Meet Your Teachers

Katie Jupena has been working with the students at SMMCP since her two youngest children began the program in 2004. She is a native of Pennsylvania and a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Special Education. Following college, Katie lived in Florida for nine years where she taught students with varying exceptionalities.

Katie is married and has 4 beautiful children. She and her family spent 4 years back in the Pittsburgh area before moving to Greenville in 2001. She has had such a positive experience in our preschool that she decided to stay long after her children moved on to the "big school."

Ameyally’s connection to SMMCP began when her son attended K4, and she had the joy of serving as a room mom. This experience gave her a firsthand understanding of our mission and community. The following year, she joined the team.

Ame has been teaching students of all ages since 2006, in both Mexico and the USA, including running her own tutoring business. She lived in the Washington, D.C. area and worked as a Lead Preschool Teacher at a bilingual preschool. Now, after moving to Greenville in 2024 with her husband, son, and their Australian Shepherd, Ame is happy to start as the new Director for SMMCP. She is eager to contribute her expertise to the school family that first welcomed her own!

Jenny Grooms found a position in the preschool program at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Preschool in 2008. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University in 2000, Jenny and her family relocated to Simpsonville, where they became parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene.

She also enjoys volunteering, reading, and traveling with her children and her husband.

Katie Waldthausen arrived at the doors of the newly-formed SMMCP as a mother of a 3-year-old student in 2003. In the fall of 2004, Katie was excited to have the chance to teach K3 and to be a "fly on the wall" at her daughters’ school. She feels extremely blessed to still be a part of the preschool family as a K4 Lead Teacher and Coordinator.

A Furman graduate, with a degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, she knew about the wonderful schools available for each of her three children and feels fortunate to also find SMM, which fulfilled her wish for a wonderful Church family. Katie loves her job, especially being able to help "her babies" grow academically and in their love of God.

Since 2005, Margaret Zwolski has been a dedicated member of SMMCP. Margaret was born and raised in Poland, where she received her degree in Education. She and her family have been members of St. Mary Magdalene Parish since 2000. Providing educational services that are enjoyable and beneficial is a dream come true for Margaret, particularly as she works with such a cohesive team of staff members.

Darlene Varriale has been a member of the preschool team since 2005. With over two decades of experience nurturing and guiding young learners, Darlene provides a safe environment while teaching social and academic skills. She loves the joy children bring every day and delights in listening to their stories. Darlene’s commitment to fostering curiosity and confidence in every child makes her a valued part of the SMMCP community.

After all three of her boys were enrolled in elementary school in 2008, Kathy Reed joined the preschool staff as a K-3 assistant teacher. She grew up in Virginia Beach, where she earned her Associate’s Degree at Tidewater Community College. After living in Atlanta for 10 years, she moved to Greenville with her husband and children. Kathy enjoys spending her free time with her family.

Sandy Agosto has a love for all children and has worked with them in a variety of settings since 2001. Sandy joined the SMM staff in 2008 as a teaching assistant. She currently teaches K3 in the preschool and works for the SMM childcare program.

Outside of SMM, Sandy volunteers in her own church nursery. She and her husband have three adult children, and a beautiful grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Christian Hernandez, originally from Mexico, completed her education there, earning a degree as Preschool Teacher and later obtaining a master's degree in education. For over a decade She taught kindergarten and elementary in Mexico. In 2018, Christian and her husband relocated to a new chapter of their lives in Greer, SC.

As a mom, she cares for her two wonderful children: a 7-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, both SMMCP graduates.

Christian is delighted to continue sharing knowledge with the children in her community, fostering their educational development and personal growth. She loves spending time with family and visiting new places.

Brandi has loved SMMCP since her youngest daughter started attending in 2018. She is so excited to be working in a place that she loves so much.

