Teachers
Stephanie Higgins
Preschool Director
Stephanie is from Illinois where she studied Family and Consumer Sciences at Eastern Illinois University and received her masters in Reading and Literacy from Benedictine University. From 2006 to 2018 Stephanie was the preschool director at Naperville Central High School located in Illinois. Over the course of her career, Stephanie has taught Early Childhood Education 1 and 2, Introduction to Teaching, Human Growth and Development, Culinary, and Senior Foods. Stephanie enjoys running marathons and spending time with her husband, two adorable daughters: Rosey and Deirdre and two dogs: Sunny and Cheese.
https://sites.google.com/gilbertschools.net/mrshigginswebsite
Preschool Teachers
Lisa DePalma:
Lisa attended Mesa Community College and Arizona State University. She has over 14 years of experience working with children. Before she taught at TOYBOX she was a preschool teacher at MCC Child Development Center and at Grace Community Christian School. Lisa has been a MHS TOYBOX teacher for 5 years. She is an Arizona native who grew up in Gilbert. Lisa enjoys gardening, riding her bike and hiking. She loves spending time with her husband Scott and her 3 boys: Dylan, Kyle and Austin.
Carrie Schroeder:
Carrie attended University of Idaho and studied Child Development. Over the course of her career she taught preschool at Day Spring Preschool, she was a kindergarten Aide at Gilbert Elementary, and she worked at a special needs preschool. Carrie has been teaching at MHS TOYBOX for 3 years. She loves to camp, hike and spend time with her husband Chris and her twins; William and Emily.
High School Student Teachers:
Mesquite high school students enrolled in the TOYBOX class teach the preschool children throughout the day. With guidance, from the preschool director and preschool teachers, high school students plan, create and implement daily lessons for the preschool children.