Sonshine Preschool
Inspiring Minds ~ Teaching God's Love
Staff
Back Row: Michele Smith, Donna Haas, Carrrie Briggs, Anita Jones, Mary Kurek Middle Row: Mala Humphrey, Dee Diller, Robin Guinsler, Kitty Shaffer Front Row: Suzanne McMillan, Jean Ferrell
Read more below about each one of the talented teachers and staff at Sonshine Preschool
Anita Jones- Administrator
Education:Associate of Science Degree, Early Childhood Education Administration State of Ohio, Bureau of Jobs & Family Services Certificate of Training in Early Childhood Ed.
Experience: 17 years as Sonshine School Administrator 10 years teaching preschool
What I want parents to know
"Preschool education is important. It is the foundation of learning and the foundation of anything is very important. The Sonshine School program is designed to meet the developmental needs of young children (3-5 years). It provides experiences that enrich and enhance each child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and creative development. Within our daily schedule, each child has opportunities to create, explore the environment, learn problem solving and personal interaction skills and learn concepts through first-hand experiences. Children develop a positive self-concept through a balance of self- and teacher-directed activities. We strive to have a warm and inviting environment which is responsive to each child’s needs. We respect parents as the primary and most important provider of care and nurturing, and we believe parents and teachers are partners in children’s care and education.
Mary Kurek- Lead Teacher
Education:Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, The Ohio State University Master’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Ed., The Ohio State University
Experience: 6 years teaching preschool at Sonshine Preschool 5 years experience teaching Kindergarten 9 years experience working as a private tutor
What do you want Parents to know?
"My main goal is to prepare my students for kindergarten, academically and socially. I accomplish this through play-based centers in which children learn important pre-k skills, decision-making, independence and how to work with peers. Every day I work with my students individually on a specific skill. My classroom environment utilizes many of the routines and rules I used in my kindergarten classroom."
Kitty Shaffer- Lead Teacher
Education:State of Ohio, Bureau of Jobs & Family Services Certificate of Training in Early Childhood Ed.
Experience:4 years with Sonshine Preschool 10 years teaching preschool at Heath Christian School
What do you want Parents to know?
'I love teaching children bible lessons and helping them learn the skills they will need to succeed in kindergarten. I feel it is really important for them to realize that God loves them and is with them all the time. They are special to Him and to me."
Lisa Williams (not pictured)- Lead Teacher
Education:Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education, Columbus State University Dept. of Education Pre-kindergarten teaching license State of Ohio, Bureau of Jobs & Family Services Certificate of Training in Early Childhood Ed.
Experience: 6 years teaching preschool at Sonshine Preschool Worked with children for 15 years, ages ranging from infancy through 10 years of age
What do you want Parents to know?
“I believe each child should be valued and respected as an individual. I have learned the benefits and can see the results of children learning through play in my classroom; therefore, children feel comfortable making choices and pursing their own ideas. I have a creative environment where children learn academic and social skills through hands on activities. My focus is to provide children with a quality learning program in an atmosphere that is safe and loving so each child has a sense of a second family environment.”
Robin Guinsler- Lead Teacher
Education: Bachelor of Science in Education, Ohio University Licking County Preschool Teacher of the year 2000
Experience: Has worked with children for the past 21 years Spent 9 years teaching preschool and 12 years teaching physical education and health
What do you want Parents to know?
“My main goal is to provide a safe, comfortable learning environment for children. I emphasize teaching my students the knowledge and skills they will need to begin their Kindergarten class.”
Carrie Briggs- Assistant Teacher
Education: 1 year at Sonshine Preschool 2 years at Hocking College
Experience: 11 years teaching preschool at church 10 years teaching Homeschool Co-op group 21 years of VBS teaching 21 years as a stay-at-home mom State of Ohio, Bureau of Jobs & Family Services Certificate of Training in Early Childhood Ed.
Experience: 17 years with Sonshine Preschool 5 years with Heath First Baptist Church Preschool 15 years teaching summer camp at Seneca Lake Christian Camp Over the past 20 years has taught Sunday School, Children's Choir, and various other children classes
What do you want Parents to know?
“I enjoy nuturing children's creativity and education while preparing them for kindergarten in a Christ-centered environment.”
Mala Humphrey- Office Assistant
Education:State of Ohio, Bureau of Jobs & Family Services Certificate of Training in Early Childhood Ed.
Experience: 3 years as Office Assistant with Sonshine Preschool 4 years teaching preschool at Sonshine Preschool BSBA, in Marketing from The Ohio State University
Experience: 7 years experience in marketing 2 years experience as a substitute teacher for Sonshine Preschool and Granville Christian Academy
Read more below about each one of the talented teachers and staff at Sonshine Preschool
Anita Jones- Administrator
Education:
Experience:
What I want parents to know
"Preschool education is important. It is the foundation of learning and the foundation of anything is very important. The Sonshine School program is designed to meet the developmental needs of young children (3-5 years). It provides experiences that enrich and enhance each child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical and creative development. Within our daily schedule, each child has opportunities to create, explore the environment, learn problem solving and personal interaction skills and learn concepts through first-hand experiences. Children develop a positive self-concept through a balance of self- and teacher-directed activities. We strive to have a warm and inviting environment which is responsive to each child’s needs. We respect parents as the primary and most important provider of care and nurturing, and we believe parents and teachers are partners in children’s care and education.
Mary Kurek- Lead Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
"My main goal is to prepare my students for kindergarten, academically and socially. I accomplish this through play-based centers in which children learn important pre-k skills, decision-making, independence and how to work with peers. Every day I work with my students individually on a specific skill. My classroom environment utilizes many of the routines and rules I used in my kindergarten classroom."
Kitty Shaffer- Lead Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
'I love teaching children bible lessons and helping them learn the skills they will need to succeed in kindergarten. I feel it is really important for them to realize that God loves them and is with them all the time. They are special to Him and to me."
Lisa Williams (not pictured)- Lead Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“I believe each child should be valued and respected as an individual. I have learned the benefits and can see the results of children learning through play in my classroom; therefore, children feel comfortable making choices and pursing their own ideas. I have a creative environment where children learn academic and social skills through hands on activities. My focus is to provide children with a quality learning program in an atmosphere that is safe and loving so each child has a sense of a second family environment.”
Robin Guinsler- Lead Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“My main goal is to provide a safe, comfortable learning environment for children. I emphasize teaching my students the knowledge and skills they will need to begin their Kindergarten class.”
Carrie Briggs- Assistant Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“I love working with children. God has entrusted them to us to raise and to love them. Even at 3, 4, or 5 we can instill the love of Jesus through learning. Sonshine Preschool is an awesome way to start your child's educational and spiritual growth ”
Donna Haas- Assistant Teacher
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“I enjoy nuturing children's creativity and education while preparing them for kindergarten in a Christ-centered environment.”
Mala Humphrey- Office Assistant
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“I love working with the children at Sonshine School. I want to make sure when they leave here, they carry with them, the knowledge that Jesus loves them and created each of them very special.”
Suzanne McMillan- Office Assistant
Education:
Experience:
What do you want Parents to know?
“Sonshine Preschool is a wonderful Christian academic facility. We will set the foundation for your child's school education as well as their spiritual learning.”