Staff
Karen Knudsen – Director
My name is Karen Knudsen and this is my 14th year as the Director of North City Preschool. I have been working in Early Childhood Education for over 35 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and have worked as a preschool teacher, parent education teacher and a preschool director. I believe in the developmental approach to early childhood education focusing on the “whole child” as well as creating an environment that is nurturing and loving with opportunities for children to experiment, explore, and discover themselves and the world around them. I also consider it a privilege to be able to share my love for Christ with preschool children and teach them about God’s perfect love. I have been married for 41 years and have three grown children. I also have 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons. They are such a joy to me! My husband and I enjoy bike riding, time with family and friends, a good movie, and the outdoors. I also love reading a good book, walking, and coffee!
Barb Delapena – Office assistant
Hi! My name is Barb Delapena and this is my 8th year at North City Preschool. I have worked in Early Childhood for over 25 years as a teacher, curriculum developer as well as administration. I love working with children and watching their amazement while learning new things as well as teaching them about the wonderful world God has created. My husband Alex and I have been married 38 years and have raised two sons, Andrew and Josh. We enjoy spending time as a family and we are blessed to have both of them working and living in San Diego. When not working, I enjoy running, gym classes as well as shopping and traveling! I love the environment at NCP between the teachers and children as well as the support that the Staff gives to one another. I look forward to another great year at NCP!
Sabrina Williams – 2 & 3-year-old teacher
My name is Sabrina Williams and this is my 7th year at North City Preschool. I recently graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and am currently pursuing medical school. I found my love of working with children through volunteering at my church. My favorite part of working with children is watching them grow and discover new things that amaze them. I also love their smiles. They are priceless. My spare time is usually spent with my 8- year-old tortoise Wally, volunteering at my church, or with my friends watching movies. My favorite place to be is at the beach! I am excited to see and experience what this year has to bring and how God will use this wonderful place and these wonderful children in my life.
Emily Love – 3-year-old teacher
Hi, My name is Emily Love. I have been married for 25 years and have four children ages 22, 19, 17, and 9. I moved here from Boston, MA 25 years ago after getting married and returning to my husband’s hometown of San Diego. My husband and kids love playing soccer, so you can often find me on the soccer field cheering them on. I love being a mom as well as a teacher. This is my fourth year at North City Preschool. I have a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. I have been working with pre-school aged children for several years. I enjoy this age so much! They are soaking up the world around them, energetic, and are eager to learn. In my free time I enjoy cycling, running, cooking, and hanging with my family. My vacations are spent near the beach or mountains where our family can hike and be outdoors together. I am looking forward to another year of teaching at North City Preschool!
Rebecca Friesen – 3-year-old teacher
Hi my name is Rebecca Friesen. I have been a 3-year-old teacher at North City Preschool since 1999. I started as an aide in the 3-year-old program and fell in love with teaching. I have also worked with young children at another local preschool as well as various summer programs in Poway. I’m happy to say that I can still wake up each morning and say, “I love what I do!” Preschool children inspire me and challenge me. I love being able to teach children lessons and skills that will carry them through life. I was born and raised in San Diego and still live near my parents and older brother. I have been married for 11 years to my wonderful husband Brian. We live in San Marcos with our dog Cash and our two beautiful children-Stella and Weston. Stella is entering 1st grade and Weston is in the 4-year old program here at North City! In my free time I enjoy working out, searching Pinterest and cooking for my family and friends.
Cathy Krager – 4-year-old teacher assistant
My name is Cathy Krager. Starting my 11th year at North City Preschool, I continue to feel very fortunate to be a part of this great school and staff. Over the years I have enjoyed my different roles at North City including teaching in Chapel as well as working as an aide, support teacher, and substitute. I am very excited to be a support teacher in the 4 year old program. I am regularly amazed by what the children say and do as well as by their growth and development. In addition to enjoying the children, I am looking forward to relationships with their families as well. I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in children, youth, and families. I have also completed classes in Early Childhood Education. I am married and have 2 children, ages 20 and 16, of whom both attended North City Preschool.
Belinda Davies – 4-year-old teacher
Hi, I’m Belinda Davies. I have been married 32 years to my husband Bob. We have 3 grown children. We have been part of the Sabre Springs community for over 25 years. I first fell in love with North City Preschool when my son was here. The beautiful playground was perfect for him to creatively and physically explore the outdoors. I was so very excited when a teacher’s aide position opened! I have worked as a teacher’s aide, a substitute, a snack coordinator and chapel coordinator. Currently, I am a 4-year-old teacher. I feel so blessed to be able to work with this gifted and loving staff. Together we have created an excellent learning environment which not only strengthens all areas of a child’s growth and development, but is also a lot of fun! Now after 19 years of working at North City, I am still so excited to be able to serve God and your children!
Christy Walotkiewicz – 4-year-old teacher
My name is Christy Walotkiewicz and I have been a 4-year-old teacher at North City Preschool for 16 years. I previously worked at another local preschool for 3 years. I have enjoyed working at North City and have loved interacting with the children and getting to know each one of their unique personalities. I have an AA degree in Early Childhood Education. I also have 2 years of experience in ASL from Palomar College and love the Deaf Culture. I got married in May 2018 to a wonderful man named Kenny Walotkiewicz. We live in the Tierra Santa area and enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love animals and have a cat named Jack Sparrow, and now another cat named Finnigan. I love football (go Bears), baseball (go Cubs), reading, line dancing, movies, the beach, and walking/hiking. I have been involved with volunteering with the jr. highers at my church and am now involved with my husband in a lifegroup at my church. I also have had the privilege of doing mission work in Serbia for 6 years.
Roxanne Karshner – Floating teacher
My name is Roxanne Karshner and this is my 5th year at North City Preschool. I am so blessed to join this wonderful team of teachers. I have been involved with preschool aged children for 20 plus years. I love the interaction with children and all that I learn from them daily. They fill my heart with such joy. I love to watch them discover their surroundings and develop their own unique personalities. I am excited to see how God will use me to help these children grow. My husband Don and I have been married 35 years and have raised two sons which are now married. We have two beautiful granddaughters and two grand “dogs”. We love spoiling all of them. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy being outdoors; hiking or walking our dog, Diego. The adventure of traveling and exploring is one of my favorite things. I am always looking for daily lessons and I am looking forward to learning from your children.
