Meet our nurturing, faith-based educators!
Our staff family believes in loving children, families and colleagues as Jesus loved us, providing the soil in which each learner can grow.
Our team believes in the power of encouragement and active learning. We look forward to actively engaging and guiding each child through their own unique learning experiences. Our goal is to help children build skills for later success in school and in life.
Our lead teachers and administrators have at least a bachelor’s degree with previous experience in early childhood education. We bring out the best in each child and in each other as we collaborate on lessons, strategies and creative teaching moments. We are a family ministry.
Our team is intentional in our planning and interactions with each child, infusing contagious joy and natural wonder into each learning experience.
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, as well as a Masters in Education from Bethel College/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 graduated with a Bachelor’s 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.
Kathy has been with the Early Learning Center for 5 years, where she is currently an associate teacher with our preschoolers. She enjoys making connections socially and emotionally with the children in her class. Kathy earned a bachelor of science degree in education and has furthered her knowledge in continuing education with a concentration in child development. She has previously taught Family & Consumer Science at the high school level. Kathy and her husband, Jim have been married for 42 years and have two married daughters who live in Chicago. When not at the ELC, Kathy enjoys traveling, decorating, sewing, gardening and reading detective mysteries.
Stefanie has a degree from IU and is HighScope certified. She has taught preschool for eight years and loves every minute of it. She loves having the opportunity to enrich young minds through play and mindful experiences. She and her husband have been married for 17 years and have two sons.
Mary has been the catering contractor of the ELC since we opened our doors 11 years ago. 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 has worked with children in various capacities throughout her life, including being a foster parent for many years. She is High Scope certified and is currently working on her Associates 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.
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University South Bend, Nicole is currently working to earn her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education through Ball State University. Nicole has 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 their world around them. In her free time, Nicole enjoys being active outdoors and spending time with friends and family.
Holly is the Lead Teacher in the Garden Patch pre-k class. She has experience teaching multiple ages in early childhood programs and public-school Kindergarten. She has also directed a NAEYC accredited center but found that her passion is directly working with children in the classroom. She will receive a Master’s degree in summer of 2023 from Ball State University in Elementary Education with a Master Teacher Certificate after being awarded the TEACH scholarship. She is HighScope certified and absolutely 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 (2) and Henry (2 mos.) 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 has been on the ELC staff for 2 years as an assistant teacher. She is HighScope certified and recently earned a CDA certificate. Kelly is currently in pursuit of a degree in Early Childhood Education. 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 family.
Katelyn has been an assistant teacher at the ELC for four years. She is currently working on earning a business degree. Katelyn cherishes the relationships she is able to build with the children in her class and loves watching them learn and grow throughout the year. She has a twin sister, Lauren, an older sister Leanna and younger brother, Andrew. Most of Katelyn’s free time is spent at the barn riding and caring for her horses, Bentley, Finn and Rory. In addition to showing her horses in the summer, she also teaches while providing riding lessons in the community.
Marissa loves working with kids 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. Marissa graduated from Clay High school and is working toward her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, you’ll find Marissa with family and friends.
A member of the Early Learning Center for the past 8 years, Casey is the full time teacher in the Jungle pre-k classroom. She graduated from Bethel College 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 to spend time with friends, go to the beach and read.
Kathy joined the staff of the ELC this year as the Intergenerational Education Coordinator. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree 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 with children. In her new role at the ELC, Kathy is overjoyed to create intergenerational experiences for our students and the residents at Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Community. Kathy and her husband Dan are the proud parents of two children, Meredith and Aaron. In her free time, you’ll find Kathy making memories with family and friends or cooking, gardening and reading at home.
Dr. Carla Gull provides environmental education to our students at the ELC. She teaches beginning college classes online with the University of Phoenix. Carla hosts the podcast Loose Parts Nature Play and shares insights on Loose Parts Play and Inside Outside Michiana on social media. She facilitates professional development in early childhood and enjoys finding frogs with her 4 boys at the stream. She researches tree climbing, outdoor classrooms and the theory of loose parts. You can also find her at loosepartsnatureplay.com.
Mitzi loves working with children and assists all classrooms at the ELC as a beloved substitute teacher. Mitzi graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She’s married to Jim and they have three adult children who are all graduates of Indiana University. Mitzi has become a Hoosiers fan, but still cheers for the Crusaders! In her free time, Mitzi enjoys playing tennis, reading inspirational books, being in nature and is a huge dog lover.
