• BA from Eckerd College
• Director’s Credential from SCTI (Suncoast Technical College)
• CDA (Child Development Accreditation) from St Thomas University

Betty started her career with St. Marks in 1979 when it was known as “St. Marks Episcopal Day School.” At that time classes were available for 2’s. 3’s, 4’s and K-5th grade. She taught 2 year olds for 3 years and eventually moved to teaching 3’s.
In 2002, Betty stepped into administration as the Assistant Director for the preschool.
In all facets of her career she has valued each child as an individual and respected their strengths, skills and abilities. And the goal for all from both an administrative and teaching perspective is to create a safe caring community where children can blossom and grow.

Betty has two children, both of whom are alumni of St. Mark’s Preschool and three grandchildren. When not working at the preschool she enjoys working out, gardening and crafts!

• High School Diploma- Venice High School 2005
• CDA Certified – Charlotte County Technical Institute 2012
• State of Florida VPK certified teacher

Amber was originally hired as a teacher in the preschool in 2012 and taught in various classrooms until she was hired as the Administrative Assistant in 2021. She is an integral part of the team that makes the day to day functions of the school run smoothly.
Amber has lived in Florida since 2004 after moving from Tennessee. She lives in Venice with her husband, Ryan, and their three children; Camden, Brycen & Fae, and their two dogs; Leia & Ellie. In her spare time, she enjoys going to theme parks, hanging out at her pool and spending time with her friends & family!! She loves to read, watch Tennessee football (GO VOLS!) and is a bit of a nerd of fantasy and all things sci-fi!!

Amber chose to work in a preschool as she loves watching children explore the world around them and grow into individuals. As a teacher, it is important to address all needs and make learning fun and exciting!

Erika Freeman joined the St. Mark’s staff in the summer of 2022.
She is originally from Peru. and has been living in Sarasota with her husband Scott and son Christian since 2000. They then moved to Venice three years ago.
Erika was an Early Child Development Teacher in Sarasota for 23 years before joining the St. Mark’s staff. Working and enjoying every day with children in the classroom is her passion.
As an Educator Erika believes that every child is an individual with different needs and abilities and it is our job to help them meet these needs through hands-on activities in a warm nurturing atmosphere.
She is so excited and honored to have an opportunity to be a part of the children at St. Mark’s “whole child” development.

• AS in Psychology
• CDA (National Child Development Associate Credential)
• State of Florida VPK Certified Teacher

Laura began her teaching career at St. Mark’s as a volunteer. She then followed her dream of teaching and was hired full time in the toddler room. She has been teaching at St. Mark’s for 8 years and over those years has worked in/taught all of the different ages here. Laura has now been in the Threes room for a total of five years.

Having a mother as a lifelong educator sparked Laura’s love of teaching. She especially enjoys watching children grow and learn, they are so full of wonder and curiosity. In Laura’s classroom, you will find she teaches both social and emotional skills so that they can then focus and learn the academics that will soon follow.

Laura has three children; Alexis who is 18, Abigaile who is 14, and Antonio who is 4 and lives in North Port Florida with her Fiancé. Laura’s youngest son Antonio is currently a student here at St. Mark’s, but will graduate in May. He has enjoyed his time here and Laura is amazed at how fast these years have gone by.

• Careers in Education Certificate – Seacoast School of Technology
• HS Diploma – Exeter High School
• BA in Early Education – Degree in progress – University of Southern Maine

Caitlin grew up in NH and recently moved to Florida. Currently she is in school for her Early Childhood Education degree and will work while she goes to school online.

She has a love of both children and singing and was very involved in theatre in NH. Caitlin is looking forward to being back in the classroom and really excited about singing in the church choir.

• Early Childhood Development
• Accreditation- 2000/2013/2018
• Florida Department of Education, VPK Certified

Helen has been a teacher at St. Mark’s Preschool since 1992, beginning as a 2 year old/Toddler teacher. Since then she has continued her education to become a VPK teacher and has been in her classroom for the past 9 years.

Before becoming a teacher, Helen’s passion for book flourished through her job at a local bookstore. We are lucky her love of books is evident in everything she does at St. Mark’s’ Most recently, she helped create a children’s library for all to visit.

Helen relishes discovering new authors and reading and especially enjoys sharing that love of literature with her students. She is the grandmother of 9 children, and looks forward to traveling with them and making memories together.

Helen’s goals for her classroom are:

• To promote a nurturing, safe and positive environment.
• Establish a good foundation for love of literature.
• Provide an early learning environment that allows each child to become a lifelong learner.

• Early Childhood Education – Reading Area Community College, PA
• VPK State of Florida teacher Certification

Steve has been with St. Mark’s Preschool for two years, as one of our VPK teachers. He took the job after moving here to be closer to his parents. Steve has been working with young children for 10 years, whether it is through coaching or organizing Celebrate Children. He is very happy to be back in a classroom setting here at St. Mark’s, seeing the joy and hearing the laughter in a young child.

When he is not in the classroom, he enjoys spending time with his parents and is quite the handy-man, often using his skills in the classroom! He has 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Commitment and dedication are what Steve values in the teaching field. Having these values helps children reach their full potential.

• High School Diploma
• National CDA
• State of Florida VPK certified teacher

Cindy has been a preschool teacher since 1991 when she was employed at the Venice YMCA for 3 years. Following that time, she then worked at the Children’s First Head Start program for ten years. In 2004 she made the switch to St. Mark’s and has been one of our VPK teachers since!

She prides herself in providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children that will promote development of social, emotional, and self-help skills that are success not just for Kindergarten but for life!

When Cindy is not in the classroom, she enjoys going RV’ing and four-wheeling with her family and her dogs! She has two children and two grandchildren that live nearby as well!

• Early Childhood Education course of study
• Attended Pima College, AZ, Rose State College, OK and Manatee
• Community College, Venice FL
• CDA – Manatee Community College
• Certified Angel Bear Yoga Instructor
• Coursework in American Sign Language

Nancy has been at St. Mark’s in various roles, for over 25years. She is semi-retired but can be found in the Enrichment Room teaching science or yoga!

When she is not working at the preschool, Nancy is very interested in taking care and learning about our environment, gardening and yoga! She is an invaluable volunteer at St. Mark’s Church as well.

Leslie has been a part time teacher at St. Mark’s for 2 years. She is also a children’s ministry director at Suncoast Community Church in Sarasota. She truly loves toddler and preschool age children and considers it a blessing to work with them.