Children's Center Staff

 Administrative Staff

Director: Gina Van Kirk, B.S. El. Ed. 
  

Assistant Director: Michelle Randalls, B.S. El. Ed

 Administrative Assistant: Mary Beth Heller, B.S. ECE
 

Teaching Staff

Adams, Katie: Kindergarten Director/Teacher, Dolphins:
Katie earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Bloomsburg University and has been teaching kindergarten at Dickinson College Children’s Center since its inception in 1989. Prior to her years at DCCC, Katie also taught 12 years in preschool.

Atkins-Pattenson, Katharine: Aide: 

Katharine attended Dickinson College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in American Studies. In addition to working at the Children’s Center she works as a College Adviser at Biglerville High School. Although she loves her high school students, afternoons with the playful puppies and other friends at DCCC are the highlight of her day! She is planning on pursuing her Masters Degree in Secondary Education in Fall 2012. Outside of work Katharine enjoys reading, catching up with friends, and visiting her family back in California. 

Bennett, Sandra: Lead Teacher, Ducklings:
Sandra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Catholic University in Washington DC and worked as a family practice nurse over a period of 15 years, including five years as a certified childbirth educator. She has been working in the DCCC infant room since 2002 and received her Master's Degree in early childhood education from Shippensburg University in December 2009.
 

Bostic, Sarah: Assistant Teacher, Puppies: 

 Shortly after Graduating from Shippensburg University in 2010, Sarah started her career at DCCC. From Shippensburg University, Sarah acquired a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood. Sarah currently lives in Shippensburg with her hubby Ben and two felines, Luna and Sol. With the purchase of a new home, Sarah has discovered a new favorite hobby; repurposing furniture found in thrift stores and DIY projects! When she's not creating, Sarah can be found running, hiking, biking, swimming, or doing the occassional triathlon or 5k. Sarah's feelings on teaching at DCCC are the same feelings her grandmother had as a school nurse, “If you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day of your life”.  

 Britcher, Cathryn: Lead Teacher, Puppies:
Cathryn has worked at DCCC since July 2002.  Her family moved here in 1992 when her dad was transferred to the Army War College.   She attended Harrisburg Area Community College and earned her Associate's in early childhood education in 2001. She is married and has 3 children: a boy and two girls. As a family they enjoy camping in their pop-up and having movie night Fridays.  Cathryn says, "I have really enjoyed working at the Children's Center, as it has helped me grow professionally in many aspects.  I also enjoy working with the staff and the children who make everyday a new adventure." 

Fraker, Marsha: Assistant Teacher, Yellow Puppies: Marsha has over 20 years of early childhood experience, most of which has been accumulated through her work at Dickinson College Children’s Center.

Geiling, Jody: Lead Teacher, Bees: Jody earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood from Harrisburg Area Community College. She has worked in the field since 1988 and has been employed by Dickinson College since August of 1992.

Gochenour, Kristen: Assistant Teacher, Blue Bears:
Kristen graduated from Shippensburg University in May of 2003 with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Music. She has been with DCCC for 8 years; 5 years in the Bunnies and 3 years with the Blue Bears. In her free time, Kristen enjoys gardening, scrap booking, and spending time with her son, Rylan and two dogs.  She also enjoys spending time at her family home in the Poconos on Lake Wallenpaupack.

Jill Goldsmith: Aide

Jill graduated from Wagner College in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in Education.  She coached college and middle school lacrosse for several years.  She recently moved from Brooklyn, NY where she attended two years of graduate school at Long Island University pursing a master’s degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Education.  She hopes to finish her master’s degree in the coming years. She has spent many hours within early childhood settings and loves working with young children and watching them grow! Jill is excited to be a part of the Dickinson College Children’s Center.    

Gutshall, Mandy: Lead Teacher, Bears: Mandy is married and has two sons who attend the center. She has been working at Dickinson College Children’s Center since August 2004. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood from Shippensburg University. Mandy has been the Teddy Bear teacher since March of 2006 and, prior to that, was the Playful Puppy teacher. She also has substitute taught in the local school districts and worked in various child care centers since her senior year of high school. Mandy says, “in my opinion Dickinson College Children’s Center provides the best child care around. I feel very honored to be working here. I assure you that your child/children will be given the best care possible.”
 

