We are very fortunate to have such a professional, nurturing staff who understand and love working with young children.

 

Pictured from left to right - Ronda Benson, Cimberly Hansen, Jill Kleinschmidt, Jolene Larson, Jan Anagnost, Cherie Rissman, Jenny Meade, Lori Belknap, Michelle Henry

Lori Belknap, Director

Preschool director since 2000. Lori lives in Johnston with her husband Scott and daughters Leah and Anna.  She has a BS degree from Drake University in Early Childhood/Elementary Education with a reading endorsement. Lori received the National Administrator Credential distinction from the National Child Care Association in 2005.  Her prior experience includes stay at home mom 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 long walks with her dog, Joe, and spending extended time relaxing and playing at Clear Lake with family and friends in the summer.  Lori enjoys music, reading, theatre and concerts.  Her favorite children’s book is Goodnight Moon  by Margaret Wise Brown.

Cherie Rissman, Lead teacher (AM/PM 4's)

Lead teacher  AM 4’s and Pre-K since 2001 ---  Cherie lives in Urbandale with her husband Jon and children Robbie and Jessie.  They are active members at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines where she enjoys the church youth by serving as Sunday School Superintendent.  Cherie has an Elementary Education degree with an emphasis early childhood and a reading endorsement from Upper Iowa University.  Cherie takes many continuing education classes and has a passion for literacy development in young children.  Her favorite hobbies include writing short stories and articles for a webzine available to confirmation age youth, pizza/movie nights with her family and reading and acquiring new children’s picture books.  You will find Cherie cheering on her children’s sports activities during the school year and camping in the summer.  One of Cherie’s many favorite children’s books is All the Places to Love.

Jan Anagnost, Lead teacher (3's, AM 4's)

Lead teacher for 2’s and 3’s since 2005.  Jan lives in Johnston with her husband Mike and their three children Cole, Chris, and Ginny.  She and her family are active members of Meredith Drive Church and they worship at The Bridge campus.  Jan is originally from Greenwood, South Carolina and has a BS degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Lander University and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from University of South Carolina.  Jan loves to read mysteries and has two black labs – Maggie and Missy.  She “loves just about anything dark chocolate!”  Leo the Late Bloomer is Jan’s favorite children’s book.

Jenny Meade, Lead teacher (2's)

Lead teacher for 2’s since 2006.  Jenny and her husband Tony live in Urbandale with their three girls:  Raelynn, Kate, and Megan.  Jenny is a graduate of University of Northern Iowa where she earned an Education degree in Elementary and Middle School education with a math minor.  She and her family are active members at Meredith Drive Church where Jenny is also on the Children’s Ministry staff for the preschool/Kindergarten area.  Jenny’s interests include scrapbooking, teaching dance to preschool through elementary aged children at Currie Dance and keeping up with three girls!  Jenny’s favorite dessert is “anything with chocolate” and her favorite children’s book is Guess How Much I Love You.

Nadine Woods, Lead teacher (3's and AM 4's)

Lead teacher for 3’s and AM 4’s since 2006.  Nadine lives in Urbandale with her husband Jon, son Conner and daughter Megan.  Nadine grew up in Urbandale and has a BA in Elementary Education/Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa.  She and her family are active members at Meredith Drive Church, the Bridge campus.  Her hobbies include running, reading, spending time with family and being outside.  She loves to spend a Saturday morning getting up early and going for a run.  Nadine has a yellow lab named Zeke, enjoys watching baseball and her favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Cimberly Hansen, Associate teacher (3's, AM 4's)

Associate teacher for 3’s and AM 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 through Child Care Resource and Referral.  Cimberly 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.

Michelle Henry, Associate teacher (3's, PM 4's)

Associate teacher for 3’s and Pre-K since 2005. ---  Michelle lives in Urbandale with her husband Dana and two daughters Ellie and Carolyn.  She’s originally from Winfield, Illinois and has a BA (Marketing/Psychology) from Northern Illinois University.  Michelle’s two daughters went through this preschool and she joined us right after that.  She loves hiking and exploring with her family and her favorite family vacation spots so far are the North Shore of Minnesota and Glacier National Park in Montana….but they are determined to keep exploring other places!  Michelle’s favorite children’s books are Guess How Much I Love You and Rooster’s Off to See the World.  

Ronda Benson, Associate teacher (2's)

Associate teacher for 2’s since 2002.  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.  Ronda and her family are active members at Meredith Drive Church where she is also on the Children’s Ministry Staff for the 2½ and 3 year olds area.  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 Onby Karma Wilson. 

Jill Kleinschmidt, Associate teacher (2's)

Associate teacher for 2’s since 2002.  Jill lives in Johnston with her husband, Jerry, daughter Jocelyn and son Jordan.  She grew up in Humboldt and has a math degree with an emphasis in education from Wartburg College.  Jill and her family are active members at Meredith Drive Church.  They enjoy going to Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games.  Jill’s favorite vacation spots are Minnesota, Arizona and Colorado where she enjoys swimming, skiing and soaking up the sun!  Her favorite children’s books are Rainbow Fish and If You Give a Pig a Pancake.