Meet our dedicated and caring staff of the 2023/2024 school year!
Erica Jawnyj
Year I started at Messiah:
2013
Messiah Preschool and Kindergarten Director
Highest level of education:
BS Elementary Education
Language Arts and Special Education Endorsements
Favorite part of working with children:
The unconditional love, hugs, smiles and the joy of watching children learn through play! Did I mention the hugs?! I also love supporting families as they navigate the very important journey of parenting young children.
Favorite children's book:
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Deana Rossi
Year I started at Messiah:
2012
Before and After Care Director
Highest level of education: Associates degree in Early Childhood and Development
Favorite part of working with children:
They teach me something new everyday. They are little sponges that soak up everything around them. They surprise you with some funny comment that just makes your day, and you realize they are listening and watching your every move!
Favorite children's book:
I love to read to the kids but I love singing with them even more. There is nothing better than hearing them sing my circle time songs in the middle of block building!
Stacie Carr
Year I started at Messiah:
2016
Office Administrator
Assistant to the Director
Highest level of education:
BA in Psychology, MA in Industrial/Organizational
Psychology- Roosevelt University
Favorite part of working at Messiah:
I absolutely love working with our staff everyday and we are blessed to have the best families attending Messiah! It's such a delight to see our events come alive, or to watch the children engaged in imaginative play. There is no early education program that compares to the Messiah early education experience.
Favorite children's book:
All of the Bear books by Karma Wilson; Bear Stays up for Christmas, Bear Feels Scared, Bear Says Thanks etc...they are the cutest!
Stacy Folz
Year I started at Messiah:
2012
Office Manager
Highest level of education:
Bachelors of Science in Marketing, Indiana University - Bloomington, Kelley School of Business
Favorite part of working with children: My favorite part about working with children is getting to know them as individuals. Each child is so incredibly unique with their own special gifts and talents. I love watching them use those talents and develop new skills as they grow and learn throughout the year.
Favorite children's book:
My favorite books are Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.
Lucy Valencia
Year I started at Messiah:
2021
Office Assistant
Monday and Wednesday
Highest level of education:
Bachelors of Arts, Barat College
Favorite part of working with children:
The enthusiasm that children bring to every day. Their laughter is like music.
*The Messiah staff is the nicest group of people ever!
Favorite children's book:
I Am A Bunny, by Ole Risom
Amy Maliszewski
Year I started at Messiah:
2012
Currently Teaching:
Lead 2's and Care Assistant Lead
Highest level of education:
Associates Degree Early Childhood Development
Favorite part of working with children:
I love working with children! My favorite part of working with children is watching them grow throughout the school year.
Favorite children's book:
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
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Patricia Scott
Year I started at Messiah:
2014
Currently Teaching:
2's Assistant and Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Harper College- certificates in Early Childhood
Favorite part of working with children:
I love watching the children grow throughout the year. Their laughter & smiles when they learn something new. I enjoy their hugs, especially when you had them in a previous year and they are so happy to see you in the hallway or store.
Favorite children's book:
The very hungry caterpillar- I raise Monarch butterflies every summer. I love when my kids & their friends get to learn about the life cycle and then release them.
Lynda Janezic
Year I started at Messiah:
2002
Currently Teaching:
Lead T/Th 3's
Highest level of education:
Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education
Favorite part of working with children: I love trying to help children face challenges whether it be shyness, separation discomfort, fine or gross motor difficulties, cooperative play or any other issues. Helping each wonderfully unique child learn to enjoy learning through play is my passion!
Favorite children's book:
My favorite children’s books are Jim Gill’s A Soup Opera and Eric Litwin’s Pete the Cat books never fail!
Barb Lindquist
Year I started at Messiah:
1976!
Currently Teaching:
Assistant T/Th 3's
Highest level of education:
2 yrs. Valparaiso University
Favorite part of working with children: I absolutely love the kids and families, when I don't see them I still talk about them all the time! I just get a nice warm feeling when I think of my kids. I love to work with them one on one at my table. I love to read to them!
Favorite children's book:
My favorite children’s books are all Pete the Cat and Jim Gill’s A Soup Opera.
Cindy Hartmann
Year I started at Messiah:
2014
Currently Teaching:
Lead MWF 3's
Highest level of education:
Masters of Language Arts Education and Early Childhood EDC
Favorite part of working with children: I love watching them grow throughout the year, the hilarious and honest things they share and say, their smiles when they greet us in the morning and getting to know their families. It is so fun to have siblings over the years and such a neat connection!
Favorite children's book:
The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf
Brandy Perez
Year I started at Messiah:
2021
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
High School Diploma
Favorite part of working with children:
I love coming in everyday and seeing them smile and full of energy. Everyday I learn something new from them. Watching them them play with one another is always the best.
Favorite children's book:
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Kathy Rinaldi
Year I started at Messiah:
2004
Currently Teaching:
Lead TWTH 4's
Highest level of education:
BA in Marketing and Early Childhood Certificate
Favorite part of working with children: Favorite part of working with children: I love their pure joy and curiosity of learning as well as their unfiltered honesty.
