Staff

Jody Halley – 10th 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 Solon Schools and plays in the Solon Community Band. She lives in Solon with her husband, Scott and her two children, Trevor and Taryn

Emily Johnson- 9th 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 exercising. She lives in Solon with her husband, Peter, and her three children, Silas, Simone and Wyatt.

Lesley Perlberg – 8th year at Play and Prep

3s 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 – 6th year at Play and Prep

PreK 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.

Julie Seitz – 4th  year at Play and Prep

4/5s Assistant Teacher and Yoga

Julie has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Caldwell University in Caldwell, NJ.  She previously taught both adult and children’s yoga classes and was the assistant teacher in the 3s at Play & Prep in 2018 and 2019 as well as a substitute teacher last year.  In her free time Julie enjoys camping, kayaking, paddleboarding, reading and watching her son play football.  She lives in Twinsburg with her husband (Werner), her son (Joe) and her two dogs (Biscuit and Bean). Her daughter is a sophomore at The Ohio State University.

Rainy Titus- 4th year at Play and Prep

4/5s 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 – 3rd year at Play and Prep

3/4s Teacher

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 programing 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 – 3rd year at Play and Prep

3s Assistant Teacher

Sarah has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems from Ohio University. She is involved in Twinsburg PTAs and Girl Scouts. In her free time she enjoys watching her daughters’ soccer games, baking and playing board games. She lives in Twinsburg with her husband (Andy), two daughters Hallie and Marissa.

Laura Eck – 2nd year at Play and Prep

4/5s 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 – 2nd 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 – 2nd year at Play and Prep

3/4s Assistant Teacher

Jennifer was born and raised in Mayfield Height. Lives in Solon with husband Jeremy and their children Noah and Emma.

Heven Pfeifer
Heven Pfeifer – 1st year at Play and Prep

2s and 3s Lead Teacher

Heven has a Bachelor of Science in Education from Cleveland State University. She is involved in both the Solon Early Childhood PTA and Twinsburg School PTA. Heven enjoys photography, crafting and coaching cheerleading. She lives in Twinsburg with her husband, Matthew, their daughters, Madalyn and Emilia, and two dogs, Ranger and Gunner.

Narine Prystash
Narine Prystash – 1st year at Play and Prep

2s and 3s Assistant Teacher

Narine has a Masters Degree in Accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Social Work from Cleveland State University. Narine lives in Solon with her husband David and their three children – Ando, Sevy, and Ani – who are currently attending the Solon School System.

Julie Coussa – 3rd year at Play and Prep

Substitute Teacher

Julie has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). While a student at UCLA, she lived abroad for two years in Granada, Spain, where she studied Spanish Literature and Psychology at the University of Granada and also worked as a private English teacher and tutor. Julie also received her multiple subject (K-8) teaching credential from California State University San Marcos. She volunteers in the Solon Schools and on their PTAs. Julie loves to cook, dance and spend time with her family. She lives in Solon with her husband, John, two daughters, Natalie and Emily, and their two cats, Bozley and Theo.

Carol Juergemeier – 12th year at Play and Prep

Substitute 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 seventeen years both in Pittsburgh and Solon. 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 – 3rd 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.