Kennedy, Grace:  Aide:Hi, my name is Grace Kennedy. I was born and raised in S. California . I attended CA State Fullerton and my major was in Speech Therapy. While attending college, I met my future husband.(a UCLA Bruin to this day!) We were married in 1981, and I decided to end my formal education. Three years later we started our family.We have 5 wonderful children. My husband's teaching jobs at University of Oregon and Oregon State started our travels. We also lived in Waterford, Ireland for 4 years. I had been a stay at home mom for most of my married life.  Recently, I completed my CDA (Child Development Associate Degree). I am so happy to be working at the Children's Center. Caring for children and seeing the joy in their eyes as they learn and grow has been and continues to be the joy of my life. 

Kocisko, Cheri: Assistant Teacher, Blue Bees:
Cheri is a 1996 graduate of Kent State University, where she earned her K-8 Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education.  She has taught many different grade levels between Kindergarten to 4th grade in Ohio, Washington and Illinois State. She lives in Mechanicsburg with her two children, Jake and Caitlyn.

 Lopp, Angela: Assistant Teacher, Blue Bears:
Angela (Ange) earned her Associate’s Degree in early childhood education from Harrisburg Area Community College in 2005 and has been working with children ages 2-5 since then.  She enjoys working with all ages and even more loves watching them grow .  She has been at DCCC since August 2009 working in the Blue Bear room and plans on staying here for a long time.  My husband and I have been married since 2005 and have a son Jonathon who is three and a baby Emily who was born on June 3rd, 2011.

Myers, Debbie: Lead Teacher, Bunnies:Debbie attended Bloomsburg State College years ago and graduated with a B.S. in Education with a minor in Special Education.  She has worked with children for the last 35 years in some capacity.  She has been employed at the children's center for the last 16 years. 

Brittney Polinka: Assistant Teacher, Yellow Bears & Kindergarten:I graduated from Messiah College in May of 2011 with a degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education. I have recently enrolled in Graduate School at Messiah College to gain my Masters degree in Special Education. I have been working at DCCC since April 2007. I worked in every room in the center and have enjoyed all of them. Outside of work I enjoy reading, singing, dancing and scrapbooking. I love spending time with my family and am very excited to become an Aunt for the first time! I love everything about my job and I look forward to coming to work everyday!  

 Shevlin,  Jamie: Assistant Teacher, Yellow Bees: Jamie graduated from Carlisle Area High School and Shippensburg University where she received her BA in Speech Communication with Minors in Women's Studies and Psychology. She has taught speech and English classes at Hagerstown Business College (currently Kaplan University) for 4 and 1/2 years and as a youth and young adult director for a church for 4 years. Jamie returned home to Pennsylvania where she taught two year olds for the past year. Jamie says, "I love teaching and watching people grow. I have learned that I can learn as much from my students as they can from me no matter what their age is."

Snider, Carly: Assistant Teacher, Bunnies:Carly has lived in Carlisle her whole life. She attended Shippensburg University, where she received her bachelor's degree in social work and minored in early childhood education. She began working at DCCC in June 2009.  In her free time, she enjoys playing volleyball and going on walks with her husband and their chocolate lab, Balboa. She also stays busy baking specialty cakes and cupcakes for all occasions.

Sullivan, Lynn: Assistant Teacher, Ducklings: Lynn settled in Carlisle ten years ago after spending most of her adult life in Southern California.  She is originally from the East Coast, but her father was in the Air Force so she saw a lot of the country.  In California, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Cal State Dominquez Hills and worked in law enforcement.  She then attended Pepperdine University and received her Masters in Psychology which she put to use working as a therapist with autistic children.  When she moved to Pennsylvania, she met her husband of six years now and they have a five year old daughter.  She also became a mom to two step-daughters.  Lynn loves working with children and being a mom. 

Willow, Barbara: Assistant Teacher, Yellow Bees:
Barb graduated from Boiling Springs High School. She is currently working toward her CDA and plans to eventually earn a degree in Early Childhood Development.

Wimer, Laci: Assistant Teacher, Blue Puppies:
Laci received her Associates Degree in early childhood education from Harrisburg Area Community College and has been active in the field of early childhood education for the past twelve years. She has experience with infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children. Laci says, "I have found that my favorite place to be is with the infant and toddler age groups, and I love watching their daily growth and exploration. I am very excited to have this opportunity to learn and grow with your child."