Staff

We are blessed to have experienced and caring teachers for each of our classes!

Please meet our current staff:

Michelle Schwartz – Director

I’m so excited to be in my second year at HPP. I have loved being back in a school setting after several years away as a SAHM. Born and raised in Atlanta, I got my BS in Special Education in Charleston, where I also met my now husband of 14 years. Since then we have lived in OH, CT & CA and are thrilled to be back in the south with our 2 kids, Jonah and Ellie! Every job I’ve ever had has been child-related (babysitter, camp counselor, nanny, etc), as it’s truly the work my heart is called to do. When we moved to Huntsville, we found Hope and fell in love with the warmth and friendliness of the staff and the focus on play first. I hope to continue helping the program and the families it serves thrive.

Sarah Todd– Butterfly Class/Pre-K Teacher

“I am a native of Gurley, Alabama, a small town just outside of Huntsville. I earned a degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in 2002. While in college, I worked at a local daycare and was a babysitter and nanny to many families. I taught for a few years with the Indian Education program in the Madison County School system before becoming a stay-at-home mom.  I have been married to my wonderful and patient husband, Mike, since 2001. Mike and I have 2 lovely girls who each attended Hope Presbyterian Playschool. During their time as students at HPP, I served as a parent representative on the Playschool Board. When my youngest daughter started kindergarten, I began teaching at HPP. My girls are now excellent students in middle and high school, while I am perpetually still in preschool! That is our family joke, but it highlights my true love and dedication for teaching young children.

Stephanie Bonnette – Bumblebee Class Teacher

Ms. Stephanie brings patience, joy, and experience to our preschool classroom. Her favorite part of teaching is watching children build skills through hands-on learning and play. She finds it deeply rewarding to provide a nurturing and safe environment where children feel confident and loved. As a mother of three boys, and with extensive experience working with children with autism, ADHD, and food allergies, Stephanie is passionate about meeting each child’s individual needs. She loves being part of a program that takes a holistic approach to supporting the whole child.

Brittany Cruz – Ladybug ClassTeacher

Ms. Brittany is in her third year at Hope Preschool & Playschool and brings so much creativity and heart to her classroom. She loves planning fun craft projects and watching children express themselves through hands-on activities. One of her favorite parts of working at Hope is the supportive team atmosphere—staff truly help one another and work together to give each child their very best every day. Ms. Brittany also appreciates the flexibility within each classroom, allowing teachers to tailor routines and learning experiences to best meet the needs of their students.

Jayme Bonones – Grasshopper Class Teacher

I’m so excited to start my second year teaching here at HPP! Teaching little learners is my passion, and I’m thrilled to spend the year learning, growing, and having lots of fun together! Right now, I’m working on my master’s degree in Elementary Education with a focus on Early Childhood and Early Elementary. Learning never stops, even for teachers! I’m also a proud HPP parent, with my youngest is in the pre-K class this year! At home, I stay busy with my three amazing kids, two playful dogs, and two curious cats.

Monica Winningham – Caterpillar Teacher

I started working with children in high school, teaching in over 12 VBS. From there, I went to work as a children’s director at a church in Mississippi while I worked on my Psychology and Christian Ministry degrees. I met my lovely husband and since then we have had 3 children, and 24 foster teens. We currently have 5 children but only two littles. I love seeing their face light up as they learn and discover the world. I have worked a lot with speech therapists and children with choking disorders, making me a great fit for caring for our learning little caterpillars. I also work in the community as an artist and actress. I am so excited to teach at HPP again this year, and provide a safe and caring environment for your child to learn and grow!