Are you interested in helping support one of our teachers directly? Find our teachers' Wish Lists linked on our new Teacher Wish List page!

Dawn Thurston

Kindergarten Director
​[email protected]

I grew up just outside of Chicago and, after completing my college and graduate studies in Ohio, began my teaching career in Delaware, where I met my husband. Over the years, our family has lived in North Carolina and Indiana. I spent 15 years teaching preschool before moving into leadership roles as assistant director and then director. We have three children who now live in Indiana, Idaho, and Aiken, South Carolina. My husband and I relocated to Aiken in August 2025 and have truly enjoyed becoming part of the community. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, traveling, and walking our dogs. I am passionate about working with children and find great joy in watching their curiosity and confidence grow through new discoveries. I am committed to fostering a warm, engaging learning environment where each child feels supported and encouraged. I believe every child is unique and learns in their own way. I am excited to join SAPK and look forward to helping build a strong foundation for your child’s education while nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Cissy Kelley

Assistant Director
s[email protected]

I was born and raised here in Aiken.  I have a strong Aiken family history dating back seven generations.  At an early age, I discovered a love for working with children.  I began working in the St. Thaddeus nursery at eleven years old and babysitting for countless families.  In my teens, I was a ballet dancer with the Aiken Civic Ballet. After marrying and having my first two children, I worked backstage with the children for Crosby-Miller Dance Studio performances for almost thirty years. By far, my greatest accomplishment has been raising my children, Andrew, Jessica, Aaron, and Anthony Williamson. My oldest attended SAPK in 1992. All three followed and graduated kindergarten from SAPK. I joined the teaching staff at SAPK in 2002, working with babies. I then taught many ages through the years. I love my position as Assistant Director because I get to know each and every child and family that comes through these well-loved walls, and now I get to see my grandkids going through the school as well! I will have to brag about my grandbabies if you come visit me in my office! It may be a little obvious that I am in love with Maddox and James!!!

Amy Burnett

Nursery; [email protected]

I was a Navy brat so I was born in New York and have lived in multiple places along the east coast until we settled in Aiken in 1996. I have been married since 2006 and we have 2 beautiful girls, Kelsey and Kayla. I am a certified radiographer and worked as an interventional radiologic technologist for 15 years at University and Trinity Hospital. I am a member at Cedar Creek Church where I volunteered in the nursery for 10 years and currently volunteer in Kidz Worship where we engage elementary students in the word of God through skits and fun activities. I enjoy playing softball with my church, reading, watching movies, traveling and spending time with my family and friends. I am looking forward to snuggling babies and having a great year at SAPK!

Jodi Quattro

Nursery Aide; [email protected]

Hi, I’m very excited to be part of the SAPK family this year.  My husband and I have called Aiken home for 15 years now after  relocating from Washington State.  I don’t miss that cold weather at all!  We have 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 fur baby. ​

Jessica Morgan

1K Teacher; [email protected]

I have been married to my wonderful husband since 2002. My husband and I are from Pennsylvania and Ohio. We have lived in Aiken since 2007. We have two children, our son Charlie and our daughter Jocelynn. My family and I enjoy playing sports, boating, and camping. I love to watch little ones learn and explore the world around them. 

Jodi Clancey

2K Teacher; [email protected]

I grew up in beautiful rural New York State, and moved to Aiken after high school. I have nannied for 19 years, and am still working part-time for a local family, but joined the SAPK family as a substitute and Bible Friends staff before coming on fully as a teacher. I love spending time with my family, including my teenaged son; being at the lake; camping; visiting the mountains; and visiting my family in New York. I'm excited to continue spreading the love of God wherever He leads me!

Sarah Reese

​2K Teacher; [email protected]

Hi, I'm Sarah Reese! I was born and raised right here in Aiken, SC. I am married to my high school sweetheart Brandon and together we have 3 beautiful children, Braylee, Blayne, and Brayden. I graduated in 2011 with a passion to pursue teaching young children; I started here at SAPK as a substitute while my twins attended and then became a teacher. SAPK has truly become family. In my spare time I enjoy traveling to the beach, going to NASCAR races, and taking trips to Dunkin' for a good iced coffee, but most of all I love being a mom and spending time with my family. 

