NELC Meet the Team
Jheri Schutt, Director
I’m a Catholic mom & wife, banker turned preschool teacher. I’ve been married to my husband, Ian, for 10 years and we have two little boys; Barron and Calvin. We moved to Spring Hill from Iowa two years ago & completely adore Tennessee. In my free time I enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors, reading & seeing live music. I look forward to meeting each of your families and growing with your children through the year.
Laurie Barclay, Assistant Director
Laurie Barclay is so excited to be working at NELC! Laurie has a degree in Journalism and a graduate degree in Counseling from Mississippi State University. She has taught and worked in various preschools for a number of years, worked as the Assistant Director of the Mark Mitchell Children’s Shelter in Columbus, Mississippi and worked as a clinical therapist. She has an amazing husband and beautiful 16-year-old daughter, and they are founding members of the Catholic Church of the Nativity. Laurie loves the Lord and feels privileged to work with Father Jerry and the NELC staff to spread this love to preschoolers!
Emily McCormick, Lead Teacher
Emily is really excited to join the NELC as an assistant teacher. This is her first year teaching and she can’t wait to meet and work with our families. Emily settles in Spring Hill, after moving around a bit, three years ago. She has been married to her husband, Guy, for 13 years and has three children, Jackson , Ella, and Charlotte . In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside.
Summer Olanger, Assistant Teacher
Summer is so excited to be able to get to know each and everyone of the wonderful kids and families at NELC! Summer, her husband, Alex and their twin girls Ella & Kylie moved here from Michigan almost 3 years ago and are loving Tennessee! In her free time she loves being outside and playing with her kids, working out and enjoying family time.
Anne Patterson, Lead Teacher
Anne is delighted to be joining the NELC family this year as a pre-school teacher! Anne was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Communication Disorders. With a love and a passion for helping young children, Anne provided Speech and Language Therapy for several years in the public and private school setting. Anne has been married to her husband, Chip, for 20 years and has 2 teenage children: a son, Carter and a daughter, Eva Belle. In her spare time, Anne enjoys being with her family and friends, going for walks, going to church and visiting local coffee shops.
Alex Tran, Lead Teacher
Alex is happy to continue her time at NELC. She is originally from Central Florida and moved to Tennessee two years ago with her husband and three kids. Alex has an A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education and has spent five years as an assistant teacher in preschool. After staying home with her children for the past eight years she is ready to get back in the classroom. In her spare time, she likes decorating cakes and sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee.
Sara Rivera, Lead Teacher
Sara was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to Tennessee 5 years ago. She has been married to her husband Josue for 7 years and has 2 young children. For the last 3 years she has been a stay at home mom and is very excited for the opportunity to teach at NELC. In her spare time, Sara likes to take walks around her neighborhood, spend time with her kids and cook.
Fatima Zaragoza, Assistant Teacher
Fatima has been married for 9 years to her wonderful husband Carlos. She and Carlos share one 5 year old son. Fatima grew up in the Franklin/Spring Hill area and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from MTSU. Fatima enjoys crafting and spending time with her family when she is not at NELC.
Jen Magochy, Assistant Teacher
Jen is a native to the middle Tennessee area. She grew up in Franklin. She went to MTSU, which is where she met her husband Brian. They have 3 young children. She has always had a special place in her heart for kiddos. When she’s not at NELC, she enjoys being involved at church, taking her kids on adventures, and attending sporting events with her family
Jan Sliger, Support Staff
Tennessee has been home to Jan for the past 30 years after being raised and starting a family in Michigan. She is happily retired from working in the medical field for 30+ years. She and her husband, Scott, have one daughter, Rebecca, who is a teacher in Taiwan. She loves her time at NELC and feels honored to share in the days with such wonderful children. She gets her Grandma-fix! In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, working in the yard, and spending time loving on her 95 year old dad.