STAFF
Our staff is guided by and seeks to embody these core values: can-do spirit, hope not fear, entertain the impossible, and don’t settle.Â
Please note: our staff who work on Sundays are in the office Sun.—Thurs.
Rev. Betsy Swetenburg
Pastor/Head of Staff
BIO
Rev. Betsy Swetenburg has served Northridge since 2020. She attended Davidson College where she majored in English and then went on to Columbia Theological Seminary where she earned her Master of Divinity. Prior to Northridge, she served as Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia and as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Betsy believes our best hope for living out the Gospel is by loving each other and seeking to draw that circle of love ever wider. She says she was drawn to Northridge in part after meeting Northridge members who know how to love well – loving God, loving each other, loving their neighbors, and loving the world.
Betsy is an associate editor of The Journal for Preachers, a board member of the Montreat Conference Center, vice-chair of the board at White Rock Center for Hope, and a Zick Preaching Scholar. She has been a featured preacher on Day1 radio. She’s preached around the country, including Austin Seminary MidWinter Lectures, Wee Kirk in Linville, NC and Camp Dudley and Camp Kiniya in NY and VT respectively.
Betsy enjoys life with her husband and fellow North Carolinian, Owen, and their son, Harris.
Rev. Rebecca Chancellor Sicks
Parish Associate for Community
BIO
Rev. Rebecca Chancellor Sicks has served Northridge since 2023. She attended Oklahoma State University where she majored in Elementary Education and then went on to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity. Prior to serving at Northridge, Rebecca has served other Presbyterian congregations in Austin, TX, Portland, OR, Salina, KS, and Dallas, TX.
Rebecca was quickly drawn to the community of faith at Northridge because of their passion for mission, commitment to social justice issues, desire to make a difference in the world, and hospitality to the community. Rebecca is passionate about building community among all ages, including children and youth in the whole life of the church, and learning more every day about loving God and neighbor.
With her husband, James, Rebecca is raising two young children and is committed to being present with and for them in this season of life. She has a long history of leading camp and conference ministries and enjoys supporting Camp Gilmont in Grace Presbytery. Rebecca serves as Co-Moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry with the presbytery, and she serves as the Treasurer for her HOA Board in her neighborhood. Rebecca enjoys meeting over a good cup of coffee or chips and salsa.
Bert Colter
Pastoral Associate for Care
Dr. Bryan Scott Page
Director of Music
BIO
Suzanne Haynes
Director of Operations
Leah Lucas
Family Ministries Coordinator
Jacob Hord
Organist
BIO
Jacob Hord was born and raised in Dallas, TX and studied at Southern Methodist University followed by the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Jacob has served as the organist of Northridge Presbyterian church since August 2023 and enjoys sharing a variety of church music with congregants on a weekly basis.
Beyond playing the organ at Northridge, Jacob is a versatile musician performing regularly as Principal Timpanist with the Dallas Winds and the Springfield Symphony, among many other orchestras as a freelancer including the Dallas Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, East Texas Symphony, Richardson Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, New Mexico Philharmonic, and more.
Jacob has also served as the organist for Cross of Christ Lutheran church in DeSoto TX, Church of the Advent of Christ the King in San Francisco CA, and First Baptist church in San Francisco CA.
In his free time, Jacob enjoys many outdoor activities including hiking, long-distance running, cycling, skiing, and volleyball, to name a few.
Becca Jones
Soundboard Operator
BIO
Rebecca Jones came to Northridge Presbyterian in December 2019 utilizing her skills and creativity as a sound operator and A.V. tech.
She holds a degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcast Production from Sam Houston State University. After pursuing her degree, she used her communication and technical skills to help the Dallas community. Rebecca’s time away from Northridge is spent at United to Learn, an Education nonprofit as the Executive Assistant, assisting the CEO and COS, serving as a vital link between the executive team and staff, and a critical communicator to Governance Bodies of the organization. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games, and time at the lake with her loved ones and her dog Loonie-Rue.
Tibisay Pieters
Nursery Care
NCDC STAFF
BIO
Mrs. Kolodziej graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught for seven years, the last five of those as a 2 nd grade teacher in
Plano ISD. After staying home with her two boys for a few years, Mrs. Kolodziej started working at NCDC in 2015 in the Pre-K 4 class. Her younger son attended NCDC and is
now in 6 th grade at Hill Middle School. Her older son is in 8 th grade at Hill Middle School. Mrs. Kolodziej was hired as the NCDC Director in January 2021. She is heavily involved
with PTA at her son’s school.
Taylor Thompson
Office Manager and Curriculum Assistant
BIO
Mrs Thompson graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Education. She taught for ten years in public education before having children. More recently Mrs.
