Staff
Helen Faircloth – Church Secretary
Helen Faircloth is married to Richard Faircloth. She is a graduate of 71st High School and started as the Secretary of Highland Baptist Church in 2008. She is a member of Green Springs Baptist Church. She enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, genealogical research, and crafts in her spare time.
Al Palmer – Groundskeeper
I was born in upper New York State and grew up in Connecticut. Growing up, I went to a Congressional Church where I was saved. I served four years in the Air Force working as a plane mechanic. After that, I worked as a mechanic in a service station and tire store; then, I worked at Kelly Springfield as a forklift mechanic until I retired in 2005. In late 1980 I began taking care of Highland Baptist Church as the part-time groundskeeper and equipment repairman. It is my great honor to also volunteer at Highland Baptist Church as a food closet coordinator and handyman around the church. Sue and I were married in 1985, and we have three grown children.
Robyn Massey – Custodian
I was born and raised in Hope Mills and became the building custodian in 2013. I enjoy my work. I am married with one child. I’m a member of Southview Baptist Church. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling when I get the chance.
Preschool
Welcome to Highland Baptist Church Preschool. We are so excited to have your little ones with us. Below you will find a little about each of our teachers, we are an incredibly open preschool so any of the teachers may be around your child, so we want you to get to know everyone!
Administration
DeDe Mabe – Preschool Director/Teacher
My name is Dede Mabe, and I am the Director at Highland Baptist Church Preschool and an active member of Highland Baptist Church since 1995. I worked as a mental health case manager/social worker for 21 years. The last 12 years of my career before retirement was with the NC Department of Health & Human Services as a Facility Service Regulator with Mental Health Licensure and Certification. I have two grown children, Billy and Aaron Mabe. Aaron and his wife Cathleen blessed me with two wonderful grandchildren, Maddy and Isaac. I work closely with all the teachers and staff at the church to ensure the safety and well-being of each child. It is a joy to be a part of this team!
Samantha Helt – Preschool Assistant Director/Teacher
Samantha Helt is currently the Assistant Director at Highland Baptist Preschool. She has been a positive, supportive presence at the preschool since the beginning. Before becoming Assistant Director, she was an amazing teacher and taught the 2, 3, and 4-year-old classrooms. Samantha attends Crosspointe Church in Fayetteville. She has her associate degree in early childhood education and has been working with children for 15 years. Samantha is married to her husband of 7 years and has three children, Kaitlyn, Titus, and Chase.
Teachers
Shelby Autry – Teacher
Hey y’all! My name is Shelby Autry, I’m from Hope Mills and I currently attend Southview Baptist. I will be the Pre-K floater this school year and I am so excited to be working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I enjoy being able to teach and help kids learn about the world. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends or reading. I can’t wait for the school year to start!
Soretta Browne – Teacher
My name is Soretta Browne. I am from a small two-island federation, St. Kitts and Nevis. I am the mother of four children, two sons and two daughters. A proud grandmother of four, two grandsons and two granddaughters. I have taught in the public school system for over 27 years. I am a born-again believer who loves to praise the Lord. I have worked with children all my life from babies to young adults. I love to have fun and take pictures. I have always taken part in children-based activities at church, at school, and within the community. I do believe my strength is to serve. So, I will make myself available to be of service, building and meeting each child where they are at and helping them to get to where they need to be. I wish to positively impact their lives and watch them grow.
Krystal Gasque – Teacher
I have been employed at Highland Baptist Church Preschool since March 2021. This will be my 4th year teaching one of the pre-K classrooms. Previously I worked as the Director of a childcare center and have worked in childcare for 16+ years. My husband Travis and I have two children, Easton and Ella. Working with children is a true passion of mine and is what God has called me to do.
Andreina “Andy” Hernandez – Teacher
Hi my name is Andreina Hernandez. I go by Andy. I will be one of the assistants for the 2’s. This will be my fourth school year at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I am a mom of three girls and my husband is in the military. During my free time, I enjoy working out, hiking, and shopping.
Audrey Hogue – Teacher
I am Audrey Hogue, and a new floater teacher here at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I am a mom to a little boy named Cyrus, and a dog mom to three little pups. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. I love learning, and one day I hope to return to school to further my education, but as of now, I am undecided. I enjoy working with students and seeing their eyes light up when they learn new things and accomplish personal goals. I cannot wait to watch this year’s students grow into extraordinary tiny humans.
