MAPLE SPRINGS PRESCHOOL STAFF



Our well-trained staff has many years of teaching experience and caring for children.  They are also certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).  Each staff member follows the Safe Sanctuaries Policies and Procedures adopted by Maple Springs United Methodist Church.  Our staff is committed to making Maple Springs Preschool a safe and fun learning environment for all of our children.

Please contact Brandi Smith at 336-722-6924 or at preschool@maplesprings.org if you have any questions.

Brandi smith

preschool director

Mrs. Brandi came to Maple Springs Preschool as a parent in 2003 when her daughter started in the nursery. She came to love it so much that she joined the staff in 2007 as a teacher in the toddler classroom. Mrs. Brandi spent most of her years in the two year old classroom but has worked with all the age groups over the years and loved each and every one! Mrs. Brandi became the Preschool Director in June of 2023. She and her husband, Jason, have been married 22 years and moved to Winston from Hickory in 2001 when he began working at Wake Forest University where he still works as a network architect. Together, Mrs. Brandi and Jason have two daughters, Lael (21) a Junior at App State and Addi (19) a freshman and UNC Asheville. Maple Springs has been such a wonderful part of Mrs. Brandi's life over the past 20 years first as a parent and then as a staff member and now serving as Director. Her family has made many wonderful, lasting friendships here and she love watching the children learn and grow and the families to make connections with each other that we hope will last a lifetime. Mrs. Brandi looks forward to serving many more years as part of this wonderful ministry.


Please contact Brandi Smith at 336-722-6924 or at preschool@maplesprings.org if you have any questions.

katie terry

Preschool assistant director

Ms. Katie has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 8 years. She is a mom to 3 amazing kids; Parker, Riley, and Kennedy! Ms. Katie has had the privilege of working with all the ages within the school and has absolutely loved it. She is loving her new role in the office as Assistant Director and just loves being a part of the Maple Springs Preschool team!!

Melissa thomas

office assistant

Mrs. Melissa has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 17 years. Mrs. Melissa and her family and moved to Winston-Salem from Syracuse, NY in 2003. She has three children; Matthew (26), Katie (25), and Megan (22). Both of her daughters attended Maple Springs Preschool, which is how she came to be part of the Maple Springs Preschool family. Mrs. Melissa loves working with children, but her background is in the medical field. She has degrees in Biology and Medical Technology, and she worked as a medical technologist for the VA Medical Center in Syracuse before relocating to Winston Salem. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her husband, Craig. 

Nursery Teachers

Kayla hammaker, nikki nichols, & Kennedy Terry

Mrs. Kayla has been a part of Maple Springs Preschool staff for 17 years. She has been married to her husband for 14 years and they have 3 awesome kids; Brady, Wilson and Clara Mae. Mrs. Kayla was born and raised in the WS area. She recently lived in Boone and loves the mountains. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and watching Hallmark movies.


Mrs. Nikki has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 3 years. She is a wife to her very best friend and mother to 4 truly awesome people. Mrs. Nikki loves children and figured if she couldn’t have 100 of her own that she would teach and get to love on countless children every day. She loves sunshine and being outside and is always up for a random adventure. Mrs. Nikki loves to try new things but doesn't tend to stick with anything too long. She is kind of like a kid herself! Mrs. Nikki has called NC her home for 20 years now and it’s the best move she ever made! God has been so good to her and she counts her blessings daily at all she has been given!


Miss Kennedy has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 2 years. She is a mom to three fur babies; Gus, Bailey and Rascal. Miss Kennedy has worked summer camp for a few years and just this past year started on staff full time. She enjoys spending her time with the babies and toddlers! She loves the great team she works with in the nursery and toddler room!

Young 2's teachers

Amelia surginer (mimi) and emma furches

Mimi has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool Staff for 20+ years.  She enjoys spending her days preschool aged children. Mimi completed child psychology and daycare certifications. In her spare time, she enjoys her 5 grandchildren, her animals, traveling and reading.


Miss Emma has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool Staff for almost 1 year.  She used to go to Maple Springs Preschool as a child and absolutely loves being able to work there now. Miss Emma recently graduated college from Liberty University. She love kids and getting to watch them learn and grow in their personalities throughout the year. Miss Emma enjoys reading, sports, specifically softball or baseball, and being outdoors.

older 2's teachers

jen randolph and jessica kiger

Ms. Jen has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 3 years. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Ms. Jen has taught for thirty years and loves working with children. She love being part of Maple Springs Family. She also enjoys animals and working puzzles.


Ms. Jessica has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for almost 1 year. She is a mommy to a 4 year old daughter named Kaylee and a dachshund pup named Cooper. Ms. Jessica is new to teaching preschool but is loving it! She has been a certified pharmacy technician for 15 years so being able to paint and sing while watching sweet little minds grow and be so happy is a blessing for her!

karen eagleston

3's teacher

Mrs. Karen has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 20+ years. She is originally from Ohio and moved to Winston-Salem after she married.  Mrs. Karen has three grown children who graduated from Maple Springs Preschool. She has her credentials 1 & 2 in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Karen believes her job is very rewarding and enjoys connecting with preschool children.

hayley reed

3's teacher

Mrs. Hayley has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 3 years. Celebrating 12 years of marriage to her husband, Mike, she finds joy in being a mom to two beautiful children, Lily and Charlie, and two adorable fur pups, Nilah and Willow. Mrs. Hayley is currently on the journey toward earning her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. Her passion lies in creating an inclusive and nurturing classroom environment. Mrs. Hayley's aspiration is for every child to not only feel included but also welcomed and loved. Mrs. Hayley aims to cultivate a love for learning, ensuring that education becomes an enjoyable and exciting experience for each student.

tiffany lopez

Kindergarten readiness (4's and 5's)

Mrs. Lopez has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff since Fall 2021. She is a former kindergarten teacher, having taught in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools for 12 years. In 2020, she received a masters degree in Elementary Education: Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. Mrs. Lopez is married with 4 children, 1 dog, and 1 cat! When she is not spending time with her pre-k friends, she enjoys traveling, watching movies, playing games, and crafting with her family!

Kristen Kotelsky

Kindergarten REadiness (4's & 5's)

Mrs. Kristen has been a part of the Maple Springs Preschool staff for 2 years. She grew up in Western New York. While there, she studied Childhood Education at SUNY Fredonia, after which she became a School Age Child Care Director for the YMCA. Eight years ago Mrs. Kristen and her husband, Bill, and 2 dogs moved to North Carolina. Since moving to North Carolina, she has had two children, Roman who is 8 and Lola who is 3.

Floater teachers

Starr stimmel and emily ruebel

Ms. Starr has a Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology and her credentials. She has been working and teaching children for 30 years. Ms. Starr loves children and animals and surrounding herself in nature and the environment.


Mrs. Emily joined the Maple Springs Preschool staff in January of 2024.  Before working at the preschool, she was a teacher at Vienna Elementary School in Pfafftown, NC for 8 years in both Kindergarten and First Grade.  Mrs. Emily received the Teacher of the Year award at Vienna for the 2021-2022 school year and was one of the top 5 finalists for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District Teacher of the Year award. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her masters degree in Educational Media: Instructional Technology Facilitation at Appalachian State University.  Mrs. Emily has been married to her husband, Monte, since March of 2018 and together they welcomed their precious daughter, Auden, in March of 2023.  Mrs. Emily has been a member of Maple Springs United Methodist Church since she was 3 years old and loves working with Children's Ministries and singing in the Praise Band! She loves coffee, Adele, The Office, and of course, teaching children!