Preschool Director
Katie Wetherington
Katie grew up in Dacula Georgia, graduated from the University of Georgia and married her high school sweetheart. She and her husband, Jonathon, married in 1999 and have three daughters, Abigail, Anabel and Rachel Mae. Katie’s background is in human resource management, operations and staffing. Katie worked at MZP while her girls were young and while teaching her deaf daughter to listen and speak. After returning to the corporate world for several years, God brought her back to MZP as our Director in 2015. Katie is passionate about preschool education and wants kids to fall in love Jesus and with learning.
Assistant Weekday Director
Melissa Brown
Administrative Assistant
Brittany Crow
Brittany Crow is a Georgia girl, born and raised. She married her high school sweetheart, Matthew in 2007. Brittany and Matthew have three sons, Aiden, Grayson, and Logan. Brittany and her family have attended Mount Zion since 2012 and she has served in preschool ministry with previous churches since 2007. Brittany’s background includes office management for a medical supply company and owning her business, Brittany Crow Photography (BCP). Needless to say, she loves photography. Brittany’s favorite part of serving at MZP is teaching children to smile and to love Jesus!
Instructional Coach & Certification
Laura Kruger
Laura grew up primarily in Kenya, East Africa as a part of a missionary family where she helped
her mother teach Sunday School and assisted her family with evangelism outreach. From these
early experiences, Laura knew that her passion was teaching and working with children. At Lee
University, Laura received her bachelor’s degree in special education with a minor in Biblical
studies. Since graduating in 2001, Laura has spent time teaching in Cambridge, England, Lima,
Peru, Harlem, New York, and Gwinnett County. In 2013, she was blessed to meet her husband
Kevin, and in 2016, their precious daughter was born. While enjoying the early years of her
daughter’s life at home, Laura continued teaching half time and began working on her Master
of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Recently, she received her master's degree in 2021.
Laura is truly excited and humbled to be a part of the Mount Zion Preschool staff and can’t
wait to share the love of Jesus with others.
Music Teacher
Lisa Burchard
Kindergarten Teachers
Kindergarten Lead & Spanish Special
Bianca grew up in Norcross and Snellville. She graduated from Shiloh Highschool in 2004 and soon married her highschool sweetheart that summer. Too in love to wait! They have 4 beautiful children: Gianna, Gino, Gabriel and Gian. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education in 2008 and has been teaching since. She truly enjoys teaching and loving on her students. She is excited and honored to be a part of Mount Zion Preschool and can't wait to share her love of Christ.
Kindergarten Co-Teacher
Ruth was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia International University in South Carolina. She has been married to her husband Jody since 2000 and they have two sons Dawson and Graham. She worked at Mount Zion Preschool for seven years before moving to South Florida. Her family moved back to the Gwinnett area in the beginning of 2021 and she is excited to have the privilege to be working again at Mount Zion Preschool.
PE Special
Dale Wilson graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Recreation. He is a referee for basketball, flag football soccer and t-ball, and he is the Varsity golf coach at Loganville Christian Academy. He taught Fun and Fitness classes at MZ Preschool for over five years and knows how to make moving fun! Dale is married to Mrs. Loretta who is the former MZ Preschool director. So one might say, Mr. Dale has 28 years of MZ Preschool experience since Mrs. Loretta volunteered him for many tasks throughout the years. Dale and Loretta have 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Dale loves to play golf and is retired from the US Postal Service and from his position as Director of Activities and Senior Adults at MZ. If you know Dale, you will love him, and we are excited our Kindergarten students get the opportunity to grow their PE skills with Mr. Dale.
4 Year Old Teachers
Lead Teacher, 4 year old program
Marissa moved to Georgia from Arizona in December of 2018. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Marketing. She has been married to her husband Stephen since 1997, and they have three sons and one daughter. She loves being active and being outside with her family. Marissa has served in the children’s ministry or youth ministry at all the churches where they’ve lived since 2002. She is currently serving in the youth & children’s ministry at Grace New Hope Church. Her favorite part of teaching is incorporating God’s love into the everyday learning activities with the kids and seeing their child-like faith grow.
