Our Staff

At West Chester Playschool, our teachers do so much more than teach. They're superheroes in sneakers, with pockets full of pixie dust, endless patience, and a few top-secret powers (like turning frowns upside down and making snack time surprisingly educational). From silly songs to alphabet adventures, healing hugs to high-fives, our teachers add a little magic into everything they do.

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Stephanie Harmeson

Director

Stephanie began her journey in education with six years teaching 4th-grade special education in Wilmington, DE. Her connection with this community deepened in 2019 when her twins joined the school, where she has since been actively involved. With a background in Human Services, Education, and Public Policy, and a master's degree in Elementary Education, Stephanie is dedicated to nurturing the school's spirit and enhancing its play-based learning environment. In her free time, she enjoys clothing design and styling outfits, working out, traveling, learning to play golf, and spending time with friends and family.

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Emily Baddeley

3 Day Lead

Emily’s son graduated from Playschool in 2018. She loved it so much she didn’t want to leave. With a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and over 15 years of experience with young children, she is very excited to be part of helping the children foster a love of learning and an excitement for school. Outside of Playschool, Emily enjoys going on adventures with her family, cooking delicious food, and (as a native of Upstate NY) cheering on the Syracuse Orange.

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Louise Kane

4 Day Assistant

Teacher Louise has been teaching at the school since 2004. All four of her children attended Playschool. Here is what she says about Playschool: “To me, Playschool is the next best thing to a family (in a good way!) I love to watch the children grow, in every sense of the way. Four years is such a long time in their short lives. I also enjoy watching their parents grow along with them. We never stop learning!” Outside of Playschool, Teacher Louise likes to spend time with her family and garden, cook, and travel.

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Michelle Hiddemen

Enrichment Lead

Michelle has her Master's in Education from Immaculata University and over 10 years of teaching experience in Early Intervention Elementary Special Education. Her three children currently attend West Chester Playschool. You can find her on Tuesdays and Thursdays leading afternoon enrichment, bringing energy, smiles, and a whole lot of fun. When she’s not teaching, Michelle loves spending time with her family, cooking, her cats, and helping families get better rest as a Pediatric Sleep Consultant.

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Carly LoBrutto

2 Day Lead and Friday Fun Assistant

Carly is thrilled to lead the 2s classroom! A mom of two and a proud Playschool parent herself, she loves helping little ones learn, grow, and explore. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Millersville University, Carly worked as a Software Engineer at QVC before following her heart into teaching and the arts. She now runs Goose and Swan Pottery with her husband, coaches and officiates youth volleyball, and enjoys time with family and friends-especially when board games are involved! Carly loves being part of the PlaySchool community and finds so much joy in helping her students discover the magic of learning through play.

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Beth Stahmer

3 Day Assistant

Beth has been with Playschool since 2017. She comes with experience with both preschoolers and children with disabilities. Beth loves to see the children thrive in our play-based learning environment. Outside of Playschool, Beth lives with her son and two cats. She enjoys gardening, flea markets, antique stores, and spending time with her family.

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Aislinn Reno

Aislinn is originally from Kansas and has a B.A. in Biology from Kansas State University. She worked in New York City in a pediatric ophthalmology office before having children and moving to West Chester. Both her children attended Playschool and Aislinn embraces the warm vibe here. She loves to spend time with her kids playing outside and riding bikes. She enjoys science and passing her love of it on to them. She grew up playing tennis and still enjoys playing and being a spectator.

4 Day and Friday Fun Assistant

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Kate Rife

Kate first joined the Playschool as a parent in 2021 and was thrilled to return as a part of the teaching staff the following year. She loves the Playschool community and the dedication to learning through play. Before starting a family, Kate taught middle school and high school math and continued tutoring for years after. Her time at the Playschool has included teaching the 2s and supporting Friday Fun, but she now aides in the Enrichment program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When not at school, she loves to teach group fitness classes, build lego sets with her two kids, journal, and take walks around West Chester with her family.

Enrichment Assistant

Jodi Schweizer

Jodi has been involved with Playschool since 1998 when her son attended the school. She hasn’t left because she strongly believes in the Playschool philosophy which is driven by the commitment of the teachers and families. When Jodi is not at school, she enjoys reading, walking, golfing, and spending time with her family.

2 Day and Friday Fun Assistant

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Amanda Blazek

4 Day Lead

Amanda has a Masters in elementary education from Rosemont College. She taught pre-kindergarten for many years before taking a break to be home with her two children. When her children started attending school full-time, she thought it was the perfect time to go back to teaching. Her favorite thing about Playschool is that learning is always fun here! Outside of Playschool, Amanda enjoys reading, discovering new restaurants, and attending her kids’ sports events!

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Elie Francomb

Elie’s journey with Playschool began in 2023 when her daughter joined the 2s class. She quickly fell in love with helping out in the classroom and jumped at the chance to become more involved. Before becoming a mom of two, Elie worked as a registered nurse, with experience in pediatric home health, pharmaceuticals, and geriatric care. You can find Elie at Friday Fun and Afternoon Enrichment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When she’s not at Playschool, Elie loves spending time with her family, playing games, and reading books.

Enrichment & Friday Fun Lead

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Sue McKenna

Makin Music Teacher

Sue has been working with preschoolers for over 20 years by providing musical enrichment programs to preschools. She has her M.Ed. in Counseling and B.S. in Rehabilitation Education, and is a certified English as a Second Language teacher. She has two grown children and is married. She is also a professional musician. Her joy and exuberance are some of the many gifts she brings to children.