Thompson has subbed at NCDC while her younger children have attended. She has also helped with special projects including organizing and cataloging the curriculum
and supplies in the NCDC office. Her three kids (3rd grade, 1st grade, PreK 3) and their activities keep her busy and fulfilled but when there is extra time, Mrs Thompson enjoys
playing Mahjong, weekend getaways and karaoke.
Michelle Janssen
Busy Bee's (2's) Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Janssen graduated from Oklahoma State University with a BA in Journalism and Broadcasting. She minored in Speech Communication. After graduation, she worked in
public relations and marketing for 8 years. After staying home with her kids for a few years, she joined our NCDC family. This is Mrs. Janssen’s seventh year at NCDC
teaching in the Pre-K 2 classroom. She has two daughters, one at Ursuline Academy of Dallas and one at Lakehill Preparatory School. In her spare time she enjoys spending
time with her family, cycling, and skiing.
Angie Woltjen
Busy Bee's (2's) Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Woltjen graduated from Southern Methodist University with her husband of 32 years. She has 17 years of experience working in the preschool environment. Mrs. Woltjen taught technology to 2.5-5 year olds for seven years. She then served as assistant director at The Children’s Center for ten years. She has two grown children; Julia lives in New York City and is an Art Therapist and Lucas will graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in Physics.
Nicole McIntire
Friendly Foxes (3's) Teacher
BIO
This will be Mrs. McIntire’s third year at NCDC. After staying home with her children for several years, she began subbing and discovered a love of working with preschool
students. Mrs. McIntire has three children. She has two sons, one at Bryan Adams High School and one at Hill Middle School. She also has a daughter who attends Hexter
Elementary. In her free time, she enjoys reading and gardening.
Jennifer Heckendorn
Friendly Foxes (3's) Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Heckendorn grew up in South Florida. She has a BA degree in Biology from FAU. She moved to Lakewood in 2011. Her daughter, Hannah, is a senior at Pitzer College in
Claremont, CA and her son. Philip, is a sophomore at UT Austin. Mrs. Heckendorn has over fifteen years of volunteer experience mentoring at risk children and substitute
teaching. She is very excited to be at NCDC and to meet her Friendly Foxes!
Kristin Trojan
Outstanding Owls (4's) Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Trojan holds a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology from the University of Texas at Austin. Mrs. Trojan taught preschool for eleven years at White Rock North School, working with the 3-year-old and the pre-k class. This is Mrs. Trojan’s 11th year at NCDC where she has worked in the pre-k 3 and pre-k 4 classes. She is an active member of First Presbyterian of Dallas, teaching Sunday School and co-directing Vacation Bible School. Mrs. Trojan has two daughters, Erin, a senior at University of North Texas, and Kate, a senior at Woodrow Wilson High School.
Laura Graham
Outstanding Owls (4's) Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Graham holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, Pre-K – 6th, with a preschool endorsement from Texas Tech. She has taught preschool and kindergarten in public schools for approximately 20 years. She is an active member of Park Cities Baptist. Mrs Graham has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
Annie Grant
Teacher Assistant
BIO
Mrs. Grant graduated with her undergrad degree from USC and then received a Master’s in education from Pepperdine. She taught Kindergarten for eleven years and then 1st grade for three years. After subbing at NCDC for several years, she is now joining the staff full time. Mrs. Grant has two children; Charlie is in 5th grade and Emmie is in 3rd, both at St. Thomas Aquinas. In her free time, Mrs. Grant enjoys playing tennis.
Celina Torres
Teacher Assistant
BIO
Mrs. Torres has ten years of experience working with children. She is a registered behavioral therapist. She has been a nanny for five years. Her and her husband have two pets, a border collie and a calico cat. Mrs. Torres is excited to be at NCDC!
Lesslie York
Teacher Assistant
BIO
Mrs. York grew up in Fort Worth and has a merchandising degree from Texas Christian University. She taught Pre-K 3 for eight years at The Children’s Center. This will be her first year at NCDC. She has two grown daughters and enjoys doing yoga in her free time.
Abby Munn
Teacher Assistant
BIO
Ms Abby loves being a teacher’s assistant at NCDC. This is her second year helping in the classrooms. She attends Northridge Presbyterian Church. She is a graduate of
Woodrow Wilson High School. She loves children and is happy to be here helping two days a week!
Jacki Pavlick
Garden and Nature Teacher
BIO
Mrs. Pavlick is a certified Early Childhood Educator. She has helped teach in the Pre-K 2 class at NCDC and is now the Garden and Nature Teacher. All three of her sons have attended NCDC, with her youngest son a current student. In her free time, she enjoys being outside and spending time with her family.