Our Team

Meet our dedicated team of teachers and administrators committed to providing faith-based education.
The Early Learning Center is a part of the team at Hubbard Hill. Our staff consists of our administrative, teaching, and arts teams and our advisory council. We strive to provide a faith-based experience for families that is:
Loving and Nurturing

Our staff family believes in loving children, families, and colleagues as Jesus loved us—providing the soil in which each learner can grow.

Engaging and Encouraging

Emphasizing encouragement and active learning, our team guides children through unique experiences to develop skills for future success.

Smart and Collaborative

Our lead teachers hold at least bachelor's degrees and build creative lessons with powerful, creative teaching moments.

Purposeful and Joyful

Our team intentionally plans interactions with each child, infusing contagious joy and natural wonder into each learning experience.

Mandy Gibbons

Mandy Gibbons

Executive Director

Mandy joined the Early Learning Center with over sixteen years of experience as a preschool and Kindergarten teacher at Bridges (also NAEYC accredited) and Covenant Christian School. With a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Purdue University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Bethel University/IUSB, Mandy is passionate about shaping the development of young children in their early childhood years. Most recently, she worked as a preschool director, employing best practices to create an incredible learning environment that nurtures and supports young children. With a warm and magnetic personality, Mandy has led the Early Learning Center since the fall of 2018. She attends Granger Community Church with her husband Russ and her daughters Kaylah and Kenzie. Mandy and Russ are empty nesters!

Olivia Alexander

Olivia Alexander

Art Teacher

Olivia graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from Herron School of Art & Design at IUPUI. She has always had a passion for art and painting and has fallen in love with sharing her passion with a new generation of budding artists. She loves the creativity, wonder, and joyful spirit with which children at the Early Learning Center approach their art.

Mary Boatman

Mary Boatman

ELC Chef
Mary is the catering contractor of the ELC. Mary’s mission is to show people love through creating tasty food—this is evident with every creative meal and snack that she plans and prepares for our students. She cherishes the opportunity to work in a faith-based environment. Mary enjoys spending time with her granddaughters, Makaila and McKinzee, who are her best, most reliable taste-testers for new recipes. When not working at the ELC, Mary creates floral arrangements for weddings and events.
Erin Bozha

Erin Bozha

Lead Teacher
Erin is the lead teacher in the Reflection Room. She has worked with children in various capacities throughout her life, including being a foster parent for many years. Erin is HighScope certified and is currently working on an associate’s degree in early childhood education. She has two daughters and a son. In her free time, Erin enjoys working out and going to car shows with her son.
Nicole Burkus

Nicole Burkus

Lead Teacher
Nicole is the lead teacher in the Lighthouse Room and holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University South Bend and a master’s degree in early childhood education through Ball State University. Nicole has several years of experience with young children, including teaching Kindergarten in South Bend schools. Her passion is creating a rich environment that encourages young children to explore and discover the world around them. In her free time, Nicole enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
Holly Case

Holly Case

Master Lead Teacher
Holly is the Lead Teacher in our Journey pre-k class. She has experience teaching multiple ages in early childhood programs and in kindergarten. She has also directed a NAEYC-accredited center but found that her passion is directly working with children in the classroom. Holly received a master’s degree from Ball State University in Elementary Education with a Master Teacher Certificate after being awarded the TEACH scholarship. She is HighScope certified and loves the curriculum and their Conflict Resolution Strategy. Holly is married to the love of her life, Ryan, and together they have two sons, Lucas and Henry, who light up their lives. Holly looks forward to building a relationship with your family as together, we seek to best educate and care for your child!
Kelly Charlton

Kelly Charlton

Associate Teacher
Kelly has been on the ELC staff as an associate teacher since 2021. She is HighScope certified and recently earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education. Kelly is currently in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, which she plans to finish this spring. Sharing the love of Jesus is her calling, and working with children is Kelly’s passion. A single mother of two amazing daughters, Kelly enjoys spending her free time with her family.
Marissa Downer

Marissa Downer

Associate Teacher

Marissa loves working with children and sharing her love for Jesus with them. She has grown up in a faith-filled household and continues to volunteer at church. Marissa’s spiritual gifts are to love, guide, and teach young children. In her free time, you’ll find Marissa reading or spending quality time with family and friends.

Casey Fike

Casey Fike

Associate Teacher

A member of the Early Learning Center since 2014, Casey works in both the classroom and in the before care program. She graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science. Before her career at the ELC, Casey worked with young children as a nanny. When she’s not working, Casey likes spending time with friends, going to the beach and reading.

