My name is Leslie Arrowsmith. I am the director of Carmel Nursery School. I have been a part of the Carmel Nursery School family since 2004 when I found the nursery school for my own 2-year-old daughter, Hannah. I loved the family atmosphere of the school and when I had my second daughter, Lily, I enrolled her too. The children were both here until they were 5 years old and graduated, totally ready to go to kindergarten. In 2010 there was an opening for a certified teacher and I became an official member of the staff. I taught the 3-year-old class for 2 years and became the director when Jan Heckman retired. I have been here ever since.
Before coming to Carmel, I taught for the School District of Philadelphia, Graduate Hospital Child Care and Learning Center, and was the director of Treasure House childcare center in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. I grew up in the small town of Forest City in northeast Pennsylvania and graduated from Bloomsburg University with my teaching degree.
Leslie enjoys time with her daughters, reading, music and her friends. You can often find her on her deck enjoying the sunshine with friends and family.
Hi! My name is Melissa MacFarland (my students call me Miss Melissa). I grew up in the Glenside/Ardsley area and attended Abington schools. After high school, I went to King’s College, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. The 2021-2022 school year will mark my 20th year at Carmel Nursery School. I love teaching Pre-K because I find it both challenging and rewarding.
In my spare time, I enjoy baking, reading, hanging out with my niece and nephew, going to Phillies games and having lunch out with my fellow teachers. I recently learned to crochet. On Sundays, you might find me teaching Carmel Church’s “Children’s Worship” group.
