Meet  the   teachers

Jadi has been serving children and families for more than twenty years and has a background in Early Childhood Education. She loves helping young learners grow through hands-on experiences, creative play, and meaningful relationships. Having served at New Salem Weekday Preschool for the past six years, she is honored and excited to begin the ministry's 30th year as Preschool Director.
One of Jadi's greatest joys is building lasting relationships with her students and their families. She believes that before a child can learn, they must first feel safe, loved, and valued. She is passionate about partnering with parents and believes that strong relationships between families and teachers are essential to helping children thrive. One of her favorite blessings is receiving visits and updates from former students and their families and seeing how God continues to work in their lives.
Outside of preschool, Jadi enjoys crafting and spending time with the people she loves most. She and her husband have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three energetic boys. Whether cheering from the sidelines, exploring new adventures, or simply enjoying everyday moments together, she treasures this season of life with her family. They also share their home with a beloved dachshund.
Jadi and her family have been members of New Salem Baptist Church for more than ten years, where she has faithfully served in both the preschool and women's ministries. She is passionate about creating a nurturing, Christ-centered environment where every child feels loved, welcomed, and valued. Her greatest desire is for each child to know they are fearfully and wonderfully made by the one true God, who loves them beyond measure, while developing a lifelong love for learning and a strong foundation of faith.
As Preschool Director, Jadi is excited to be part of all the incredible things the Lord has in store for New Salem Weekday Preschool. She looks forward to partnering with both new and returning families as they journey through these important preschool years together. Her prayer is that every child who walks through the doors of New Salem Weekday Preschool will grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually while experiencing the love of Christ in a joyful, nurturing environment each day.

Abby's passion for working with children began by caring for her nieces and nephews, where she discovered the joy of helping little ones learn and grow. After serving as a substitute teacher at New Salem Weekday Preschool last school year, she is excited to join the team in a classroom role. Abby is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at Chattahoochee Technical College. A fun fact about her is that she loves to sing!
One of Abby's favorite parts of teaching is seeing the excitement and curiosity young children bring to each day. She loves that the preschool years are filled with incredible growth and believes a nurturing, supportive environment helps children build confidence as they discover who God created them to be. Watching each child's unique personality blossom and celebrating their milestones is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.
Outside of school, Abby enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends. She loves making memories with the people she cares about and embraces every opportunity to explore God's beautiful creation.
Abby loves sharing God's love through the way she teaches and cares for her students each day. Her faith inspires her to create a classroom where every child feels valued, respected, encouraged, and deeply loved as they grow in both character and confidence.
Abby is excited to be part of the amazing team at New Salem Weekday Preschool and looks forward to partnering with families as they nurture, encourage, and celebrate each child's growth throughout the school year.

Ashley graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Child and Family Development. While this is her first year at New Salem Weekday Preschool, she has always loved working with young children and is excited to begin this new chapter. As a proud NSWP parent herself, she is thrilled to now serve the preschool community in a new way.
Ashley's favorite part of teaching is watching children discover new things each day. She loves that young learners are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Walking alongside them as they grow in confidence, develop new skills, and experience the joy of learning is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching.
Outside of school, Ashley enjoys reading, baking, cooking, and trying her hand at gardening—despite joking that she has always had a "black thumb!" She is also a devoted Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves fan. Ashley and her husband, Bryan, have been married for 12 years and have three wonderful children, all of whom have attended or are attending New Salem Weekday Preschool. As a family, they cherish spending time together and making lasting memories.
Ashley serves in the nursery ministry at her church and loves introducing young children to God's love through worship, kindness, and caring relationships. She believes the preschool years provide a wonderful opportunity to plant seeds of faith that will continue to grow throughout a child's life.
Ashley is excited to partner with families this school year as she shares the love of Jesus with her students and helps each child grow in confidence, curiosity, and the knowledge that they are wonderfully made by God.

Caitlin has been working with children for more than 10 years and holds a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Master's degree in Education. She always knew she wanted to be a teacher and spent her high school years volunteering and coaching children whenever she had the opportunity. After graduating from college, she taught in the elementary classroom for six years before stepping away to focus on raising her own family. That season of motherhood gave her an even deeper appreciation for early childhood development and the incredible learning that takes place during the preschool years.
Caitlin's favorite part of teaching is getting to know each child's unique personality and building meaningful relationships with both students and their families. She believes it is a privilege to watch children gain confidence, learn new skills, and discover the world around them. She loves encouraging their curiosity, celebrating their milestones, and helping foster a lifelong love of learning from an early age.
Outside of school, Caitlin enjoys creating pottery, gardening, and baking. She is slowly replacing her family's everyday dishes with pieces she has made herself and is always eager to try a new craft or creative project. She also enjoys playing tennis, spending time outdoors with her family, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves. Caitlin and her husband have two children, Avett (6) and Isla (3), along with two dogs and two cats who keep life full of adventure.
Caitlin loves helping children discover God's love through the everyday moments they share in the classroom. She believes children begin to understand God's goodness through kindness, encouragement, and a caring environment. Seeing a child's face light up during a Bible story or worship song is one of her greatest joys. Her faith shapes the way she teaches, the way she serves families, and the welcoming classroom she strives to create each day.
This school year, Caitlin is especially excited to begin teaching in the two-year-old classroom and embrace this new opportunity. She looks forward to building relationships with her students and families while filling the year with hands-on crafts, creative exploration, joyful learning, and lots of fun together.

