Stephanie Black

Ms. Stephanie

Stephanie Black currently serves as the Interim Director of the First Presbyterian Preschool, where she brings a strong background in early childhood education and program leadership. With ten wonderful years at FPCEM, Stephanie has developed a deep passion for creating a warm, nurturing, and developmentally rich environment where every child can learn and thrive.

This past summer, she also led the First Presbyterian Church Summer Day Camp, coordinating engaging, hands-on experiences that encouraged exploration, creativity, and fun. Stephanie studied at UALR and began her career in business management before finding her true calling in early childhood education.

She and her husband, Garry, have been married for 23 years and are proud parents to Gabby (20), Garrett (17), and Gavin (14). Stephanie feels truly blessed to be part of the First Presbyterian community and loves watching each preschooler’s curiosity and confidence blossom every day.

Holly Anderson

Ms. Holly

"​I have the honor of teaching the Pre-K 3 Monday-Friday class! I am blessed to say this will be my 24th year at FPCEM! I have a wonderful husband, Howell, and we have been married for 39 years. We have 2 amazing children, Austin and Ashley, plus a Daughter-In-Love, Saige and a Son-in-Law, Michael! I have the sweetest dog, Sophie and grand dog, Ellie! We attend Second Baptist Church! In my spare time, I enjoy reading and the outdoors but mostly love time with my family and friends!"

Connie Fox

​Ms. Connie

"My husband Tray and I moved to Conway in 1996. We've been married 42 years. We have three sons, Grant, Garrett, and Grayson. I have 4 precious grandchildren, Ellie, James, Lily and Violet, who I adore! I have been working at FPCEM since 1997. I am currently the Pre-K 4 aide for the Monday through Friday classes. I attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and studied pre-physical therapy. I am a member of Second Baptist Church here in Conway. I have absolutely loved working at FPCEM for 27 years. I love music, singing, spending time with family and especially those sweet grandkids!!! Children are a blessing from God and I am so blessed to be able to work with them everyday! They are such a joy to my life!"

Kelly Lindstrom

Mrs. Kelly

“This is my first year teaching music at FPCEM and it has been so much fun! I am loving getting to know each child in our fantastic little school.  Previously, I taught 4 years of PreK-4 as the MWF teacher here at FPCEM.  Before I stayed home for 12 years with my four kids, I taught 1st, 3rd, and 4th grades in MO, northwest AR, and middle TN.  I graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University with a degree in Elementary Education, earned my M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Trevecca Nazarene University, and received my ESOL certification from Henderson State University. I’ve been married to my husband, Mark, for 27 years (are we really that old!? 😳😁).  We love traveling with our kids anywhere and everywhere! I look forward to many more years with the FPCEM family!”

Ms. Khushbu

“Hi! My name is Khushbu Patel. My husband and I been married for 15 years. We have two children Ayush (11) and Alina (7). I love outdoor activities, traveling and spending time with family and friends. This is my second year working as Prek -3  teacher before that I started working as a substitute teacher. I love getting to know my students and building strong relationships with them.”

Ms. Melanie

“First Presbyterian has been a wonderful part of my life for 25 years! My children, Kristian and Anna were both students here. Once they graduated from the program, I began as a substitute teacher and then taught Pre-K 4 for 12 years. This year I will once again be assisting in the Pre-K 3 program, early care, after care, and extended care.

When I’m away from school I enjoy biking, kayaking, working out and finding a great deal at an antique shop or show.

I have loved my time at First Presbyterian and am looking forward to another great year!”

Ms. Kira

“Hi! I'm Kira and this is my second year teaching at FPCEM. My family and I recently moved here from Houston, Texas. ( Home of the Houston Astros) My Husband John and I have been married for 11 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters, Kinsley 11 Adelaide ( Adie ) 7. Adie is or Cystic Fibrosis Warrior! I like being able to help  spread  awareness about Cystic Fibrosis , and we have  a walk " Great Strides " we do every year to help raise awareness! Our Family loves to be outdoors hiking, floating the river ,hanging out by the lake or watching our girls play softball! We also love exploring all the beautiful places Arkansas has to offer! I'm very excited to be a Pre K 4 teacher this year and I'm looking forward to an amazing year with your kiddos!”

Kathryn Shingleur

Mrs. Shingleur

“Hi! My name is Kathryn Shingleur, also known as Mrs.Kat! This is my first year here as an aide in the Prek2 “Teddy Bear” class!

I graduated with my bachelors in Early Childhood Education from Arkansas Tech University and spent 6 years in the classroom before transitioning into my current roll as a full time photographer! My husband and I started our business “Shingleur Photography” 12 years ago and have been going strong ever since! We moved to Conway in 2023 and my youngest son started attending FPCEM. We all quickly fell in love with the program and all of the amazing staff! I wanted to join in on the fun this year and am loving hanging out with those sweet Teddy Bears two days a week! 

We of course stay super busy as my husband Lance is an event planner and floral designer for a company in Little Rock and we have two sweet boys- one in elementary and one here at First Pres! We also attend church at Rock Solid Church and are loving living in Conway!! 

We are so thankful to have found this program and are so glad to be part of it!”

Kinsey Guerin

Mrs. Guerin

“Hey there! m I am so excited to be your child’s Spanish teacher! This is my first year teaching at FPCEM, but I have been blessed to teach students of all ages for almost 10 years. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a Minor in Spanish from UCA, and also have my Master’s in Teaching degree from UCA. I am a Conway native, and live here with my husband, John Mark, and our two kiddos--Skylar (10) and Rand (2). I also own Euphoria Salon and Day Spa in downtown Conway. When I am not working, you can find me outside hanging out with my family, or cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks.”

Natalie Lawrence

Mrs. Lawrence

“I’ve been married to my wonderful husband for 18 years and we have three amazing children, Israel (12), Isaac (10), and Eden Rose (8). We also have 3 dogs Cooper, Scottie, and Bear. This will be my first year at FPCEM and I’ll be working with the Tuesday/ Thursday prek4 class, as an aide, and also in the extended care program! I’m looking forward to spending time with your children and getting to know each of them! When I’m not at work you can find me cheering on my boys at all the sporting events or watching our tiny dancer “Rosie” on stage. I LOVE JESUS, diet dr. pepper, audiobooks, gummy candy, the lake, oversized sweatshirts, campfires, and could probably eat pizza or mexican food everyday of the week! I’m so excited and am praying for your kiddos to have such an amazing time with us this year!”

Nikita “Niki” Patel

Mrs. Patel

“Hello, my name is Nikita Patel. I have been with FPCEM for the past year as Substitute and then joined Teddy Bears class PreK 2 class as a co-teacher. Currently, I am a lead teacher in Teddy Bears class PreK 2 Monday to Friday. My husband Jay and I have been married for 9 years and have 2 lovely kids:Kiva(6) and Dhyan (3). I Love spending time outdoors with friends and family and going on vacations. I am truly thankful and count it as a blessing to be part of your child's early school experience! It is going to be a great year.”

Nikki Worley

Mrs. Worley

“My name is Nikki and this is my first year with FPCEM! I am the co-teacher for Prek1!!  I love spending my days with your sweet tiny humans! I was born and raised in Conway and graduated from UCA with a degree in biology and chemistry. I love all things science! I have been married to my husband for 7 years and we have a beautiful 4 year old daughter, Oakleigh. She also attends FPCEM. We absolutely love animals so we have four fur babies. Charlie & Oreo are our doggies and we recently rescued two kittens; Pumpkin & Wednesday.”