Meet Our RE Staff

Debby has been our Nursery Director at First Parish since 2022. She holds a Master’s in Early Education and her experience spans teaching/directing a variety of settings including pre-school, kindergarten, Montessori, and summer programs in Acton, Newton, etc. She continues to provide childcare to many local families and loves to travel, cook and garden! This year, she strives to develop a safe, responsive, caring, enriching environment for our youngest children at FPL and support our growing program and teen staff. “I love being a part of this wonderful community!

Samantha has been attending First Parish most of her life and is staring her 4^th year working in the RE program. She is now a Senior at Lincoln-Sudbury High School and is an Assistant RE Teacher working with our 3^rd-5^th graders at First Parish.  When she’s not at FPL, Samantha loves to tap dance and participate in school clubs. She is excited about being with this group and co-leading with Sophie!  “I’m looking forward to working here this year!”

Natalie started as an Assistant RE Teacher in January 2025 and loves working with our 6^th & 7^thgraders. She has been attending First Parish with her family for 19 years! Natalie recently earned a BA from Hamilton College and when she’s not at FPL, she works at a healthcare PR and Communications firm. In her spare time, Natalie enjoys horseback riding, needlepoint and watching the Patriots. She can’t wait to re-connect with her middle school group and explore the world’s faiths and pop-culture with them!

We welcome Sue as an RE Teacher at First Parish this Fall! She will be working with our Pre-K/K group. Sue comes to us with a BA from Smith College and 13 years of teaching experience with 4 and 5 year-olds in Arlington. She lives with her husband Corey and two self-described “wonderfully rambunctious” kids, Mae (4) and Gus (1). Sue believes that every child is an eager and capable learner; she loves to incorporate play-based activities and enriching materials into her daily lessons. “I can’t wait to learn more about each child’s interests and uniqueness in RE this year and explore big questions and spirituality with the group!”.

Ava is a Sophomore at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. She has been working with the RE program at First Parish for 2 years. She loves working with kids of all ages, and has helped with many age-groups in RE. This year, Ava will co-lead activities for our 3-year-olds. During the past 2 summers, she has continued to work with kids as a Counselor-in-Training at Camp Farley in Mashpee. Ava is excited about this year at FPL! “I love working with children and I love this church community.”

Orly is a 9^th grader at Lincoln-Sudbury High School and has spent the past 3 years working in the RE Nursery. She loves making kids laugh and helping build their excitement for Sundays at First Parish. In her free time, Orly is a goalie and serves as a team captain for the Lincoln-Sudbury soccer program. She also loves to bake and is said to make a killer chocolate pecan pie!!  “It’s been rewarding to watch the RE program grow during my time here, and I’m excited to welcome and get to know new faces this year!”

Sophie is a Senior at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. She is starting her 4^th year working in the RE program and is very excited start her new role as Assistant RE Teacher, co-leading the 3rd-5th grade program. “I am looking forward to working with Samantha and getting to know a new group of kids!”

Welcome, Kathryn – our newest RE Teacher! She holds a MFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Kathryn will be working with our 1^st & 2^nd graders.  She spent 5 years working with kindergarteners  in Georgia, before moving to Lincoln a year ago. Some of the things Kathryn loves are: drawing, walking, writing, dog lips, Willie Nelson, pencils, corduroy, and the movie Raising Arizona. She is excited to get to know this group and explore the great outdoors with them!