*****Circle of Friends Preschool has made the difficult decision to close at the end of this current school year, 2023-2024. We have served countless preschoolers and their families since 1963. We first opened as John Knox Cooperative Nursery School and moved to our present location with our name changing to Circle of Friends in 1996.****

Patricia Philipp

Patricia Philipp
Mrs. Philipp joined Circle of Friends in 2006 as a teacher aide in the Four-Year-Old Class and in 2009 she began working as the aide in the Three-Year-Old Class as well. In 2010, she became the lead teacher in the Four Year Old Class. She assumed the role as the lead teacher in the Three Year Old Class in 2017 as a result of Mrs. Schaller’s retirement.

Mrs. Philipp holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education.

She has three grown children and eight grandchildren.

Mrs. Philipp is a devoted teacher who brings a fresh approach to the classroom and is dedicated to preparing the children for kindergarten.


Emily Cisz
Emily began her Circle of Friends experience in 2013 as a parent when she and her husband, Adam, enrolled their oldest son in the 3 year old class. In 2014-2015, Emily was an active volunteer and member of the board and had a child in both the 3’s and the 4’s class.

When Emily’s oldest son started kindergarten, she began volunteering regularly in the elementary classroom. She loved helping out and working with children so much that she has continued volunteering in kindergarten weekly for another 6 years. Emily thoroughly enjoys being around children, making connections and actively seeks out opportunities to do so.

Emily kept in touch with the teachers at Circle of Friends and occasionally assisted her friends with drop off and pick up of their own preschoolers attending the preschool. She began working as an aide at COF in 2018.

Emily loves working at COF as the teacher’s aide for both the 3’s class and 4’s class.

Jeanne Schaller

Jeanne Schaller
Mrs. Schaller retired as of June 2017 after 23 years with Circle of Friends Preschool. Her love and dedication to our school was unsurpassed. Mrs. Schaller will continue to be a part of our school bringing her love and joy of learning as an advisor and substitute teacher.