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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, Julie Lundy, Cimberly Hansen, Ronda Benson, Juli Dodd, Dawn Flint
Front row - Cherie Rissman, Jan Anagnost, Lori Belknap, Heidi Puckett |
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Lori Belknap, Director
Preschool director since 2000, Lori lives in Johnston with her husband Scott and daughters Leah (freshman at Iowa State University), and Anna (junior at Johnston High School). 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. Prior to this job Lori was a 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.
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Cherie Rissman
Lead teacher for AM 4's and Pre-K since 2001, Cherie lives in Urbandale with her husband Jon and children Robbie and Jessie. They are active 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 early childhood and 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 occasionally writing devotions for her church website, 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 lyear and camping in the summer. One of Cherie's many favorite children's books is All the Places to Love.
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Jan Anagnost
Lead teacher since 2005, Jan and her husband Mike live in Johnston with Chris (19), Matthew (17), and Ginny (16). Cole (21) is a senior at ISU. She and her family are active members of Meredith Drive Church. They attend the Bridge campus where Jan can be found on Sunday mornings teaching Sunday school in the kindergarten room. (Most of the children are former preschool students of hers!) Jan is originally from Greenwood, South Carolina and has a BS degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Eduction from Lander University. She also completed a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and is a former elementary school librarian. Children's literature is one of her passions in life. She is an avid reader and particularly enjoys the mystery genre. One of her many favorite children's books is Leo the Late Bloomer. |
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Ronda Benson
Lead teacher for 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. In 2008, Ronda received her C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) credential. Ronda and her family are active members of Meredith Drive Church where she is also on the Children's Ministry Staff for the 2 1/2 and 3 year olds. She enjoys annual vacations 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 since 2007, Heidi lives in Urbandale with her husband Denny and four children: Kelsey, Grant, Emily, and Hank. She has a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas, worked at Daycare for Exceptional Children, provided in-home childcare for ten years, and has worked in the Urbandale school district the past few years. Heidi and her family are Members of Meredith Drive Church. 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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Juli Dodd
Lead teacher for 4's since 2008, Juli and her husband Korey live in Johnston with Drew (11), Peri (8), and Derek (5). She grew up in Storm Lake, IA and graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Elementary Education. Juli taught kindergarten in the inner city of Kansas City and at Beaver Creek in Johnston. She received a Master's degree in Early Childhood/Special Education from Drake and is completing her reading endorsement there. Her favorite things are photography, massages, animals, singing and dancing in the living room with her kids, power walking, and traveling. Juli is a member of Lutheran Church of Hope. The Lady with the Alligator Purse and Sidney and Norman are two of her favorite children's books.
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Julie Lundy
Associate teacher for 3's beginning in 2008, Julie 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 Church where she is also on the Children's Ministry staff for 4 year olds and kindergarteners. She enjoys camping with her family, running, and watching her daughters participate in their activities. Her favorite vacation spots are South Dakota's Black Hills and a small family resort in Minnesota. One of Julie's 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: Garrit, Joshua, Jordan, and Cassie. She's originally from Pella and attended ISU. She had an in-home day care for over eleven years and 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.
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Michelle Applegate
Associate teacher for 4's beginning in 2008, Michelle lives in Johnston with her husband Ddoug and three children, Hezekia, 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 Uniersity where she earned a degree in fine arts. She provided 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
Dawn is an associate teacher, beginning her work with us in 2008. She lives in Johnston with her husband Doug and daughters Elizabeth, Emily, and Ellen. She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in fashion merchandising. She attends St. Mary's and teaches religious education to sixth graders. In her spare time she enjoys reading--her favorite children's book is The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
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Last Published: February 16, 2010 12:19 PM
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