Mrs. Jill Funck, Director
Mrs. Martha Pierce, Office Manager and Music Teacher
Mrs. Pierce graduated from Susquehanna University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She taught Middle School and High School General and Choral Music for 10 years in Pennsylvania, while earning her Masters in Choral Conducting from Messiah College. An avid theater-lover, Mrs. Pierce is involved in directing musicals at Cedar Crest HS and the Hershey Area Playhouse. This is her 6th year teaching at NLA. Mrs. Pierce lives in Palmyra with her husband and two children. She loves teaching private music lessons, reading, the beach, shopping, coffee and spending time with her family!
Mrs. Cathy Corrigan, Director of Finance
Mrs. Corrigan came to us with 35 years experience in non-profit accounting and administration. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting from Shippensburg University and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Kutztown University. After “retiring” in 2020, she realized that she had too much time on her hands and joined the NLA staff in 2022 part-time and now considers herself “semi-retired”. Mrs. Corrigan lives in Annville with her husband. She has 4 teenage grandchildren who keep her very busy traveling to Schuylkill County to cheer them on in their activities. In addition to spending time with her grandkids she loves baking, crafting and gardening.
Mrs. Wendy Shirk, Tiny Turtles (2 year olds)
Miss Wendy has worked in childcare for 35 years. She is in her third year with NLA. She loves the little ones; ages 2 and younger! Her educational background is in Childhood Development. Wendy lives in Palmyra, has three adult children and seven grandchildren. In her free time, you can find her reading, watching Hallmark and crocheting.
Mrs. Stacie Stroup, Busy Bees (2 year olds)
Mrs. Stroup graduated from Shippensburg University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Reading. This will be her second year at NLA. Previously, Mrs. Stroup was a long term substitute in first grade and taught second grade until the birth of her first child in 2011. She lives in Palmyra with her husband and three children. Mrs. Stroup loves the beach, coffee, and baking.
Mrs. Kaitlyn Blase, Owls (3 year olds)
Mrs. Blase grew up in Cleona and attended Lebanon Valley College. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education and later earned a Master degree from Wilkes University in Educational Development and Strategies. Her first work experiences were long term substitute jobs in 5th grade, 4th grade (where she met Mr. Blase!) and 3 years in kindergarten/first grade at Hershey Elementary. She landed a permanent first grade teaching position, which she enjoyed until the birth of her first daughter in 2016. She did a bit of day to day substituting at Hershey from 2017-2019 before having her second daughter, who is currently an NLA Busy Bee! Her oldest daughter attended NLA for Pre-K and her family loved their experience. She was thrilled to join the team! This is her third year at Noah’s and second year as the Owls teacher. In her spare time, Mrs. Blase enjoys baking, sewing, finding a good bargain while out shopping, and of course, spending time with her family.
Mrs. Alissa Kwiatkowski, Tigers (3 year olds)
Mrs. K graduated from Moravian College (now University) with a double major in Elementary Education and Sociology. This will be her third year working at NLA and her first year as the new Tigers teacher. She lives in Palmyra with her husband and two kids, Sydney and Luke. Both of her kiddos attended NLA and had wonderful experiences. Mrs. K also has two dogs, a 4 year old lab named Napoleon and a 5 month old rescue lab-mix named Murphy. When she is not playing taxi-cab driver for her kids and their busy sports schedules or attending one of their numerous activities or sporting events, she loves to read, travel, play games, do puzzles, and watch Netflix!
Mrs. Alicia Laudermilch, Foxes (4 year olds)
Mrs. Laudermilch is excited to begin her fifth year teaching the Fox Class. She holds a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University. She lives in Palmyra with her husband and two children. They have a mini Goldendoodle named Ginger, and an old, very patient cat, Squiggy. When Mrs. Laudermilch is not at school, she likes to spend time with her family and pets, garden, read and go on adventures.
Mrs. Sarah Tillett, Giraffes (Pre-K)
Mrs. Tillett is a native of Frederick, Maryland. She attended Albright College and graduated in 2010 with a degrees in Psychology, Early Childhood and Elementary Education. In 2011 she earned her Masters degree in Special education.
Mrs. Tillett has been in Palmyra for 14 years, and lives with her husband and three children. Her family co-owns Blatt and Tillett Truck and Trailer Repair. She loves traveling to new places and enjoys planning trips. She has visited and spent time in 17 states and 17 countries!
This is Mrs. Tillett’s 7th year at Noah’s Little Ark. She began as a substitute aide, and now has been the teacher for the Giraffes for the past three years. She loves working in the Pre-K classroom!
Mrs. Mary Manning, Lions (Pre-K)
Mrs. Manning earned a BA in Art and Theater from Millersville University. She is in her 7th year teaching Pre-K at Noah’s Little Ark. Mrs. Manning is very active in the Palmyra community. She is the costumer for the PAHS Theater program, as well at the Hershey Area Playhouse. She lives in Palmyra with her husband and children. In addition to costuming, in her free time she serves as chauffer to her 6 very busy kids!
Mrs. Brianna Esposito, Llamas (Enrichment)
Mrs. Esposito, better known as Mrs. Bree, is in her 4th year of teaching at NLA. Formerly the Busy Bees teacher, she is credited with starting our afternoon BOOST JR Enrichment Class. Mrs. Bree has been a Preschool and Daycare teacher for the past 18 years! Mrs. Bree is excited to work with our Kindergarteners this year. She lives in Palmyra with her husband, 2 children, 2 dogs and rabbit. She loves the beach, reading, and hosting friends and family get togethers.