Devinne Jackson – Teacher
Hello, my name is Devinne Jackson and I am a Hope Mills native. I am married with two handsome boys ages 14 and 10. I enjoy spending time with my family watching my oldest son play football and basketball and my youngest with his many science experiments! I am very excited to start my first year at Highland Baptist Church Preschool teaching the 1’s!
Nicole Kim – Teacher
My name is Nicole Kim, and I am a 3-year-old classroom teacher. This year will be my fifth year teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I am currently enrolled at Fayetteville Technical Community College to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant for children. I am married to my husband of eight years, and we have an amazing 8-year-old who keeps us busy! Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church is our second home! In my free time, you can find me tending to my plants or playing computer games! I look forward to being a part of your child’s success here at the preschool.
Caroline McGee – Teacher
Hey, y’all! My name is Caroline McGee, and I’m from Mississippi. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have 2-year-old twins, Raiden and Ellie, and are expecting another little girl this February. My family and I regularly attend Crosspointe Church. I feel God is calling me towards teaching and mentoring today’s youth, so I am super excited for another year of teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I can’t wait to meet your littles and learn and grow together!
Katie Meloling – Teacher
Hi, my name is Katie Meloling, I’m originally from San Jose, CA but have lived in NC since 2009. I have been working with kids on and off since I was a teenager. This will be my first year officially working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool however last year I was a substitute teacher. I’m very excited to be the lead teacher for the 1s class. I’m married and we have three boys together ages 11, 7, and 5. The two younger boys also went to preschool here in the past.
Lillian Noel – Teacher
Hi, I am Lillian Noel! I am from Athens, Alabama, and currently live in Fayetteville. I have been married to my husband Brandon for 11 years and we have two children, John Patton and Molly. They both attended preschool here and currently attend school in Cumberland County. My father is a pastor in Alabama, so I grew up in church my entire life. This is my sixth year working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I started as a floater in the 2s, then a lead teacher in the 2s, and finally ended up working with the 3s! This is my fourth year as a three-year-old lead teacher and I can’t wait to learn and grow with your kids. I am so excited to see everyone’s smiling faces this year!
Jennifer Seamans – Teacher
Hello, my name is Jennifer Seamans, and I am honored to teach here at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I started as a parent volunteer back in the 2017-2018 school year, and now I am a 4’s teacher. Teaching is my passion. I am married to a recently retired veteran, and we have two children: a daughter who is 23 and now teaching in Dallas after graduating from Texas A&M, and a son who is 8. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I gave my life to Jesus in high school, and I do my best every day to let Him shine through me and my work. I chose to work here at Highland Baptist Church Preschool because it is a place where I can continue to share the Word of God with others.
Nicole St. Peter – Teacher
This is my third year teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. My husband and I have been married for eight years and have five children. Two adult children, a 17-year-old, a 14-year-old, and a 5-year-old currently attends here. I enjoy traveling with my family and especially love all things Disney. I’m so excited to teach the young 2s again, and I can’t wait to watch them grow!
Erin Wakefield – Teacher
Hi, I am Erin Wakefield. I’m married with two children, 12 and 10. I grew up right here in Hope Mills. I attend Cape Fear Baptist Church. I’ve been very active from nursery age and up since I was a teenager. I have been teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool since April 2023. I am a Lead Teacher in one of the 2s classrooms. I believe all kids can learn in a welcoming environment. I love helping kids learn and making it fun for them! I love doing hands-on activities and crafts with my class. I am looking forward to a year full of learning, laughter, and fun.
Courtney Young – Teacher
My name is Courtney Young! Born and raised right here in Hope Mills, NC! Married since 2016 and blessed with 3 beautiful daughters, Natalia, Everly, & Hazelyn. My family and I attend Breezewood Church in Hope Mills. Everly is a Highland Preschool Graduate and Hazelyn and I are so excited to return for a second year! I will be the 3’s Teacher Assistant again. Teaching children has always been a passion of mine. I have worked with children of all ages as a Dance Instructor for over 13 years. I am also a certified Zumbini Instructor for ages 0-5. So excited for another year at Highland Preschool and can’t wait to teach your littles!