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 second year as Shona's administrative assistant, and I absolutely love my job. When I'm not at the Nursery School, I like to kay

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 second 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, work in the garden, build, and play with my dogs and cat.

Youngest Class Teachers (Room 107)

Mrs. Elissa

Mrs. Katrien

Mrs. Katrien

I have been a teacher at UCNS for three 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 two children who attend Glenwood Elementary School. I enjoy trail running, hiking, and reading. I try to inc

I have been a teacher at UCNS for three 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 two children who attend Glenwood Elementary School. I enjoy trail running, hiking, and reading. I try to incorporate my love of literacy and nature in my lessons and activities.

Mrs. Katrien

Mrs. Katrien

Mrs. 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

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.

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 eighth year teaching with Ms. Mary in the oldest class. I love teaching four and five year olds to learn through play and be prepared to enter kindergarten. I studied elementary education at Ricks College and Brigham Young University. When I’m not teaching I enjoy running, playing the piano, family history, and cooking.

Mrs. Mary

Mrs. Kimberly

Mrs. Kimberly

I am excited to be teaching along with Ms. Kimberly in the Oldest Class again! This will be my fifteenth year at Chapel on the Hill. I received my Early Childhood Development Associate from Roane State and attended the University of Tennessee as a Journalism major. I also teach at the Children’s Museum as a preschool and elementary instru

I am excited to be teaching along with Ms. Kimberly in the Oldest Class again! This will be my fifteenth year at Chapel on the Hill. I received my Early Childhood Development Associate from Roane State and attended the University of Tennessee as a Journalism major. I also teach at the Children’s Museum as a preschool and elementary instructor during the Summer and school breaks. I enjoy reading, music, art, and nature which I like to incorporate into 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.

Ms. Shannon

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Tomoko

Hello...My name is Ms. Shannon and this will be my first year at the Nursery School. For the last 7 years I've been a child care worker at a local gym. I first came upon the Nursery School when I was looking for a school for my youngest child and all the parents I babysit for recommended this one. This will be her 3rd year attending. When

Hello...My name is Ms. Shannon and this will be my first year at the Nursery School. For the last 7 years I've been a child care worker at a local gym. I first came upon the Nursery School when I was looking for a school for my youngest child and all the parents I babysit for recommended this one. This will be her 3rd year attending. When I'm not working I like to spend time with my 2 kids, doing photography, scrapbooking and swimming. I'm looking forward to spending this school year with your children!

Mrs. Kim

Mrs. Tomoko

Mrs. Mary

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 smi

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 one little 3 year old! I have been married for 20yrs now, and living in TN for 17yrs! Originally born and raised in California, I also lived in Arizona for 4... I have just recently joined the UCNS as a Teacher's Aide and look forward to meeting each and everyone of you!

Mrs. Mary

Mrs. Lauren

Mrs. Mary

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. Lauren

Mrs. Lauren

Hi! My name is Lauren and this is my first 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 high school junior). I worked at Emory Valley E

Hi! My name is Lauren and this is my first 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 high school 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

Mrs. Lauren

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

Mrs. Rachel

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.