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
Debbie Arena, Christ United Methodist Preschool Director, has been a key part of the preschool since before it opened. In 1998, as the church was being built, she served as an education consultant to the study committee. Since the school opened its doors in 1999, she has been the director. Having worked with preschool and elementary aged children since 1981, Debbie is, and has been, active in the local school community. She holds a current North Carolina teaching certificate; is a member of the Durham – Orange Preschool Association; has served on preschool boards; and has taught Sunday school and directed vacation bible school at University United Methodist Church, where she is a member. Debbie and her husband, Scott, have two children and two granddaughters. Debbie loves reading, cooking, and taking long walks.
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)
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.
Jennifer Park (assistant Teacher MWF) 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. She is excited to be a part of CCP staff who all have nurtured her daughter and cannot wait to teach and learn from her future students.
Kelsi Wilson (assistant teacher T/TH) and her husband, Dylan, are both North Carolina natives. Kelsi has a Bachelors of Social Work Degree from North Carolina State University and a Masters of Social Work Degree from East Carolina University. She has previously served on the preschool board and as a CCP substitute, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to add Ladybug assistant teacher to that list. When she is not in the classroom, Kelsi enjoys painting, baking, reading, and camping with her son, Garrett (a CCP graduate), and their pup, Pippa.
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)
Shelly Smith (lead teacher) 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, and home improvement projects. She feels blessed to have the opportunity to teach and learn alongside such an amazing staff.
Natalie Levy and her husband, Brent, moved to the Triangle from VA in 2012 and have lived in Pittsboro since 2018. They have two children, Emma and Eliza. Natalie has a BA in Communications from James Madison University. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, she taught two-year-olds at an early childhood center in Durham. She has served on the preschool board and has been a CCP substitute, and she is thrilled to add Yellow Ducks co-teacher to that list. Natalie enjoys baking all kinds of things, especially cinnamon rolls, listening to U2, and watching the Cubs with her family.
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
Melissa Parker and her husband, Jared, grew up in the Triangle and moved back to the area from Lake Wylie, South Carolina. They have two teenage somss: Drew and Sam. After staying home a couple of years with both boys after they were born, Melissa taught as lead teacher for Pre-K at River Hills Community Church preschool for six years, and was the Spanish teacher for the 2’s, 3’s and Pre-K for seven years. She enjoys spending time with her two dogs (Doc and River), traveling the country with her family, and reading on her screened porch.
Christ Church Preschool
800 Market Street - Southern Village
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-969-1690 darena@christmethodist.org