Lead Teacher, 4/5 Transition Class
Anisha has a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology and worked in IT industry for 3 years. She and her husband, Albert, married in 2011 and are blessed with two boys, Joshua and Caleb, who attended MZP and loved it. They attend Grace Fellowship Church in Snellville where she volunteers in the kids ministry. She started teaching at MZP in 2019. She understood the passion and calling that God has placed in her heart for the next generation and loves to teach them and lead them to Christ.
Lead Teacher, 4 year old program
Jill has been ministering to children and youth through preschool teaching, children’s church, puppet ministry, Sunday school, youth counseling, and bus driving for over 30 years. In addition to teaching in our 4 year old program, she leads all of the 4 year olds in their PE activities. Jill has 2 grown daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 2 granddaughters. Ms. Jill Joined MZP in 1996.
Lead Teacher, 4 year old program
Kathy loves teaching and reading books! She joined MZP in 1995 and has been working with fours the entire time. Kathy and her husband, Bill, married in 1986 and have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Mrs. Kathy makes learning fun!
Lead Teacher, 4 year old program
Belinda Clary has taught since 2005. Belinda completed 2 years in Early Childhood Education at Liberty University. She is a wife, mother and the best title of all a Nah Nah! She is very involved in our grandchildren’s lives and would not have it any other way. She also loves spending time with family and friends. Belinda's passion for teaching is huge, and yet she says she walks away every year amazed about what the children have taught her. She looks forward to the spiritual and academic growth of every child on our campus and the joy that each one will bring!
Assistant Teacher, 4 year old program
Tasha loves children and desires that they come to know God.
Assistant Teacher, 4/5 Transition Class
Gayle Kelley and her husband, Tony, married in 1979 and have four children, and nine grandchildren. God gave her a passion to teach the word of God and show the love of Christ to children. Knowing this calling on her life, Gayle started teaching and working with children at a young age. She leads our Bible class for our four year old program and has been teaching at Mount Zion Preschool since 1997.
Assistant Teacher, 4 year old program
Jessica grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and graduated from Athens State University. She and her husband, Thomas, were married in 2006 and have 3 boys. Jessica is an active volunteer in the children’s ministry at her church and volunteers at her boys elementary school. She loves helping children discover and learn new things as well as teaching them the love of Christ.
Assistant Teacher, 4 year old program
Vikki is from Marietta, Georgia. She attended Kennesaw State University where she met her husband Dion. Dion and Vikki have been married since 1985 and have 2 daughters, Megan and Emily. While her children were younger, Vikki volunteered in the Grace Fellowship Church children’s ministry and Parkview Christian School. Vikki wants to love and care for each child as Christ loves us.
Assistant Teacher, 4 year old program
Nikki grew up in and around Snellville. She graduated from Loganville High School and has a B.S. from Oglethorpe University and a B.S. in Nursing from Northern Arizona University. After working as a Registered Nurse in an emergency department, she became the full time caregiver for her grandparents. God’s plan led her to Mount Zion Preschool in 2021. Nikki loves getting to know all of our students and being a part of helping them to establish a love for learning and for Jesus. In her free time, she enjoys many types of crafts, learning theology, and traveling to national parks.
3 Year Old Teachers
Lead Teacher, 3 year old program
Amy started teaching at Mount Zion Weekday Preschool in 2012. She grew up in Savannah and graduated from Georgia Tech. She and her husband Chad have four children and attend church at Mount Zion. Amy loves watching preschoolers blossom and grow as they make new friends and learn about the love of Jesus at Mount Zion.
Lead Teacher, 3 year old program, Kindergarten Art Special Teacher
Tracey Ogburn is a long time resident of Gwinnett County. She is a graduate of Brookwood High School and the University of Georgia with a degree in Marketing. Tracey has been married to her husband Darien since 1990 and they have 2 children, Savana and Nicholas. Tracey was very involved with Grayson Cluster schools for 19 years until her son graduated and moved on to college. She works with children’s ministries at Grace New Hope Church and has been involved with the Grace Family of Churches for the last 16 years. She loves hanging out with the little guys and helping them grow into Godly beings! Having them leave her classroom knowing that they are God’s FAVORITE creation is her goal!
