Meet Our Staff
Our Leadership Team
Ms. Christi
&
Ms. Kim
Owners and operators
Ms. Christi & Ms. Kim
Owners and operators
Ms. Christi and Ms. Kim are the owners and operators. They founded Little Learners in 2006. They are both Certified Reading Specialists. Ms. Christi is the Executive Director and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She also has a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Leadership and has been teaching for twenty-four years. Ms. Kim is the Executive Operating Director. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and has been teaching for twenty-eight years. Both Christi and Kim are committed to providing a stable and highly qualified staff to care for your child. They encourage you to visit with them at any time if you have questions or concerns. Additionally, they want to thank you for trusting Little Learners with the care and education of your little learner.
Ms. Theresa
Program Director
Ms. Theresa is our Program Director. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Ottawa University. She also has her teaching license from the state of Kansas. She has over nine years of experience working with children. Ms. Theresa joined our team in 2013 as a Lead Toddler Teacher and Closing Assistant. In 2015, she became our Events and Compliance Director and then our Program Director in 2020. She is committed to helping our families feel welcome and comfortable at Little Learners. Ms. Theresa is dedicated to supporting the teachers to ensure the programs at Little Learners are engaging and all our children are successful. Ms. Theresa’s office is downstairs at Little Learners—West. Please feel free to visit with Theresa at any time with comments, questions, or concerns.
Ms. Kathryn
Events and Compliance Director
Ms. Kathryn is our Events and Compliance Director. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Pitt State University. She has ten years of experience working with children and started teaching at Little Learners in 2016 as a Lead Toddler Teacher. Ms. Kathryn will help plan our fun, monthly activities and special events. She is excited to support our program by helping all our children and their families create wonderful memories at Little Learners. Ms. Kathryn’s office is at Little Learners—West and she is available to assist teachers as well as parents as needed.
Ms. Katharine
Program Support Director
Ms. Katharine is our Program Support Director. Katharine has a degree in applied Behavioral Science with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Intervention from the University of Kansas and has been at Little Learners since 2014. She will be supporting the program by assisting throughout both buildings including supporting behavior plans, assisting with assessments and small groups, as well as substituting for the other directors, in classrooms and in the break schedules when needed. As the Program Support Director, Katharine will also plan and lead Rainbow Room activities two days a week when the schedule allows. Katharine will work out of the Rainbow Room and library
Ms. Lindsey
Enrollment Director
Ms. Lindsey is our Enrollment Director. Lindsey completed her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from North Central Missouri She is transferring from our Little Leaders of KCK location, where she has worked for two years and was the Events and Compliance Director. Ms. Lindsey will give tours, communicate with prospective families, and support parents through the paperwork process. Her office is at Little Learners—East and she is available to assist teachers as well as parents.
Our Teachers: Little Learners West
Ms. Crystal
Lead Teacher
Ms. Crystal is the Lead Teacher in Yellow Stars (LL-W). Ms. Crystal has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Kansas. She has been working with children for 5 years and joined Little Learners in 2019. She is excited to work with our two-year-olds to develop their vocabulary and social skills while exploring and discovering through play, songs, stories, hands-on activities and theme-based learning.
Ms. Gabby
Lead Teacher
Ms. Gabby is the Lead Teacher in Red Hearts (LL-W), which is a transitional preschool classroom. She worked in Early Childhood Education for a year before being a nanny for two years and then joined our Little Learners’ team in 2020. She is looking forward to creating a fun and structured learning environment for our youngest preschoolers to develop social skills, early literacy skills, and early math skills through hands-on activities.
Ms. Julie
Co-Lead Teacher
Ms. Julie is the Co-Lead Teacher in Yellow Crescents (LL-W). Ms. Julie has an Associates in Applied Science from Sothern Illinois University-Carbondale. She was a para for 9 years and has over 7 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She is excited to implement our curriculum with our oldest toddlers to develop their vocabulary and social skills while exploring and discovering through play, songs, and stories. Julie is also our Ambassador of Joy and plans fun treats and surprises for our awesome team.
