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Our Staff

Our staff is dedicated to providing a rich learning environment to each child every day. SAND currently has 20 teachers, including a music & movement teacher, an atelierista, and a literacy specialist.  Each classroom has a lead teacher and at least one assistant. All of our staff follow the Reggio philosophy and are CPR First Aid and Safe Sanctuary certified. Our staff members are also required to take an additional 10 training hours every year.
Emily Howard
Director

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Emily is the Director of SAND. She joined SAND in 2011 as a 2's teacher and has over 20 years experience working in preschools. Emily grew up in Atlanta but spent time as an organic farmer and instructor at UMN in New Mexico. Emily has a B.A. in English and History and loves the Reggio Emilia approach to education.  Her own creativity, coupled with an enthusiasm for a Reggio-inspired approach to teaching, provides an exciting foundation for the programs at SAND.  In her spare time, Emily raises chickens, loves gardening and quilting. 

"When a child takes your hand and shows you the world as they see it, know that you have been given

a priceless gift"   

Emily H.

Bible Park
Atelierista
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Julie Seckman
Assistant Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie is the Assistant Director of SAND.   With a B.A. in Communication Arts, Julie worked in video production for almost 20 years before changing course and following a dream of working with children.  She has been active at N. Decatur UMC since 2006, and joined the SAND staff in 2014 after working 8 years as a preschool paraprofessional.  She enjoys music, hiking, reading and spending time with her family.

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Cristina Ferriera
Garden Coordinator
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Julie Seckman & Marci Roberts
Music & Movement
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Jonathan Smith
Family Ministry NDUMC
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Susan Willingham
Literacy
Katie Fullerton
Financial Manager
Pre-K Team
Karuna Sharma
Christy Lucas
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Katie Luther
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Matt Spaulding
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Kiana Leveritte
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Three Year Old Team
Hannah Crews
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Christine Potter
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Anna Samuelson
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Two Year Old Team
Ashley Midler
Julia Franck
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Donna Sherrill
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Jenny Fluker
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One / Two Year Old Team
Camille Bradley
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Maru Mattimoe
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One Year Old Team
Rebecca Drake
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Karissa Burdett
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SAND Assistant
Stephanie Redmond
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SAND - The School At North Decatur UMC  /  1523 Church Street  Decatur, GA  30030  /   sand@ndumc.org  /  470-464-8286

© 2025 School at North Decatur

SAND - The School At North Decatur United Methodist Church, is exempt from the state of Georgia's Bright from the Start program.

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