Lead Teacher, 3 year old program
Jamie grew up in central Illinois. She relocated to Georgia with State Farm in 2004. She quit in 2011 to be a stay at home mom. Jamie and her husband, Jesús, have six children between the two of them. Jamie has a God given passion for children. She wants all children to feel safe and loved. Jamie enjoys volunteering her time with children whether through school, church or youth sports. In her free time, she loves reading, listening to music and traveling.
Lead Teacher, 3 year old program
Donna is married, has 2 adult children and is "Glamma" to 1 granddaughter. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of South Carolina. Donna has an extensive background as a counselor in various settings, a preschool teacher , and a paraprofessional in special education classrooms in the Gwinnett County Public School System. She is excited to return to teaching young children in a Christian environment and loves reading to them, making them laugh and watching them as they grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
Assistant Teacher, 3 year old program
Melissa was married in November 2011 and has lived in Georgia since 1995. She has an accounting degree but has been a stay at home mom to her two young boys since 2012. Both of her children attended Mount Zion Preschool. She loves kids and loves being able to teach them about the love God. She started working at MZP as a two year old assistant in 2018 and also serves in children’s ministry at 12 Stone Church.
Assistant Teacher, 3 year old program
Leslie was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She attended college at Arizona State University and achieved her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999. She worked as a Registered Nurse in a hospital for several years. During that time, she met her husband, Kurt, and they have been married since 2009. They have been living in Snellville since 2017 and have been blessed with three amazing children (twin girls and one boy). Leslie loves animals, history, crafts, being a mom, and going on adventures. She sees children as gifts from God and loves teaching them about the power of Jesus in our everyday lives.
Assistant Teacher, 3 year old program
Anh is originally from Vietnam. She was born and raised up in a Christian family. Her family moved to Portland, Oregon in 2003 where she obtained a degree in Chemistry at Portland State University. In 2013, She got married and moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Hoang Anh and her husband have 2 boys, Ethan and Evan. Both of her sons went to MZP. Prior to joining MZP, she worked at various jobs from Chemist to medical office clerk and then loan officer. Currently, she is the Coordinator for Sunday Children Ministry of a Vietnamese Alliance Church in Snellville. Her passion to teaching children Bible and serve the Lord in anyway she can make MZP a place for her to grow.
Assistant Teacher, 3 year old program
Brittney grew up in Loganville, Georgia. In high school, she moved to Austin, Texas, and graduated from Lake Travis High school in 2012. Brittney came back to Georgia in 2013 and started college at Georgia Gwinnett College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2019. She has three children: Charlee Brooks, Austyn & McKenzie. Brittney and her children attend Mount Zion Baptist Church where she volunteers with the Preschool and Children's Ministries. She is excited to play, learn and teach different things with the MZP family.
2 Year Old Teachers
Lead Teacher, 2 year old program
Sunshine has been teaching two year olds at MZWP since 2003. She has a background and training in the performing arts. She uses that training in bringing stories and activities in the classroom to life for the children. She also is the owner and director of our Footsteps in Faith after school dance program for children in our 3 and 4 year old classes. She and her husband Earl have 2 daughters and are licensed foster parents. I’m addition to classroom teaching, Sunshine is our school chapel teacher. And yes, her real name is Sunshine!
Lead Teacher, 2 year old program
Susan was born in Gwinnett County and grew up going to SmokeRise Baptist Church, where she worked in the nursery and preschool for several years. She has been married to her husband, Greg since 1999 and they have a son (Avery) and daughter (Riley). After her son was born Susan became a stay at home mom and began keeping children in her home when her youngest went into Kindergarten. She continued down that path for almost 12 years and now God has led her to MZP where she is excited to be able to teach preschool children about the love that God has for each of us. Susan also has a love of animals and has been a foster for dogs and cats for several years and has 4 dogs and 4 cats of her own.
