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

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

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2022/2023 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 (M-F)

Danielle Subtle Lead Teacher (M-F)

• Married with 2 children
• Originally from New Jersey
• BS in Elementary and Kindergarten Education with 2 minors: Special Education and Psychology from Penn State University - 
• Have taught 6 years of Kindergarten & now 3 years of Pre K
• I love spending time with my family, photography, dancing, reading, and anything glitter!.
• "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." Roald Dahl

Tricia Swisher – Assistant Teacher (M/W/F)

• 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 love 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."

Heather Lowe - Assistant Teacher (T/TH)

• ​Graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Elementary Education
• Married with 2 children
• Originally from Eastern PA but has lived in Happy Valley for over 13 years
• Has taught at the elementary and preschool levels as well as working with infants and toddlers
• I love to spend time with family and friends, travel, cook, and read.
• "Always remember you are BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER than you seem, SMARTER than you think, and twice as BEAUTIFUL as you've ever imagined!" ~ Dr. Seuss

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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

Hayley Cassel - Assistant Teacher

• Married with 2 children, we have been a stay and play family for 4 years and at PFE. 
• Grew up in Eastern Pennsylvania
•  I attended Penn State with a focus on Psychology/ Rehabilitation and Human Development Family Studies. 
•  State College has been home for me and my family for 8 years.
•  I love to read, baking, singing and spend time with family.
• Favorite Quote:  "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." - W. Disney

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Darling Deer

Chrissy Fritton –Lead 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!”

Candi Parsons – Teacher - Lead teacher (T/TH)

• 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."​

Eushema Wilson  - Assistant Teacher  (M-F)

•  From West Haven, CT
• Currently a junior at Penn State studying kinesiology 
•  I love going to the gym, dancing, and spending time with my sisters and friends 
•  I am excited to work at Stay and Play because I have always had a love for working with children and helping them grow in so many ways! Before Penn State, I was a babysitter and a children’s coach at a gym. I’m very thrilled to be here with amazing kids!
•  Favorite Quote: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa

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ADVENTURE AFTERNOONS

Valerie Anderson - Lead Teacher (see above under Wonderful Wolves)​

Chrissy Fritton - Assistant Teacher M-F (See above under Darling Deer)
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Eushema Wilson - Assistant Teacher T/TH (See above under Darling Deer)

Bianca Dellanno: Assistant Teacher M/W/F

• 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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SUBSTITUTES

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 Seeley – Director

• Married with 3 children all attend S&P
• Lives in Bellefonte
• Graduated from Rider University with a Bachelor Degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Work & History 
• I love spending time with my family, visiting the beach, football GO PSU & NY GIANTS!
• "What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Jane Goodall

Dianna Danko - Administrative Assistant

• Married with 3 children (2 still attend & 1 did attend S&P)
• Lives in Bellefonte
• Graduated from Lock Haven University with a degree in Communications
• I love spending time with my family, camping, playing softball, broadway shows & the beach!
• As an Advisory Team member for the last 6 years, I am so excited to officially be a part of the Stay and Play family!
• "They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel!" 

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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!