Our Staff

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 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)

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Fabulous Foxes

Sarah Cooper - Lead Teacher

• Married with 2 elementary age children (both attended S&P)
  

• Lives in  State College
• 2nd year with 4's; Previously a teacher in Tiny Tots
• B.S. in Elementary Education from The University of Iowa

Elizabeth Richardson - Assistant Teacher

• Married with 2  children (both attended S&P)
• Lives in  State College
• Loves to hike, bike, read, work on puzzles, DIY around the home, sing and dance
• B.S. in Health and Human Development - PSU
• ​One of my favorite quotes... “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood”- Fred Rogers

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Rainbow Raccoons  (MWF)

Candi Parsons – Teacher 
​     (Substitute Teacher)

• 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 form 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."​

Tricia Swisher–   Teacher

• Married with 3 children, all attended S&P and then Ferguson Township.
• Grew up in Western PA
• Graduated from Penn State with a degree in Economics
• Have Lived in State College for over 15 years and love raising my family here.
• I loves to read, bake, sing, be outside and spend time with family.
• "I can't wait to help your child learn and grow this year as we play, read, laugh, draw, dance, and find joy every day."

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Wonderful Wolves

​Valerie Anderson – Lead Teacher
(Also Lead Teacher for Adventure Afternoons)

• 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

• 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."

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​Terrific Turtles 

Zsuzsanna Reimherr –
                                         Lead Teacher

• Married with 3 children (1 in final year 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 (both attended S&P)
• Lives in State College
• Degree in Architecture
• Third 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!

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Darling Deer

Katie Tanner – Lead Teacher 

• Married with 2 sons (both S&P graduates)
• From Minneapolis, MN
• Currently lives in PA Furnace
• B.S. in Elementary Education/Pre Primary Education
• I love spending time with my family, going on hikes, watching improv, drinking coffee and reading.
• My favorite quote is: "Simply and Impossibly"

Chrissy Fritton – Assistant teacher (M/W/F)

• 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!”

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ADVENTURE AFTERNOONS:
   
Valerie Anderson: Lead Teacher (see above under Wonderful Wolves)​

Bianca Dellanno: Assistant Teacher (seen here)

• From: Totowa NJ
• Currently a junior studying Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State
• Hobbies: I love traveling and spending time with friends and family
• I’m excited to work at stay and play because I have always loved working with young children!  Before I came to Penn state I was a camp counselor, coach and nanny. I’m happy to be back in an environment where I can watch them learn, grow, and have fun! 
• Favorite Quote:  “The best is yet to come”

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Patt Campolongo - Substitute Teacher

• Married with 3 grown sons and two grandchildren   
• 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.

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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.”

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Music

Alanna Leicht – Music Teacher 

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

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