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Weekday Preschool
Preschool Staff
We are very fortunate to have such a professional, nurturing staff
who understand and love working with young children.
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Pictured from left to right:
Back row - Michelle Applegate, Ronda Benson, Cimberly Hansen, Julie Lundy, Dawn Flint
Front row - Tiffany Allen, Cherie Rissman, Lori Belknap, Heidi Puckett
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Lori Belknap
Director |
Preschool director since 2000. Lori lives in Johnston with her husband Scott. They have two daughters in college, Leah and Anna, who attended Meredith Drive Preschool in the mid 1990’s! Lori has a BS degree from Drake University in Early Childhood/Elementary Education with a reading endorsement. She received the National Administrator Credential from the National Child Care Association in 2005. Lori was a stay at home mom when her girls were young and before that, director of the Johnston Public Library. Lori and her family are active members of Meredith Drive Church and they worship at the Bridge campus. She enjoys walks with her dog, Joe, and spending extended time relaxing and playing at Clear Lake with family and friends in the summer. She also enjoys music, reading, cycling, theatre and concerts. Lori loves reading to our preschoolers and one of her favorite children’s books is The Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown.
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Cherie Rissman
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Lead teacher for AM and PM 4’s since 2001 --- Cherie lives in Urbandale with her husband Jon and children Rob and Jessie. They are active members at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. Cherie has an Elementary Education degree from Upper Iowa University with endorsements in early childhood and reading. Cherie has a passion for literacy development in young children and loves reading and acquiring new children’s picture books. Her favorite hobbies include pizza/movie night with her family, bike riding, golfing, reading devotions and occasionally writing her own. All the Places to Love and Listen Buddy are two of Cherie’s favorite children’s books.
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Ronda Benson |
Lead teacher for 2½ and 3’s since 2008. Ronda lives in Waukee with her husband Dave and their four children: Donovan, Samantha, Andrew and Jessica. She grew up in Oskaloosa and has a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University and also holds a Child Development Associate credential. Ronda and her family are active members at Meredith Drive Church where she has worked on the Children’s Ministry Staff for 2½ and 3 year olds. She enjoys an annual vacation with her family, parents and siblings to Lake of the Woods in Ontario, Canada. Ronda’s favorite children’s book is Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson.
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Heidi Puckett |
Lead teacher for 3’s since 2007. Heidi lives in Urbandale with her husband, Denny and their four children – Kelsey, Grant, Emily, and Hank. She has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas and is currently pursuing her Early Childhood endorsement. Heidi has worked at Daycare for Exceptional Children, provided in-home childcare for 10 years, and worked for several years in the Urbandale school district. Heidi and her family are members of Meredith Drive. Her hobbies include running with her dogs Kirby and Roxie, reading, painting, and spending time with family. One of Heidi’s favorite children’s books is The Kissing Hand.
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Tiffany Allen |
Lead and associate teacher since 2010; Tiffany currently is a lead teacher for the Bridge 3’s/4’s class and associate for one of the 2½ year old classes. Tiffany lives in Johnston with her husband Justin and their two children, Grant and Audrey. Tiffany is a member of St. Francis church in West Des Moines where she enjoys substitute teaching for religious education classes and Sunday school. She also loves teaching preschoolers during Vacation Bible School. Tiffany has Elementary Education and Special Education degrees, along with a reading endorsement, from the University of Northern Iowa. She enjoys taking continuing educations classes to learn more about teaching reading and math. Her favorite hobbies include running, boating, monthly book club and playing with and reading to her children. Her favorite children’s book is Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.
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Julie Lundy |
Associate teacher beginning in 2008; Julie is currently a lead teacher for 2 1/2's and associate for the Bridge campus 3's/4's class. She lives in Grimes with her husband Clark and two daughters Kirsten and Brooke. She grew up in Oelwin, Iowa and has a BA in Business Management from Central College. Julie and her family are members of Meredith Drive Reformed Church where she is also on the Children's Ministry staff for 4 year olds and kindergartners. She enjoyes camping with her family, running, and watching her daughters participate in their activities. Her favorite vacationspots are South Dakota's Black Hills and a small family resort in Minnesota. Last year Julie completed her Child Development Associate credential. One of her favorite children's books is Parts by Tedd Arnold.
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Cimberly Hansen |
Associate teacher for 3’s and 4’s since 2001. Cimberly lives in Urbandale with her husband Matthew and four children: Gerrit, Joshua, Jordan and Cassie. She’s originally from Pella and attended ISU. She had an in home day care for over eleven years and has pursued her interest in the development of young children by taking many classes about young children. Cimberly has recently completed her Child Development Associate credential. Cim and her family are active members of Waukee Christian Church where she is involved in many areas of leadership, prayer and children’s ministry. Her hobbies include playing several musical instruments, reading for her book club and camping with her family. Cim’s favorite children’s book is Owl Moon.
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Michelle Applegate |
Associate teacher for the PM 4’s since 2008. Michelle lives in Johnston with her husband Doug and three children Hezekiah, Tennessee and Willow. All three of her children attended Meredith Drive Preschool starting in the 2’s program! She is a graduate of Johnston High School and Iowa State University where she earned a degree in fine arts. She provided in home child care for five years and currently has a photography studio in her home. Michelle and her family are active Partners at Prairie Ridge Church in Ankeny where her husband is the youth director. Her favorite things are scrapbooking, watching movies with her husband and family time. Some of Michelle’s favorite children’s books are Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont.
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Dawn Flint |
Associate teacher for 3’s classes at the Bridge since 2008. Dawn lives in Johnston with her husband Doug and their three daughters Elizabeth, Emily and Ellen. She grew up in Gilbertville, Iowa and has a BS in fashion merchandising from Iowa State University. Dawn enjoys watching her children in all their various sports and school activities. She and her family are members at St. Mary’s where she teaches 5th grade religious education. Dawn recently completed her Child Development Associate credential. One of her favorite children’s book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
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Last Published: November 7, 2011 9:21 PM
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