Tonya Dobson - Director

​Tonya joined GPCP in 2017. She has a BS in Accounting from the University of NC at Greensboro and after working in accounting for 5 years the Lord led her heart for children into the world of kingdom education. She was the Technology teacher for grades K- 8 at Bethesda Christian Academy where she taught for 11 years. She worked in our 2 year old classroom as the lead teacher for two years before stepping into the Director role. She looks forward to continuing God's will for her life. It is her passion to work alongside families to nurture their children as they are growing physically, mentally and spiritually. Tonya has been married for 25 years and has four children of her own ranging from 7 to 23 years of age.

​Mandy- 2 yr old Lead - Busy Bees

​Mandy joined the preschool family in 2018 and is looking forward to continuing her ministry for the upcoming school year at Grove Park Chapel Preschool.  She is married and has two beautiful children, Landon and Sophie. She and her family are members at Grey Stone Church in Durham and she serves on the Praise Team and Children's ministry. She worked as a RMA before deciding to stay home with her family. She can't wait to see where The Lord takes GPCP in the years to come.

​Courtney Brooks - 2 yr old Assistant - Busy Bees

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​Julie Marsh- 3 yr old Lead- Happy Hoppers

​Julie Marsh has been in teaching for over 20 years. She attends Bethesda Baptist Church where she and her husband teach an adult small group. Julie is also active in the children's ministry at Bethesda by helping  teach children’s Sunday school class and children’s worship service. Teaching children is something that God has asked me to do for Him.  I love being able to share the love of Christ with children through teaching them, playing with them, interacting with them  and just showing them Jesus love in everything I do. Julie’s belief is that Learning allows children to experience God's world, learn His word, express themselves, learn to relate to others, and foster imagination. Hands-on experiences allow children to explore, ask questions, problem-solve, and discover  learning can be fun .

​Linda Pierce - 3 yr old Lead- Happy Hoppers

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Linda Pierce joined our staff in 2016. She has worked in education for a number of years. She loves spending time with her three children and her grandchildren. She and her husband are serving at Olive Grove Baptist Church. Her husband Steve is the Senior Pastor and Linda enjoys serving the Children's ministry as well as the Women's ministry.

​Melody Brooks - 3 yr old Lead- Happy Hoppers

​Melody grew up in a pastor's home and trusted Christ when she was 8 years old. She was the first teacher's assistant here at Grove Park Chapel Preschool when it began in 1997 and served in that capacity until 2004. She worked at Bethesda Christian Academy Daycare for two years and for the past eight years has worked as a nanny for three different families, two of which were families of our preschool. She's always had a passion for working with children and has earned a Teacher's Aide Certificate. Melody has been a member of Grove Park Chapel since 1991 and has actively served in multiple ministries, including choir, Evangelism Explosion, Awana, VBS, Children's Church and Nursery. She is delighted to be serving again at Grove Park Chapel Preschool.

​Marsha Hamilton- 3 yr old Assistant - Happy Hoppers

​Marsha is joining the GPCP team this year. She is a registered nurse and worked for the American Red Cross for 35 years. She is a mother of two and grandmother of 6. Since retirement she has cared for her grandchildren and has been a nanny for three children for the past three years. She is a member of the Summit church where she serves as a two year old teacher.

Courtney Hunt - PreK Lead - Flying Cardinals

Courtney is a Lead Teacher in our PreK class. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Socioloty from The University of NC at Greensboro. She is also certified and licensed through the National Board of Occupational Therapy. She has a genuine love for children​ and has worked with children in her theraphy role in home and daycare settings. We are blessed to have her teaching in our program. When Courtney isn't working hard for her classroom kids, she loves spending time with her husband and two children.   

Deborah Halsey - PreK Asst. - Flying Cardinals

Debb is very excited to be joining Grove Park Chapel Preschool this year. Her and her husband moved here from Long Island, NY 13 years ago to be closer to their 3 grown children and other family members. Previously she practiced as an LPN but had an opportunity to jump right into a position at the preschool in the church that they now attend, New Hope, in Durham. She continued her passion for working with children at another preschool. For the past four years Mrs. Debb was blessed with 2 different nanny jobs. God put it on her heart to work again with kids in a preschool environment. We are thankful that God led Mrs. Debb to be a part of our GPCP team. In her free time she loves to walk, read, travel and spend a lot of time with her family.
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​Denise Ellis - PreK Lead  - Flying Cardinals

​Denise has been with the school since 2009 and is our Lead Teacher in the Flying Cardinals. She worked in the customer service area of the banking industry for several years. She holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Iona College in New York. She chose to stay home with her children for 7 years before coming to GPCP. Both of her children attended GPCP prior to Denise joining our team of teachers. Her family is very involved in her home church.

​Kim Gasiewicz - PreK Asst. - Flying Cardinals

​Kim started at GPC Preschool in 2005 and is currently an Assistant Teacher with our PreK class. She holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood. Kim has worked as both Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher while at GPCP. Her experience also includes raising 2 sons, 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

**All teachers are required to submit to a background check yearly. Teachers are CPR and First-Aid certified.**

Grove Park Chapel Preschool, 605 Sherron Rd, Durham, NC 27703   919-596-1252   gpcpreschool@nc.rr.com