Ms. Debbie
Co-Lead Teacher
Ms. Debbie is a Co-Lead Teacher in Yellow Crescents (LL-W). She has a Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. She is excited to work with our oldest toddlers and assist as they explore arts, crafts, music, and movement activities.
Ms. Sarah
Lead Academic Teacher
Ms. Sarah is our Lead Academic Teacher in Green Circles (LL—W) with our preschool children. Ms. Sarah has over eight years of experience in Early Childhood and has a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development from Southwest Missouri State University. She is excited to work with the preschool children from Circles in the mornings and Squares in the afternoons as they focus on early reading and math skills and enjoy an exciting school year. Ms. Sarah is also our Opening Assistant at West and is available to help parents as needed in the mornings. In addition, Ms. Sarah is our Mentor Teacher and supports new staff when they join our team.
Ms. Addy
Lead Learning Extensions Teacher
Ms. Addy is the Lead Learning Extensions Teacher in Green Squares (LL—W) with our preschool children. Ms. Addy has ten years of experience in Early Childhood Education and joined our team in 2020. She is looking forward to working with the preschool children from Squares in the mornings and Circles in the afternoons. They will be engaged in fun arts and crafts, music and movement activities, as well as music and art appreciation.
Ms. Katlin
Lead Academic Teacher
Ms. Katlin is the Lead Academic Teacher in Blue Rectangles (LL–W) with our pre-K children. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from UMKC and has been with Little Learners since 2013. She taught our Super Kindergarten class for two years and is excited about helping our pre-K students prepare for a successful start in Kindergarten. Ms. Katlin will be focusing on early literacy and math skills as well as handwriting while using fun and engaging themes. Ms. Katlin is also our Closing Assistant at West and is available to assist families as needed at the end of the day.
Ms. Karla
Lead Teacher
Karla Barnett is our Lead Teacher in Blue Triangles (LL-W). Ms. Karla has over 21 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and has a master’s degree. She is excited to work with the pre-K children from Blue Triangles in the mornings and Blue Rectangles in the afternoons. Ms. Karla will lead engaging lessons
focused on arts and crafts, science, social studies, music, and movement as well as art and music appreciation that all the children in Blue Triangles and Blue Rectangles are sure to enjoy.
Our Teachers: Little Learners East
Ms. Sarah
Lead Teacher
Ms. Sarah is the Lead Teacher in Orange Octagons (LL-E) with our youngest toddlers. Prior to joining our team, she provided inhome child care 10 years and was recently a para at Canyon Creek Elementary. She is looking forward to providing a nurturing and loving environment for our “littlest learners” while helping them explore the world through music, nursery rhymes, and stories as they develop their language and social skills through play-based learning.
Ms. Erica
Lead Teacher
Ms. Erica is the Lead Teacher in Green Clovers (LL—E), which is our preschool classroom in the mornings. She will teach our pre-K children from Blue Trapezoids in the afternoons. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Unified with a minor in SPED and completed her internship at Little Learners. She will be teaching Learning Extensions while focusing on science and social studies, arts and crafts, and music and movement.
Ms. Wendy
Lead Academic Teacher
Ms. Wendy is the Lead Academic Teacher in Blue Trapezoids (LL-E) with our pre-K children in the mornings and will teach our preschool children in the afternoons. Wendy is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She joined our staff in 2019 as an experienced preschool teacher and has worked with children for 26 years. She is excited to work with both the pre-K and preschool children as they focus on early literacy, math, and handwriting skills.
Ms. Vanessa
Lead Teacher
Ms. Vanessa is the Lead Teacher in Orange Ovals (LL-E) with our youngest toddlers. Ms. Vanessa has an Associates in Science in Child Development from Moorpark Community College in California. She is looking forward to providing a nurturing and loving environment for our “littlest learners” while helping them explore the world through music, nursery rhymes, and stories as they develop their language and social skills through play-based learning. Vanessa is also our Opening Assistant at East and is available to help parents as needed in the mornings.
Ms. Jada
Lead Teacher
Ms. Jada is the Lead Teacher in Purple Diamonds (LL-E) with our older toddlers. She is a student at Johnson County Community College. She has been at Little Learners for over two years. She is very excited about helping our toddlers develop their language and social skills through nursery rhymes and play-based learning.
