Annette Wilcox has been selected as the new director of the Neffs United Church of Christ pre-school.

Wilcox earned a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Michigan, a master's degree in special education from Lehigh University, and administrative certification from Lehigh University.

She taught elementary special needs classes in Florida and acute special needs children in Michigan.

Wilcox's most recent employment was at the Centennial School at Lehigh University where she began as a teacher and moved on to various administrative positions.

Wilcox had contact with Union United Church of Christ, Neffs, through her child's experience some years ago at Girl Scout day camp in the grove.

"I always thought it was such a lovely setting," Wilcox said.

She looks forward to making some changes in the pre-school program but says she wants to keep the basic fundamentals it was built upon.

"It has a very good reputation, a very good foundation and history," Wilcox said. "The parents are happy.

"We're going to keep play time, chapel, and circle time – the things that make Neffs UCC a great place."

She is planning to develop a curriculum that will embrace the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.

"It will be designed to align with the Pa. Core Standards in public schools for kindergarten through 12th grade.

"After leaving pre-school, a student will be ready to set foot and succeed in kindergarten.

"This will make our program stand out," Wilcox said.

She expects to start incorporating reading, math and science goals from the early learning Standards this term but anticipates it will take a few years to make a full transition to the new curriculum.

The pre-school offers classes for children ages 3, 4 and pre-kindergarten.

For more information, call 610-767-5327 or go to preschool@unionucc.org.