Qualifications
Lead Teachers at the Child Development Center meet or exceed Kansas licensing standards and have at least one undergraduate/graduate degree/Early Childhood credentials.
All staff are required to get TB tests and are trained in Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Illness, Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting/Abusive Head Trauma, SIDS, and Child Development. Every two years staff are relicensed in CPR/First Aid training. Staff are also required to attend a minimum of ten in-service clock hours per year in early childhood education courses/KDHE approved trainings.
Amanda Downing, Infant Lead Teacher
Amanda teaches infants, ages 6 weeks -12 months. In 2007, she received her Bachelor of Science from Westfield State College and teacher certification in ECE in her home state of Massachusetts. Before coming to the CDC, Amanda was involved in youth ministry and a foster care program, where she worked specifically with infants and toddlers. She has been happily married and has a little girl of her own and one on the way! Amanda enjoys working with the Infants because of thier joyful hearts and she gets the opportunity to watch them grow and learn every day. In Amanda's class you will find warmth and love in all corners! Amanda has been the Lead Infant Room Teacher since August of 2010.
Caroline Teter, Lead Toddler Teacher; Room 10
Caroline teaches toddlers, ages 12-36 months. She has an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with a heavy emphasis in Early Childhood. Caroline has been involved in all aspects of Early Childhood! She has been Assistant Director, Teacher Assistant, Nanny and Sub. Caroline is happily married with a house full of dogs, cats, and a sweet little girl. She loves working with toddlers because of their excitement and awe for life. She believes in free expression of creativity and play because that is the best way for children to learn. You will find that Caroline's classroom is an active, free-flowing room filled with music, laughter and love. Caroline began her teaching career at the Child Development Center in June of 2010.
Ashley Lunn, Lead Toddler Teacher; Room 3
Ashley teaches toddlers, ages 24-36 months. She received her Associate’s Degree from Colby Community College in Early Childhood Education in 2007 and is currently working toward her BA in Early Childhood Unified as well as her CDA. Ashley is married and currently her baby is their dog, Bruce. She loves working with 2 year olds because they make her laugh and they learn so much every day. They put a smile on her face with every new accomplishment, question, and milestone they achieve. In Ashleys' room the children will thrive in a fun and creative atmosphere, while working on self help skills and potty training. Ashleys classroom is full of learning, love and the vibrant laughter of 2 year olds. Ashley began her teaching career as a teacher assistant at the Child Development Center in November 2007. She was the Lead teacher in another toddler classroom (12-24 months) until the fall of 2011 before moving to Room 3.
Liz Tiede, Lead Toddler Teacher; Room 12
Liz teaches toddlers, ages 12-24 months. Liz has earned a BA in Music Theatre from Friends University. She has several years of professional childcare experience and has worked at other licensed childcare facilities. She is very outdoorsy and loves bringing in nature and music into her classroom. Liz is married and they have an adorable bassett hound mix named Wally. She enjoys teaching this age very much because the children surprise her with the exciting things they learn each and every day. Liz's children in her room have fun while learning at their own pace in a nurturing, caring, and safe environment. Liz has been a Lead Teacher in her classroom since February of 2012.
Carol Lewis, Preschool Teacher; Room 8
Carol teaches preschoolers, ages 3-4 years. Carol has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Certification from Wichita State University. Carol also has a Program Director’s License from the KDHE. She has three grown children of her own and is hoping for grandkids some day! Her style of teaching coincides with the way she lives her life; fun, creative, passionate, loving, and nurturing. In Carol's room you will find spontaneity, creativity, flexibility, and laughter every day. Carol began her teaching career with the Child Development Center as a teacher assistant in the original child care center at WSU. She taught professionally at the CDC from 1975-1982 and again since 1991.
Michelle Jarboe, Preschool Teacher; Room 6
Michelle teaches Preschoolers, ages 3-4 years. Michelle earned her Associate’s Degree from Butler County Community College in Early Childhood Education in 1997. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Ecology at Kansas State University in 2000. She is married with a daughter and a son that keep her active and busy. She enjoys working with 3 and 4 year olds because they are very eager to learn and make her smile and laugh. Her classroom is busy, busy busy! With lots of hands on activities, learning opportunties, and creative experiments. Her classroom is structured in a way that promotes a positive self-image, creative educational experience, and a loving atmosphere. Michelle has been a Lead Teacher since January 2007, previously with children 12-36 months and since the Fall of 2011 with her current preschoolers.
Ashley Fritschle, PreK Teacher; Room 5
Ashley teaches the Kindergarten Readiness program for children ages 4-5 years who will be entering a Kindergarten program the following year. She graduated from Cowley County Community College in May of 2004. She received her BA in Psychology in 2006 from WSU. She has also worked in a therapeutic classroom with 3-5 year olds. Ashley is married with two little girls, who attend the center as well. In her classroom, the children will begin to learn reading skills through a program called Reading Explorers. She also works with the children in all aspects of Kindergarten readiness, with special emphasis on social skills so that the can be ready for this huge transition. In her room you will find a busy atmosphere with lots of learning and fun, while being structured, creative, and loving. She began working at the Child Development Center in June of 2008.
Amy Mease, Administrative Specialist
Amy began working at the Child Development Center in January 1998 as a teacher assistant. She then became the center’s Administrative Specialist in 1999. Amy has earned her Certificate in Supervision from the Center for Management Development. Amy is married with a teenage son. The best part of Amy's job is getting to greet each family and child every morning. She loves their laughter and silly questions and they bring a smile to her face every day. She specializes in being able to answer questions about billing, enrollment procedures and waiting list procedures as well as many other aspects of the center.
Jillian Hoefer, Director
Jill has an Associate's Degree from Hutchinson Community College and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at WSU in 2004. Jill began at the Child Development Center as a Teacher Assistant in October 2000. She was a Toddler Lead Teacher from 2002 until December 2008, and more recently held the Assistant Director position until May of 2011. Jill completed her CDA in May 2006, earned her Certificate in Supervision from the Center for Management Development and a Leadership Certificate through CMD. She is currently working on her Master's in Counseling with an emphasis in Play Therapy. She holds a Program Director's License from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and has been the current Director since May of 2011. She is married with two boys, one who still attends the center. The best part of her job is getting to know all of the children at the CDC! They make her laugh everyday at the silly things they say and do, she loves to watch them grow and learn, and loves to stay connected with each family.