Our Staff

We welcome you to learn a little more about our staff!

Ms. Christina, Founder and Director

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30-3:30

Summer Office Hours by Appointment

My name is Christina Miller and I am the Founder and Director of A Great Start Preschool.  My husband and I live in Centerville.  I have two children, both graduates of Centerville High School. Liz, who lives with her family in Bellbrook, and Kyle who teaches Math at Centerville High School and lives in Kettering with his wife, Hannah.  I also have a grandson, Carter, that will be in First Grade this school year, and a two year old granddaughter named Callie who will be starting in our Little Learners program!  I have over 30 years of experience working with children, an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor's degree in Human Services Administration, and a Master's of Education Degree in Educational Leadership. Throughout my educational career, I have become dedicated to educating the community about the long-term benefits of participation in a quality preschool program prior to entering kindergarten. My favorite color is purple, and I enjoy camping, country music, and Mexican food.

Ms. Sharon, Private Kindergarten Teacher

Room 106: Monday through Friday PM

Ms. Sharon has been with AGSP since 2006! Sharon is a certified Level 2 Orton-Gillingham tutor from an IMSLEC (International Multi-sensory Structured Language Education Council) accredited program, and tutors dyslexic children at the Children's Dyslexia Center, Valley of Dayton. Sharon has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and began her teaching career in 1990. In her free time, she enjoys dining out, especially Italian, and going to the movies with her husband, two children and their spouses. Her favorite flowers are Hydrangeas and she loves reds, purples, and blues!

Ms. Katie, KinderStart Teacher

Room 103: Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM

Although this is Ms. Katie’s second year as a KinderStart teacher at AGSP, many of you know her, as she had been teaching our Extra-Curricular Spanish Class since 2016! She was also an active volunteer when both of her children attended AGSP. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and over 25 years experience teaching. Katie and her husband live in Centerville with their two boys.

Ms. Tracey, Smart Start Teacher

Room 122:  Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM and PM

Tuesday, Thursday AM & PM

Ms. Tracey has been working at A Great Start Preschool since 2015, and her youngest of 3 sons is an AGSP graduate.   Tracey attended Sinclair and Wright State majoring in Elementary Education. Tracey loves working with children, and is excited to be teaching in our Smart Start program again this year! She lives in Centerville with her husband, 3 boys, and dog Tracker. Tracey’s favorite animals are dogs and horses, and she loves listening to Journey and P!nk.

Ms. Ginny, Preschool Plus Teacher

Room 121: Monday/Wednesday/Friday AM, Tuesday/Thursday AM, & Monday through Friday PM

Ginny began her career at AGSP in 2017, and was a preschool parent here for 5 years prior to that. She is super excited to be teaching 3 Preschool Plus classes again this school year! She studied Psychology and Child Development in College before staying at home with her children. Ginny has a passion for working with children and is always willing to help wherever needed.  Ginny lives in Centerville with her husband and 2 daughters.

Ms. Erika, Little Learners Teacher

Room 107: Monday, Wednesday, AM & PM and Friday AM & PM

Tuesday, Thursday AM & PM

Ms. Erika has been a familiar face at AGSP since 2011, first as a parent and then as a home daycare provider transporting some of our students to/from preschool. She has been a Lead Teacher in our Little Learners program since 2019. Erika has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and has been working with children for over 23 years. Erika and her husband live in Centerville with their two daughters. She is a Girl Scout Leader and in her spare time, enjoys cross-stitch, audio books, cooking/baking, and is learning to knit!

Ms. Jenny, Teacher’s Aide

Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM & PM  

Tuesday, Thursday AM & PM

Ms. Jenny began her employment with AGSP in 2019, and has filled several roles including Little Learners Teacher, Preschool Plus Teacher, Substitute, and Floater. Again this year, she will be our Teacher’s Aide Monday through Friday, morning and afternoon. Jenny studied Early Childhood Education at Cincinnati Christian University and has over 20 years experience working with children. She and her husband live in Beavercreek with their four children.

Ms. Erica, Smart Start Teacher

Room 127: Tuesday, Thursday AM & PM

Ms. Erica has been working for AGSP since January 2007! She studied Education at The University of Toledo, and she is an active volunteer in the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools. Erica is a mom of 3, two of which are AGSP graduates (and soon will be a grandma!). She loves lilies and tulips, and going on vacation to Vegas and Disney!