Nicole has been working with children throughout her adult life. She began serving as a church camp counselor before spending 10 years teaching middle and high school mathematics. After the birth of her children, she stepped away from the classroom to focus on her family. Nicole holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Originally from Louisiana, she and her family moved to Georgia in 2020 and quickly fell in love with their new home.
Nicole's favorite part of teaching is building meaningful relationships with her students and watching them grow throughout the year. She believes every child deserves a caring adult who sees, encourages, and supports them, and she strives to be that person for each of her students.
Outside of school, Nicole enjoys reading, crafting with her children, and exploring new places with her family. She and her husband have two daughters, Helen (4) and Hannah (2), along with their cat, Pixel. Whether they're trying a new adventure or enjoying time together at home, family is at the heart of everything they do.
Nicole loves helping children learn about God's love through music and worship. She enjoys teaching little ones that they can praise God with joyful hearts and their own voices. She is excited to help her students adjust to new routines, make new friends, and grow in confidence while creating a classroom filled with love, encouragement, and care.

Kelly has been working with children for most of her adult life in a variety of settings and holds a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Georgia. She is excited to begin her fifth year at New Salem Weekday Preschool and is looking forward to another wonderful year with the three-year-old class. A fun fact about Kelly is that her family hosts an annual The Lord of the Rings movie marathon, complete with Hobbit-inspired food courses!
One of Kelly's favorite parts of teaching is watching children's curiosity and excitement grow as they discover new things. She loves creating a classroom where every child feels safe, encouraged, and excited to learn through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships.
Outside of school, Kelly enjoys reading, growing vegetables in her backyard garden, and spending time cooking and baking. She has been married to her college sweetheart for many years, and together they have two daughters, ages 15 and 12. As a family, they enjoy game nights, tackling escape rooms, and cheering on their favorite college football teams.
The Venezia family attends Marietta Community Church, where they serve together in worship, leadership, and youth ministries. Kelly is passionate about helping children discover God's love and faithfulness while nurturing both their hearts and minds.
Kelly is excited to partner with families throughout the school year as they help plant seeds of curiosity, kindness, faith, and joy that will continue to grow for years to come.

Sam has been working with young children since she was 14 years old and is CPR and First Aid certified. She has a heart for early childhood education and loves every opportunity to learn, explore, and experience new adventures alongside her students. Whether it's a field trip or a hands-on classroom activity, Sam is always ready to make learning fun!
One of Sam's favorite parts of teaching is connecting with each child and watching their unique personalities shine. She loves celebrating their silly side while surrounding them with encouragement, patience, and plenty of love. Sam believes the preschool years are a special time to help shape young minds and finds great joy in watching children grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Building strong relationships with both children and their families is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Outside of school, Sam enjoys going to the movies, attending Braves games, and exploring all that Georgia has to offer. Her nieces and nephew mean the world to her, and she treasures every opportunity to spend time with them. She also enjoys watching soccer with her family and making memories together.
Sam loves sharing God's love with children by showing kindness, patience, and compassion each day. She strives to create a nurturing classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn.
This school year, Sam is especially looking forward to meeting new children and their families, building meaningful relationships, and creating a classroom where every child is known, loved, and encouraged to become exactly who God created them to be.

Amber has been working with children in a variety of settings for more than 20 years. She is excited to begin her sixth year at New Salem Weekday Preschool and feels incredibly blessed to be part of this ministry. Amber is a devoted Dr. Pepper fan, loves wearing fun earrings, and can never resist cute office and school supplies!
Amber's favorite part of teaching is building meaningful relationships with her students and their families. She loves watching children learn, grow, and light up with excitement as they master new skills. Helping children build confidence, develop friendships, and discover the joy of learning through play and hands-on experiences is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Outside of school, Amber enjoys spending time with her family, tackling DIY projects, crafting, and dreaming up creative ways to make learning fun for her preschoolers. She and her husband are the proud parents of four wonderful children who bring so much joy, laughter, and purpose to their lives. Being a wife and mother has deepened her appreciation for God's grace and reminds her daily of the importance of love, patience, and encouragement—both at home and in the classroom.
Amber and her family worship at New Salem Baptist Church, and her faith is the foundation of everything she does. She loves helping children learn about God's love through Bible stories, prayer, worship, and the everyday moments that make up preschool life. Her desire is for every child to know they are deeply loved by God and to experience that love through the care and encouragement they receive each day.
Amber is looking forward to another wonderful school year filled with learning, laughter, and growth. She considers it a privilege to partner with families as they help each child develop a love for learning while growing in faith and confidence. She can't wait to see all that God has in store for her class this year!

