Our Faculty

Karen Nace - Director
This is Karen's third year with CHE. Prior to joining CHE, Karen owned and operated a 120 bed assisted living facility for fifteen years. She graduated with a B.A. in Business from Gettysburg College and is presently pursuing her Master's in Education at Chestnut Hill College. Recently completed all required courses for Montessori Certification. She has many years of volunteer experience in both the community and her children's schools. Karen has taught business classes and was Director of the Volunteer Center in her previous community. She feels it is an honor to help each child develop to his full potential in the Montessori classroom.

Laura Shook - Head Teacher
This is Laura's third year as Head Teacher here at CHE. Laura earned her Masters in Elementary Education at Cabrini College and holds a current Pennsylvania Certification in Elementary Education. She is taking courses in Montessori Education at Chestnut Hill College. Laura previously taught preschoolers at The Children's School of Cabrini College in Wayne. She especially enjoys the freedom children have in the Montessori environment to explore their own interests and build confidence in their own abilities.

Donna Urie - Assistant Teacher
Donna is an assistant teacher in both the A.M. and P.M. class. This is her 6th year at CHE. Prior to joining the staff at CHE, Donna was a Kindergarten aide at Holy Family School in Phoenixville. She is amazed to see the growth children have from one year to the next.

Barbara Seiple - Assistant Teacher
Barbara is an assistant teacher in the morning class. She also can be found filling in as needed. Barbara has been part of CHE for 29 years. Barbara says she still looks forward to the first day of school with the same enthusiasm she had 28 years ago. Barbara has been fortunate enough to see former CHE students become parents and then have their children attend CHE with her as well. She enjoys talking with the children and seeing their eyes light up as they tell her something special.

Debbie Bateman - Assistant Teacher
Debby has over 16 years of experience working with and teaching pre-school children. She is AMS certified from the College of New Rochelle, NY. Debbie holds an AMI certification and a Pennsylvania Private Academic License. Over the years she has taught in several Montessori schools. Debby recently returned to the U.S. from Germany where she worked for the last thirteen years at Black Forest Academy. While at the Academy she was a first grade teacher and also taught Art for grades 1 - 12. Serving as head of the Art Department she was responsible for writing Art curriculum for accreditation. She teaches beginning art skills to the children.