Assistant Teacher, 2 year old program
Carolina was born in Argentina and brought to live in the United States at the age of six. She grew up in South Florida and moved to Georgia in 2000. This is when she began her Christian walk. She met her husband at church and married him in 2003. They now have five kids ranging from college to preschool. They have attended the same church for the past since 2000 and have had the opportunity to serve in every area. However, they found their passion working with the kids. They currently serve with young kids ranging from 6-11 and as youth group leaders. God has taught her so much in working with kids, it has humbled her in so many ways, and helped her see things through God's eyes.
Assistant Teacher, 2 year old program
Toni was born in Snellville, GA then moved to Tennessee and Mississippi before creating her home with her family back where it all began. She is a believer of Jesus Christ, a wife to her partner in life, Justin, and a mother of four to Jackson, Joshua, JB, and Cammy. She enjoys playing with her kids, having her toes in the sand, and volunteering at Mount Zion. Toni has been a full-time Nanny for children with special needs and worked in medical office management. Toni is inspired to teach because she knows that the students of MZP will know who created them and loves them, Jesus Christ. She is looking forward to watching their minds grow academically, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually.
Assistant Teacher, 2 year old program
Rebecca was born and raised in Gwinnett County. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education. She has been married to her husband Jacob since 2012. They have four children, two boys and two girls! All four of Rebecca’s children have attended MZP and loved it. She is excited to be part of the MZ weekday team and play a role in children’s preschool learning and growing. In her free time, Rebecca likes to spend time with her family, bake, and relax on the beach.
1 Year Old Teachers
Lead Teacher, 1 year old program
Lauren grew up in Lilburn, GA and graduated from Brookwood High School. She has been married to her husband, Zach, since 2008, and they have two children Caleb and Lucy who both attended Mount Zion Preschool. Lauren enjoyed her time as a stay-at-home mom while also taking care of other children in her home for over ten years. She loves to volunteer with infants at the church and has a passion for working with children, crafts, puppets, and photography. Lauren is also the owner and director of the Intro to Cheer! after-school class for children in our 3, 4, and 5 year old classes.
Assistant Teacher, 1 year old program
Mailee grew up in Gwinnett County and moved to Spartanburg, SC in high school. She graduated then moved back to Gwinnett and married her childhood sweetheart Jason in 2006. They have two children together, Lincoln and Brantley. Brantley attended MZ Preschool and both boys also participated in the MZ Spirit. Mailee’s background is in business management. She worked as the front office manager for 10 years at a pediatric cardiologist's office in Lawrenceville before taking on the privilege of raising their two children. Mailee has also been working part-time in her spare time at R. D. Head Elementary school. Mailee’s passions include God, family, music, and teaching children and animals. Although, most of her time is spent at the baseball field enjoying every inning and watching her boys play baseball.
Assistant Teacher, 1 year old program
Dawn moved to Georgia in the summer of 1982. She has three adult children and seven wonderful grandchildren. She taught for 24 years at MZWP and has returned to teaching once again. She married her husband Allen in 2016. She loves the Lord and teaching His love to the children.
Stellar Sub
Stellar Sub
Amy has been subbing for Mount Zion Weekday Preschool since 1998. She loves all students and works well with all ages. She is dependable, friendly, and our #1 go to. Amy works with Mount Zion Children’s ministry as well. Amy is married and has three adult daughters- Naomi, Elizabeth, and Rachel
Stellar Sub
Taylor is originally from Bee Branch, Arkansas and has been traveling with her family for the past year. She has been married to her husband, Chris, since 2016. They have two children, Olivia and Landon that both attend Mount Zion Preschool and participate in MZ Spirit sports. Taylor is also a Registered Nurse and enjoys working with geriatrics along with the children here at MZ Preschool. Taylor’s goal is to become a school nurse once she returns back home to Arkansas.