Preschool Teachers & Staff

I have worked at Friendship Presbyterian Preschool since 2011. I spent 6 years teaching in the 3 year old classroom and absolutely loved every minute of that experience. It is so much fun to see the excitement and wonder on a child’s face when they are exposed to new and exciting lessons at school. My youngest daughter attended Friendship for Pre-K and that was when we fell in love with the school. We love this community and are so happy we get to call this wonderful place home.

I have worked in the Pre-K classroom at Friendship Preschool since February 2006. I live in Oconee County with my husband. We have four adult children who are all Oconee County School graduates.

I graduated from UGA in 1995 and married my husband, John, in 1996. We loved Athens so much we never left. We have two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Jackie. Both are going to Ga Southern this year. I enjoy sewing and reading in my spare time. I have taught preschool in Athens, since 2008 and have loved every minute. It is a joy to watch the children develop and grow.

I have been teaching at Friendship since 2024.

I have been a teacher at Friendship since 2018. I have previously worked in a University Daycare, served in my church’s nursery, and had an in-home daycare for more that 15 years. I love working with young children and watching their excitement as they explore the world around them. My husband and I have four (grown) children and have lived in Oconee County for the past 14 years.

I have been a teacher at Friendship since 2007. I have a BS degree and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband, Steve, and I have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. I love teaching my students that school is fun!

I began teaching at Friendship in 2023. I have a BA in Art from Georgia Southern University and a MEd in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia. I have enjoyed teaching children and adults of all ages for over 26 years. Many of those years, I worked as a Media Specialist at Oconee County Elementary School. My husband, Jack, and I have 3 sons. Being a part of the Friendship family has been one of the highlights of my career. I look forward to another year of teaching, exploring, creating, and learning!

Born and raised in Watkinsville, I stayed close to home and attended UGA. I graduated with a degree in Special Education with an emphasis on birth-kindergarten, and I am fluent in sign language. My husband and I are avid Dawg fans, and we have 2 daughters, who also bleed red and black. Our family of four loves to laugh together, adventure together, and most importantly show the love of Jesus together.

Hello! My name is Diana Bahnsen. I am the assistant teacher in the 2 day 2’s classroom. I graduated from UGA with a special education degree and went on to receive my masters degree in early childhood education from Valdosta State University.  I have taught kindergarten for 6 years and preschool for 5 years. My husband and I live in Watkinsville and have a son named Briggs. I love being a teacher at Friendship and look forward to a great school year!

I’ve been at Friendship since 2021 and love working with the precious First Friends class! Our family moved to Watkinsville in 2016 when my husband accepted a position as an oncology professor at the UGA veterinary teaching hospital. I graduated from Mississippi State with a BS in Elementary Education. I taught sixth grade for 5 years until I decided to stay home and raise our 3 wonderful children. I’m currently savoring every minute of family time I can get as our oldest is heading off to college. I also enjoy playing flute and piano and spending time outdoors. I’m blessed to be a part of the Friendship family and to have the opportunity to help my sweet students learn and grow during their first year of school!

I was born in Poway, CA. I have one sister and two brothers and grew up in Northern California. I went to Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design with an emphasis in Sales and Marketing. I met my husband in California at a church beach activity and married in December 2005. We have 3 beautiful children – 2 girls who love volleyball and are almost as tall as me and a son who loves basketball. My husband coaches Volleyball for UGA. We love Georgia!