Favorite children's book:
I love the books written by Mem Fox (Koala Lou, Time For Bed, Possum Magic)
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Jennifer Radtke
Year I started at Messiah:
2019
Currently Teaching:
Assistant TWTH 4's
Highest level of education:
Associates degree in Early Childhood Education
Favorite part of working with children:
All the laughs! Children of all ages are not only entertaining but can be very insightful too!
Favorite children's book:
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss
Melissa Kiekow
Year I started at Messiah:
2013
Currently Teaching:
Kindergarten
Highest level of education:
BA + 33 hours: Speech Language Pathology
Professional Educator License: Early Childhood Education with Special Education Approval
Favorite part of working with children:
There are so many reasons I enjoy working with children, but If I had to choose my favorite I would say it was seeing the wonderment every day. It truly makes me appreciate the little things in life. I love their energy and overall zest for life!!!
Favorite children's book: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Becki Dellefave
Year I started at Messiah:
2022
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
MSed in Special Education; BSed in Early Childhood Education
Favorite part of working with children:
I love to see their smiles, curiosity and excitement! It is amazing to watch all of their growth from the beginning to the end of the school year!
Favorite children's book:
One by Kathryn Otoshi The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper
Megan Halm
Year I started at Messiah:
2012
Currently Teaching:
Lead 5 day Pre-K and Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Associates in Early Childhood
Favorite part of working with children:
My favorite part of working with children is seeing the excitement they have when they learn new things and watching them grow each day.
Favorite children's book:
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Kathy Payette
Year I started at Messiah:
2015
Currently Teaching:
5 day Pre-K Assistant and Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Bachelor of Music
Favorite part of working with children:
I love seeing them be kind to one another. I also love helping them journal because I see how they learn to express themselves. And I love doing art projects with glitter on them!
Favorite children's book:
The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau
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Jennifer Burton
Year I started at Messiah:
2018
Currently Teaching:
Lead 4 day Pre-K and Enrichmentc
Highest level of education:
Bachelor's in Elementary Education
Favorite part of working with children:
I love helping children learn and enjoy their childhood. It is so rewarding to see those ground breaking first moments in a child's education. It is also amazing to see a child's growth over time.
Favorite children's book:
Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Williams
Books by Robert Munsch
Suzanne Speichinger "Mrs. Spice"
Year I started at Messiah:
2019
Currently Teaching:
Assistant 4 day Pre-K
Highest level of education:
B.S. Marketing
Favorite part of working with children:
I love their wide eyed enthusiasm about everything from making crafts, learning new things, playing games to making new friendships and having fun! I also love their hugs and smiles.
Favorite children's book:
I couldn't pick just one. My children had these favorites and I saved them all) :
"Green Eggs & Ham"
"Hannah the Hippo's No Mud Day"
"Is Your Mama a Llama"
" Who Will Tuck Me In Tonight"
Shannon Wright
Year I started at Messiah:
2020
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
High School Diploma
Favorite part of working with children:
My favorite part is the genuine laughs and seeing their little personality’s coming to life. Getting to know them, and getting to see them grow and play never fails to make me smile.
Favorite children's book:
No David! By David Shannon
Samantha Tinsley
Year I started at Messiah:
2020
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Working towards my Early Childhood degree
Favorite part of working with children:
They have reminded me of how amazing the world can be. They have encouraged me to use my imagination and find new creative ways of doing things.
Favorite children's book:
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
Laura Sprague
Year I started at Messiah:
2022
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
BA Communication
Favorite part of working with children:
Having conversations with them. I love to hear their perspective on life and sometimes they say really funny things!
Favorite children's book:
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
Angie Sennett
Year I started at Messiah:
2021
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
High School Diploma
Favorite part of working with children:
Watching them play and using their imagination. I love their laughter and energy.
Favorite children's book:
Snow by P. D. Eastman and Roy McKie, and The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
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Ashley Perez
Year I started at Messiah:
2023
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
High School Diploma
Favorite part of working with children:
I get to see their smiling faces throughout the day. I'm able to be a part of their growth especially making memories. It's fun to hear their conversations and be a part of their silliness!
Favorite children's book:
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss
Dana Anderson
Year I started at Messiah:
2015
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
BS in elementary education
Favorite part of working with children:
Hanging out & talking with the kids. I love getting glimpses into their whole personality.
Favorite children's book:
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. It’s a great book to read & talk about before preschool starts to help with any nervousness they might be feeling but can’t quite put into words!
Ms. Sue Nierman
Year I started at Messiah:
Currently Teaching:
Music, Movement and Instrument Exploration
Highest level of education:
Bachelors of Science in Horticulture
Minor Early Childhood Development
Favorite part of working with children:
Their genuine interest and natural connection they have with music. I love to nurture children's musical curiosity and plant the musical seed that I know they will grow throughout their lives. They fuel my heart and soul with their unconditional love and unique personalities.
Favorite children's book:
I See A Song by Eric Carle