Kathy Greve

Kathy Greve

Assistant Director, Intergenerational Experiences
Kathy joined the staff of the ELC in 2021. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Kindergarten from Ball State University. Kathy has 30 years of teaching experience, with most of her time spent with kindergarteners. She loves witnessing the learning process and is overjoyed to create intergenerational experiences for our students and our neighbors from the Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Community. Kathy and her husband, Dan, have two grown children, a daughter and a son. In her free time, you’ll find Kathy making memories with family and friends or cooking, gardening, and reading at home.
Peggy Lutz

Peggy Lutz

Office Manager
With four kids of her own, Peggy has loved working with children for as long as she can remember! She has been with the Early Learning Center since 2019. Her favorite part of her job is building relationships with families and staff. She and her husband, Spence, love this stage of life when they can enjoy their adult children while being “Gigi” and “Papa” to their grandsons. Their grandchildren bring them more joy than they deem possible.
Stacey Mullins

Stacey Mullins

Associate Teacher
Stacey graduated from Bethel College with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has been HighScope certified since 2005. She describes working at the ELC as her dream job and loves building relationships with the families of her students. When she is not in the classroom, Stacey and her husband are busy restoring homes and turning them into rentals. Any free time is spent outside with family. They have one daughter who shares a love for animals, traveling, and antiques.
Michelle Pittman

Michelle Pittman

Associate Teacher

Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Psychology and Sociology. She has over 11 years of experience working in early childhood education. Michelle served as the MOPS children’s program coordinator at her home church for many years. She and her husband, Mark, have three children, two sons and a daughter. Michelle enjoys gardening, walking, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Jenny Rairdon

Jenny Rairdon

Associate Teacher

Jenny earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University. She has been at the ELC since it opened in 2012. Jenny has a passion for teaching young children. She and her husband, Mike, have three children, Lindsay, Ben, and Jake. Jenny spends her free time thrifting, upcycling, and caring for her three cats.

Abby Shepard

Abby Shepard

Lead Teacher

Abby is the Lead Teacher in the Explorer pre-k classroom. Abby graduated from Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Abby is passionate about child-led education, open-ended learning opportunities, and HighScope’s Conflict Resolution Strategy. Outside of school, she enjoys attending concerts, watching baseball, and spending time with family and friends.

Heather Swanson

Heather Swanson

Lead Teacher

Heather is the lead teacher in the Sunshine Room and has been with the ELC since 2018. She is a HighScope-certified infant/toddler and preschool-trained teacher. Heather has worked in the Early Childhood field for over 30 years. She and her husband, Peter, have four children. She loves to spend time with her family, which includes two granddaughters and a grandson.

Megan Swanson

Megan Swanson

Associate Teacher

Megan has been helping with ELC for the last couple of years. She is a recent graduate of Indiana University South Bend, earning a bachelor’s degree in social work. Megan has worked with the Boys & Girls Club as an assistant teacher, leading summer activities for the students. Megan values her faith in God and credits her parents for raising her and her older brothers and sister in a loving, faith-filled home. In her free time, Megan enjoys relaxing while reading and spending time with her friends and family, especially her nieces and nephew.

Jill Thompson

Jill Thompson

Associate Teacher

Jill has a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and is HighScope certified. She has been with the Early Learning Center since it opened in 2012. Jill has a passion for the young children and families of the ELC. She lives in Edwardsburg with her husband and has two married daughters and three grandchildren. Every summer, Jill enjoys nature, gardening, and hosting “Grandma Camp” for each grandchild individually.

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Pam Sessler

Associate Teacher

Pam has an Associate of Arts degree from International Fine Arts College of Miami, Florida. Pam began her initial experience with the ELC as a parent many years ago. She is HighScope Certified and has supervised young children in many different church and school sponsored programs over the years. While away from the ELC, Pam and her husband, Patrick, are the proud parents of their daughter, Ashlynn. She is an Advisory Committee Member of her daughter's 4-H club and enjoys being a "Sports Mom.” Pam feels blessed to be part of the ELC team!

Grace

Grace Janowski

Associate Teacher
Grace has a bachelor's degree from Indiana University South Bend and has worked with children for many years. She is honored to have the opportunity to enrich young minds and create new memories through play and new experiences. Grace enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends in her spare time. She and her husband are proud parents to a sweet little girl.
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Hannah Woodruff

Hannah has several years of experience working with young children in a school setting. She is currently working towards finishing coursework for a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Hannah feels honored to be able to teach the young minds of the ELC using the HighScope curriculum. When she is away from school, Hannah enjoys spending time outside, reading, cooking or traveling.

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Sue Hills

Associate Teacher

Sue holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and family life education. She has been very involved with children’s ministry at church and assisted her husband, Dave who was a pastor for over 25 years. Previously, Sue taught pre-k in a Christian school for 21 years. A lifelong member of the church, Sue has a strong relationship with Christ and enjoys spreading God’s love to all her students. Sue and Dave have 3 adult children and 3 grandchildren. Outside of school, she enjoys doing crafts and making cards, spending time with family and friends and participating in Bible study at church.

