Meet our Staff

Administrative Staff

Director Shona Ellis

Director Shona Ellis

Director Shona Ellis

I started as director in June 2019 at United Church Nursery School. I had been a teacher at the school for 6 years before accepting the director position. I was a substitute teacher before that as all three of my girls have attended UCNS. I served on the

Nursery School Board before becoming a teacher. I truly love Chapel on the Hill an

I started as director in June 2019 at United Church Nursery School. I had been a teacher at the school for 6 years before accepting the director position. I was a substitute teacher before that as all three of my girls have attended UCNS. I served on the

Nursery School Board before becoming a teacher. I truly love Chapel on the Hill and

want to maintain the rich heritage associated with the school.

Mrs. Patricia

Director Shona Ellis

Director Shona Ellis

I first became acquainted with the Nursery School when my daughter attended the oldest class. I've worked here as a teacher in the youngest class for 7 yrs and have 30 years total teaching experience. This is my third year as Shona's administrative assistant, and I absolutely love my job. When I'm not at the Nursery School, I like to kaya

I first became acquainted with the Nursery School when my daughter attended the oldest class. I've worked here as a teacher in the youngest class for 7 yrs and have 30 years total teaching experience. This is my third year as Shona's administrative assistant, and I absolutely love my job. When I'm not at the Nursery School, I like to kayak, cook with my daughter, go on long drives with my husband, learn about woodworking, and play with my dogs and cat.

Youngest Class Teachers (Room 107)

Mrs. Elissa

Mme. Katrien

Mme. Katrien

I have been a teacher at UCNS for five years. I am excited to return to the youngest class next year! I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Tennessee. I have a son who attends Glenwood Elementary School, and my daughter attends Jefferson Middle School. I enjoy trail

I have been a teacher at UCNS for five years. I am excited to return to the youngest class next year! I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Tennessee. I have a son who attends Glenwood Elementary School, and my daughter attends Jefferson Middle School. I enjoy trail running, hiking, and reading. I try to incorporate my love of literacy and nature in my lessons and activities.

Mme. Katrien

Mme. Katrien

Mme. Katrien

This academic year I will be teaching in the youngest classroom with Ms. Elissa. I started working at the Nursery School as an aide/sub in 2018 and in 2019 I started teaching part time in the youngest class. I have a Masters Degree in Psychology and Education Sciences from the University of Liège. I worked for 18 years as a developmental

This academic year I will be teaching in the youngest classroom with Ms. Elissa. I started working at the Nursery School as an aide/sub in 2018 and in 2019 I started teaching part time in the youngest class. I have a Masters Degree in Psychology and Education Sciences from the University of Liège. I worked for 18 years as a developmental therapist with special needs children and their families. I'm also a dance teacher. I moved to Oak Ridge from the French speaking part of Belgium in 2014 with my husband and my son. My son attended Nursery School in the oldest class, where he learned English. I look forward to working with you and your child!

Half Pint Class Teachers (Room 106)

Ms. Autumn Rose

Ms. Autumn Rose

Ms. Autumn Rose

I moved to Tennessee from Virginia about a year ago and graduated Oak Ridge High School. This year, I am majoring in Early Childhood Education at Roane State. I am also a working Caregiver with Amada! I come from a family of 11 (I am the third oldest) and since I've moved out, I am so very happy to be surrounded by little children again

I moved to Tennessee from Virginia about a year ago and graduated Oak Ridge High School. This year, I am majoring in Early Childhood Education at Roane State. I am also a working Caregiver with Amada! I come from a family of 11 (I am the third oldest) and since I've moved out, I am so very happy to be surrounded by little children again. I love to hike, swim, and anything that has to do with art! I look forward to continuing to work here and further my experience with children.

Ms. Shannon

Ms. Autumn Rose

Ms. Autumn Rose

My name is Ms. Shannon and this will be my 3rd year at the Nursery School. Working with children has always been my passion in life. The last 9 years I've been a child care worker at a local gym and I've been a part time nanny to 2 girls for the past 8 years. My daughter has spent the last 4 years here and just graduated this past May. In

My name is Ms. Shannon and this will be my 3rd year at the Nursery School. Working with children has always been my passion in life. The last 9 years I've been a child care worker at a local gym and I've been a part time nanny to 2 girls for the past 8 years. My daughter has spent the last 4 years here and just graduated this past May. In my spare time I love to do anything that involves my kiddos (17 year old son and 6 year old daughter) and photography. I'm looking forward to spending this school year with your children and watching them grow!

