K-2ND TEAM

The Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade teaching team make Nittany Christian School a place where children “Love to Learn and Learn to Love” . These teachers and aides are passionate about teaching and cultivating both a love for learning and a love of God in their students. Each one is committed to providing the highest quality education, care and love to our students. The teachers ensure that classes are fun, engaging, and designed to encourage the students to explore and develop into the skills God has given them. Our commitment to providing focused instruction also means that these classes have teacher’s aids to support the primary teacher and make sure each child receives personal attention.

Mrs. Crystal Brennan has been with Nittany Christian School since 2016. She received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University. In the warm summer months her family enjoys spending time together swimming at the local pools, hiking Mt. Nittany, camping at Greenwood Furnace, and traveling to their favorite beach in Bethany, Delaware. When they can’t be outside, Crystal and her family huddles up together with their dogs, reads a good book or plays an animated game of Penn State Monopoly.

Mrs. Hannah Bishop is excited to join our NCS K-2 team! While raised in Pittsburgh, PA, she graduated in 2012 from Liberty University with her elementary education degree. Mrs. Bishop taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Virginia before moving back to Pennsylvania to raise her family. While staying at home with her two daughters, Mrs. Bishop taught ESL online and homeschooled through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mrs. Bishop loves sports, animals, reading, and nature! She is looking forward to a great year!

Miss Marilyn Jones has been teaching 2nd grade at Nittany Christian School for more than 25 years! She received her degree in Elementary Education from Crown College in 1988. Marilyn enjoys music and historical fiction novels about what life was like on the Homefront during the Great Depression/World War II era. Her favorite composer is John Phillip Sousa. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family in Erie, PA.

Mrs. Melanie Hannon is our Kindergarten Aide and is looking forward to a fun year with the kindergarteners. She graduated with a B.S. from Penn State University and worked in the Human Services and banking fields prior to being a stay at home mom. She enjoys camping, anything Christmas, and spending time with her family.

 

Mrs. Meagan Leathers is thrilled to be a member of the K–2nd grade team as the First Grade Aide. She has loved serving as a substitute teacher, school volunteer, and PTF member for NCS over the past several years, and she is so excited to step into a daily role supporting our first graders as they grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Megan has called the State College area home since 2001. As a State High and Penn State graduate, and former PSU employee, she is deeply rooted in this community and loves serving our local families!


When she’s not at school, you’ll usually find her spending quality time with her husband, Sam, and their two energetic boys, who also attend Nittany Christian. As a family, they love traveling, exploring new places, gaming, and trying new activities together. In her quiet time, she’s an avid reader who loves coffee and relaxing in nature.

 

Mrs. Erin Stanton is our Second Grade aide. She obtained a degree in Elementary Education from Penn State in 2006 and spent several years as a substitute teacher in the local school district before becoming a mom in 2011.  She is very passionate about leading worship at her local church and connecting with other moms.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading, sipping coffee, cheering on her son’s baseball teams, watching her daughter practice gymnastics, and spending time at home with her family.