Hannah Hardy – Director

Hannah joined the Parent and Preschool Center in the summer of 2018.  She graduated from Lancaster Bible College in 2008 with a degree in Bible and Early Childhood Education.  Before coming to the Parent & Preschool Center Hannah taught for 10 years in preschool and kindergarten.  Hannah is very involved in her church, Mission Church, where she serves in the worship and children’s ministries. 

Hannah lives in Lancaster city with her 2 children. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, reading, and playing games with friends.

Brandy Hanna – Head Teacher 2-3 Class and PreK 3-4 Class

Brandy joined the staff at the Parent and Preschool Center in 2021 after over 20 years of prior early childhood education experience.    Most of those years were spent at Open Arms Christian Child Care where she was blessed to teach in a Christian environment and be part of a ministry.  During her time at Open Arms, she taught children spanning infants thru 5-year-olds.  She also had the privilege of being the director for the last several years.  Due to unfortunate circumstances, Open Arms had to close their doors.  The silver lining to this storm was the opportunity for Brandy to stay home and homeschool her daughter for a year during Covid. When her daughter returned to school, Brandy was eager to return to the classroom as well.  Brandy is thrilled to be teaching at the preschool and to be a part of this ministry!  Her aides are Sarah Regitz and Diane Lucas. 

Brandy is married to Tim and has a daughter Tessa.  She enjoys spending time with her family.  Hiking at local parks, going on bike rides with Tessa and doing art and cooking projects are a few of their favorite family activities.  

Brandy attends Victory Church.  

Cindy Sweigart - Head Teacher PreK 3-4 Class

Cindy started attending Connections as a new mom in 1984. She has been on staff at the Parent and Preschool Center since 1991. She first worked in Kiddie Korner/Story Hour taking care of the children from Connections. In 2000, she became an aide in the PreK 4-5 Class. She has been serving as Head Teacher in the PreK 3-4 Class since 2005. Cindy supplies lots of activities for the children and she also has the ability to be spontaneous with them. She incorporates music and creative play into the learning process. God’s truths are a part of the classroom with individual encouragement given to each child. Diane Lucas is her aide.

She is married to Carl and they have four children: Laura, Andrea, Beth and Matthew and nine grandchildren. Cindy is a member at New Life Assembly of God.

Vicki Aukamp – Head Teacher PreK 4-5 Class

Vicki started at the Parent and Preschool Center in 2004 as a Story Hour Teacher.  She transferred to a PreK Teacher’s Aide position in 2007. Then, in 2013, she began her role as the Administrative Assistant of the preschool in addition to being a Teacher’s Aide.  In 2020 Vicki moved into the PreK 4-5 Head Teacher role. Over the summer, Vicki will fulfill Administrative duties here as well as serving at Rawlinsville Camp Meeting as the Head Preschool Teacher. Vicki’s Aides are Carol Suter and Wendy Taylor.

Vicki is married to Curt and has three daughters (who all attended the Parent and Preschool Center). Vicki attends LCBC church.

Joan Krause – Head Teacher PreK 4-5

Joan started as an aide in the PreK 3-4 Class at the Parent and Preschool Center in 2002. She had also worked on staff in Kiddie Korner. She then served as an aide in the PreK 4-5 class for four years. More recently, she has been serving as Head Teacher in the PreK 4-5 Three Day Class. Joan has been teaching since she was 16 and is Title 1 Qualified in the PA School System and served as an aide in the Kindergarten class in the Conestoga Valley School District. Joan's aides are Jenna Farmer and Londa Lam.

Joan is married to Dave and they have two children: Sarah and Eric. She enjoys the outdoors, hiking, exploring and geocaching. Joan also enjoys cooking, photography and watching her children’s sport activities. But her three greatest loves are her God, her family and teaching children. Joan attends Forest Hills Mennonite Church.

Shari Lefever - Connections Coordinator

Shari served on the  Connections Team over 30 years ago when her children were in preschool. For the past few years, she has served coffee and snacks to the group a couple of times a month. This year, she's accepted the role of Coordinator. She's had grandchildren enrolled in preschool for the past 8 years. Shari works part-time as a Registered Nurse at Physicians' Surgery Center in the Anesthesia Department. Providing home cooked meals to people with health crises is her passion. 

Shari and her husband, Dave are members of Mellinger Mennonite Church where she has served as an Elder and Sunday School teacher.  They have 3 married children and are blessed with 12 grandchildren. Gardening and reading are her favorite relaxation activities.