Staff

Jody Halley – 11th year at Play and Prep

Director

Jody has a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and a minor in Education from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University. She is involved with volunteering in the community and plays in the Solon and Strongsville Community Band. She lives in Solon with her husband, Scott and has two grown children, Trevor and Taryn

Emily Johnson – 10th year at Play and Prep

Assistant Director and Creative Movement/STEM Teacher

Emily has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a specialization in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology from James Madison University. She is involved in the Solon High School PTA, coaches robotics, and enjoys hiking and exercising. She lives in Solon with her husband, Peter, and her three children, Silas, Simone, and Wyatt.

Lesley Perlberg – 9th year at Play and Prep

Lead Teacher

Lesley has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing from Kent State University. She previously taught dance, gymnastics, and music at The Little Gym. Lesley is involved with Solon PTAs, running her accessory business, and watching her kids’ sporting events. She lives in Solon with her husband, David and children, Grace and Alex.

Kaitlyn Pecherkiewicz – 7th year at Play and Prep

Lead Teacher

Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wittenberg University as well as a Master’s Degree in Human Development/Family Studies from Kent State University and a Master’s Degree in Applied Social Sciences from Case Western Reserve University. Kaitlyn has worked with youth in a variety of settings including a residential treatment facility, a school-based therapy program, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and an in-home daycare. In her free time Kaitlyn runs a small photography business and enjoys reading. Kaitlyn lives in Reminderville with her husband, Eric, and their two kids, Anna and Ryan.

Rainy Titus – 5th year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Rainy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations from The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and an Associate’s Degree in Medical Billing & Coding from Remington College. She also has completed an international cultural exchange Au pair Program. She has been involved in the education community in Solon PTAs, Solon P.O.P., Solon Early Childhood PTA, and Volunteering in the Solon Schools. In her free time she exercises and teaches cooking (Thai food). She lives in Solon with her husband, Ben, two kids, Bella and Kepler, and a lovely golden retriever, Margie.

Kiersti Critchfield – 4th year at Play and Prep

Lead Teacher and Yoga

Kiersti has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater Management from Ohio University. Prior to Play and Prep Preschool, Kiersti was the director of Children Ministries at Federated Church and prepared and taught classes and programming for children from birth to 6th grade. Kiersti was also a Jazzercise instructor for five years and now takes classes as a customer. Kiersti enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. She and her husband, Matthew reside in Chesterland with their four children Eli, Noah, Hope, and Eve and their two dogs, Red and Chip.

Sarah Welch – 4th year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Sarah has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems from Ohio University. She volunteers in the Twinsburg schools and with her daughters’ sports teams. In her free time she enjoys watching her daughters’ play sports, reading, baking, and playing board games. She lives in Twinsburg with her husband, Andy and daughters, Hallie and Marissa.

Laura Eck – 3rd year at Play and Prep

Lead Teacher

Laura has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Cleveland State University. She is involved in the Solon School’s PTA and Solon Early Childhood PTA. Laura also teaches Stroller Strides, a mommy & me workout class. She lives in Solon with her husband, Stephen, and their children, Claire and Colin, and cat, Moo.

Carol Eisenberg – 3rd year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Carol has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State University. She has been involved with the Solon PTA while her kids were in the district. Carol has also been a substitute teacher and crossing guard for the Solon School District. In her free time, Carol enjoys baking, gardening, hiking and visiting her kids at college. She lives in Solon with her husband Steve, and her children, Ben and Sydney.

Jennifer Schusterman – 3rd year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Jennifer was born and raised in Mayfield Heights. She lives in Solon with husband Jeremy and their children, Noah and Emma.

Carol Juergemeier – 13th year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Carol has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a minor in Psychology from Guilford College and holds a current Professional Early Childhood (P-3) License in the State of Ohio. She has been teaching preschool for the last eighteen years in Pittsburgh, Solon, and Shaker Heights. She spends her free time reading and being outside. She lives in Solon with her husband, Scott Mabey, and has three grown children, Joel, Clark and Elsa.

Leah Streem
Leah Streem – 4th year at Play and Prep

Substitute Teacher

Leah has a Bachelor of Arts in French from Smith College and received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Houston Law Center. She volunteers at Solon High School and serves on its PTA board. Leah enjoys baking, reading, and traveling. She lives in Solon with her husband David, children Marcus and Kayla, and their cats, Max and Pippa.

Ryan Macy – 2nd year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Ryan has a BS in mechanical engineering and a Masters in engineering management from CWRU. He’s been a non-stop dad since 2016, and if he’s not outside right now, he’s probably in a kitchen somewhere. He lives with his wife, their kids, a wonderful dog, and a ridiculous number of Lego bricks.

Diane Kovatch – 1st year at Play and Prep

Assistant Teacher

Diane completed her nursing degree from Kent State in 2001. She grew up in Jackson Township, Ohio and moved to Bainbridge in 2020. She began working in preschool education in 2020. She lives with her husband and daughter, who is a senior at Kenston, and has two golden retrievers, Charlotte and Honey.