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

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!

Elizabeth Urbanski

Office Manager

I have had the privilege of helping young children discover, learn, and grow into their fullest potential over the past 12 years within the preschool setting. I truly enjoy witnessing a child’s eyes light up when they grasp a new concept or watching their confidence bloom as they master a new skill. I love to walk and stay active. Living near the water allows me to spend fun timeswith my 3 children, husband, dog and friends.

Kathy Greve

Director of 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.

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!

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.

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.

Daniela Leal

Lead Teacher

Dani is the lead teacher in the Radiance class. 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.

Nicole Aranowski

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.

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.

Adrienne Martin-Davis

Lead Teacher

Adrienne is the lead teacher in the Sunshine class. 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.

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.