Happy Hearts Staff – Wesley United Methodist Church of Bloomsburg

Hello!

My name is Jackie Kurelja, and I have the privilege of serving as the Director at Happy Hearts Preschool at Wesley United Methodist Church.

I have been a preschool teacher for 20 years in Bloomsburg, reaching the level of lead teacher prior to joining Happy Hearts Preschool. Over the last two years, I have been pursuing my certification as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist due to the needs I have observed in our community. This certification is being accomplished through the AIM Institute for Research and Learning. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in Psychology, along with teaching certificates in Elementary and Special Education.

My husband, John, and I call Bloomsburg home and have a beautiful family that includes three children: Luke and his wife, Jess; Kristina and her husband, Cody; and our youngest son, Joey. We also have a fur baby, Milo!

I have been a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for 5 years, a member of the Community Giving Foundation, Women’s Giving Circle for 2 years, and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

I have attended the Soar to Success Summit for Early Childhood Educators for 6 years. Additionally, I have taken numerous courses through Penn State Extension and Better Kid Care.

I passionately believe that preschool should be a magical time where kids dive into their interests and learn the values of caring, compassion, and respect. It’s such a joy to teach in a way that ignites a lifelong love for learning in children. I continue to further my education because I, too, love to learn! Learning is growing! In my opinion, there is no greater career in the world than being a part of a preschool program.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at jakurelja@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Miss Jackie

Hello!

My name is Alicia Reisinger, and I’ll be serving as the Assistant Director of Happy Hearts Preschool at Wesley United Methodist Church.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Messiah College. I taught music in the public school system for twelve years and obtained my Level II Certification. I taught grades kindergarten through 12th grade and enjoyed the variety of things I was able to do each day. I then took some time off to have children. Now that they are in school, I’m looking forward to the second chapter of my career. I’ve been teaching preschool for two years and have really found a passion for it.

My husband Mark and I live in Bloomsburg and have two children; Wesley and Corinne. We also have a goldendoodle named Samson and a fluffy black cat named Henry. In my free time I enjoy watching period dramas, crafting, singing in the church choir, and playing the guitar. Although I don’t get to do it very often, one of my favorite things to do is to search for sea glass when we go on family vacations to the beach.

I believe that preschool is a very special time for children. It’s a time for children to explore the world around them. It’s a time to harness their natural curiosity and to encourage life-long learning. I’m passionate about introducing young learners to exploring numbers through manipulatives and games. I’m also interested in introducing children to expressing themselves through the arts. I believe music and art education are a vital part of a well-rounded education. It can introduce children to different cultures, provide a means of self-expression, and encourage children to develop their fine and gross motor skills. I look forward to meeting you at Happy Hearts Preschool!

Love,

Miss Alicia

Hello!

My name is Jane Bercher and I am excited to be a teacher at Happy Hearts Preschool at Wesley United Methodist Church.

I received my Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Special Education from Bloomsburg University. I taught preschool for 27 ½ years right here in Bloomsburg. Young children have such a wonderful curiosity for knowledge and it is exciting to be a part of their preschool development. I enjoy creating an immersive environment to facilitate learning individually and as a group.

My husband Brian and I worked together for 37 years with the Bloomsburg High School Marching Band. I was the Band Front Advisor and Majorette Advisor. I also taught twirling to students, ages 3-12 from 1982- 2013. Brian and I also directed the Childrens and Carol Choirs at Wesley United Methodist Church for 16 years.

Volunteer work has always been a priority in my life! I established and continue to direct the Starlight program at Wesley. I served as Coordinator for Kidsburg and Consultant and Liaison for Kidsburg 2.0, as well as continuing to be the Secretary for the Bloomsburg Town Park Improvement Association. I am co-coordinator for the Community Friendship Meal, a Saturday free lunch program providing a weekly free lunch.

Brian and I have a wonderful family that includes our daughter Alicia and her husband Travis, and our son Steven and his wife Olivia. We also have two grandchildren, Lynnli who is 8 and Seeley who is 3.

I am looking forward to sharing my love for learning with all the children at Happy Hearts Preschool.

Love,

Miss Jane