Preschool: About Us
Nikole Powell. – Preschool Director
Nikole has been with St. Elizabeth’s Preschool serving on the Board before it WAS a preschool. With the help of the Preschool Advisory Committee she helped to bring the dream of a preschool to fruition in 2012. Within two years of SEEP’s first day, we went from 7 students to 56 students. We have proudly educated and enriched hundreds of students over the years.
Nikole Powell has been Head of Preschool at St. Elizabeth’s Preschool (SEEP) for the past 10 years. She first came to SEEP as a teacher for our 2 year old classes where her own children were also in attendance. After two years she was promoted to Head of Preschool where Nikole found she enjoyed working on the backend of operations allowing her to utilize her skills in marketing, promotion, and customer service for the SEEP community and throughout Richmond Hill.
More recently, Nikole has begun an additional career with her time outside of SEEP in real estate with the local Keller Williams office. Here she gets to use the same talents she’s brought to SEEP: customer service, networking, and being a welcome wagon to helping people buy, sell, and invest in their homes and real estate. This career growth greatly compliments Nikole’s committed development of SEEP!
Nikole went to The Ohio State University with a Major in Early Childhood Development and a Minor in Equine Sciences. She worked for John Hancock Financial Services selling Long Term Care products for many years before welcoming her first child, Luciana, in 2006. She moved to Richmond Hill in 2010 and had Angelina and Lincoln in 2009. Both Angelina and Lincoln are St. Elizabeth’s Preschool Graduates!
Outside of work Nikole has three children, ages 15, 12, and 11. Her family actively fosters kittens and cats through the local non-profit, Castaways Pet Rescue. Nikole is also an avid outdoors gal and loves fishing, boating, and kayaking. In her spare time you can usually find her on the water exploring beautiful Richmond Hill and all that it offers. Even as a 13 year Richmond Hill resident she still finds there is plenty to explore!
Nikole continues to be the proud Director of St. Elizabeth’s Preschool with her wonderful staff and teachers. Nikole would like to add that if there’s anything she could help you with, SEEP related or otherwise, to always feel free to reach out to her at 912-312-8927.
Teachers:
Lenora Buchanan M – TH 2’s: has been a teacher for 5 years and a substitute for 2 . I love arts and crafts and love helping my students grow through exploration! My goal is to make learning fun and exciting for each of my students. Fun facts: I have two teenagers, I am active with the scouts and do lots of camping, I love doing puzzles, I love listening to audiobooks and reading!
Jenn Witte M/W & T/Th 2’s : I have four amazing kids and have been married to my husband for 10 years! I love to host themed movie nights for my kids! I love watching the 2 year old students grow throughout the year. I have been coaching gymnastics for 15 years and currently coach at Richmond Hill Gymnastics Academy at SEEP!
Rebecca Amodea Teacher in M – W 3’s : This is my third year teaching at SEEP. I have a love for this school as both my girls attended and my oldest was the first graduating class ever at St. E’s! I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Counseling. I have two kiddos, Allison ( 15) and Madeline (11). My family has lived in Richmond Hill for 13 years. We love pets and currently have a dog, cat, gecko and hermit crab. I look forward to loving on children like they are my own! My goal is to introduce school as a fun place where you can learn and grow! Illana Draper Teacher in M – W 3’s : Hello St. Elizabeth’s! Although my full name is Illana , I go by Lana. This will be my third year teaching at SEEP. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Colorado State as well as my Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of Colorado. My son graduated from the PreK at SEEP. It is truly a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. I have two children, my son is 7 and my daughter is 9. My family moved to Richmond Hill about 4 years ago. I am originally from Northern California but the Army has taken us from Hawaii to Alaska and several states in between. I love to travel, explore the history of everything, read and spend time with my family. You can usually find us on the water in our spare time. I treasure each child I teach in the classroom and I look forward to the growth and progress we will see this year!
Lisa Ichikawa M – TH 3’s Teacher – This is my 11th year teaching at SEEP and I’ve always taught in the 3 year old classes. I’m originally from Southern California but my family settled in Richmond Hill 11 years ago. We have two sons ( 20) and ( 22). I enjoy walking, spending time outdoors and spending time with my family. I also love all kinds of animals so I’m typically the teacher that is rescuing lizards and spiders on the playground! I love cats and am involved with Castaways Pet Rescue here in Richmond Hill.
