Ms. Kathi has been the director of Bascomb United Methodist Preschool (affectionately known as BUMP) for over 20 years and is a longtime member of Bascomb Church. Before becoming director of the preschool, Ms. Kathi taught in the fours and twos classes. Now her former students are bringing their little ones to the preschool, so it’s a huge blessing for her to be part of this family-oriented ministry.

Ms. Kathi is a former high school teacher, holds a BS in education from Auburn University, and is certified to teach pre-k through 12th grade. Her true love is in preschool, where we begin the process of developing a love of learning in our students as well as a beginning to their spiritual journeys as we teach the love of God and each other.

Ms. Kathi’s family has been involved in the preschool for more than thirty years. Her daughters not only graduated from BUMP, but six of her grandchildren have also graduated.

Ms. Blake is so excited to be your child’s teacher this year! This is her fourth year at BUMP, and she feels very blessed to be here! She has two children that attend BUMP with one child who graduated from BUMP, and she couldn’t be happier to be a part of this amazing team. She is looking forward to a wonderful year of fun and learning! Ms. Blake received her Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in 2016.

Ms. Lesa is excited to teach the fours this year! Her class is going to learn so many new things about our world, our school, and each other! She is so happy to see some familiar faces and to meet new ones!

Ms. Lesa is blessed with two daughters, four sons, her husband, two grandsons and two granddogs. She has been teaching for thirty-eight years; she has a BA in Secondary Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. One day she wants to rescue sea turtles, but for now she enjoys teaching at BUMP, teaching virtual Spanish, and mentoring students at Mountain Education High School.

Ms. Diana is so excited for this school year. She has been teaching preschool for eleven years now and absolutely loves her job. Her class will be filled with fun, LOTS of learning and new adventures! Ms. Diana received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Medellin, Colombia and is married with two children.

7This Ms. Amanda’s third school year at BUMP. Ms. Amanda received her BS in Business Management from Northern Illinois University with previous studies in Elementary Education. Ms. Amanda’s family moved from Chicago two years ago and they love Woodstock! She has a 3rd and 7th grader along with a dog that thinks she is a cat. In her free time, Ms. Amanda loves spending time with family, hiking, reading, cooking and gardening. Go Cubs!

Ms. Whitney is so excited to be your child’s teacher this year! This is her fourth year working at BUMP and she feels that God has led her to this wonderful place, as it has been a blessing for her family. She looks forward to an amazing year of learning and fun!

Ms. Whitney received her Bachelors of Science degree from Kennesaw State University with a focus in Genetics. Her previous roles were in executive leadership in healthcare and nonprofit organizations prior to motherhood. She is married with two children. She has a six-year-old son in first grade that attended BUMP and currently has a daughter at BUMP.

This is Ms. Kristen’s first year as a teacher at BUMP, although she has been a substitute and volunteered over the years. She is so excited to be teaching the twos and is looking forward to an exciting year!

Ms. Kristen has a BA in Business from Wesleyan College. She focused on marking and event planning for non-profits in the art scene as well as combating homelessness. She has a five-year old son in kindergarten who graduated from BUMP and currently has two sons who attend BUMP.

Ms. Irina is very pleased to be teaching this year! This is her first year teaching at BUMP and she is grateful to God for leading her to BUMP. She is looking forward to a great year.

Ms. Irina studied business and finances with experience in underwriting prior to teaching. Her oldest son attended BUMP and her youngest son is currently attending BUMP! 

Ms. Mel is so excited to be part of this wonderful preschool community. Ms. Mel worked in Fannin County Head Start / Pre-K for 14 years. In that role, she had the privilege of working closely with students and their families to connect them with the resources and support they needed to thrive.  During that time she was also certified as a Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor, a hearing and vision tester, and held a CDL license for the center. 

In recent years, Ms. Mel focused on being a full-time grandmother, which is one of the greatest joys of her life. She is thrilled to return to the classroom, especially during such a special year as her youngest grandchild’s final year of preschool at BUMP. She is truly looking forward to helping each child learn, grow, and feel loved every day.

Ms. Tonya is so excited to be teaching your precious little ones this year. She is in her seventh year teaching at BUMP and has loved being in this wonderful place. She has a very large family, including eight grandchildren! She also works with a non-profit teaching special needs adults. Her oldest son was in, our director, Ms. Kathi’s class at BUMP!

Ms. Tonya holds a B.A. in International Affairs from KSU in 2002 and a B.A. in Emergency and Disaster Management and Homeland Security from APUS in 2012.

Ms. Abby is so excited to be teaching this year! At 22 years old, she holds an associate degree in Creative Writing and loves art. She especially enjoys crocheting and even runs her own Etsy shop. Ms. Abby has three adorable dogs and has had the unique experience of living in both China and Thailand.

In her art classes, students will enjoy hands-on projects that connect with weekly themes, explore sensory play and process art, and create special holiday crafts. They’ll also make keepsake handprint and footprint artwork to take home and treasure.

Ms. Ashley is a proud Alabama girl who followed her heart to Atlanta 13 years ago. For 6 years, her family of three- her husband, 7 yr old daughter, who attended BUMP, and her basset hound- happily call Woodstock “Our Forever Home!” Ms. Ashley has been living and breathing the performing arts for twenty-five years as a dancer, choreographer, singer, and joyful educator. She started college at Samford University as a Music Ed major, but her heart danced her over to Birmingham-Southern College, where she earned her B.A. in Dance Education and Performance in 2009.

Ms. China is so excited to be teaching chapel this year! In chapel, the children learn about God’s word, focusing on characters in the Bible and memorizing verses. We also learn how to pray and sing about Jesus and God’s love for us!

This is Ms. China’s fourth year with Bascomb Preschool. She also serves as the worship leader and children’s director at Bascomb UMC. She received her Bachelors of Science in Music Management at Georgia State University. 

Ms. Lois has a very large family and works with her daughter Ms. Tonya teaching small groups as well as Math and Science. Everyone calls her Nana because some of the teachers went to preschool with her grandchildren and knew her then! We still call her Nana. Ms. Lois is so excited to be teaching at BUMP again this year.