Staff Biographies
Michelle Rippeon – Director
Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in Elementary Education from George Mason University. She taught elementary school for six years before starting a family. Michelle has 4 children of her own. Michelle has worked in early childhood education since 2014, including teaching the Preschool 3’s and PreK 4’s. Her hobbies include spending time with her family, cheering for her children at sporting events and exercising. She has completed the Orton- Gillingham program. This is a multi-sensory approach to phonics and early literacy. Michelle is excited for a fun year ahead!
Patti Hill – Administrative Assistant
Patti has been a resident of Mt. Airy since 2011. Retiring after 30 years from Montgomery County Public Schools in support staff positions, she is excited to now have the opportunity to work with preschoolers. Patti loves spending time with her dog Ash, going on walks and playing with her, attending events in downtown Mt. Airy and in Frederick. She has spent the past 8 years pursuing her associate degree in early childhood education and child development and is proud to have finally received her degree. Her greatest joy is seeing the world through the eyes of children.
Room 1 – Pre-K 4’s:
Haleigh Piccolo - PreK 4's Teacher
Haleigh grew up in Mt. Airy and now lives in Libertytown. She attended Shepherd University where she got her degree in Early Childhood Education while playing college lacrosse. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory approach to phonics and has a passion for early literacy. She enjoys running half marathons, coaching lacrosse and spending time with her puppy. This is Haleigh’s fourth year in the classroom. This year will be teaching the Preschool 4’s, and she is excited for the year ahead!
Suzanne Green - Aide (MWF)
Suzanne holds a bachelor's degree in Family Studies from the University of Maryland. She has lived in Mount Airy for nearly 20 years with her husband and 4 children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, crafting, cooking, and especially loves watching her children play baseball and softball.
Joan Zimmerman- Aide
Joan recently retired from teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools. During her career, she taught general education in grades one through five, English for Speakers of Other Languages in grades kindergarten through five and worked as a Staff Development Teacher. Her husband is also a newly retired teacher, and they are empty nesters, having raised two grown sons. Joan enjoys reading, going for walks, and solving puzzles. She's an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Room 2 –Preschool 2’s:
Nikki Davis – Teacher
Christine Christner – Teacher
Christine grew up in College Park MD and lived in Montgomery County prior to moving her family to Carroll County in 2006. Christine has three children. Christine began working with school aged children, K-8, in the public school system (CCPS) more than 10 years ago. She was a paraprofessional in the BEST program at the middle school level, and in the autism program at the elementary level. Christine decided to change lanes and expand on her love of teaching children, deciding to leave the public-school setting and begin working in the early childhood education industry. Christine has continued her education over the last few years to achieve her 90 hours in child growth development and preschool curriculum, as well as her 45 hours in infants and toddlers. In her spare time, Christine enjoys photography, loves the beach, hiking and spending time with her family.
Room 3 – Preschool 3’s:
Jayde Kelly- Teacher (MWF)
Jayde is an experienced educator with a BS and MA, bringing 17 years of teaching physical education to her work with students. She also served as an adjunct professor at Howard Community College, where she teaches education courses and helps prepare future educators. Throughout her career, Jayde has coached a variety of sports and developed a strong passion for creating active, engaging learning environments.
She believes students learn best through play, guided discovery, problem-solving, and teamwork. Known for her positive energy and enthusiasm, Jayde enjoys helping learners build confidence, collaborate with others, and experience the rewarding outcomes that come from meaningful learning.
Laura Gilliam- Teacher (TTH)
Laura was born and raised in Howard County, MD. She attended Towson University and graduated in 2012 with a BS in Family and Human Services. She has worked in the Special Education field for 5+ years, also working with younger children in a childcare setting. She enjoys spending time with her family and two children. Her son is 5 and her daughter is 9. She enjoys going to Lake Anna in Virginia, the beach and going to the gym.
Jennifer Vona – Aide
Jen lives in Mt. Airy with her husband and her three children. She is currently pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education and believes that every child deserves a supportive and accessible education that honors their individual needs. Jen loves being in the classroom and hopes to make preschool a fun and rewarding first step in a child's learning journey. Outside of the classroom, you can find her spending time with her family, cheering her kids on during sporting events, snuggling with her dog Libby, and playing with her family’s parakeets.
Room 4 – Pre-K 4’s:
Lynne Colantoni – Teacher
Originally from New England, Lynne now calls Carroll County her home. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Business with a concentration in Accounting. She worked in accounting and finance for several years before starting a family. Since that time, she has become interested in early childhood education. She completed the MSDE Child Care certification coursework and continues to take classes to further expand her knowledge in the field. Lynne is excited to be teaching PreK 4s this year. In her free time Lynne enjoys reading and watching her children in sports.
Sandy Strunk – Aide
Ms. Sandy has been at MADLC since 2004. She has completed the 90 hours, the Infant and Toddlers course and the medical administration course as well as many other classes. In her free time she enjoys reading, photography, crafting and is a huge Disney fan.
Room 5 – Preschool 3’s:
Maria Applegate – Teacher
Joining the staff this school year is Miss Maria. Maria is a Mount Airy local but went to Ave Maria University in Naples, FL and graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts. In addition, not only is she a teacher here at MADCL but also a dance instructor at Center Stage and a server on weekends at Laurenzos in Hyattstown. Originally, Maria was on the track to become a nurse but quickly changed her major when realizing how much she loved working with and teaching the younger generation! She taught at Ave Maria Dance Academy for 3 years and loved every second of it but knew it was time to come back to her home town. In the free time that she has, Miss Maria loves to hang out with her friends, paint, and dance, but most importantly support her little brother’s football career and be outside!
Margie May – Aide
Ms. Margie has worked in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years. She has experience with all age groups, but her absolute favorite is the infants and toddlers. She is married and has 2 children, whom she loves to spend time with. Margie volunteers at her church for many functions that they have throughout the year, as well as working in the nursery with the children. Ms. Margie believes that when she works with children, she wants to make sure they have the best day by providing them with a positive experience. She believes that children learn through play, and she wants to provide a loving and nurturing environment for them to grow.
Aide – All Classrooms
Paige Doffmeyer- Aide
Ms. Paige is a recent graduate from South Carroll High School. She graduated with the Early Childhood Education Completer Program and is continuing her education at Carroll Community College to receive her associates degree. She believes in children learning through play and wants to provide the best possible experience for children in their early years. In her free time she enjoys playing softball, hiking, art, and spending time with her dog, Honey.
Morgan Verdin – Aide
Ms. Morgan lives in Mt. Airy with her dad, brother and 2 dogs. She has been working as an Aide for a little over 3 years now here at MADLC and she has enjoyed and loved working here. She is also a server at Libatores in Westminster. She has worked with children in child care ever since her junior year of high school where she took Child Development classes. She has also been a babysitter for a little over 10 years. Morgan attends Carroll Community to become an Early Childhood Education Teacher and earn her A.A. If she is not at MADLC or her serving job, in her free time she likes to relax at home, hang out with her friends, and snuggle with her animals!