St. Luke's Preschool Teachers

Our Teachers

At St. Luke's Preschool, we are blessed with teachers that are second to none. Our teachers truly love our students.

Janice Ring, Director

Janice Ring is married and has two adult children. She and her husband moved to this area in 2005 from Baltimore, MD for ministry purposes. Janice has a BA degree in Elementary Education from Arlington Bible College in Baltimore, MD. She has additional credits from Cedarville College (Cedarville, OH), Catonsville Community College (Baltimore, MD), and Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, TN). Janice was self-employed with a home-based Day Care where infants to five-year-olds were enrolled. She was a kindergarten teacher at Liberty Christian School for ten years. She also served as an administrative assistant for the Missions Pastor for three years and the Children’s Director for four years at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church. Janice feels called to ministry with children and loves sharing the love of Jesus Christ with them.

Cambridge Davis - Minnows Class, 16-24 months

Ms. Cambridge has been a teacher at St. Luke’s for 4 years. She is the Lead teacher in our youngest class, our under two program, which opened in June of last year. She is currently working towards her Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Western Governors University. Ms. Cambridge attends Grace Coastal Church in Okatie where she and her husband have been members since 2009. He is the youth director at Grace and she spends much of her free time helping him. Her main goal as a teacher is to create a loving and warm learning environment where each child can reach their full potential cognitively, socially and spiritually. She provides a variety of fun experiences where they can explore and learn about themselves, their peers, and most importantly, God’s love.

“They shall be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

Cherish Bell - Dolphins Class, 3-4 year olds

Ms. Cherish has been a teacher at St. Luke’s Preschool for 5 years. She discovered her passion for teaching at a very young age. As a teenager, Ms. Cherish became fully responsible for the care of her mentally handicapped uncle which she believes prepared her for a career in teaching and as a caregiver; it made her who she is today. Her experience taught her love and patience, and that God created each of us special. Before coming to St. Luke’s Preschool, Ms. Cherish worked with both children and the elderly at day cares and assisted living facilities. She is a member of Live Oak Christian Church in Bluffton where she was baptized and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. She is the mother of four beautiful children, Austin, Taylor, Olivia and Julia. Ms. Cherish’s goal as a teacher is to provide children with a safe, learning environment where they can grow academically, socially, and most of all, grow in the love of Jesus Christ.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Diane Speidel - Dolphins Class, 3 year olds

Ms. Diane has been a teacher at St. Lukes for 13 years. As the schools longest employed teacher, she has spent the majority of her time at St. Lukes teaching the Pre K class (4-5 year olds) successfully preparing them for Kindergarten and the start of their young lives. She recieved her Bachelors of Science degree in Child Development. She is a member of St. Lukes Church and also teaches Children’s Chapel on Sundays. Her goal as a Preschool teacher is to prepare them for the next steps in their lives and to share in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and that no matter what, they can fully rely of God.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Stephanie Sturm - Seahorses Class, 2-3 year olds

This is Ms. Stephanie’s second year teaching and feels so blessed to be at St. Lukes Preschool. Ms. Stephanie graduated from Louisiana State University and received her Masters Degree in Business Administration. She moved to Hilton Head in 1999 and became a member of St. Lukes Church in 2003. She is married and has three incredible children, Natalie, Roman and Joel. Natalie and Roman recently graduated from St. Lukes Preschool and Joel is currently enrolled in the new Under Two Program. Ms. Stephanie became interested in education when she started teaching Sunday School two years ago and she quickly realized the positive impact she can have on a child. To Ms. Stephanie, happiness is sitting on the floor with a child not only teaching them letters, numbers and colors, but also teaching them about God’s love and loving one another through Jesus Christ. As a mother of three children all attending St. Luke’s Preschool, Ms. Stephanie can honestly say that their is no place that she’s experienced where her children received more love, more kindness and more respect than they did while attending here. And for that, she knew she wanted to share that love with other families.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14

Doris Backel - Sharks Class, 4-5 year olds

Ms. Doris is starting her 3rd full year at St. Lukes Preschool. She has 14 years prior experience in teaching, nine years here on Hilton Head and 5 years in Queens, NY. She is educated in Early Childhood Development from Queens College-CUNY and USCB. Ms. Doris was born, baptized and confirmed Roman Catholic and is a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Hilton Head. She is married and has one son and four stepdaughters. Ms. Doris believes that all children can and will learn. She hopes to instill a sense of confidence in each and every child. She follows a quote from Mother Theresa, “God doesn’t look at how much we do, but with how much LOVE we do it.” Ms. Doris loves St. Lukes because she believes that the school’s Director, the staff, the children and the parents are willing to help to make any situation better.

“A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child.” Henry Longfellow