Ashlea Wentzel (Director)
I am so excited to start my eleventh year at JCP. I have served in many roles during my tenure at Johnstown Christian Preschool, and I feel blessed to be serving as Director for the fifth year. I am a state certified preschool teacher, and I have my National Director Credential. I am also finishing up my Early Childhood Education degree. I love teaching in a school that fills each child’s mind and their heart with the love of Jesus. My husband, Greg, and I have three children Nadia (14), Violet (12), and Nolan (10). My family and I are members of the Johnstown Presbyterian Church, love spending time playing board games, and have a great love of all things baseball and softball. If I’m not watching my children play sports, I am most likely to be found reading a book. I serve as president of Johnstown Elementary/Intermediate School’s PTO, and I enjoy volunteering my time at my children’s school. I look forward to an amazing school year with your children. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity…” Titus 2:7
Heidi Jones
Hi, JCP Families! My name is Heidi Jones and I am entering my fifth year as Assistant Director. I am blessed to have been a part of JCP for the last eight years. I am a state certified preschool teacher and have my Child Development Associate Credential for preschool aged children.
I have lived in the Johnstown area for 12 years. My family and I recently moved and now call Centerburg our home. I have 3 children, twins Abbey & Ashton (19) and David Jr (12). We love all things baseball and football! We can normally be found on a ballfield cheering on the Guardians, Buckeyes or David, as he's playing his first year of Middle School ball for the Centerburg Trojans. We love camping, being outdoors, trying new things and going on adventures as a family.
I am excited to get to know all of the new families, get reacquainted with returning families, and look forward to a wonderful school year!
Cinda Thiel
Hello! My name is Cinda Thiel. I am happy to be starting my 5th year teaching at JCP. I am a state certified preschool teacher and I have taught in all age groups at JCP, 3’s - Pre K. I love them all! I am originally from Northeast Ohio and have lived in Johnstown for over 20 years. I met my wonderful husband, Mark, at Ohio University where I earned my Bachelor Degree in Interior Design. I have worked in Preschool, Pediatrics, and Interior Design, but I have always been happiest when teaching children. God generously blessed us with two children, Steven and Olivia. They and Mark are my heart and I am beyond thankful for them. Steven runs his own e-commerce business and loves to travel all over the world. Olivia works at Abercrombie as a promotion strategist. She is engaged to be married in September to Nick Taylor. We are very happy to welcome Nick to our family! Some things Mark and I love to do together are biking, kayaking, and traveling. I also love art, baking, gardening, and reading. I am passionate about the safety and well-being of children, their academic and social development, and their value as children of God. My goal is to help every child feel loved, accepted, and important. Being a part of your child’s first learning experience is a blessing and a privilege that I don’t take lightly. I look forward to welcoming you and your little ones as they begin their learning adventure!
amanda chapman
Hello! My name is Amanda Chapman. I am so excited to be entering my forth year working at Johnstown Christian Preschool as a three-year-old, four-year-old, and Pre-K teacher. I am a Certified Preschool Teacher continually looking for opportunities to further my education along with making learning fun, adventurous and enjoyable for my tiny students. My husband Nick and I are alumni of both JCP and Johnstown-Monroe Schools. We have two children Jackson (5th grade) and Charlotte (3rd grade) and we have a big goofy dog named Hudson. We love living in the Johnstown community! You may see us very often at dance, tumble or the soccer fields! My family and I enjoy staying active and being outdoors. We love going on new adventures every chance we get! We frequently camp, hike, kayak, and take road trips to the beach! As much as I love adventuring, I also love being with my amazing co-workers and being a part of the Johnstown Christian Preschool staff. I look forward to meeting all of our students and families this year and getting the opportunity to help them start their educational journey. It is going to be a great year!
natalie sausman
Hi everyone! My name is Natalie Sausman. This will be my 4th year teaching at the preschool. I am a state certified preschool teacher and will be teaching in the 3, 4, and Pre-K classrooms. I am originally from Louisville, KY and moved to Johnstown about 7 years ago. I attended the University of Louisville where I met my husband, Brian and have two children. My son Grayson is 10 and my daughter Haddie is 8.
My love of the preschool first started as a parent when my own children attended and grew as I became a part of the staff. I have loved being a part of this community and building relationships throughout. I enjoy reading, sports and going on adventures with my family. I can’t wait for this new school year and to aid in the growth of learning for these children!
Rachel furr
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Furr! I am extremely excited and honored to be joining the wonderful staff here at JCP as a first year PreK teacher. I am a state certified preschool teacher. I am originally from the Cleveland area but I moved to Columbus in 2007 to attend The Ohio State University, where I received my bachelor's degree in Mathematics (Go Bucks!). I am blessed to live in our wonderful Johnstown community with my husband Nick (who is a Johnstown & JCP Alum) and our 3 kids: Kyleigh (6th), Mackenzie (5th), and Wesley (Kindergarten)- all of which attended JCP as well!
My passion has always been working with kids of all ages- helping them to grow and learn and have fun while doing so. For the past 13 years I have been fulfilling that passion by coaching! I am currently the Head Swim Team Coach at Northridge for both their HS and MS teams. This upcoming winter season will be my 11th year as head coach there. About seven years ago I started an age-group, summer swim team for the area- the Johnstown-Northridge Jaguars Swim Team. We are so proud every summer to have over 100 swimmers participate on our team! Coaching has allowed me to meet so many amazing families in the community by working closely with student athletes from both Johnstown and Northridge. I can't wait to continue to reach families here at JCP! Looking forward to meeting you all!
Ciara Phelps
Hi, I am excited to start my Second year at JCP in the Pre-K classrooms. I am Johnstown Johnnie Alumni. I am blessed to be able to raise my family in this amazing community. My husband Zach and I have been married for ten years. We have two daughters Lora and Adlee. We also have three dogs along with a few chickens. Our house is never boring. I am a member of the Johnstown Children’s Conservation League (CCL) since 2019, and I am in my third term as president. This organization is just one of the many reasons I love Johnstown. We are a nonprofit organization helping children in all walks of life and help bring magic to Christmas. I worked at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Behavioral Health and Autism with a certification in Medical Assisting. I made the decision to step back from working when Zach and I decided to have a family. I am a State Certified Preschool Teacher. I am excited to see all the kids this year.
Amanda Durant
My name is Amanda Durant. I am super excited to be starting my second year teaching at JCP. I am a state certified preschool teacher. I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Michigan State University and my Teaching Certification from Ferris State University. I reside in Alexandria with my husband Daryl Wernette and our three boys, Lincoln, Jackson, and Harrison. We attend the Church of the Ascension here in Johnstown where my family and I love taking an active role in serving our church. I have volunteered in many organizations in Johnstown including JYAA and the elementary school PTO. You can find us cheering our sons on while they play soccer and our middle son has taken up learning the piano and singing in our church's kids choir. I enjoy going shopping in my free time much to the chagrin of my husband. I’m looking forward to a great school year at JCP and getting to know the kids and families throughout the year.