Meet Our Staff

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Hello, my name is Abbie Gruscavage and I am so lucky to be the Director of WGUMC CMO and

Preschool! My journey here at Preschool started way back in 2012 when my son first attended

the 2 year old CMO Program! Since then all three of my children have attended WGUMC

Preschool. I formerly taught both Kindergarten and Second Grade in Baltimore, until starting my

family in 2010. I joined the Preschool staff in 2016 as a teacher and have enjoyed being a part

of the program in the form of a parent, teacher, and director! I received my Bachelor’s Degree

in Early Childhood Education from West Chester University and my Master’s of Education from

Goucher College. I live in New London with my husband, 3 children, and 2 boxer dogs.

I'm Katie Taylor and I'm the Lead teacher in the Ladybug classroom. I

started out as a WGUMC Preschool parent and decided to jump in the

classroom when the opportunity presented itself. I have a creative mind

and love coming up with fun arts and crafts and dramatic play for our

youngest learners. Every day is a new adventure in the 2 year old room! I

am also a hair stylist when I'm not at Preschool. I live in the area with my

husband and three children.

Julie has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and minor in Biology from Shippensburg

University. After graduation, she dedicated ten years volunteering to coach youth track and field

at her grade school and high school alma maters. She and her husband have two wonderful

children who have completed the WGUMC Preschool program. Julie loves nature and animals,

particularly enjoying summer as she raises monarch butterflies with her kids. Her family also

includes a German Shepherd named Gatti, a bearded dragon called Spike, and two guinea pigs

named Pippy and Luna.

Hi, my name is Kelly Davis and I am currently working with our youngest learners in the

Ladybug classroom. I live in West Grove with my husband, Brian and our four children. Three of

my children are graduates of the UMC preschool program and my fourth child is currently in the

PreK class. I went to college for accounting and back to grad school for a teaching certification.

It is my true pleasure to be working with the UMC preschool program that educates our

preschool children through nurture, love and play based learning curriculum.

Hello, I’m Miss April and I teach the Bee Classes. I studied Early

Childhood Education at Ashworth College and have been working

in this field for more than twenty years. I have been blessed to be

on staff at The West Grove United Methodist Church Preschool

and CMO since September 2013. I love teaching because I love

making learning fun for others! I also love spending time with my

family and snuggling with my cats.

Jill was born and raised in Yonkers, NY and moved to CT for two years before moving to PA. Jill

lives with her husband, Steve, and two boys in Oxford. She has over 20 years experience

working in the early Childhood field in various positions before becoming a stay at home mom to

her 2 boys, Gavin and Henry. She is so happy to be back in the classroom as the assistant Bee

teacher! Jill loves spending her free time with her family as well as baking and cooking.

My name is Natalie Eason and I am a highly enthusiastic and creative PreK teacher with a

passion for nurturing young minds and helping them grow academically as well as emotionally

and socially. My goal is to assist in a successful transition to kindergarten. I have a Bachelor's

degree from WCU and over 15 years of experience working with children at WGUMC preschool.

I live in West Grove with my husband and 3 doodles. I have 2 grown daughters. I enjoy

spending time with family and friends at Bethany Beach as well as crafting and reading.

Hi, my name is Cherylen St. John. I am so excited to be one of the

teachers in the butterfly classroom! My husband, Craig, our son Grant, and

I moved from Northern Virginia and now live in Landenberg P.A.. I have a

degree in Child Development and Family studies. I have been an early childhood educator for twelve years and love seeing each child learn and

grow. I feel truly blessed to be part of the staff here at WGUMC.

Melissa joined WGUMC Preschool as an assistant teacher in the Pre-K Butterfly class at the

start of the 2022-2023 school year. Melissa’s background is in writing and editing, but after

several years at home with her daughter and son, her time spent volunteering as a classroom

helper and Girl Scout leader inspired her to try a new role. She enjoys helping little ones

prepare for kindergarten and loves running into students in the Avon Grove community.

Devin Flynn is the lead teacher in the Dragonfly classroom. She graduated from Kutztown

University with her degrees in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Since then Ms.

Devin has taught children from pre-k through third grade. After spending some time home

raising her two sons, she returned to the classroom to teach pre-k and currently resides in

Avondale, PA with her sons and wonderful husband.

Jessica Sturgis is the assistant teacher in the Dragonfly classroom. A resident of West Grove,

Ms. Jessica has taught the Music & Movement class for two years and has been a substitute

teacher at WGUMC Preschool. She is a former journalist and public relations director, and very

proud University of Delaware graduate. Ms. Jessica can be found on a sports field when she is

not at school, cheering for her sons, Landon and Graham, and husband, Coach Kyle.