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
Meet our 2026-2027 Staff
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 administration and 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!
Each teacher will send home a monthly calendar to notify you about their weekly themes, class activities, important events, and snack schedule for their classroom. Each teacher will also send correspondence, homework (Pre-K), and artwork home in your child’s folder so please check your folder daily. Our day will start at 9 a.m. and we have a lot to get through in our short period of time together, so please do your best to have your child at school on time. We look forward to meeting new faces and seeing familiar ones this school year!
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
Hello! My name is Samantha Helt and I am currently the Assistant Director at Highland Baptist Preschool. I have been at the preschool since we opened in the Summer of 2018. Before becoming Assistant Director, I was a Lead teacher and taught the 2, 3, and 4-year-old classrooms. I have my associate degree in early childhood education and have been working with children for the last 18 years. I am married to my husband, Samual, for 12 years and have three children, Kaitlyn, Titus, and Chase.
Teachers
I’m Tori Thompson and excited to start my 2nd year at Highland Baptist Preschool! I became a wife in August 2009 and I’m a mom of 4. I’ve been working with children through a variety of ministries within my home church since I was about 11. Thank you for sharing your babies with us so we can join you in teaching and loving them as they grow!
Hey! I’m Maggie Stahmer and I’m originally from Birmingham, AL. I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Fine Arts and I love helping kids make art! My husband of 13 years, John, is in the Army and we’ve moved across the country twice! We have 2 children, Charlotte and Jack. I joined Highland Baptist Preschool in the middle of last school year as a pre-K floater and then went on to be an assistant teacher in the 2s. This will be my first year working with the 1s class. I am excited to be a part of this preschool family.
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 third-year teaching at Highland! I am so excited to start teaching in the Twos this year. I’m married and we have three boys together ages 12,8 and 6. The two younger boys also went to preschool here in the past.
My name is Soretta Browne. I am from a small two island federation, St. Kitts and Nevis. I am the mother of four (4) children evenly paired, two sons and two daughters. A proud grandmother of four (4) evenly paired, two grandsons and two granddaughters. I have taught in the public school system for over twenty-seven (27) years. I am 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 make a positive impact on their lives and watch them grow. This will be my third year here at Highland Baptist Preschool!
My name is Amelia Capps. I’m originally from Ohio before moving to Fayetteville with my husband two years ago. We have a fun and active one-year-old son who keeps us busy! After spending the past 10 years as a Recreation Therapist and taking time off to stay home with my son, I’m excited to begin my first year as a floater in the 2’s class. I look forward to getting to know the kiddos and being part of such a wonderful community!
Hello, my name is Devinne Jackson and I am a Hope Mills native. I am married with two handsome boys ages 16 and 12. 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 3rd year at Highland being a Lead three-year-old teacher.
Hi! My name is Jessica Angeron and I am originally from Columbia, NC. I worked in a daycare center from 2004-2011. While I was mainly in the nursery with babies from age 4 weeks to 12 months, I occasionally worked summers in the rooms with toddler – 3-year-olds. I moved to Hope Mills in 2011 where I was a stay-at-home mom until 2020 when I joined the HBC Preschool team. I am excited to return for another school year!
My name is Kori Cummings, my husband and I have two daughters, ages 5 and 1, who keep us smiling every day. I attend church at Parker Methodist in Raeford. I am so excited to be a Lead 3-year-old teacher this year! I have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and have always loved working with children. I truly feel called to teach, encourage, and guide young learners.
I am grateful for the opportunity to return to teaching and begin this new journey with your families. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing, and making special memories together.
Hello! My name is Lindsay Golden, and I am excited to be joining the preschool as a Lead Teacher for the 3- year-old class. I am a mom of two wonderful children, ages 10 and 3, and my daughter attends this preschool. My husband, Corey, is in the Army which is what brought us to North Carolina. I earned a degree in Health Science and am currently working toward my nursing degree, with the goal of becoming a school nurse one day. I have two years of experience as a substitute teacher at the high school level, but my heart has always been with younger children. The preschool years are my favorite because of the curiosity, creativity, and joy that children bring each day. I feel blessed to be part of this preschool community, and I look forward to helping these children learn, grow, and feel loved in a nurturing, faith-filled environment.
Hey, y’all! My name is Caroline McGee, and I’m from Mississippi. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have 4-year-old twins, Raiden and Ellie, and a daughter named Wren who is one. 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!
My name is Jenn Seamans! I’m originally from Texas and hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I gave my life to Jesus in high school, and in 2024 I was re-baptized as a reflection of the deep renewal and healing God has been doing in my life. My faith is the foundation of who I am, and I strive to let His love shine in all I do.
I began my journey at Highland Baptist Preschool as a parent volunteer during the 2017–2018 school year and stepped into the classroom as a Pre-K teacher in 2018–2019. This year marks my 7th year teaching pre-K, and I truly love what I do! My husband recently retired from the Army, and we’ve made this community our home. He now homeschools our 10-year-old son, and our daughter—an alumna of Texas A&M, Class of 2023—is a 4th grade teacher in Dallas. We’re a family who values both faith and education deeply. I also serve with our church’s youth group, and my husband is on staff at Crosspointe Church. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to walk alongside families during these important early years.
Hi! My name is Jessie Ellis. I was born and raised in Nebraska and made North Carolina my home in 2010. I’m a proud mom to three amazing kids—a 15-year-old daughter, an 9-year-old son, and a 6-year-old daughter who keep life full of fun and adventure! I attend Breezewood Church and love being part of such a supportive and faith-filled community. This will be my 2nd year at Highland and I have absolutely loved every minute. I’m SO excited to begin this school year and can’t wait to experience all the learning, growing, and joyful moments ahead!
Hello, my name is Kealee Richardson. I am from Grays Creek where I met my high school sweet heart of 10 years and have a precious little boy, Axell. I have been around kids of all ages and show so much love to all of them like they are my own. I am excited for my second year at Highland Baptist Preschool and look forward to being the Floater for both Pre-K classrooms.
Hello, my name is Taylore Locklear. This is my 2nd year here at Highland! I am a mom of two girls, and have been married to my husband for 6 years. During my free time I love to have boat days at the beach and read. I can’t wait to help your littles grow!