The experienced faculty is one of the preschool’s strongest assets.

The director and the assistant to the director both have been affiliated with the preschool for more than three decades. They lead a team of dedicated teachers who have college degrees in an array of fields and/or many years of experience caring for children.

The entire faculty takes continuing education classes every year to stay current in the latest methods for teaching young children. Their goal is to nurture and encourage each child’s optimal growth.


Director
Jacqueline M. Eastburn

Mrs. Eastburn has been involved with Grace Church Preschool since 1978, when she enrolled her own children in the school. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also is credentialed by the Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing and has more than 400 hours of continuing education in the early childhood field. Her teaching experience includes time in public schools in Denver and Baltimore as well as 17 years as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Grace Church Preschool. She was promoted to director in 2000. Before becoming a teacher and director, Mrs. Eastburn volunteered as a homeroom mother and parent representative to the preschool board.

“I strive to make the time children spend at Grace the best, most positive, self-esteem-enhancing hours in their day.”



Assistant to the Director
Mary Jo Miller

Mrs. Miller’s association with Grace Church Preschool began when she enrolled her children in the school in 1973. Since then, she has served a parent representative to the preschool board, board vice chairperson, board chairperson and board member-at large. She was the volunteer director of Mother’s Day Out, a predecessor to the current Childhood program, and a teacher of 2-year-olds before accepting her current position in 1992. Mrs. Miller has a bachelor’s degree in secondary business education and experience as a public school teacher in Ohio. She also has taken more then 100 hours of continuing education in the early childhood field during her tenure at Grace.

“I am convinced more than ever that early education is the most important element in the education of a child. To develop a love of learning at an early age is the most wonderful gift we can give a child.”