Brooke Karsten M – W 3’s Teacher – My husband Troy and I have lived in the Richmond Hill area for 5.5 years. We have three children: Logan (11), Olivia ( 9) and Landon (7). Two of my children are former SEEP students! I am from Nashville, TN and love to visit to see my family and friends. I have taught Kindergarten and First Grade for 10 years in the elementary school setting. This is my 4th year teaching the 3’s at St. Elizabeth’s Preschool.
Erica Minton M – W 3’s Teacher – I am married and have two High School aged children. This is my first year teaching at SEEP but I’ve spent the last 4 years teaching at Flourish. I am from Colorado and love the outdoors. I love reading, museums, elephants music and coffee! Most weekends you’ll find me on the lacrosse field cheering on my daughter or on Tybee with my son watching Jr Coast Guard Training! I love teaching and getting to know each of the children and their personalities!
Madeline Sekara Teacher in M-Th 3’s : I have a Bachelors of Science degree from Ohio University in Home Economics. I worked for the Ohio Gas Company and hostesses televised cooking shows for many years. I have two daughters, Nikole ( The Director of SEEP) and Stefany, and six Grandchildren! I’ve been married to my husband Michael for 52 years.
I have been teaching at SEEP for 14 years in a variety of the classrooms. I’ve been with the 3’s classes the longest. I love to oil paint and do 1000 piece puzzles in my spare time!
Cindy Colon PreK Lead Teacher: I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts and I’ve been a PreK Teacher for 16 years and 14 of those years at SEEP! I am married to a Retired Military Veteran and have 3 children! My youngest child was the first graduating class at SEEP 14 years ago! My favorite subjects to teach the children in class are Spanish and Arts! Each month we focus on and study an artist and recreate their work.
Susan Campanelli PreK Assistant Teacher: I have an Associates Degree in Business from Widner University and was an owner of a garden business for 7 years. I have been a Teacher at SEEP for 4 years! I am a wife, mother and grandmother, mom of 3 puppies and 2 swans! I have planted many butterfly gardens on SEEP property and love educating children about the lifecycles of butterflies!
Beth Wise PreK Assistant Teacher: I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Western Carolina University and I’ve been a Teacher at SEEP for 13 years! I am a Wife, Mother and Grandmother! I love Gardening and Reading.
Rector:
Fr. Varas accepted a call to serve St. Elizabeth Church and Preschool as Rector (Pastor) in March of 2020. Fr. Varas arrived in August, but had been working with church and school staff while still living in Thomasville in order to assist with navigating through the early days and months of pandemic life. After tying up loose ends, Dwayne’s wife, Elizabeth, a Special Education teacher, and their two young daughters (ages 9 and 7) joined him in November. Given the circumstances, the farewell and the welcome were equally challenging. However, Fr. Varas has commented on the profound level of thoughtfulness and creativity such circumstances elicited. He also recalls that welcome visits while wearing masks and maintaining “social distance” in the memorial garden were more intimate than usual.
Dwayne was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where he completed a BS in Civil Engineering. Following undergraduate studies, he entered the Jesuits, received an MA from Gonzaga University, an MDiv. from The Jesuit School of Theology at Berkely and a Diploma in Anglican Studies from The General Theological Seminary in New York City. He has served at churches, preschools and elementary schools in Spokane, San Antonio, Oakland, Tampa, Naples, Ormand Beach, and Thomasville.
Dwayne met Elizabeth in Richmond, Virginia where she had been teaching for 11 years. While working at The Peter Paul Development Center in Richmond, he grew madly in love with this southern girl with sweet compassion. They were married in 2010 and have two active daughters who keep them on their toes. Dwayne finds joy in preparing food with his daughters following recipes from their princess cookbook, date nights with Elizabeth which includes sharing a charcuterie board, and crafting a beautiful sermon.
Fr. Varas’ ministerial passions remain the spiritual lives of children, preaching, and faith and the promotion of justice. His hope for SEEP is for it to grow as one; a community of faith which finds God in all things and all things in God.
Contact Us:
Address: 16491 GA-144, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 by Email at office@saintelizabethsrh.com
Main Office (912) 727-2650 – Preschool (912) 312-8927 – Thrift Store (912) 727-2664
Map and Directions: