Meet our dedicated and caring staff for the 2021/2022 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!
Stacy Folz
Year I started teahing 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
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
Stacie Carr
Year I started at Messiah:
2016
Office Administrator
Marketing, Fundraising and Events Coordinator
Highest level of education:
BA in Clinical Psychology
MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
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 beyond amazing to see our events come alive, watch the children play and use their imagination!
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!
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
Callie Duffy
Year I started at Messiah:
2020
Current Teaching:
Assistant 2's and Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Working on Associate of Early Childhood Education and Directors license
Favorite part of working with children:
I enjoy coming to Messiah everyday knowing that we'll both learn something at the end of the day. I love starting my day with all the hugs, smiles and laughter! Working with children has reminded me to use my imagination and use new ways to do things!
Favorite children's book:
Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
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 and 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
Dana Anderson
Year I started at Messiah:
2015
Currently Teaching:
Assistant MWF 3's
Highest level of education:
BS in Elementary Education
Favorite part of working with children:
It has to be getting to see their personalities come out as they get comfortable with us. I love watching them as they explore this new preschool world and gain confidence. Watching their little faces light up when we greet them in the mornings is pretty awesome too!
Favorite children's book:
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
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, along with Early Childhood Education classes
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
Joanna Witt
Year I started at Messiah:
2016
Currently Teaching:
Assistant Kindergarten
Highest level of education:
Masters of Social Work (MSW)
Favorite part of working with children:
Best part of working with children is watching my students joy and excitement as they explore and learn things about their world and their abilities.
Favorite children's book:
Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss
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:
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
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
Alicia Dellert
Year I started at Messiah:
2020
Currently Teaching:
Assistant 4 day Pre-K
Highest level of education:
Some college classes
Favorite part of working with children:
I love their optimism and their willingness to accept others. I love the way they just go with the flow, and are forgiving to one another. They are full of love and acceptance.
Favorite children's book:
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Jessica Carpenter
Year I started at Messiah:
2006
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Working towards an Associates in Childhood Education
Favorite part of working with children:
I enjoy teaching them everyday life lessons like tying their shoes, but most of all it's the hilarious things they say and do that make me laugh and smile!
Favorite children's book:
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beumont
Karissa Fillipp
Year I started at Messiah:
2018
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
Working on my Associates in Arts Degree and taking Early Childhood education classes.
Favorite part of working with children:
I love watching them use their imagination through play and art it is so fulfilling to observe them do this. I love watching them grow and blossom into smart, amazing individuals throughout the school year.
Favorite children's book:
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Michele Fillipp
Year I started at Messiah:
2010
Currently Teaching:
Care Assistant
Highest level of education:
High School Diploma
Favorite part of working with children:
I enjoy starting my day by being greeted by all the amazing kids at Messiah. They make me smile and laugh. I enjoy watching them grow from year to year. They have brought such joy to my life. Thank you for sharing them with us!
Favorite children's book:
Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen
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
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
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
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
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