Preschool Staff for the 2019-2020 School Year

Jeannie Soltes, Program Director

Mrs. Soltes is the current Director and 4 year/Pre-K  teacher at St. Luke Catholic Preschool.  Prior to assuming her role as Director, Mrs. Soltes was the 3 year old teacher for our program for the past six years.  Mrs. Soltes has an undergraduate degree in communication from The University of Delaware and a Masters Degree in education from Wilmington College.  Prior to teaching at St. Luke Preschool, she taught Kindergarten and First Grade.
 
Mrs. Soltes has been a resident of Long Valley for 17 years where she lives with her husband, Bryan, and their children Grace, Abby and Delaney.  Mrs. Soltes is also a member of St. Luke Parish and an avid parent volunteer in the community.  She enjoys reading, trips to the beach and spending time with her busy family.  Mrs. Soltes loves working with the children and families of St. Luke Preschool and bringing to the school her love of children and passion for learning.

Evelina Cochrane, Asst Director / Bookkeeper

Mrs. Cochrane has been a member of the St. Luke Catholic Preschool since its opening 11 years ago.  Mrs. Cochrane is an assistant teacher in the 4 year/Pre-K class.  She also holds the position of our preschool bookkeeper and Assistant Director. Mrs. Cochrane and her husband, Steve, have lived in Long Valley for 24 years and have raised all 4 of their children in Long Valley.  Her oldest daughter, Kylene, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and is now beginning her second year in the Drexel University Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program.  Her daughter, Mikayla, is currently a senior at Bucknell University and is earning her BS in Biology.  Her son, Victor, is currently a sophomore at Lehigh University and is pursuing a degree in Business/Economics.  Her daughter, Chelsey, is currently a junior at West Morris Central High School. 
 
Mrs. Cochrane loves being a teacher assistant and seeing all of the children’s happy faces each day.  It is truly a blessing to be part of such a loving and nurturing school program. 

Linda Murphy, Teacher

Mrs. Murphy is our assistant teacher in the 4 year/ Pre-K program. Mrs. Murphy joined the St. Luke family in 2015. Prior to working at St. Luke’s, she was employed by the  Wharton Borough School District. You may even see her at Benedict A. Cucinella assisting the front office!
 
Mrs. Murphy and her husband, Dennis, have resided in Long Valley for over 15 years raising their two daughters,  Kaitlyn and Kiley.  Kaitlyn is currently a Sophomore at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania majoring in Early Education and Kiley is a Junior at West Morris Central High School.
 

Alison Mercurio, Teacher

As the parent of two former St. Luke Preschool students, Mrs. Mercurio has a heartfelt connection to the school, “I have been privileged to experience a St. Luke education through the eyes and hearts of my own children. Their passion, stories, and learning experiences are proof of the strong foundation that St. Luke Preschool provides.” Given the opportunity, Mrs. Mercurio was honored to join the St. Luke Preschool family this summer as teacher of the 3 year old class. 

Mrs. Mercurio holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Montclair State University. She returns to the classroom after taking time off from her career as an elementary school teacher to raise her four children.

Mrs. Mercurio resides in Long Valley with her husband, Peter, and four children, Luke, Kylie, Tyler, and Willow. She is a member of St. Luke Parish and has taught CCD for five years. Mrs. Mercurio is glad to share her preschool classroom with her three year old daughter, Willow, who has just begun her school years at St. Luke. 
 

Jen Masterson, Teacher

Mrs. Masterson is starting her fourth year at St. Luke Preschool where she is the assistant teacher in our 3 year old classroom. Prior to joining the St. Luke family, Jen enjoyed time working with children through volunteer positions in our community. Some of her most memorable times were spent teaching religious education at St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Long Valley, coaching the Long Valley Track and Field youth boys team and being a co-leader and active member along with her family in a local club, Kids4Kindness. 

Mrs. Masterson and her husband Jeff have lived in Long Valley for 16 years, where they are raising their 3 children, Catherine, Libby and Kevin. In her free time, Mrs. Masterson loves spending time with her family, the beautiful outdoors, exercising and taking long walks.  She also loves taking trips to the beach and watching the sunrise together with her family. Mrs. Masterson is quite grateful to spend her days with the children of St. Luke Preschool where every smile is a blessing and a gift to her.