The Wise Owl Preschool staff is a dedicated group of experienced and educated teachers who are committed to this quality early childhood education program. Each member possesses a passion for teaching and a love of children. Their years of classroom training and caring attitudes enhance every child's love of learning.

All Wise Owl employees are CPR certified with First Aid and Safety Training. Prior to employment, all staff members receive background approvals by the State of Kentucky.

Stephanie Recht - Director and Enrichment Teacher

I have taught for nineteen years at Wise Owl Preschool and especially enjoyed the past 6 years as the Director. You can find me singing, dancing and playing right along side the students. I have a B.A. in Elementary Education from The University of Michigan. I was an elementary classroom teacher at Detroit Country Day teaching Preschool and K-2 Science prior to moving to Fort Thomas 23 years ago. My husband Matt and I are raising two boys, Jackson and Davis, who are both Wise Owl alumnae. We feel lucky to have happened upon such a wonderful community and, especially, this preschool.

Kim Hogan – Teacher ( 4 Year Old Teacher and Curriculum Coordinator)

This is my sixth year as the curriculem coordinator for the 3's and 4's. I have taught at Wise Owl for sixteen years and love interacting with those adorable preschoolers. Watching them grow and develop is so fascinating. I have a degree in Elementary Education from NKU, with an endorsement in Middle School mathematics and close to completing my Master’s Degree. My husband, Mike, and I enjoy my sons: Mason, Nelson, Jackson, Wilson. All four attended Wise Owl Preschool and have many happy memories of those special days. When I am not teaching or attending many sporting events, I love fun outdoor activities with my family and friends.

Allison Buecker – Teacher (3 and 4 Year Old)

I am a transplant to Fort Thomas having moved here from my home state of Michigan. I graduated from Miami University with a double major in Education and Spanish. This will be my sixteenth year teaching at Wise Owl Preschool and I absolutely love every single moment! The daily interaction with these wonderful children keeps me smiling. Being a part of such a warm, nurturing and fun environment is a truly life-changing and rewarding experience. Outside of Wise Owl, I am happily married to my husband Chad and have two children, Jacob and Hanna. When I am not teaching or spending time with my family, you can often find me running on the streets of Ft. Thomas. Don’t forget to wave if you see me!

June Doyle - Teacher (Play-2-Day)

It has been my pleasure to teach for the past eighteen years in the Wise Owl Play-2-Day Program. It has really become a second home to me. All three of my girls attended Wise Owl, so teaching here brings back many warm memories. Every year I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of my students and seeing them grow. Prior to coming to Wise Owl, I worked in the childcare industry for ten years. My hobbies include reading, vacationing, and exercising…many of you have probably seen me walking through Fort Thomas! I also love spending time with my husband, girls, and eight active grandchildren.

Jamie Hochleutner – Teacher (3 Year Old Class)

I grew up in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, received an Elementary Education degree from the University of Kentucky and obtained my Masters in Literacy from the University of Cincinnati. I taught for eight years in the Covington Independent Schools as a Primary teacher. Briefly our family left this area before returning in 2005 and are blessed to call this wonderful community our home. My husband Bill and I have three lovely and lively children Hannah, Erin and Will. This is my thirteenth year of teaching at Wise Owl. I love interacting with each child’s unique and interesting personality. There is so much growth that takes place during these preschool years for each child – emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually – and it is a blessing and an honor to get to experience it as teacher on a daily basis. What can I say – I love my job!

Catie Raaker – 2's Year Old Class (Teacher) and Teacher Assistant

I was born and raised in Pikeville, Kentucky. After graduating from Georgetown College with a B.A. in Communication, my husband Andy and I moved to Fort Thomas. I worked as a litigation paralegal for five years before deciding to stay home with my children. I have been a stay at home mom for six years and babysat from home for the last two. Andy and I have two daughters Olivia and Callie, both graduates of Wise Owl Preschool. I am very excted about my fifth year here. I love working with children and look forard to what this opportunity brings.

Alison Schwalbach - Teacher (4 Year Old Class)

I am a lifelong resident of Fort Thomas and a graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Biology. I continued my education at Xavier University earning an Elementary Teaching Degree and Masters of Education. I taught 4th and 5th Grades at St. John the Baptist School in Cincinnati for 11 years, before joining the Wise Owl staff in 2011. My husband, Brian, and I have four children: Carson, Grayson, Hayden and daughter, Margo. I enjoy reading books, working in the yard, and spending time with good friends! Playing with the students, reading to them, and seeing them learn and grow through the year is why I love teaching preschoolers.

Karen Sower – Teacher (Play-2-Day)

I am a Fort Thomas native and graduate of Highlands High School. My education continued at Eastern Kentucky University where I obtained a degree in Psychology. I married my high school sweetheart, Pete, and have four wonderful children Jenna, Alli, Kiefer and Maria, all former Wise Owl students. I am actively involved at First Presbyterian Church where my husband and I have taught Sunday School for Grades 1-4. I enjoy walking, reading and one of my favorite activities is vacationing at the beach with my family. I am thrilled to be part of this dedicated teaching staff for the past eight years. Wise Owl is the best...it is such a nurturing, loving, and fun place for children

Jenny Zell – Teacher (Play-2-Day)

I started teaching at Wise Owl in the Enrichment Program before joining the Play-2-Day Class. Teaching in the Play-2-Day Program for the past 9 years gives me the opportunity to make an impression on young minds at the very beginning of their educational journeys. I graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in Business Administration, married and moved to Fort Thomas 21 years ago. My two children both attended Wise Owl Preschool. It is exciting to be teaching in the same school where my children started their education. I am an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Thomas. I also enjoy spending time at my lake house paddleboarding, hiking and reading.

                                                        Tracie Malone- Teacher (4 Year Old Classroom)


After 33 years of teaching and two years of retirement, I am excited begin my third year the Wise Owls! My undergraduate degree is from Hanover College and I received my master’s degree from NKU, but the 30 years spent teaching at Moyer Elementary were the best education I could ever have received.  Fort Thomas has been my home since moving to Kentucky from Madison, Indiana, and the priority given to education in this community is amazing, making it a wonderful place to raise my own children, Spencer and Madison, with my husband Dave.  I enjoy needlework and working in the Malone Secret Garden almost as much as I like reading to and working with children. 

Lauren Kilgore- Teacher (Play-2-Day and 3 Year Old Classroom)


I am a proud graduate of both Northern Kentucky University and Wise Owl Preschool! I love to tell my students that I have been singing “Grey Squirrel” since I was 3 years old. I am married to Casey and we are lucky enough to raise our 3 children here in Fort Thomas. James, Kate, and Erin have all learned to love school as students at Wise Owl. Our family loves to travel and to camp. I collect children’s books (Eloise Wilkin is my favorite illustrator) and I feel so grateful that over the past 6 years I have spent my time reading to the smiling faces of our preschoolers at Wise Owl!