Meet Our Teachers

Christi Karcher

Three Year Old Program Teacher

Hi! I’m Ms. Christi Karcher, and I’m so excited to be part of the Zelienople Preschool family! This year, I’ll be the lead teacher in the 3-year-old classroom and the assistant in the 4-year-old classroom.

I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University and have spent many years working with children. I’ve taught preschool, Pre-K, and 2nd grade, but working with young children has always been something I truly love. There is nothing better than watching a child learn something new, make a new friend, or have that little “aha!” moment when they figure something out.

I believe young children learn best through play, hands-on experiences, creativity, and encouragement. I want my classroom to be a place where children feel safe, loved, encouraged, and excited to come to school. Most importantly, I want each child to know that they are special and loved just the way they are.

When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my husband, Jeff, and our two children, Kannon, 13, and Brooklyn,10. Our family enjoys spending time together, cheering on our kids at their various activities, being involved in our church, and making memories whenever we can.

I feel so blessed to be starting this new chapter at Zelienople Preschool. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of our little ones and their families and making lots of special memories together. I can’t wait to see all the learning, growing, laughing, and fun this year will bring!

Kate Sperdute

Transitional Program Teacher

Hello! My name is Katie Sperdute, and I am so happy to be part of the Zelienople Preschool family. I have been teaching for over 25 years on and off, and working with young children has always been a joy for me. I attended Hampton High School and earned my teaching degree from Clarion University. One of the things I love most about teaching is watching children grow throughout the school year. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a child master a new skill and feel proud of themselves. Preschool-age children are truly the best—they come to school excited to learn, their little minds are like sponges, and they make every day fun and full of energy.

I especially love getting to know each child and helping make learning fun. My favorite part of teaching is spending time with the kids and creating a classroom where they feel happy, confident, and excited to explore new things. Growing up, my favorite grade was 2nd grade because I had an amazing teacher who made school so special. My favorite subject was always gym!

Outside of school, I am married to my husband Steve and have three wonderful children: Libby (13), Charlie (11), and Crew (6). I love spending time with my family, watching my kids’ activities, and golfing with my husband. I also love summertime, going to the beach, and being outdoors whenever I can.

A few fun facts about me: my favorite colors are green and pink, I love gummy candy, and my style tends to be a little preppy! I feel incredibly lucky to be part of Zelienople Preschool and love spending my days learning, laughing, and growing with the children.

Leigh Ptak

Preschool Teacher

We’re thrilled to welcome Leigh Ptak to Zelienople Preschool this year! As our Four Year Old Lead Teacher, Ms. Ptak graduated from Geneva College with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary and Special Education. Her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction was obtained from University of Phoenix.