly looked me in the eye and told me, “Try your best, don’t just let me win!” I laughed to myself thinking how she doesn’t see or care that I am over a half century older than her and that she clearly has the advantage of winning this race. That genuineness is what is so unique about preschoolers… they don’t see age, gender or race during their play… they just explore and want to have fun!

What is special about Stay and Play?
State College Presbyterian Church is my home church for over 40 years. My children went to Stay and Play when it first started in the ‘80s. Pat Strong and Carol Reddinger created a safe, loving environment for community members in need of childcare in our church. Over the years, this loving childcare grew into a thriving, unique pre-school that promotes independence and growth in children. An environment that accepts and nurtures all children. The teachers and directors are all genuinely caring and nurturing people. I am in awe of them and appreciate the opportunity to be a small part of the program.

People often say you have your hands full teaching a class full of little ones. How would you respond to that?
Yes we do! And it’s a great responsibility that I take very seriously. My role as an assistant teacher is to support the lead teacher in guiding the children with the daily activities. We work as a team to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Being proactive and planning ahead helps create a safe and fun place for all. I am continuously amazed at the children’s imagination, kindness, humor and creativity. They make me smile and laugh. No two children are alike and that is what makes everyday fun.

---

Administration

​Laura Steager – Director

• 12th year as Director of  Stay and Play
• Married with one son
• Lives in Port Matilda
• Bachelors in Psychology – Muskingum College
• Spent my whole life working with children in some fashion
• ” I am so lucky to work with such a wonderful team: staff, parents and the children.  I love my job and feel truly blessed to be part of this program.”

Aida Pistone – Assistant Director
*(& Rainbow Raccoons: 3 & 4 year olds - MWF)

• Have 2 daughters who make up my social life 
• Grew up & lives in State College
• Lived in Puerto Rico and worked in preschool there prior to returning to State College
• Bachelors in Child Development
• Has been working at Stay and Play for over 10 years.
• “I love the children, the staff and being part of the Stay and Play Family.”

---

Music

Alanna Leicht – Music Teacher 

• Married with 2 children
• Lives in State College
• Has worked as a teacher for both the 3’s & 4’s classes at Stay and Play in the past.
• Elementary Ed. degree and loves teaching music!

​Candi Parsons (Wonderful Wolves & Substitute)

• Married with 2 children (both attended Stay and Play)
• Lives in Spring Mills
• Graduated from Penn State with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies, Early Childhood option
• I have been a part of the S&P family in one for or another for over 15 years.
• I enjoy being active outdoors, sunshine and camping with my family.
• "Your value does not decrease based on someone else's inability to see your worth."

Laura Steager, Director
814-237-1154
stayandplayscpc@gmail.com