Meet our dedicated and caring staff for the 2019/20 school year! 

Erica Jawnyj

Number of years at Messiah:

7 years 

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Currently Teaching:

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

Number of years at Messiah:

7 years 

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Currently Teaching:

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! 

Laurie Potter

Number of years at Messiah:

14 years at Messiah

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Office Staff:

Office Manager

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Highest level of education:

Bachelors of Science in Business Administration/Marketing

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Favorite part of working at Messiah:
The families and staff members that I serve:  hugs from the children, smiles and laughter from the parents and staff.  

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Favorite children's book:

Wacky Wednesday by Dr. Seuss

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Stacie Carr

Number of years at Messiah:

3 years

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Office Staff:

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:

The staff and families are great. The children are a blast. I absolutely love helping people and seeing our events come alive!

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Favorite children's book:

I love all the Bear books by Karma Wilson; Bear Stays up for Christmas, Bear Feels Scared, Bear Says Thanks etc...they are the cutest!

Amy Maliszewski

Number of years at Messiah:

7 years 

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 2's 

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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

Patricia Scott

Number of years at Messiah:

4 years

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant 2's

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Highest level of education:

Early Childhood Teaching Certificate

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Favorite part of working with children: I love watching the children learn through play and exploring new things. I love the hugs and seeing my students happy to see me outside the classroom!

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Favorite children's book:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

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Lynda Janezic

Number of years at Messiah:

17 years (20 if you count my 3 years of subbing!)

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Currently Teaching:

Lead MWF 3's/Y4'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

Number of years at Messiah:

43!!

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant MWF 3's/Y4'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

Number of years at Messiah:

5 years

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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

Number of years at Messiah:

4

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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

Number of years at Messiah:

15 years

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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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Stacy Folz

Number of years at Messiah:

7 years

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant TWTH 4's

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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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Melissa Kiekow

Number of years at Messiah:

7 years

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Currently Teaching:

Lead M-Th Pre-K

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

Number of years at Messiah:

5 years 

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant M-Th Pre-K and Before and After Care

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

Number of years at Messiah:

8 years

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Currently Teaching:

Lead 5 day Pre-K and Before and After Care

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

Christine Frano

Number of years at Messiah:

4 years

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Currently Teaching:

Assistant in 5 day Pre-K and Lead Teacher for Art and World Enrichment 

Highest level of education:

Early Childhood Teaching Certificate & currently pursuing Early Childhood Director Degree

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Favorite part of working with children:

My favorite part of working with children is being responsible for their development and their happiness. I love putting a smile on their faces and being the witness of so many wonderful 'firsts'. They motivate me to be a better person. 

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Favorite children's book:

 The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Teresa Neumeier

Number of years at Messiah:

16 years 

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Currently Teaching:

Kindergarten

Highest level of education:

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Special Education Endorsement

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Favorite part of working with children:

My favorite part of teaching children is when I see the light bulb going off, and they all of a sudden realize that they can spell, read or add. It is an amazing feeling knowing how proud they are of themselves.

Favorite children's book:

My favorite children's books our those written by Mo Willems.  Piggie and Gerald, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

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Kathy Payette

Number of years at Messiah:

4 years

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Currently Teaching:

Kindergarten Assistant

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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Michele Fillipp

Number of years at Messiah:

8 years

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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 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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Karissa Fillipp

Number of years at Messiah:

1 year

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care 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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Tina Krajec

Number of years at Messiah:

10

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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 my job. I try to inspire the students but I come to find out they inspire me!  

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Favorite children's book:

My favorite book is Click Clack Moo by Doreen Cronin because of the students laughter

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Julia Altergott

Number of years at Messiah:

1 year

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care Assistant

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Highest level of education:

HS Diploma

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Favorite part of working with children:

I like how open and honest children are. It’s great to be able to watch them learn, grow and interact with each other, and make new friends

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Favorite children's book:

Alexander & The Magic Mouse by Martha Sanders

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Jessica Carpenter

Number of years at Messiah:

13 

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care 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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Jennifer Burton

Number of years at Messiah:

3

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care Assistant and Substitute Teacher

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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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Ms. Sue Nierman

Number of years at Messiah:

14 years

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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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Amy Becker

Number of years at Messiah:

Looking forward to my first year at Messiah!

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care and Substitute Teacher

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Highest level of education:

Masters in Gifted education 

BA in Elementary Education and certified K-8 with an endorsement in mathematics

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Favorite part of working with children:

As an educator for over 13 years experience, my favorite part of working with children is watching them have that “a-ha” moment. Whether it is learning a new skill or overcoming something that was tough to start, it brings me absolute joy to see the learning take place!

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Favorite children's book:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems

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Jennifer Radtke

Number of years at Messiah:

This is my second year at Messiah

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Currently Teaching:

Before and After Care Lead Teacher

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Highest level of education:

Early Education and Art college 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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