Leigh, aka Miss Wee, joined FCP as Director in Spring 2018. “My preschool teachers told my parents that I was ‘a little leader,’ which we all recognize as a really nice way of saying I was bossy!” Leigh was also obsessed with the dramatic play center and didn’t share the baby dolls very well. Today she considers it a good preschool day when she leaves tired but smiling. Leigh has a BA in Communications, a BA in Education, and a BS in History, and she has completed TECTA for Administrators. She lives with husband John and dog Frankie. Leigh is the mom of Ben, Noah, and Owen, MIL of Hickory’s Ms. Sabrina, and grandmother of FCPers Sofi and Luci. She’s a Ravenclaw who loves Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte and brownies straight out of the oven.

A Knoxville-native, Shawna joined FCP in 2016. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and feels very fortunate to be able to do what she loves. Shawna partners with lead teachers to fully implement Creative Curriculum in our classrooms, mentors and supports current teaching teams, trains new teachers, and guides the ongoing development of our curricular program. For Shawna, a happy preschool day involves watching the students engaged in the activities of the day. When she was preschool age, Shawna stayed with her mamaw and remembers eating grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch. Shawna lives with husband Mickey and sons Tanner and Cameron. A dedicated runner, Shawna enjoys running in many different areas of Knoxville. Her “favorites” include the Real Housewives shows, any songs by Bon Jovi, a yummy veggie plate, and nonfat chai or vanilla latte.

Native-Tennessean Elizabeth is from Vonore. She joined FCP in 2020 and is also studying elementary education. Elizabeth is a familiar figure in each classroom and the playground, where she offers a STEAM program most Wednesdays. She has two cats, Mac and Cheese, and loves cheesy romance novels, Law & Order, and kayaking and hiking. When she grows up she wants to be fun.

Mary Ellen joined FCP's staff in 2005 as a floater. After temporary stints in all the classrooms, she was assigned an unused Sunday School room to start a new Pre-K class in 2006. She taught in Mulberry until the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Mary Ellen didn't go to preschool, but she remembers visiting the younger classrooms when she was in Kindergarten and being amazed at how small the chairs were. Mary Ellen has a BA in Journalism and Classical Civilization and an MA in English and Creative Writing. She's an empty nester with her husband, Tony. Her daughter Isabel teaches in Hickory. All three of her children graduated from FCP. Mary Ellen loves to read, crochet, and knit. She also likes coffee, unsweet tea, and a few other select beverages.