Meet our dedicated and caring staff for the 2021/2022 school year! 

Erica Jawnyj

Year I started at Messiah:

2013

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Messiah Preschool and Kindergarten Director

Highest level of education:

BS Elementary Education

Language Arts and Special Education Endorsements 

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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

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Before and After Care Director

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Highest level of education: Associates degree in Early Childhood and Development

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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! 

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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

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Office Manager

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

My favorite books are Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson and The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson.

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Lucy Valencia

Year I started at Messiah:

2021

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Office Admin Assistant

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Highest level of education:

Bachelors of Arts, Barat College

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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!

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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

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Highest level of education:

BA in Clinical Psychology

MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

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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!

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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

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 2's and Care Camp

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Highest level of education:

Associates Degree Early Childhood Development

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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. 

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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 TThs 2's and Assistant Care camp

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

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Lynda Janezic

Year I started at Messiah:

2002 

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 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!

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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!

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant 3's

Highest level of education:

2 yrs. Valparaiso University

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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!

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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

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Currently Teaching:

Lead TTH 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!

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Favorite children's book:

The Crayon Box that Talked by Shane DeRolf

Dana Anderson

Year I started at Messiah:

2015

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant TTH 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! 

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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

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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.

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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

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant TWTH 4's

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Highest level of education:

Associates degree, along with Early Childhood Education classes

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Favorite part of working with children:

All the laughs! Children of all ages are not only entertaining but can be very insightful too!

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Favorite children's book:

Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss

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Melissa Kiekow

Year I started at Messiah:

2013

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Currently Teaching:

Kindergarten

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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!!!

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Favorite children's book: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

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Joanna Witt

Year I started at Messiah:

2016

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant Kindergarten

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Highest level of education:

Masters of Social Work (MSW)

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss

Megan Halm

Year I started at Messiah:

2012

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 5 day Pre-K and Care Camp

Highest level of education:

Associates in Early Childhood 

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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

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Currently Teaching:

Pre-K Assistant and Care Camp

Highest level of education:

Bachelor of Music

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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

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 4 day Pre-K 

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Highest level of education:

Bachelor's in Elementary Education

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

Elephant and Piggie Series by Mo Williams

Books by Robert Munsch

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Alicia Dellert

Year I started at Messiah:

2020

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant 4 day Pre-K

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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.
 

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Favorite children's book:

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff 

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Jessica Carpenter

Year I started at Messiah:

2006

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Currently Teaching:

Care Camp Assistant

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Highest level of education:

Working towards an Associates in Childhood Education

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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!

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Favorite children's book:

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beumont

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Karissa Fillipp

Year I started at Messiah:

2018

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Currently Teaching:

Care Camp Assistant

Highest level of education:

Working on my Associates in Arts Degree and taking Early Childhood education classes.

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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 

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Michele Fillipp

Year I started at Messiah:

2010

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Currently Teaching:

Care Camp Assistant

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Highest level of education:

High School Diploma

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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!

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Favorite children's book:

Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

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Samantha Tinsley

Year I started at Messiah:

2020

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Currently Teaching:

Care Camp Assistant

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Highest level of education:

Working towards my Early Childhood degree

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss​

Ms. Sue Nierman

Year I started at Messiah:

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Currently Teaching:

Music, Movement and Instrument Exploration

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Highest level of education:

Bachelors of Science in Horticulture

Minor Early Childhood Development

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

I See A Song by Eric Carle

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Shannon Wright

Year I started at Messiah:

2020

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Currently Teaching:

Care Camp Assistant

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Highest level of education:

High School Diploma

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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.

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Favorite children's book:

No David! By David Shannon

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Angie Sennett

Year I started at Messiah:

2021

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care Assistant

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Highest level of education:

High School Diploma

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Favorite part of working with children:

Watching them play and using their imagination. I love their laughter and energy.

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Favorite children's book:

Snow by P. D. Eastman and Roy McKie, and The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

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Brandy Perez

Year I started at Messiah:

2021

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care Assistant

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Highest level of education:

High School Diploma

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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. 

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Favorite children's book:

Corduroy by Don Freeman 

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