Stephanie Brand is one of our Lead Teachers. Ms. Stephanie comes to us from the Doniphan County Education Cooperative. Ms. Stephanie taught for 4 years in traditional schools prior to having her daughter. She joins us with a wealth of excitement, experience in early childhood, and a great background in differentiation and specializing pathways of learning for students between the ages of 4 and 8. While in college Ms. Stephanie also worked in a daycare. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Education from Emporia State University. Ms. Stephanie will be on maternity leave during the summer and will return to us this fall.
Meredith Schuh is our Administrative Director. She has worked in daycares, schools, after school programs, STEM classes, and robotics clubs for all age groups. She is the mother to one Kindergartner. Her Kindergartner is one of the driving forces behind her work with day cares, preschools, Head Starts and other early childhood education. When Meredith was confronted with uncertainty from in-home care providers questions about the cost of facility care providers and the need for high quality childcare to continue working, she knew she could do more to help meet the needs of families like hers. This is the second care facility Meredith has helped to start.
Ms Zabrina is amongst our new to Missouri and new to Bright Beginnings teachers. Originally from Texas she comes to us with a joy for working with our Twos. She worked in child care in Texas and is eager to pursue her Bachelors degree here in early childhood via the TEACH scholarship. Zabrina's joy and vivacious energy brings light to our Twos and Young Threes as they prepare to enter our Threes and Fours class of students preparing to enter Kindergarten.
Ms Kallie is amongst our new to Missouri and new to Bright Beginnings teachers. Originally from Texas she comes to us with a joy for working with school age students. She worked in child care in Texas and is eager to pursue her Bachelors degree here in early childhood via the TEACH scholarship. Ms Kallie's nurturing and kind care of her students garner's respect for her and camaraderie that benefits the varied backgrounds of our young (grades K-3rd) school age students.
Ms Lori supports our young school age classroom. She draws on experience from her family, past work and engagement working with students. Her calm and happy personality spreads warmth in our classrooms. We really appreciate her in class support that increases engagement in the classroom!
Daniel Borkowski is one of our Teachers. Mr. Daniel comes to us from retirement with the Kearney R-I School District. Mr. Daniel taught for 34 years in traditional schools working with Mathematics teaching, after school programs and at-risk youth. He joins us with a wealth of excitement, experience in schools, and a great background in addressing at-risk youth with opportunities. Mr. Daniel is a highly qualified teacher with 3 degrees in Mathematics Education. This wealth of insight and experience he brings is exciting to us here as we pursue investigations into how our students develop mathematical skills and thinking processes.
Sherry Russell is one of our Teachers. Mrs. Sherry is Ms. Meredith's mom, but she has been an early childhood educator for the past 15+ years. She is moonlighting with us in support of her daughter and her passion for children. She presently also works with the Saint Joseph School District as a Special Education teacher. She has worked in early literacy programs and enjoys the change of pace that early childhood brings to her days!