MEET OUR TEACHERS

The people who make

preschool feel like home.

2025 - 2026

St. Philip Lutheran Preschool has an exceptional staff of dedicated and caring teachers. All of our lead teachers have degrees in early childhood or elementary education with appropriate certifications. We celebrate the longevity of our staff with several members of our staff exceeding 15 years at the preschool!

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    LEIGH ANNE BARHAM

    Preschool Director

    Ms. Leigh Anne Barham grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. She taught kindergarten in Wake County Schools for 3 years until the birth of her daughter. Ms. Leigh Anne began working as a teacher at St. Philip in 1994! She is married with two children, both of whom attended St. Philip. She enjoys being a proud Nana to her four precious grandchildren.

    Ms. Leigh Anne now makes Wake Forest her home. She enjoys spending time with her family, the annual Foil and Barham family beach trips, and watching sports, especially NCSU! Ms. Leigh Anne truly LOVES teaching. She enjoys BIG hugs, smiles, laughs, and watching the children grow and learn as well as developing wonderful relationships with parents. She is truly blessed to have St. Philip Preschool in her life.

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    MICHELLE HOOKS

    Preschool Assistant Director

    Ms. Michelle Hooks grew up in Illinois and attended Northern Illinois University, where she obtained a degree in Education. She moved to Raleigh in 1990 and worked for Wake County Public Schools until the birth of her first child. She began working as a teacher at St. Philip in 2007 and compares her job to Disney World - the happiest place on earth.

    Ms. Michelle is married, has 3 children of her own, all of whom attended St. Philip Preschool.

2-YEAR CLASSES (Monday–Thursday)

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    KRISSY CARO

    Lead Teacher

    Ms. Krissy Caro grew up in Northern Virginia and graduated from Marymount University in Arlington. She is married and has three children.

    Ms. Krissy has worked in the preschool environment since 2006, joining at St. Philip in 2012. She enjoys seeing the children grow and develop throughout the school year. She greatly appreciates the opportunity to nurture young children in this vital stage of their development.

    Ms. Krissy loves to stay physically fit. She likes running, swimming, and taking classes at the local Y. She also enjoys baking and reading in her spare time. Ms. Krissy loves spending time with her family watching movies, grilling out, and taking family trips to the beach.

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    SUZANNE SKELLY

    Teacher Assistant

    Ms. Suzanne Skelly was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina and now lives in Raleigh with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She has been a part of the St. Philip family as a parent and has enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher before joining the two-year-old classroom as an assistant teacher.

    In her spare time, Ms. Suzanne enjoys gardening, playing tennis, and cooking. She also loves spending time with her family and making memories together.

    Having experienced St. Philip as a parent, Ms. Suzanne is excited to help other families feel welcomed and supported as their children begin their preschool journey.

3-YEAR CLASSES (Monday–Friday)

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    LIZA OGDEN

    Lead Teacher

    Ms. Liza Ogden grew up in Georgia and graduated from Auburn University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She has been teaching at St. Philip since 2006! Ms. Liza has so much fun teaching the children and watching them learn through socialization, and imaginative play throughout a structured day. She finds it so rewarding to see the children grow throughout the year in this wonderful preschool setting. She also loves getting to know the parents and families.

    Ms. Liza is married with 2 children who both attended St. Philip. She enjoys spending time with her family, her friends, organizing her home, and playing and reading with her kids. She also enjoys travelling with her family and especially watching Auburn football!

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    SUE DUCKETT

    Teacher Assistant

    Ms. Sue Duckett grew up in Colorado and also lived in New York before moving to NC in 1990. She worked as a teacher assistant with the Wake County Public School System for 16 years, serving in both Special Education and Kindergarten classes during her tenure.

    Ms. Sue is thrilled to be doing what she loves (working with little ones) in a spiritual environment. Her two greatest passions are children and missions. She is honored to be trusted with the mission of working with your children.

    Ms. Sue is married and is a proud mother of grandmother of 6 children and 8 grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, scrapbooking, baking, putting together photo albums, and having overnight visits with her grandchildren.

3-DAY, 4-YEAR CLASS (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

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    SARAH CIANCOLO

    Lead Teacher

    Ms. Sarah Cianciolo grew up in Northern New Jersey and has earned degrees from Pennsylvania State University (undergraduate), Syracuse University (Masters), and University of California Fullerton (teaching certificate). She is married and has two children, both of whom attended preschool at St. Philip.

    Ms. Sarah previously taught in San Francisco for 6 years before having her first child. She is so excited to teach at St. Philip and to be working with the 4-year-olds class.

    Ms. Sarah enjoys spending her free time with her family. She also enjoys working out, baking, and attending her kids’ many sporting events.

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    LEIGH ANNE BARHAM

    Preschool Director and Teacher Assistant

5-DAY, 4-YEAR CLASS (Monday–Friday)

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    MELISSA MILLS

    Lead Teacher

    Ms. Melissa Mills was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. She attended Meredith College and Peace College. She has been part of the St. Philip staff since 2014.

    Ms. Melissa and husband Danny have two boys that also attended St. Philip. She is a Sunday school teacher and is very active in her church.

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    GINGER MULLA

    Teacher Assistant

    Ms. Ginger Mulla grew up in Charlotte, NC, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from NC State University. She feels grateful and blessed to work in a place where faith in God and a love for children are deeply valued.

    Ms. Ginger is a mom to three children and a Gigi to one grandson who attends St. Philip. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, playing pickleball, and spending time with family.

KINDERGARTEN CLASS (Monday–Friday)

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    MICHELLE HOOKS

    Lead Teacher and Assistant Director

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    STEPHANIE PUSATERI

    Teacher Assistant and Digital Marketing Manager


    Ms. Stephanie Pusateri is the assistant teacher in our Kindergarten class! She has also worked with the 2-year and 4-year old classes. She began working at the preschool in 2005.

    Ms. Stephanie is married and has two sons both whom attended St. Philip. She loves to work at St. Philip and considers it a blessing to be there.

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    MELISSA MCLAMB

    Music Teacher

    Miss Melissa McLamb grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Meredith College with a BM in Music Education. She is married to James, and has three children, two of whom attended St. Philip Preschool.

    Ms. Melissa started as preschool music teacher in 2009 at St. Philip, and after a long break she is back! She enjoys working with children of various ages, and especially enjoys seeing them light up when they are having fun in music class.

    Ms. Melissa enjoys staying physical fit, as well as encouraging other busy moms to make health and wellness a priority. She enjoys spending time with family, shopping, watching movies, and traveling to the mountains with family. She also is active in her home church where she serves on the worship team.

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