Sharon Hilliard, our Preschool Director and Treasurer, has a BS in Biology from James Madison University. She has had CORE training, St. Luke’s Preschool Continuing Education Events, Becky Bailey Seven Steps to a Better Way and other preschool instruction. She is a nationally certified Youth Minister Coach. Sharon has worked at Homestead Heights Baptist Preschool as a teacher, at McMannen UMC as Director of Children’s and Youth Ministry, at St Luke’s School as a teacher and as Minister of Youth and Families at Cole Mill Road Church of Christ. She has taught four year old students in the Pre-K class at CROSSROADS Preschool at Mt. Bethel UMC from the winter of 2012 through the Spring of 2021.
Stacey Swanson, Pre-k (four-year old lead teacher) first joined the Crossroads team as Chair of the Board of Directors in 2018. By continuing in this position, she has been an integral part of
all aspects of Crossroads Preschool. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education, and is an active member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success.
She is excited to be continuing her education and looking forward to obtaining her Masters in Education/Instruction and Curriculum. Stacey is also an active member of Mt. Bethel UMC and
Co-Secretary of the Little River Elementary school PTO. She has three sons, two of whom went through Crossroads Preschool and are now thriving in elementary! Matt, Stacey and her boys
love spending time hiking, and taking weekend trips to explore new areas of North Carolina!
Laura Fike joined the Crossroads community as Threes Lead Teacher in 2021. She has a B.A. in Intercultural Studies & Bible and an M.A. in Christian Leadership (Ministry Emphasis). Before
moving to Durham in late 2018, Laura served as a Children’s Minister in Jackson, MS, where she continued studying children’s spirituality and child safety. She comes to Crossroads with
over 8 years of experience working with children in both preschool and church settings throughout the U.S. and Latin America. She loves having big conversations with little kids! In her
spare time, Laura enjoys reading, live music, and exploring the Museum of Life and Science, farmers’ markets, and the mountains with her husband and son.
Anna Tackett, our 2 and 3 year old assistant teacher, holds an Associate in Arts degree from Louisburg College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from North Carolina Wesleyan College. Anna is a retired DPS employee where she spent 27 of those years at Holt Elementary. She has worked with Second Grade, First Grade and Kindergarten. She is a lifelong member of Mt. Bethel, and has been with Crossroads since 2015. Hobbies include gardening, sewing, crafting and crocheting.