Kim has been working with children since she was 17 years old and is one of our beloved veteran teachers at New Salem Weekday Preschool. This year marks her 23rd year of teaching at NSWP! Throughout her years here, she has taught every age group—from babies through Pre-K. While she has loved each stage, teaching Young 4s and Pre-K has become especially close to her heart. Her love for her students, their families, and the ministry of New Salem shines through in everything she does.
One of Kim's favorite parts of teaching is watching children grow and having the privilege of witnessing the wonder and excitement they experience as they discover new things. She loves encouraging their confidence, celebrating their milestones, and helping them develop a love for learning that will serve them well for years to come.
Outside of school, Kim enjoys reading and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs during football season. She and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, Logan (7) and Baylor (3). As a family, they love spending time outdoors, playing games together, and making lasting memories.
Kim loves helping children discover the love of Jesus and reminding them that He is always with them. She strives to create a classroom where every child feels safe, loved, encouraged, and supported as they grow both academically and spiritually.
Kim is looking forward to partnering with families throughout the school year as they help each child learn, grow, and build a strong foundation rooted in both knowledge and Christ's love.

Chrissy has been a valued part of the New Salem Weekday Preschool family since 2011. She began teaching in the two-year-old classroom, later served as the preschool's art teacher, and has spent the past 10 years teaching Pre-K. She holds a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising/Marketing and Business. Chrissy is incredibly creative and enjoys building just about anything with power tools! From wooden trays and boxes to her own backyard deck, she loves bringing ideas to life with her hands. Before joining New Salem, she even owned a toy store!
One of Chrissy's favorite parts of teaching is watching children grow—not only academically, but also in confidence and self-belief. She loves seeing students recognize their own strengths and experience those unforgettable moments when learning truly clicks. Creating a classroom where every child feels supported, encouraged, and capable is one of her greatest joys.
Outside of school, Chrissy enjoys reading, needlepointing, decorating, baking sourdough bread, gardening, and spending time with friends. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 30 years, and together they have one daughter, Shea. Their energetic dog, Pierre, keeps life entertaining and full of laughter.
Chrissy loves helping children experience God's love through kindness, compassion, and meaningful relationships. She believes every child is uniquely created with purpose and deserves to know they are deeply loved and valued. It is a privilege to walk alongside her students as they discover the gifts God has given them and grow in faith each day.
This school year, Chrissy is excited to help her students grow academically, socially, and spiritually as they discover all God has created them to be. She looks forward to building their confidence, fostering meaningful friendships, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning in a classroom filled with joy, encouragement, and the love of Christ.

MaryBeth has been working in educational settings and serving children for the past 20 years. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience supporting and educating young learners, with a primary focus on Early Childhood Education. She has completed coursework in child development, educational psychology, classroom management, instructional strategies, and special education. MaryBeth is passionate about creating a nurturing environment where every child feels encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive.
One of MaryBeth's favorite parts of working with young children is watching them discover new things and seeing the excitement on their faces when something finally clicks. She believes those "aha!" moments are some of the most rewarding experiences in teaching. She loves encouraging children's curiosity, celebrating their accomplishments, and helping them build confidence as they learn.
Outside of school, MaryBeth enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Josh, have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of three wonderful boys who keep life fun, busy, and full of adventure. They also have two dogs and enjoy exploring new places, spending time outdoors, and making lasting memories together.
MaryBeth's faith is the foundation of the way she serves children and families. It guides her to treat every child with love, kindness, patience, and respect. She believes each child is uniquely created by God and deeply valued, and she strives to create a classroom where every child feels safe, encouraged, and loved.
This school year, MaryBeth is especially excited to meet her new students and build meaningful relationships with each one. She looks forward to getting to know every child's unique personality, interests, and strengths so they feel seen, valued, and loved from the very beginning.

Kristin has enjoyed working with children for many years through a variety of church ministries and at the University of Maryland's Child Development Lab. She is excited to begin her fourth year as the music teacher at New Salem Weekday Preschool, a role that has been a true joy. Kristin earned her degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia with a minor in Music, and she loves bringing together both of those passions as she helps children grow through the gift of music.
Kristin's favorite part of teaching is getting to know each child and building meaningful relationships with them. She loves the way children see the world with wonder, creativity, and joy, and she enjoys nurturing those qualities through music. Whether singing, moving, or exploring rhythm together, she believes music is a wonderful way to help children build confidence, express themselves, and experience the joy of learning.
Outside of school, Kristin lives in Kennesaw with her husband, Jason, and their three boys. As a family, they enjoy playing games, spending time together, and trying new hobbies. When she's not at preschool, you'll likely find her reading, volunteering at her children's schools, working out at the gym, or enjoying the outdoors. And of course, she's always cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs—Go Dawgs!
One of Kristin's greatest joys is helping children discover God's love through music and storytelling. She hopes every child leaves her classroom knowing they were created on purpose, for a purpose, and are deeply loved by their Heavenly Father. Her desire is to create a joyful, welcoming environment where children can worship, learn, and grow in both faith and confidence.
A fun fact about Kristin is that she has been playing the flute for more than 30 years! She marched with the University of Georgia Redcoat Band during college and continues to play the flute and sing on the worship team at Marietta City Church. Kristin is excited to partner with families this year as she helps children discover the joy of music—because, as the saying goes, "Where words fail, music speaks."