Good Neighbor Place
Mission: To be a place where love and learning meet.
Good Neighbor Place Director
Wendy Miller
I am a 1995 graduate of Malone University. My degree is in Christian Ministries with concentrations in Christian Education, Theology, and Biblical Literature.
My husband, Paul and I have two teenage children, Roston and Brittyn.
I felt called to a children's ministry while in high school and God provided a chance to open The Good Neighbor Place Learning Center in the fall of 1998. I was ordained as a Deacon in the Church of the Nazarene in 2003 and served as children's pastor at the Newcomerstown Church of the Nazarene for 20 years. I love teaching and building relationships with my students and their families.
Along with a love for my family and career, I love farming with my family, all things related to sports, travel, missions work, and being outside.
Phone: 740- 498- 4800
We offer 3 classroom options:
Early Learners
Teacher:
Cammy Cooper has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and more than 30 years of teaching experience.
Assistants:
Beth Garretson
Jami Dakin
Julie Bryant
Pre-K
Teacher: Wendy Miller has a Bachelor of Arts from Malone University in Christian Education. Wendy has 24 years of teaching experience.
Assistants:
Heather Bradford - Associate Degree in Early Childhood from University of Cincinnati
Kimberly Bachtel-Kennedy
School-Age
Teacher: Julie Bryant has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University.
Founding of Good Neighbor Place
The Good Neighbor Place began in the fall of 1998 with one classroom tucked into a bare room in the upstairs of the church. We grew quickly and soon offered two classes each day. In 2002 we received a large grant to completely renovate an entire wing to provide a dedicated area for our students to thrive and be a school family. We have added more staff so that we far exceed the state recommended staff/child ratios. Our low staff turn-over rate is a testament to the family atmosphere that we offer.
Since our beginnings, well over 500 children have passed through our doors. Our dream was to provide a quality Christian-based preschool environment where children felt safe and nurtured, while learning to love the process of learning. While our program, methods, training, and facilities have improved over the years, while our mission remains the same: To be a place "where love and learning meet."