The Triangle Grace Preschool Staff
Alana Scott - Director
Alana graduated from Bridgewater College with a BS degree in Middle School Education. She taught seventh grade Language Arts for nine years in Stafford County, VA, as well as coaching girls' field hockey and track. Alana and her husband, Bill, have two children-Colleen and David. After the birth of her daughter, Alana retired from teaching to be a stay-at-home mom. In 1999, Alana and her family moved to Durham. Both of Alana's children attended TPPK and their positive experiences at the preschool helped Alana decide to join the TPPK staff in 2003 as the kindergarten teacher. Beginning in June 2015, Alana became the Director of TPPK, now Triangle Grace Preschool. Alana loves to read, bake, garden, and spend time with her family.
Jenny Clark - 2 year old Turtle Team
Jenny grew up in South Boston, Virginia, She attended Lynchburg College, graduating with a teaching degree. She taught middle school PE for ten years before taking time of to stay home with oldest son, Cooper. When Cooper enrolled at Triangle Grace Preschool, she became a long term sub and then stayed on to teach another year before having youngest son, Case (who also attends TGP!). She is married to Jordan. She loves being with family, exercising, being outside and watching the Canes, Tarheels and Braves!
Ashley Lippert - 2 year old Turtle Team
Ryan Runestad - 3 year old Frog Team
Ryan grew up in California and attended UC San Diego. Shortly after, she followed her sister to Chapel Hill where Ryan began teaching at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center. She then completed her Birth-Kindergarten teaching license at UNC, and married Bret. Soon after, she had her first of 2 children for whom she cared for at home. After both of her children aged out of Triangle Grace, Ryan began there as an assistant and worked for two years before joining the Frog Class. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and Jazzercise.
Amy Rhoads - 3 year old Frog Team
Originally from Pennsylvania, Amy attended the University of Pittsburgh and has been working with preschool and elementary aged children since 1994. After moving to North Carolina in 1999, she worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. Amy and her husband, Donnie, have two children, one who is a graduate of TPPK. This is her 10th year as an assistant at Triangle Grace Preschool. In her spare time, Amy likes going on walks, baking, and hanging out with family.
Ellie Klein - 3 year old Bird Team
Ellie was born in Michigan but grew up near Asheville. After graduating from UNC, Ellie briefly moved to Los Angeles, where she held numerous odd jobs including post production assistant, background actress, and nanny. Although LA was fun, Ellie missed North Carolina, so she quickly returned home. She married Matthew in 2010, and they have two boys (both graduates of Triangle Grace Preschool!) and a Boston Terrier. In her spare time, Ellie loves reading, playing video games, and doing crafts.
Ann Nickodem - 3 year old Bird Team
This is Ann’s seventh year at the preschool. She began substituting in December 2015 and worked in the four year old classroom for two years. Prior to joining Triangle Grace Preschool, she worked at a Chapel Hill preschool for ten years. She was an assistant there and worked with all preschool age levels. She has a degree in education from Wisconsin where she taught before moving here with her husband and two children almost twenty years ago. Her children are married and she has two grandchildren. During her summers Ann teaches swim lessons.
Julie Anderson - 4/5 year old Trailblazer Team
Celebrating 22 years with our preschool!
Julie has been involved with Triangle Grace Preschool since the fall of 1997, back when it was Triangle Presbyterian Preschool. She began her time with Triangle as a parent, then as a teacher. Her experience with us also includes being a substitute teacher, a 3’s teacher, teaching gymnastics to our students, and teaching Chapel lessons. Julie has been the Fish (4’s) teacher since the fall of 2004. Julie is married, she and her husband Vin have two children. Jessica (married to Kennedy) and Ian, are both graduates of our preschool. Julie’s love for working with children began as a gymnastics coach many years ago. Julie and her family enjoy spending time together whether it is eating out, going to the movies, spending time at their cottage in Michigan, or just hanging out. Julie is a member of Triangle Grace Church.
Julie Walston - 4/5 year old Trailblazer Team
Julie, a graduate of NCSU, taught Language Arts and Social Studies in Orange County Schools. Julie’s certification is in Middle Grades Education with speciality in Language Arts, Social Studies and Academically and Intellectually Gifted. Julie and Joe (her high school sweetheart and husband) have 2 children, Felicity and Joseph. Felicity is a graduate of Pomona College in Claremont, California. Joseph is a sophomore at UNC Asheville in Asheville, NC. Both children are graduates of the preschool. Julie joined the preschool staff in the fall of 2003 as a kindergarten assistant. Julie enjoys practicing hot yoga, spending time with her two poodles, Cocoa and Cupcake, and playing trivia games.
Kathy Ramsey - 4/5 year old Trailblazer Team
This is Kathy's seventh year with the preschool. Prior to joining the preschool, she had over 13 years experience teaching four-years-old. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood. Her family includes husband, Tom and three adult children (two daughters and a son), their spouses and eight grandchildren!! She enjoys walking in her neighborhood and on the trails, listening to music, going to the beach, reading but most of all spending time with her grandchildren.