Bethany Stempert - Director & Teacher

When Bethany discovered Assumption Preschool in her search for a quality preschool for her daughter, she immediately knew this was a community that she wanted to be a part of. After two years of positive experiences with the school as a parent, she excitedly joined the teaching staff. Bethany earned a BS in Elementary and Special education from Houghton College and a MS in Elementary Education with a focus on reading and literacy from Walden University. She then went on to earn a Behavior Specialist Certification with the state of PA. She taught special education in an inclusive setting in Georgia until she and her family relocated to Maryland to live closer to extended family. In 2012, they moved to the Lehigh Valley which they instantly fell in love with. Bethany is married to her college sweetheart, Joe, and has 3 children: Samuel, Adelyn & Marcus. Along with enjoying the many outdoor activities and festivals in the area, Bethany enjoys reading, running, gardening, drinking coffee on her back porch, and seeking out the very best u-pick farms that the Lehigh Valley has to offer! 

Leslie Cherry - Assistant Director & Teacher

Leslie was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University where she graduated in 1992 with a BS in Accounting. Leslie is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education from Northampton Community College. She worked for Johnson & Johnson until the birth of her son Matthew in 1996. In 2001, Leslie and her husband Craig moved to Saucon Valley with their sons Matthew and Jason. Their third son, Sean, was born in 2004 and attended the preschool. Leslie has been a catechist at Assumption BVM Church for 13 years. She quickly realized how much she enjoyed being with the children. After being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years, she joined the teaching staff at Assumption Preschool. Leslie loves spending her mornings with God's little ones. She has a passion for children and wants to help them all achieve their greatest potential. She thoroughly enjoys being a part of such a loving, caring, and nurturing preschool.

Amity Cassaday - Teacher

Amity grew up in the area and graduated from Southern Lehigh. She went on to Penn State and graduated with a degree in elementary and kindergarten education. She taught at Moravian Academy for 5 years before welcoming her first daughter. After spending some wonderful time home, she began teaching Music Together all over the Lehigh Valley, something that filled her bucket for over 13 years! Amity found out about an opportunity to teach at Assumption Preschool from Jill, a fellow Music Together teacher and parent. She feels blessed to be a part of such a kind, loving community here at Assumption Preschool and can’t wait to be a part of your child’s growth emotionally, intellectually and developmentally. In her spare time, Amity likes to run, hike, garden, play in the snow in the winter and spend time with friends and family. She lives in Coopersburg with her husband Jason and their 3 daughters, Amelia, Addie and Maeve, and 2 dogs, 1 cat and 14 chickens.

Heidi Kaminski - Teacher

Heidi grew up in Bethlehem and graduated from Liberty High School. After graduating she lived in Ireland where she explored her love for music. Upon returning to the States she worked in healthcare, specializing in hospice. During her many years of hospice work Heidi fell in love with caring for children, which eventually led her to being a nanny. 

More recently, Heidi was a professional singer, performing at many live music venues around the Lehigh Valley, including Musikfest. She has gone back to Ireland many times to tour while promoting her music. 

Heidi loves traveling, nature, babysitting her niece and nephew, and being a cat mom. She lives in Bethlehem with her husband Billy. 

Heidi is grateful to be a part of the team at Assumption Preschool. She loves to watch her students learn and grow while supporting their creativity, and emotional and intellectual growth. 

Courtney Kay - Teacher

When Courtney and her family relocated to the Saucon Valley area, she needed a preschool for her daughter. On a recommendation from a neighbor, she found the preschool, and knew that this was the learning environment she wanted for her children. Courtney quickly became an active volunteer and school supporter and then teacher. She adores the community of Assumption Preschool and is grateful for every relationship she cultivates there whether child, parent or coworker. A longtime dance educator, Courtney is no stranger to working with children. In 2007, she graduated from DeSales University with a B.A. in dance. Alongside her performance time, she began teaching that fall, and hasn’t left the studio since. She loves working with children – their enthusiasm for the world, their innate sense of kindness and curiosity, and their genuine connections with others are a beautiful gift to have the opportunity to learn from and nurture. Courtney believes strongly in the benefits of movement, music and creativity in developing critical thinking, compassion, and emotional awareness in our children. Courtney and her husband, Tom, live in Lower Saucon with their 2 daughters, along with their dogs and cats. She is also the new owner and artistic director of Dance Works. In addition to all things dance, Courtney loves to explore with her daughters, traveling to visit family, and reading on her back porch with a cup of coffee.

Kathleen Burns - Teacher

When Kathleen and her husband were searching for preschools for their daughter and son in 2018, they knew they found the perfect fit when they discovered Assumption Preschool. As a family they made lifelong friends thanks to the strong community provided by Assumption. Four years later, Kathleen is excited to join the teaching staff and is thrilled to once again be part of the Assumption community. Kathleen earned a BS in Psychology, Special Education & Elementary Education from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY. After graduating, she moved to New York City and spent the next ten years working alongside occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech therapists in pediatric therapeutic sensory integration facilities throughout Manhattan. Kathleen worked together with families, therapists, the NYC Board of Education, and Early Intervention to provide children with special needs the highest quality of services they deserved. Once she and her husband Matt were married, they decided to escape the city and relocate to Saucon Valley to start a family. After spending a few years at home raising her children, Kathleen is excited to be back to her passion of teaching. Kathleen enjoys running, cycling, traveling, and spending weekends watching her children, Teagan and Joey, play sports