top of page

Meet Our Team

Each of the Wilmington Preschool of the Arts teachers and staff brings elements of excellence to the WPA team. Every WPA teacher is CPR and First Aid certified. Each of our lead teachers has a bachelor's or associate's degree and even our teacher's assistants are more than qualified with years of childhood education experience.  We also complete yearly furthering education classes with Smart Start of New Hanover County as well as attend the National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina each year.

Margie Butts

Owner

Masters in Education

UNC Charlotte


Lindsay Sanderson

Assistant Director

Associates in Early Childhood Education 

 Cape Fear Community College

Level II Admin 

Jessie Johnson-Cook

Assistant Director​

Associates in Arts 

Cape Fear Community College 

Level I Admin 

Tandra Canty

4 year olds

Bachelors in Family Studies 

 Mid Atlantic Christian University 

Working towards a Masters in Marriage and Family Studies at Liberty University

She has 9 years of experience

Allison Jackson

3 year olds

Regents Bachelors of Arts with heavy emphasis in Early and Special Education 

 West Liberty University

5 years of experience

Lynne Freedle

3 year olds

Over 30 years of experience in Early Childhood and Special Education

Taylor Saucier

3 year olds

Associates in Medical Assisting 

Wayne Community College

10 years of experience 

ECE Credentials 

                        Julie Rukstelis                        

Pre-K

9 years of experience

ECE Credentials 

 

Jenni Carsrud

Prek-K 

Masters in Reading Education

California State University

24 years of experience 

Sarah Smith 

4 year olds 

Working towards an Associates in Health Science at Cape Fear Community College

Taylor Greiner

3 year olds 

Working towards a Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education at Liberty University

 1 year of experience

Katie Yale

Art

Working towards an Associates in Arts at Cape Fear Community College

2 years of experience

Molly Hamilton 

Dance 

Associates in Arts  

Cape Fear Community College.

Ballet Instructor at The Wilmington Conservatory of Fine Arts who has performed in over 20 productions here in Wilmington

Estefania Lizarazo 

Afternoon/Spanish 

Working towards an Associates in Early Childhood Education at Cape Fear Community College

1 year of experience

Sarah Brown

Music

Bachelors in Songwriting & Production

Berklee College of Music

 5 years of experience

Nibbles

School Bunny

A sweet bunny who loves giving cuddles and kisses. She can be found hopping around WPA and brightening everyones day!

 5 years of experience






Read what our teachers have to say about their love for teaching!

"I love being able to take part in helping children learn and grow. Seeing a child achieve their goals that they've been working so hard for is such a great feeling, especially seeing the pride in their faces." 

Julie Rukstelis - 4 year olds 

bottom of page