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
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
Jessica Angeron – Teacher
My name is Jessica Angeron. I live in Hope Mills with my husband and two girls. I’ve been with Highland Baptist Church Preschool since February 2020. Before my time here, I was a homeschooling, stay-at-home mom. I started here as a Lead Teacher in the 1-year-old class. Last year, in order to spend more time with my family, I decided to step down from lead teacher and become a substitute Teacher.
Krystal Gasque – Teacher
My name is Krystal Gasque. I have been employed at Highland Baptist Church Preschool since March 2021. This will be my 3rd year teaching one of the pre-K classrooms. Previously I worked as the Director of a childcare center and have worked in childcare for 15+ 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.
Wendy Graves – Teacher
Hello, my name is Wendy Graves. I have been married to my husband, Terry, for 42 years. We have one son, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. We attend Praise Fellowship Church of God. I have been employed with Highland Baptist Church Preschool for 1.5 years as a Teacher’s Assistant. I look forward to this next school year.
Andy Hernandez – Teacher
Hi, my name is Andy Hernandez, and I have been working as the younger 2’s Teacher’s Assistant since September 2021. I am a mom of three girls and married to a soldier. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, taking my kids to soccer games, and practice. I look forward to working with your kids this year and teaching them all they will need to know to move up. Where I lived previously, I worked with the children’s ministry at the Hispanic church in town.
Nicole Kim – Teacher
My name is Nicole Kim, and I am a 3-year-old classroom teacher. This year will be my fourth year teaching at Highland Baptist Church. I have had two years of experience in the younger 2’s classroom and one year in the older 2’s. 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 7-year-old who keeps us busy! Stedman Pentecostal Holiness Church is where we attend church. 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 twins, Raiden and Ellie, that will be starting preschool with me this year. My family and I attend Crosspointe Church and volunteer there with elementary-aged kids on Sunday mornings and middle school-aged girls on Wednesday evenings. I feel God is calling me towards teaching and mentoring today’s youth, so I am super excited for this opportunity to teach at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I can’t wait to meet your littles and learn and grow together!
Marina Miller-Moody – Teacher
Hi, my name is Marina Miller-Moody! This will be my 2nd year as the Lead 1-year-old Teacher. I have been working at Highland Baptist Church Preschool since September 2021. I am married and have three kids, a boy and two girls. My oldest daughter is in High School, my son just graduated from HBC Preschool, and my daughter will be entering the Pre-K program here. I grew up around educators my whole life, so you could say I am in the family business. I am excited to see what God has in store for us this year, and I look forward to working with your children.
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 10 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 fifth year working at Highland Baptist Church. I will be working as a lead teacher in one of our 3-year-old classes. I am so excited to see everyone’s smiling faces this year!
Katelin Parson – Teacher
Hi, I am Katelin Parson. I am from eastern Kentucky, currently living in Hope Mills. I have been married to my high school sweetheart Kyle for nine years now. We have three children, Ella, Layla, and Watson. Coming from a big Christian family, I was in church my entire life. This will be my first year teaching at Highland Baptist Church, and I couldn’t be more excited. I will be working in the nursery alongside another teacher. I can’t wait to see everyone’s smiling faces this school 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 soldier, and we have two children, a girl who is 22 and just graduated from Texas A&M and a son who is 7. 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 I can continue to share the word of God with others.
Nicole St. Peter – Teacher
Hi, my name is Nicole St.Peter. This is my second year teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool. My husband and I have been married for seven years and have five children together. Two adult children, a 16-year-old, a 13-year-old, and a 3-year-old, currently attends here. I enjoy traveling with my family and especially love all things Disney. I’m so excited to be teaching the young twos again, and I can’t wait to watch them grow!
Faithann – Teacher
Hey there! I am Faithann. I am happy to have joined Highland Baptist Church Preschool. I have worked here since February 2022. I will be a Teacher’s Assistant in one of the 2-year-old classrooms. I’m a New York native, devoted mother, and preacher’s kid, Passionate about getting little ones excited to learn. I have been an early childhood educator following in my grandparents and parents’ footsteps from a young age. With my bubbly spirit, super wide smile, and heart of gold with an extra soft spot for those with special needs. I strive to help our kids get a head start in being leaders of tomorrow.
Erin Wakefield – Teacher
Hey! My name is Erin Wakefield. I’m married with two children, 11 and 9. I attend Cape Fear Baptist Church. I’ve been very active from nursery age and up. I have been teaching at Highland Baptist Church Preschool since April 2023. I am a Lead Teacher in one of the 2-year-old classrooms. I love helping kids learn and making it fun for them!
Courtney Young – Teacher
Born and raised right here in Hope Mills, NC! Married since 2016 and blessed with three beautiful girls together, Natalia, Everly, & Hazelyn. Everly has attended Highland Baptist Church Preschool for the past few years for her Pre-K journey, and we absolutely love it. I am so excited to be returning this year with our youngest, Hazelyn & as a Teacher’s Assistant! 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! I look forward to being a part of the Highland Baptist Church Preschool team this year and can’t wait to teach all your littles!