Indian Valley Nursery School and Kindergarten Staff

Director - Marie Allen

Marie graduated with degrees from Mansfield University and Penn State University. She has 29 years of experience in a variety of educational areas and age levels. Marie has taught in early intervention, public elementary school, middle school and high school. She also has a few years of experience as a director preceding her 12 years of teaching for IVNS. Marie and her husband (also a teacher) have three sons who live with them in Souderton and a grown daughter who lives in New England.

Teachers

STEPHANIE FINK - FIRST GRADE

Stephanie graduated from Houghton University with a degree in English and Elementary Education and Gwynedd Mercy University with a Masters in Reading. She taught seven years in public school and then took off time to homeschool her three children. Her family lives in Harleysville. They enjoy time together playing games and being outdoors.

MICHELE KERNS - KINDERGARTEN

Michele began her journey at INVS as a parent, then transitioned to a substitute teacher, and finally joined our staff in a regular position in 2019. She has 14 years of teaching experience in both special and elementary education across public and private school settings. Michele graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education and from Wilkes University with a Master’s degree in Education. She lives in Hatfield with her husband and their three children.

AMY RICHHART - KINDERGARTEN

ALYSSA PISUT -KINDERGARTEN

Alyssa graduated from Messiah University with a dual major and most recently served at Haycock Camping Ministries, where she enjoyed helping children grow in their faith. She has lived in Harleysville for the past 11 years after previously residing in Lansdale for 11 years. Alyssa comes from a close-knit family that includes her mom, stepdad, older sister (a nurse), older brother, and two cats.

TRICIA ESCALANTE- KINDERGARTEN

HEATHER KRAIHANZEL - FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLDS

Heather is new to the IVNS family but has been teaching preschool for 30 years. She graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Heather and her husband Eric live in Souderton. They have 3 sons and a daughter in law.

JOANN ALLEN - FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLDS

Joann has been teaching at IVNS since 2008. She is a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy College with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She loves to go boating, biking, traveling and to the beach. She lives in Harleysville with her husband, Jeff, and two sons.

MARY DELAPLANE - FOUR AND FIVE YEAR OLDS

Mary holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Alderson-Broaddus College and a master's degree in early childhood education from West Virginia University. She taught for fourteen years in public and private schools before leaving the profession for a while to be a stay-at-home mom. In 2018, she was excited to begin teaching pre-k at IVNS. She lives in Souderton with her husband, son, and daughter.

ALICIA CROSSGROVE - THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS

Alicia has been teaching at IVNS since 2015. She graduated from The King's College in New York. She previously taught at Salford Mennonite Child Care. Alicia and her husband have 3 daughters and one son.

JANICE SMITH - THREE YEAR OLDS

Janice has been at IVNs&K&1 for around 18 years. Janice says that “Each day is filled with fun, learning, and forming a relationship with each of my students”. Janice attended West Chester University for both Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Elementary Education. Janice and her husband live in Hatfield. Janice’s adult children all live nearby with their families. When Janice is not at school, she likes to do jigsaw puzzles, quilt and hang out with her family.

MELISSA GARGES - THREE YEAR OLDS

Melissa has been working at IVNS since 2019. She is a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Melissa and her husband have two children.

CHELSEA SOWERS - PRESCHOOL WITH ME

Chelsea Sowers started out as a parent of IVNS and has now transitioned back to teaching after being a stay at home mom for last 8 years. She received her Child Development Associate (CDA) from Northampton Community College. She previously taught two year olds at Salford Mennonite Child Care Centers before caring for her three sons. She and her husband Evan love spending time together as a family , always outdoors. We love serving our church in many different roles. In her spare time you can find her running , kickboxing, gardening, and caring for her 18 chickens (her girlfriends ).

Specials Teachers

CASSIE HENDRICKS - MUSIC

Cassondra Hendricks graduated from Lebanon Valley College and Liberty University with degrees in music education, vocal pedagogy and world music. She taught at Souderton Area School District for seven years before transitioning to be at home with her children. She and her husband have twins - a son and a daughter.

BETH GRAMLING- CONNECTIONS

KRISTA LOUDEN - GYM

Krista graduated Temple University with a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. She loves spending time outdoors, teaching gymnastics and singing. She lives with her husband and daughter