Sara Williams

3K Teacher; [email protected]

My family moved to Aiken when I was little from Rhode Island. My husband and I met in high school and married in 2008. We have 2 wonderful boys aged 5 and 7. In my spare time I like to redo furniture as a hobby and spend time with the family. When my son attended SAPK, I knew this was where I needed to be. I have always enjoyed watching children learn and look forward to being a part of your child's education.

Melanie Workman

3K Teacher; [email protected]

Hello, my name is Melanie Workman. I was born and raised in New York City. I've lived all over from Georgia to California to Hawaii and finally landed in Aiken. I met my husband in 2019 while working at Augusta Regional Airport. We have 2 beautiful boys, Kaiser and Anselm. I had the opportunity to join the SAPK family as a Substitute Teacher turned 2K Aide when my children started attending SAPK. I enjoy good food, good coffee, musical theatre, karaoke and traveling with my family. I look forward to having a great school year and getting to watch your little ones grow! ​Check back here later to learn more about our toddler aide!

Jourdan Pritchard

3K Plus Teacher;  [email protected]

Hi, Hi! My name is Jourdan Pritchard.  I am a first year teacher at SAPK in the 3K Plus classroom.  I am originally from Columbia, and I have lived in Aiken since 2020.  I have a wonderful husband, Nick, and two children, Jude and River.  I enjoy reading, live music, good coffee, and I am an avid runner. I am truly a kid at heart, and I am looking forward to growing and learning alongside my students in the upcoming year!​

Katie Ward

4K Teacher; [email protected]

Hi, all! My name is Katie Ward. Originally from Trenton, SC, I relocated to Aiken with my family in 2002. I come from a long line of educators. It was always my dream to teach. My husband Wylie and I have been together since 2013. We have three beautiful daughters; Zoey, Chloe, and Olivia. We've been with SAPK since our oldest started in 2016. I love being a parent of SAPK and now a teacher. In my spare time I love reading a good book, drinking good coffee, and camping with the family.

Cheri Nesbitt

4K Plus Teacher; [email protected]

My husband Don and I met during high school in Kingwood, Texas. We moved to Aiken after our first son Robert was born. We became a part of the SAPC/SAPK family before our second son Isaac was born. Aiken has been a wonderful place to raise our family. SAPK is my ‘happy place’! I have been blessed with the privilege of teaching many preschoolers. I find lots of joy sharing music and movement with all of the preschool classes. I love to encourage little ones to grow in spirit, mind and body. My free time is spent with my family camping and traveling.

Debralyn Pryor

5K Teacher; [email protected]

Hello! My name is Debra Pryor. I have been teaching since 1992. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education, a Master's of Science degree in Special Education, a Resource Specialist degree, as well as post grad certificates in continuing education in the field of Reading, Math, Classroom Management, and Leadership. I've taught in public schools in California from 1992-2012. My experience includes teaching grades K-6 in general education, and K-12+ in special education. I’ve lived in Aiken since 2012. I’ve taught 5K at SAPK in the past and am so very happy to be teaching here again. There is no other place more special than South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten. I love teaching 5K!

Carina McGee

Music Teacher; [email protected]​

I am so excited to be able to teach music here at SAPK! I was born and raised in SC, and I grew up in a very music-oriented family. While my direct experience teaching is in high school English, it was volunteering to lead music at SAPC's Vacation Bible School that showed me just how much I love teaching music to younger students as well. My husband, Alex, and I have been members of SAPC since 2020, and our daughter is currently a student at SAPK. Outside of the classroom, I am also the Communications Specialist for SAPC and SAPK. I love reading, crafting in all manner of ways, and snuggling with my cat!

Stephanie Freund

Permanent Sub; [email protected]

My name is Stephanie Freund and I want to thank you for letting me love on your children! I am so excited for this school year! I’m from Atlanta, Georgia originally and have lived in Aiken since 2008 with my husband Nick and our two beautiful daughters - Madison and Savannah, who also attended SAPK. I have worked at SAPK since 2013. I have worked as a teacher and an assistant. In my spare time, I enjoy exercising, shopping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends!

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