Preschool STAFF

Ms. Wendy: What I love most about being a preschool teacher is watching the children learn something new each day. In my free time, I love to go to the beach, garden, bake, and spend time with family and friends. 

Ms. Zaned: I love being around kids, especially at such a young age. I love how curious they are about the world around them and watching them grow over time. In my free time, I enjoy going on walks around my neighborhood or going to the gym. 

Ms. Victoria: I believe the BEST part about teaching is the look of pure joy on a child’s face when they understand something for the first time by themselves. It is such a joy to see how happy new knowledge and accomplishments make them. In my free time, I enjoy reading, journaling, watching movie marathons with my kids and having “girls” day with my mother in law.

Ms. Mara: For me, children are the future. What I like most about being in education is being able to be someone who contributes to the educational and emotional growth of a person, and knowing the positive impact that I make in the life of a child. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my children and family. Whether watching a movie, doing an activity or visiting a new place. I also I like going shopping.

Ms. Gillian: As a preschool teacher, I find incredible joy in nurturing young minds and witnessing their curiosity grow into understanding. Watching their enthusiasm for learning in their early years is very fulfilling. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy exercising and running before the sun rises each morning. 

Ms. Hailey: One of my favorite things about working with children is getting to watch them develop and form relationships. I also enjoy seeing their excitement when the learn new skills. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and pets. I like to shop with my friends, go for ice cream with my boyfriend, and watch his games on Friday nights.

Ms. Donna: I love teaching for many reasons but the top reasons are that I love watching the children grow in their creativity. Whether it’s in their art work, something they’re building in blocks, or cooking breakfast in housekeeping. I am also passionate about teaching them about God and His love for us. In my free time, I enjoy being outside and going to the beach.

Ms. Rachel: What I love about teaching is seeing the growth in the children from the beginning of the year to the end, and how far they have come  in their educational journey. In my free time, when I’m not traveling around with my husband finding new interesting spots to eat or thrifting, I love to read and do puzzles. 

Ms. Waneta: What I love most about teaching preschool children is inspiring them to never give up! In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, kayaking, and woodworking any chance I get.

Ms. Holly: What I love about teaching is being a part of, and watching children grow academically, socially, and spiritually. In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, as well as taking vacations and relaxing at the beach. 

Ms. Cheryl: I have been teaching for 18 years. Teaching is my passion! I love helping each child become academically, socially, physically, and spiritually ready for Kindergarten. I love creating hands-on activities to help children learn through play. I enjoy taking the children to Chapel each day and share and teach about God’s love. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. My favorite place to go is the beach with a good book and on Sunday’s I love worshipping Jesus at my church!

Ms. Sophie: What I love most about teaching is watching each child grow so much in little time. We create such strong bonds with these children and them with each other, as we spend nearly every day together. Being a teacher is so rewarding and we get to show our students things they never thought they were capable of. My free time mostly consists of taking classes for my Bachelors. I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, my dog, Mia, reading and going to Pilates. 

Ms. Debbie: Teaching VPK is incredibly rewarding. Witnessing the students’ academic, social, and emotional growth in the beginning of the school year to the abundant knowledge they demonstrate by the end of the school year is truly remarkable. It is uplifting and fulfilling to know that we contributed to their journey. Guided by faith in our mighty God, and by listening and following, we each find our paths. In my free time, I enjoy relaxing by the pool and beach, reading cherishing moments with family and friends, and dedicating time for volunteer work.

Ms. Kaitlyn: The thing I love most about teaching is when your student has an “a-ha” moment and all of a sudden what you’re trying to teach clicks for them. In my free time, I like to cook and spend time with my family.

Ms. Kelsey: I love being outside and reading, which is why I love teaching! I hope that my work with children inspires a growth mindset for learning and a life-long love of reading.

Ms. Vicky: I love to see the enthusiasm for learning and the impact I can make in children’s lives, and also how they impact my life. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and making homemade natural soaps.

Ms. Kim, Assistant Director­­­­­­­­­­­: I have been at Lakeside for 12 years. For 11 years I was the lead 3-year-old teacher. Since transitioning to the office I have found it very rewarding to serve Lakeside in a new way. I love getting to see all of the children and the parents each day. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with my family and friends. I love the beach, reading and snuggling with my dogs, even better with a cup of coffee in my hand!

Ms. Renee, Director: I have worked with children my entire professional career, starting as a second grade teacher and working my down to preschool. In preschool I found my passion! Now, as Director I get the best of both worlds. I get to work with teachers and still interact with children and their families. I came to Lakeside 20 years ago as preschool director and then as children’s ministry leader. After moving around the United States a while, my husband I have settled back into the area to be close to our family. We have 3 adult children and 2 amazing grands. God has truly blessed us and I am very grateful to be called back to Lakeside.