Ms. Mandy, KinderStart Teacher

Room 106: Monday through Friday AM

Room 103: Monday through Friday PM

Although this is Mandy’s fourth year on staff, she has been a parent and volunteer at AGSP since 2017! She is looking forward to teaching KinderStart again this school year. Mandy has a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Mandy has been actively involved in the PTO at a local school and you may also recognize her from Strollers in Motion. Mandy enjoys running across the US, boating at Norris Lake, and being a boy mom! Mandy and her husband live in Centerville with their two boys.

Ms. Peggy, Floater

Monday, Wednesday, Friday AM

Ms. Peggy has been employed at AGSP since 2008. After being a Lead Teacher here for 12 years, she semi-retired and spent one year subbing for us before returning as a Floater. Peggy has a degree in Early Childhood Education, and over 30 years working with children. Peggy and her husband live in Beavercreek, and have two children and one grandchild. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, traveling, and visiting with her Grandson in Hawaii.

Ms. Amy, Smart Start Teacher

Room 103: Tuesday, Thursday AM

This is Amy’s second year at A Great Start Preschool. She is excited to be teaching a Smart Start Class this school year! Prior to joining our team, Amy had been a lead teacher at a reputable center for several years, and had served in an Assistant Director role prior to that. Amy is a mother of two and an active volunteer in Centerville Schools. She has a passion for working with young children and loves planning and organizing special activities and events.

Ms. Lyndsey, Floater

Floater: Mon/Wed/Fri PM and

Tuesday and Thursday AM & PM

Please welcome Ms. Lyndsey to A Great Start Preschool! For the past 5 years, Lyndsey served in various roles teaching and assisting at another local preschool (which has since closed their doors). She thinks one of the most important things is to create an environment that is welcoming and makes children feel safe. Lyndsey and her husband live in Springboro with their two girls, and enjoy traveling and camping with their family.

Substitute Teaching Staff

From time to time, our teachers may need a session off. To continue to provide your children with quality education, we have a qualified team of substitutes to ensure a routine day. Sometimes our permanent staff members who work on an alternate schedule may substitute as well. 

Ms. Beth Bentley has been with AGSP since our inception in 2004 (and worked with me since 1998!) In May 2025, Beth retired from a permanent position at AGSP, but promises to sub this school year. Beth has a Bachelor’s and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

Ms. Raeleen Grzybowski joined our team as a sub in 2020, but we knew her for a few years prior to that as a Mom of students in our Preschool and Kindergarten programs and as an active volunteer. Raeleen has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and taught high school in Arizona before moving back to Ohio. She has also been actively involved in our Parent Group Meetings!

Ms. Chris Barhorst retired from her teaching position in 2024 but couldn’t stay away for long! We are excited to have her on our team of subs this school year. Chris has been with AGSP since 2015, and has over 30 years experience working with children. Chris has a degree in Early Childhood Education.

You may recognize Ms. Lauren Moorman as one of our awesome Soccer Coaches since 2016! She joined our staff as a Substitute Teacher in 2020. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University, and over 12 years of experience working with children.

Ms. Lauren Burtscher is on maternity leave, but says we will still see her on occasion as a Sub! Lauren and her husband welcomed baby boy #4 to their family in 2023. Lauren has been on our staff since 2021, and began her time here as a preschool mom in 2017. She has a Bachelor’s degree and has been working with children for over 20 years.

Ms. Amy Fisher has been employed at AGSP since 2008. She began in our Smart Start program and also taught our KinderStart program for several years. In 2023, Amy has retired to a Subbing Position. Although we miss seeing her on a regular schedule, we are happy to see her dropping off and picking up her grandkids and subbing on occasion! Amy has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. She is a mother of 6 and Nana to 4!

Ms. Grace Kirk joined our team in 2022. Grace happens to be Ms. Mandy’s sister! She is a UC graduate and is currently working toward her Master’s of Education in School Psychology. In addition to subbing for AGSP, Grace is also a Registered Behavior Technician.

Ms. Pam Alderman, Little Learners Teacher from 2004-2015.  With love laughter and lots of hugs, Ms. Pam gave us “a great start” and now is looking down from above. In fond remembrance of one of our founding teachers.