Middle Class Teachers (Room108)

Mrs. Beth

Mrs. Teresa

Mrs. Teresa

I live in Oak Ridge with my husband and two children. I graduated from the University of Tennessee and worked with children and their families in the mental health field for five years. This will be my fourth year working at United Church Nursery School and my second year teaching. My son attended United Church Nursery School, and I am ho

I live in Oak Ridge with my husband and two children. I graduated from the University of Tennessee and worked with children and their families in the mental health field for five years. This will be my fourth year working at United Church Nursery School and my second year teaching. My son attended United Church Nursery School, and I am honored to be able to work with and give back to the teachers and school that gave so much to our family. I enjoy working with all children, but especially have a passion for working with children with special needs and their families.

Mrs. Teresa

Mrs. Teresa

Mrs. Teresa

I have been married for 34 years to my husband, Mike, and we have two amazing daughters, Lauren and Jenna who all are teachers. Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee I worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and quit upon the birth of Lauren. I have worked with young children ever since and have been an employee of this school

I have been married for 34 years to my husband, Mike, and we have two amazing daughters, Lauren and Jenna who all are teachers. Upon graduation from the University of Tennessee I worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and quit upon the birth of Lauren. I have worked with young children ever since and have been an employee of this school for 16 years. I absolutely love children and provide them with a loving, fun and educational environment in which to learn.

Oldest Class Teachers (Room109)

Mrs. Kimberly

Mrs. Kimberly

Mrs. Kimberly

This will be my tenth year teaching at UCNS in the oldest class with Ms. Mary. I am passionate about incorporating nature into the classroom, fostering creativity through exploration, and encouraging emotional intelligence. I look forward to meeting your children and learning about their interests and experiences! I attended Ricks Colleg

This will be my tenth year teaching at UCNS in the oldest class with Ms. Mary. I am passionate about incorporating nature into the classroom, fostering creativity through exploration, and encouraging emotional intelligence. I look forward to meeting your children and learning about their interests and experiences! I attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University studying elementary education, and am currently studying early childhood education at Roane State. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband Christian, and our four daughters ages 26, 22, 20, and 15. My hobbies include playing the piano, weight lifting, cooking, traveling, roller skating, and collecting magnets.

Mrs. Mary

Mrs. Kimberly

Mrs. Kimberly

I have taught at United Church Nursery School at Chapel on the Hill for over 16 years. For the past six years, I have also worked at the Children's Museum during school breaks as a preschool and elementary instructor. I started at UCNS as a parent volunteer and then worked as a substitute when my youngest was in the Oldest Class. Besides

I have taught at United Church Nursery School at Chapel on the Hill for over 16 years. For the past six years, I have also worked at the Children's Museum during school breaks as a preschool and elementary instructor. I started at UCNS as a parent volunteer and then worked as a substitute when my youngest was in the Oldest Class. Besides the 4- and 5-year-old class, I have worked in the toddler room and as a music teacher. Prior to that, I worked as a substitute teacher for Oak Ridge Schools mostly at Oak Ridge Preschool and Glenwood Elementary and as a Children's Ministry Director at Kern UMC. I have three grown girls ages 23, 22, and 20 and have been married 24 years. Now that my girls are grown, I have decided to go back to college! I will be receiving my associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Roane State in December and then transferring to East TN State University to work towards my bachelors. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, being in nature, art appreciation, and music which I like to incorporate in our classroom learning.

Classroom Aides

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Tomoko

Our family has been associated with Chapel on Hill for more than twenty years; both of my sons are prior students. I am originally from Japan and other than my husband, don’t have any relatives close by. Prior to my own two sons, I had very little experience with children and parenting was something new to me. Chapel on the Hill staf

Our family has been associated with Chapel on Hill for more than twenty years; both of my sons are prior students. I am originally from Japan and other than my husband, don’t have any relatives close by. Prior to my own two sons, I had very little experience with children and parenting was something new to me. Chapel on the Hill staff and management were a great help in learning how to raise children and were very supportive. I fell in love with this school and am so lucky to work here.

Mrs. Mary

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Tomoko

Hello families! I am a born and raised Oak Ridger, graduate of ORHS and I have an Asso. Degree in Social Science. I am the current Vice President of the Board here at United Church Nursery School and recently became an aide for our wonderful teachers as well. My son is enrolled at the school and I have throughly enjoyed getting to know th

Hello families! I am a born and raised Oak Ridger, graduate of ORHS and I have an Asso. Degree in Social Science. I am the current Vice President of the Board here at United Church Nursery School and recently became an aide for our wonderful teachers as well. My son is enrolled at the school and I have throughly enjoyed getting to know the staff and now all the sweet kiddos that I share my mornings with each day. I love going for walks, reading, gardening, cooking and snuggling my kid. Thank you for the opportunity to share in the lives of your children.