Brandi is originally from Louisiana and has a Masters in Counseling from LSUHSC in New Orleans. Brandi and her husband moved to South Carolina in 2017 and have 3 wonderful kids who all graduated from SMMCP. In her spare time, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family, reading and baking.

June brings a high level of expertise to the SMMCP team. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education with an ESOL endorsement from Georgia Southern University and recently earned her M.Ed. in Literacy from the University of South Carolina.

Though she grew up in California, June went to college in Georgia, where she met her husband. They relocated to Greenville in the summer of 2019. Outside of the classroom, June stays busy with her three children and their dog, Nala. She enjoys hiking to explore new waterfalls, gardening, reading, and cheering on the Gamecocks at women's basketball games!

Originally from Italy. Alice moved to Greenville in 2015 due to her husband’s work and has made Greenville her home since.

She is a proud mom of two amazing children; one an SMMCP graduate and one currently enrolled.

In her free time, she loves playing with her kids and spending time with her family. She also enjoys reading and cooking. Alice is a really creative person and loves making new activities with kids. Her international background and her enthusiastic and positive personality help create a welcoming and nurturing environment for all our little learners.

Tiffany Antici is our K2 Coordinator and Lead Teacher. She and her husband, Russell, have three amazing kiddos, JR, Cooper, and Mary, who all attended SMMCP. Tiffany and Russell moved to Greenville, from Mississippi, two weeks after they got married and have been here ever since.

Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Mississippi State University. Their family attend St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and love calling it their spiritual home. Before she became a mom, she taught at SMMCP. Tiffany says, “I loved every minute of it and couldn’t wait to come back one day. Now, after 15 years, here I am!.” When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Bio coming soon!

Sarah was born & raised in Northern New York. Her and her husband, Mark, moved to Simpsonville in November 2016 and welcomed her beloved triplets in January 2017. Their family are active parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene and trio, Oliver, Aiden, & Sophia attended K2-K4 here at SMMCP. She began subbing in 2021 when her children were in K4. The following year, she filled an opening as the assistant K2 teacher and now she feels blessed with her role as one of our K2 lead teachers.

Sarah graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School where she received a Master's in Art Therapy. While living in NY, she worked as an Art Therapist in the residential and foster care settings for 10 years, working with children, ages 4-17 and their families. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, making art, and decorating.

Bio coming soon!

Martha brings a warm, joyful spirit and a wealth of international experience to our preschool community. Originally from Mexico, she moved to Greenville in 2011 following her husband’s career. Martha has since embraced the local community and is a dedicated member of our team.

She is happy to be part of the SMMCP family, viewing her role as a wonderful opportunity to contribute to our students’ early development. Her positive energy and enthusiasm make her a beloved presence in our classrooms.

Tammy Aho attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. There she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Elementary Education and Science. She also has an Associate Degree in Pharmacy. After moving to the upstate, she taught for 3 years at the Child Development Center at Prince of Peace. She has been at SMMCP since 2009.

Tammy and her husband have 2 children. Some of her hobbies/interests include scrapbooking, sewing and photography.

We are thrilled to have Ms. Lauren teaching Reading at SMMCP! She has a BA degree in Child Study and taught grades K through 3, for seven years and K3 at SMMCP for two years. She and her husband are originally from New York. They have lived in Colorado, North Carolina, and Montana. They have three beautiful children, two of whom are SMMCP alumni. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors. You can find them hiking, riding bikes, or boating at the lake most weekends. She is so excited to be teaching at SMMCP!

Ms. Selena is thrilled to join us this year as an Educational Assistant after co-leading a K3 class for two years. In this role, she will have the dual-role of Classroom Assistant and Administrative Assistant for the preschool.

She and her husband John are active parishioners of SMMCC and were SMMCP parents for 9 years as all four of their children went through and graduated from SMMCP. As a family, they enjoy weekend travels and spending time together.

Ms. Selena still works part-time as a dental hygienist, is a catechist for Religious Ed, and is the Director of our parish Vacation Bible School.