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Adrienne Martin-Davis

Associate Teacher
Adrienne joins our staff with extensive experience in working with young children, both as a teacher, then program director, at a local childcare facility. She is passionate about early childhood education and advocacy for quality programming. Adrienne is currently taking classes to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. When she is not in the classroom, Adrienne loves spending time reading, swimming and playing with her son and baking delicious cheesecakes.
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Daniela Leal

Associate Teacher
Daniela joins our staff with experience in HighScope as a teacher in the HeadStart program. She currently is working towards earning an associate degree in Early Childhood Education. When she is not in the classroom, Daniela is a busy mom to 2 children, who attend the ELC. She is a proud soccer mom and enjoys visiting new places with her children. Daniela is an avid runner and loves spending time with her extended, close-knit family.
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Destiny Chrzan

Lead Teacher

Destiny is the Lead Teacher in the Garden Room. She is working on completing a bachelor’s degree in education from Indiana University South Bend. Destiny has devoted the last several years to working with young children. She enjoys spreading the love of Jesus to everyone, and especially treasures the opportunity to do so with her class. Destiny and her fiancée share two cats and are expecting their daughter in March. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family at their lake house and kayaking.

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Emily Helms

Associate Teacher
Emily earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Holy Cross College. After teaching for a few years, she transitioned to running in-home childcare, where she welcomed children from infants-6 years old. She enjoys working closely with families of young children and cherishes the opportunity to share her love for Jesus in the classroom and at home. Emilly and her husband have three amazing children, a dog and a turtle. When she is not in the classroom, Emily loves creating art using various mediums, spending time outdoors and just being still—finding God in the big and the small.
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Kacy Loerwald

Associate Teacher
Kacy earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and is a certified teacher, Early Childhood through 6th grade. She spent 11 years teaching in the public school system before joining our staff a few years ago. Kacy loves God and shares His word with each little one in her care. Kacy and her husband have 3 children, who keep them busy. Outside of school, she enjoys attending sporting events as a family and spending time on the lake in northern Michigan.
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LeAnn Ailes

Associate Teacher
LeAnn holds an associate’s degree in early childhood education and is currently working towards finishing coursework for a bachelor’s degree. She has many years of experience working with young children of all ages. LeAnn has a strong faith in God and enjoys working in our faith-filled community. LeAnn is a huge Disney fan, and she enjoys spending time with family, especially her niece and nephew.
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Sarah Givens

Lead Teacher
Sarah is the Lead Teacher in the Creation Room and returns to our staff after spending the last few years as a stay-at-home mom. In addition to previously teaching at the ELC, she spent two years at a bilingual learning center. Sarah graduated from Bethel College with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and is HighScope certified. Sarah has a strong faith in God and shares, “I would not be where I am today if I was not following Jesus. Having a relationship with Him each and everyday shapes who I am and shapes my whole life.” Sarah and her husband have two boys. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, swimming as a family and spending time outside.
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Shauna Betzer

Lead Teacher

Shauna is the Lead Teacher in the Radiance Room and returns to our staff after spending the last few years as a stay-at-home mom. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University South Bend. In addition to teaching at the ELC previously, she spent time working as a kindergarten aide and a dance instructor. Shauna shares, “Jesus is the center of my faith journey. I believe that I fully depend on God for everything!” Shauna is the mother of three beautiful children—Ava, Brady and Carson. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys traveling, baking and relaxing with her kids.

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Alisha Hill

Associate Teacher
Alisha joins our staff with extensive experience in working with young children, both as a nanny and in a daycare setting. She and her husband have two sons. Alisha’s family loves to travel to Florida, where they enjoy hunting for sharks’ teeth. She is passionate about learning & sharing American Sign Language. When she is not in the classroom, Alisha likes hosting family game nights with friends and relatives.
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Kacey Eash

Associate Teacher
Kacey holds an undergraduate degree in social work and a master’s degree in applied behavior Analysis from Ball State University. She has worked with children from infants to middle school for over 10 years and brings wonderful experience to the ELC. An active member in her church, Kacey volunteers in the nursery and enjoys spreading God’s love to all the children in her care. Kacey and her husband have a daughter, as well as two husky-doodles. When she is not in the classroom, Kacey loves spending time outdoors in God’s creation. Her family’s favorite activities are hiking, camping and spending time on the beaches of Lake Michigan.
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Laney Creech

Associate Teacher
Biography coming soon...
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Megan Kennedy

ELC Intern
Megan is a treasured member of the aftercare team. She will graduate from Penn High School this spring with an additional associates degree from Ivy Tech. She loves helping others through volunteer opportunities and is the president of a school club that hosts hair donation events. She plans to go on to college in the fall, majoring in education/child development. Megan has several years of experience caring for children, including babysitting, volunteering in the church nursery and working as a camp counselor during the summer months. Megan’s faith is very important to her, and she is active in the church youth group. Megan lives at home with her parents. In her free time, she likes to read and enjoys traveling to new adventures.