Bethel Nursery School - We Care About Kids
Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania
Our Staff
Each class has a certified teacher and 2 classroom aides. All of the staff at Bethel Nursery School have up to date clearances and have attended the necessary Child Abuse Reporting training. Bethel Nursery School teachers are also CPR certified and have attended ARC training.
Janene Krajci
Mrs. Krajci is both a
teacher and the
Director of Bethel
Nursery School. She
graduated from IUP in
1999 with a Bachelor's
degree in Elementary Education and went on to get her Masters in Educational Studies from Duquesne University.
She has been teaching at Bethel since 2008.
When she isn't teaching, Mrs. Krajci enjoys spending time with her husband, 4 children, and 2 dogs. She also loves reading and cheering for Pittsburgh Sports Teams!
Email Mrs. Krajci at mrskrajci@gmail.com
Suzanne Holm
Mrs. Holm became a
teacher at Bethel after
sending her 2 boys
through our program.
She teaches a 2-day
morning and afternoon
class.
She loves hockey and spending time with her family.
Susan Carnahan-Obbink
Mrs. Obbink is a teacher at
Bethel Nursery School, but
took the long way to get there.
First earning Bachelor of
Science degree in Accounting
from Robert Morris University
in 1988 and a Master’s in
Banking from Stonier in 1997, she managed the commercial loan department of several area banks over a career that spanned 20 years. She operated a consulting business for several years and was a successful real estate agent for five years.
After family matters required her to stay home, she began working as an aid at Bethel and decided to pursue her teaching certificate in 2014. Currently, she is working on a Master’s in Education from IUP.
When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Obbink enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, two grandchildren and two dogs. She enjoys cooking, reading, and playing Word Thief with her boys.
Email Mrs. Obbink at susanobbink@gmail.com
Julie Marhefka
Mrs. Marhefka will be
working in a 3 morning class
this year as well as being in
charge of our registrations
and helping our treasurer
keep track of things.
She spent 5 years with us,
from 2006 - 2010, and is thrilled that she is back with the kids this year doing what she loves!
When she is not at Bethel, Mrs. Marhefka enjoys spending time with her family; her husband (Officer Marhefka), 2 adult children, 2 granddogs and stepcat!
Angel Schwartz
Mrs. Schwartz has been
at Bethel Nursery
School since 2008. She
is an aid in both 3 and
2-day classes.
She has an Arts in
Education/Early
Childhood degree.
Not only does Mrs. Schwartz have 5 children of her own but she is also a grandmother!
She loves gardening and spending time doing things outdoors.
When it comes to teaching, Mrs. Schwartz believes that doing hands-on activities (and not being afraid of getting a little messy) creates some of the best learning experiences.
Mrs. Schwartz is also the coordinator for our annual Spring Fling - a Bethel tradition that all of our M/W/F and 5-day students enjoy in the beginning of May.
Email Mrs. Schwartz at mrs.schwartz.bns@gmail.com
Karen Dananay
Mrs. Dananay has been a
teacher's aide at Bethel
Nursery School since 1989.
She is also the one who
plans and executes the
Science experiments that
the 4-year old students perform twice a month. From making volcanos to fake snow, the kids are always excited when they see Mrs. Dananay in her Science apron!
Mrs. Dananay also cares for all of our school pets. She takes care of our large fish tank in the Learning Skills room, helps us watch caterpillars turn into butterflies and watch ladybugs go through their life cycle!
She enjoys reading, gardening, playing with her puppy and listening to classic rock and country.
Marianna Shaw
Mrs. Shaw has enjoyed
working as a teacher's aide
at Bethel Nursery School
since 2010.
She is a graduate of New
Kensington Commercial
School with an Associates
Degree in Computer
Programming/Business Administration.
She and her husband have two children and a dog. When she isn't having fun playing and teaching the students of Bethel, she enjoys spending time with her family, shopping, traveling and playing with her puppy.
Jen Perry
Mrs. Perry began working
as a teacher's aide at
Bethel Nursery school in
2012, however, her
adventure at Bethel began
a few years before that
after she interviewed and
was hired as the "cleaning lady".
It didn't take long for her to realize that cleaning wasn't her calling after meeting the wonderful staff and beautiful children attending Bethel Nursery School. The rest is history in the making.
When Mrs. Perry is not teaching, her favorite things to do include spending every moment with her amazing husband, her 3 beautiful children, and her dachshunds. She also enjoys watching her kids sporting events and coaching her youngest daughter's softball team. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and tackling home improvements but mostly just having some laughs with family and friends (new and old).