Ashley’s teaching career at the Early Learning Center started in 2014. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is Highscope certified, having experience from infants to school age. Ashley’s greatest passions are Jesus, reading and spending time with family. Her interests include Marvel (specifically Captain America), Christmas (it truly is the best time of the year) and enjoying God’s creation through nature.
Debbie enjoys children and food! She came to the Early Learning Center after working 15 years with Penn-Harris-Madison Schools in Food Service. Debbie can be found in the kitchen, lovingly preparing and delivering our snacks and lunches to each classroom at the ELC. Debbie and her husband, Tim have two sons, Matt and Josh.
With four kids of her own, Peggy has loved working with children as long as she can remember! She and her husband were high school sweethearts and raised their children here in Michiana. They now have 3 (a 4th in March) grandchildren. In her free time, Peggy enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Shawn attended Southwestern Michigan College and then transferred to Liberty University, where she began studies in child psychology. She has worked in many areas of education throughout her adult life, including special education, art education, VBS and preschool, which is her favorite age to teach. Shawn was also the director of an after school program for several years. Shawn and her husband have been married for 35 years and have four adult children (three are married) and seven grandchildren. Shawn’s faith in Jesus is her everything, as she has watched God provide, care and help her to grow in His love and grace.
Beth has an elementary education degree with a minor in psychology from Indiana University South Bend. She previously worked as an instructional paraprofessional for Elkhart Community Schools for grades K-2, providing interventional instruction. This is Beth’s second year with the ELC. She has 3 children ages 11, 7, and 6 who have all attended the Early Learning Center. She loves creating a warm and loving environment for her students and values relationships with the families in her classroom.
Rebecca offers counseling to our ELC families. With a degree in sociology and family studies from Bethel University, Rebecca now has her master’s degree from Liberty University in Pastoral Counseling. She has years of experience working with young children, including directing a children’s camp for the Mishawaka Parks & Rec Department and working as a behavioral therapist at the Lighthouse Autism Center. Rebecca loves Jesus and the outdoors.
Stacey graduated from Bethel College with a degree in Early Childhood Education & 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. Stacey has a daughter who just turned 13 and shares a love for animals, traveling and antiques.
Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Psychology and Sociology. She has 11 years experience working in the field of early childhood education. Michelle served as the coordinator for the MOPS children’s program at her home church for many years. She and her husband Mark have three children, two sons and a daughter. In her free time, Michelle enjoys gardening, walking and spending time with her family.
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 preschool-aged children. She and her husband Mike have three children, Lindsay, Ben and Jake. Jenny spends her free time thrifting and upcycling and taking care of her three cats.
Judy is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. She has been a teacher’s aide for 13 years. She and her husband have two wonderful children and a four-legged baby named Pepper. In her free time, Judy loves to cook and listen to audiobooks.
Abby is the Lead Teacher in the Jungle pre-k classroom. This is her fourth year teaching pre-k and following the HighScope curriculum. Abby graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. Abby has a passion for 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 is the full time teacher in the Garden Patch pre-K classroom. 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.
Megan is an assistant teacher in one of our preK classes at the ELC. She is a full-time student at Indiana University South Bend, working on a bachelor’s degree in social work. Megan has worked with the Boys & Girls’ Club as an assistant teacher, where she led 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 two young nieces.
Jill has a double major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education and is High Scope certified. She has been with the Early Learning Center since its opening 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, aged 8, 6 & 3. Every summer, Jill enjoys nature, gardening and hosting “Grandma Camp” for each grandchild individually.
Pam has worked as a kindergarten aide and loves working with children to help them learn and grow. She has three adult sons and three amazing grandsons. When Pam is not working, she loves to be outdoors biking, walking and spending the day at the lake.
Madeline holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Contemporary Dance and Kinesiology from Indiana University and is a trained Pilates instructor. She has taught a variety of dance styles and techniques at local dance studios and non-profit organizations, as well as at public and private schools. Madeline believes that dance and movement are extraordinary tools for developing body and spatial awareness, coordination, creative-thinking and confidence—dance is for everyone! She enjoys cooking, reading, rehearsing and performing with New Industry Dance and spending time with her husband and their dog.