Mrs. Lauren

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Lauren

Hi! My name is Lauren and this is my third year at the nursery school. I attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I majored in Human Ecology. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two girls who both attended United Church Nursery School (now a college freshman and college junior). I worked at Emory Valley Early

Hi! My name is Lauren and this is my third year at the nursery school. I attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where I majored in Human Ecology. I married my high school sweetheart and we have two girls who both attended United Church Nursery School (now a college freshman and college junior). I worked at Emory Valley Early Learning Center for almost 7 years, and also spent a few months at Oak Ridge Early Head Start. I enjoy writing, playing the piano, and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Rachael

Ms. Rachael

Mrs. Lauren

I have been living in Oak Ridge for about 8 years and came from Florida. In my spare time I like to do photography, spend quality time with my son, travel, road trips, and needlepoint. I have always had a passion for preschool and have been working in early education since 1998. I have mainly taught in Christian education, but have also t

I have been living in Oak Ridge for about 8 years and came from Florida. In my spare time I like to do photography, spend quality time with my son, travel, road trips, and needlepoint. I have always had a passion for preschool and have been working in early education since 1998. I have mainly taught in Christian education, but have also taught for Head Start and was a private nanny for several years in the Knoxville area. I joined the Chapel on the Hill team in September of last year and truly feel blessed to be a part of this school. Thank you for entrusting Chapel on the Hill Nursery School and myself with your most precious gift. I promise to be an encouraging, positive and nurturing influence in your child's life.

Mrs. Rachel

Ms. Rachael

Mrs. Rachel

I am Rachel Wright. I have been with UCNS for 5 years as a parent and now as an employee and parent. I have two girls 7 and 4. I have a B.S from Middle Tennessee State University in Anthropology/Archaeology. I was also a member of the marching band. I am very active in my community. I play clarinet with the Babahatchie Community Band and

I am Rachel Wright. I have been with UCNS for 5 years as a parent and now as an employee and parent. I have two girls 7 and 4. I have a B.S from Middle Tennessee State University in Anthropology/Archaeology. I was also a member of the marching band. I am very active in my community. I play clarinet with the Babahatchie Community Band and I am also a member of the board for the Historic Harriman Carnage Library. My hobbies include fiber arts such as knitting, weaving, spinning yarn and sewing. I also enjoy running, hiking and nature. I look forward to spending the rest of the school year with you children.

Ms. Ali

Ms. Rachael

Mrs. Rachel

Hi my name is Ms. Ali! I've worked in child care for 5 years. Both of my children attended Chapel on the Hill and we loved it. I'm so excited for the opportunity to join this amazing team of educators. I truly believe it takes a village and I'm honored to start on a wonderful and fun journey with your family. When I'm not working, I'm us

Hi my name is Ms. Ali! I've worked in child care for 5 years. Both of my children attended Chapel on the Hill and we loved it. I'm so excited for the opportunity to join this amazing team of educators. I truly believe it takes a village and I'm honored to start on a wonderful and fun journey with your family. When I'm not working, I'm usually hiking at the Arboretum, spending time at Dollywood, or planning our next Disney World adventure!

Ms. Kim

Ms. Kim

Ms. Mary B

Ms. Mary B

My name is Ms. Kim, I have been working in childcare for 15yrs now, I have found this job to be the most enjoyable and most satisfying job I have ever done!, I enjoy the fact of coming to a place where I can be greeted with smiles and laughter and know, at the end of the day, I have made a difference in a child’s life! Making a child smil

My name is Ms. Kim, I have been working in childcare for 15yrs now, I have found this job to be the most enjoyable and most satisfying job I have ever done!, I enjoy the fact of coming to a place where I can be greeted with smiles and laughter and know, at the end of the day, I have made a difference in a child’s life! Making a child smile, brings me happiness in my life and makes for a better and brighter day for us all!! I myself have 4 beautiful children of my own, ages as old as 33,27, 15 and my youngest is 9! I am also a grandmother of 1 little 3 year old!, I have been married for 20yrs now, and living in TN for 17yrs! Originally born and raised in California, also lived in Arizona for 4... I have just recently joined the UCNS as a Teachers Aide, and look forward to meeting each an everyone of you!

Ms. Mary B

Ms. Mary B

Ms. Mary B

My name is Mary Braswell, I have been working in childcare for almost 6 years. I have 1 boy and in our free time we love to be outdoors with our dog. I am excited to be a part of the nursery school and look forward to getting to know everyone.