Lexington Friends Preschool

Emily Webb began her teaching career in 2005 as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with Great Basin Outdoor School in Reno, Nevada. Since then, she has served children as a Montessori teaching assistant, preschool teacher, and science, yoga, and cooking class instructor. Emily received her American Montessori Society credential from the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education in 2010 and has worked as a lead teacher in a Montessori primary classroom for three years. When not teaching, she enjoys hiking, gardening, bird watching, volunteering, and practicing yoga. Emily loves incorporating messy art projects and big science experiments in the classroom, and believes in the importance of connecting children to their community in meaningful ways. Emily is thrilled to be a part of the new Lexington Friends Preschool community.

Hi there! My name is Sarah Jo and I am a recent graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Degree in Theater and English. Before completing my degree I spent a year teaching at a nonprofit after school theatre program in Austin Texas as well as facilitating at 'The Thinkery' a local children's museum in Austin. After graduation I started work at Lexington Children's Theatre and so enjoyed working with the young people decided to pursue a career in early childhood education. I am thrilled to be back in Kentucky and starting my professional career with Lexington Friends Preschool and its amazing staff. Teaching and theatre are my passions and I hope to use my creative energy to learn and explore with the young people here at Lexington Friends Preschool.

I moved to Lexington in 2015 from Chicago, Illinois and began Working at LFP last year as the Afternoon Assistant in our Waldorf-inspired program. I am thrilled to be coming back for my second year as Lead Teacher in the Primary 2 class.

I earned my BFA in Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design and continued my education in Early Montessori Education.

I have a colorful background in art including public mosaic murals, art classes for children, costume design, and theater. I also run my own small art business, Sweet Burn, where I design and create original wood-burned artwork.

As a mother of two, I naturally gravitate to children and offer continuous love and support. I work with each individual and their specific needs. I encourage respect for all living things and appreciation for the world around us. I love to be silly, get messy, and help everyone feel comfortable to explore their interests.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, exploring Kentucky, gardening, hiking, making art, listening to music and reading.

I am extremely grateful to be working with such supportive families and staff members and feel honored to be apart of this beautiful LFP community.

Helen has been working with children, educating, nurturing and facilitating in a wide range of capacities for over 15 years. She grew up in Nashville Tennessee and as a high school student spent her free time doing in-home care and operating a summer children’s day camp with a close friend. Helen graduated from the University of Tennessee, where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Special Education. After graduating she worked in a wide range of classroom settings in Knoxville, Belgium and Venezuela, while growing her understanding of how to tailor her educational approach to each student’s specific needs. Her most recent position was as an elementary special educator in Middleton, Wisconsin, a position she held for 6 years. While she has always been one to search for new and inspiring theories and approaches to education, becoming a mother has brought about a conviction to pursue a gentle, positive-based nurturing of children’s natural development and finding a way to hold the space for the magic of childhood. Since moving to Lexington, she has organized a Waldorf playgroup, nurtured children with in home childcare, completed her Lifeways Training and held parent child classes in a Waldorf style. In her free time (of which there isn’t much, with 4- and 3-year-old sons), she focuses her attention on yoga, cooking and baking, crocheting and sewing, photography, and enjoying adventuring with her family.

Hi! I'm Sam Hicks. I was born and raised here in Kentucky and, after several years in New York, have recently returned to the state to work as an educator. In addition to working at LFP, I teach theatre classes at several schools and extra curricular programs in the Lexington area. I love reading, have a big laugh, and enjoy weekly family dinners at my mother's house with my siblings and 3 year old nephew. I'm looking forward to learning from your young ones. Thank you!

Originally from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, I grew up around the Lexington area. I attended Eastern Kentucky University where I earned a B.A in Theatre with a Studio Art minor and special study in English. During high school I spent time as a mentor in middle and high school musical programs as well as working with local children's programs in the summer such as Summer Playhouse/Summer Stock and the Montgomery County Migrant Program. Since then I have always had an interest in sharing arts, communication, creativity, and play with children and I believe they are important aspects to maintain in early childhood. When I am not in the classroom I am a local, freelance Stage Manager and Theatre Artist and enjoy making and seeing theatre, nature, reading, and creating art with different mediums. I spent the 2017 spring semester substituting for LFP and am very excited to join in part time during the afternoon this year!

My name is Dwan Warren-Hooten. I have a heart and passion for children which began this career path in 2014. I have my CDA and am working toward a  Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at Midway College. I am originally from Lexington, but currently reside in Nicholasville. I have two daughters, Naomi and Hannah. One of my favorite books is Ramona by Beverly Cleary. When there is free time I like to serve within the community, singing, reading and spending time with family and friends. I love teaching children because I want to motivate, encourage, influence and create children that love to learn and help others.