Who We Are
Christ United Methodist Church was one of the earliest community institutions in neighborhood of Southern Village, which was developed in the 1990s. The church soon recognized the need for a Christian preschool in the community, and planning began in 1998. Christ United Methodist Preschool opened in August 1999 with an enrollment of 22 children. In less than a decade, it grew to capacity enrollment of 74 children, and is highly regarded, not only by the families whose children began their education here but also by local kindergarten teachers, who recognize how well-prepared our children are for elementary school.
PRESCHOOL director
Shelly Smith, Christ United Methodist Preschool Director, and her husband Eric moved from Charlotte to Chapel Hill in July of 2020. She has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood and has raised three wonderful children. Shelly was raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where she still spends part of her summers swimming, hiking, and kayaking. When she is not in the classroom, Shelly enjoys sewing, gardening, running (when not injured 😉), and home improvement projects.
Green Frog Teachers (2-year olds)
Linda Miles (Lead Teacher) moved to Chapel Hill from NJ in 1982 and has raised three children here. Daughter Alexis lives in SC with her husband and three children. Daughter Gabrielle graduated from law school and lives in Chapel Hill with her husband and three children, two of whom are graduates of CCP. Son Lucas, a graduate of NC State, also lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and five children. Linda is certified in Early Childhood Education and Administration and spent thirteen years caring for other children in her home before joining the CCP staff in 2011. Linda enjoys time with her many grandchildren and a sometimes quiet home.
Melissa Coward (assistant teacher) and her husband, Matt, met at UNC Chapel Hill in 2000 and have been living in Southern Village since 2013. Melissa received her Bachelor’s Degree in biology at UNC and worked for 7 years as a veterinary technician in a small and large animal hospital. She has four children. Her son, Ryan, has special needs and is deaf, so Melissa and her family have been using/learning signing language since he was born. Her two youngest children, Hannah and Eleanor, both attended CCP. Melissa enjoys being a part of the Green Frogs classroom and giving back to CCP. She enjoys travel, reading, playing tennis, and all things UNC.
red ladybug Teachers (3-year olds)
Lisa Notte (lead teacher) moved to Chatham County with her husband Mike and their four daughters (16, and 12 year-old triplets) in 2020. Originally from Pennsylvania, Lisa moved to North Carolina in 2001 after graduating from Penn State with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught in the Durham Public Schools for six years before taking 15 years off to stay home with her daughters. She has been a substitute teacher in Chatham County for the past two and a half years. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, caring for her many animals, crafting, gardening, and staying active. She is grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and teach at CCP.
Phoenix Ditter (assistant Teacher MWF) has been a stay at home mom of 3 amazing children for the past 16 years. Her family moved from Annapolis, MD to Chapel Hill in 2016. She has enjoyed being a Substitute Teacher for all grade levels, Kindergarten-12th grade, at the local schools in Chatham County as well as CCP. Phoenix graduated from Virginia Tech in 2000, where she met her husband, Eric. Prior to being the Household CEO, she was an Elementary School Teacher, teaching 1st, 2nd and 4th Grades for 10 years. When not in the classroom or at the Barre3 Chatham Park Studio, Phoenix loves to travel, cook, read and cheer for her kids from the sidelines! She is looking forward to working with the Ladybugs and being part of the CCP team.
Jennifer Park (assistant Teacher TTH) and her husband, Jeff, moved from New York for her husband's residency at UNC and have lived in Chapel Hill since 2015. They have two daughters, Hanna and Lena. Lena is a recent graduate of CCP. Jennifer has a master's degree in secondary education and taught biology for middle and high school students prior to moving down and becoming a stay-at-home mom. She loves watching movies, singing karaoke and traveling. Jennifer loves being part of the CCP staff and enjoys teaching and learning from her students.
blue whale Teachers (4-year olds)
Missy O’Connor (lead teacher) and her husband Mike moved to Chapel Hill from Northern VA. They have three children: Reegan, Mitchell and Graden (a CCP graduate). Missy graduated from Georgetown University and worked for a non-profit that helps older individuals find employment. After Reegan was born, she took time off to stay home with her children and actively volunteered in many roles at her children's schools. She has been a teacher at CCP since 2010. Missy’s interests include driving to various soccer and ultimate frisbee fields throughout NC, walking their dogs, reading and spending family time at the beach.
Beth Matherly (assistant teacher TTH) and her husband Barron are from Virginia and have lived in North Carolina since 1986. Beth holds a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and has been teaching for over 30 years. Her teaching experience spans from preschool to high school. Her daughter, Taylor, works in research at Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. Her son, Grant, teaches history and coaches soccer at Discovery Charter School in Durham. Beth is passionate about education, traveling, music, sports, and spending time with her family!
yellow duck Teachers (4-year olds)
Sue Lee (lead teacher) and her husband Dave recently moved to Hillsborough from New Jersey. They have 2 grown children (and 2 fur-grandpuppies!) now living in Boston & LA, so they decided it was time to leave their home state and explore new adventures, too! Sue has a BA in behavioral science from Drew University and has worked in early childhood education for over 30 years. Preschoolers are her passion, and she hopes to foster a love of school in every child by bringing love & joy to the classroom. Sue and her husband love the beach, going to concerts, traveling, and discovering new restaurants. Sue also loves to read and has recently started volunteering with dog rescues.
Carina Smith (assistant teacher) moved to North Carolina in 2018 with her husband and 2 kids. They have lived on 4 continents and are originally from South Africa. Carina has experience working in children’s theatre, educational theatre and also worked as a teacher assistant at a British international school for 3 years while living in Dubai. In her spare time she likes baking, crafting, spending time with her family and walking her dog Doug.
MUSIC & MOVEMENT teacher
Vicki Ledbetter and her husband, Andy moved to Chapel Hill during the summer of 2019 after living many years in Grapevine, Texas. Vicki has an Associate Degree in Early Child Development and certificates in Preschool Child Care and Child Care Administration. She was a music and lead teacher in a church preschool setting for many years in Texas. She has 3 grown children who have blessed her with 9 grandchildren. Three of her grandchildren were students at CCP. She loves spending time with her family when possible, sewing, and snuggling up with a great book! Teaching young children has been such a passion of hers and she’s grateful God has given her the opportunity to teach at CCP.
bookKeeper & office assistant
Jen Richards (Bookkeeper) along with her husband, Wil, and two children moved to Pittsboro from the Atlanta area in May of 2023. Jen’s son was a Duck last year and her daughter (a former Ladybug), is a Duck this year. Jen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Auburn University and a Master’s degree in Youth & Family Ministries from Denver Seminary, but her real qualifications lie in her love for people and kids and her penchant for numbers and accuracy. In her free time, she loves to meet up with friends for a cold brew, go for long walks, sing and make music, play with her kids, read, color, and drive with the windows down and the tunes blaring.
Christ Church Preschool
800 Market Street - Southern Village
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-969-1690 ssmith@christmethodist.org