Ms. Jessica
Lead Teacher
Ms. Jessica is the Lead Teacher in Yellow Hexagons (LL-E). She has over four years of experience in Early Childhood Education, and she is currently working on her CDA. She is excited to work with our toddlers as they explore arts, crafts, music, and movement activities.
Ms. Robin
Lead Teacher
Ms. Robin is the Lead Teacher in Red Arrows (LL-E) with our Transitional Preschool children. She provided in-home child care for prior to being a Lead Teacher in a center-based program. She is looking forward to creating a fun and structured learning environment for our youngest preschoolers to develop social skills, early literacy skills, and early math skills through hands-on activities.
Ms. Missy
Lead Teacher
Ms. Missy is the Lead Teacher in Green Spades (LL—E), which is a combination preschool/preK classroom. Missy has over 21 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She will be teaching Academics in the mornings and in the afternoons, she will be teaching Learning Extensions to focus on science and social studies, arts and crafts, and music and movement.
Our Support Staff
Ms. Jan
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Jan is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She was an elementary school secretary for almost 15 years and is excited to be working with our little ones as she assists at both
buildings.
Ms. Julia
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Julia is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She will be assisting throughout the buildings to cover teachers’ breaks and provide
support as needed.
Mr. Luke
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Mr. Luke is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant and will provide support in our classrooms and help cover breaks. He is a junior at the University of Kansas studying Communications and Business and will work in the afternoons.
Ms. Michelle
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Michelle is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She previously worked with children in a retail setting. She will provide support in our classrooms and help cover breaks.
Ms. Natalie
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Natalie is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and is an experienced child care provider. She will provide support in our classrooms and help cover breaks.
Ms. Rachel
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Rachel is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She is an experienced child care provider and was also previously a crossing guard. She will provide support in our classrooms and help cover breaks.
Ms. Tamara
Part Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Tamara is a part-time Teacher’s Assistant. She is a recent graduate of Olathe East High School. She participated in the 21st Future Educators Academy and completed the KSDE CTE Teacher Training Pathway. She is a freshman at JCCC. She will be assisting throughout the buildings to cover teachers’ breaks and provide support as needed.
Ms. Tyler
Full Time Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Tyler is a full-time Teacher’s Assistant. She is a student at Johnson County Community College studying Health Care/Public Health and was previously a Group Leader at the Boys and Girls Club. She will be assisting throughout the buildings to cover teachers’ breaks and provide support as needed.
Ms. Hanna
Substitute Lead Teacher
Ms. Hanna is one of our Substitute Lead Teachers. Ms. Hanna has worked in Early Childhood Education for over two years and is currently working on her degree in education. Ms. Hanna will substitute in classrooms and will support throughout both buildings as needed.
Our Teacher’s Aides are part-time and work seasonally around their school schedules. They are here at the end of the day to assist in the classrooms with other staff members. They also help clean the buildings so they will be ready for our little learners the next day.
Ms. Adeline
Junior Olathe West High School
Ms. Allie
Junior De Soto High School
Ms. Anna
Senior Mill Valley High School
Ms. Brice
Junior Park Hill High School
Ms. Claire
Senior Mill Valley High School
Ms. Emma
Senior Mill Valley High School
Ms. Peri
Junior De Soto High School
Seasonal Staff
Ms. Annabelle
Sophomore University of Arkansas
Mr. Branden
Freshman Emporia State University
Ms. Katherine
Kansas University Nursing School
Ms. Sydney
Freshman Brigham Young University
Ms. Taylynn
Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Taylynn is a Teacher’s Assistant. She will be assisting throughout the buildings to provide support as needed.
Ms. Delaney
Ms. Annabelle is seasonal Teacher’s Assistant. She is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas and joined our team in 2022. Ms. Annabelle was also a former student at Little Learners.
Ms. McCanna
Ms. McCanna is the Lead Academic Teacher in Blue Trapezoids (LL-E) this summer with our pre-K children in the mornings and will teach our preschool children in the afternoons. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Emporia State University. McCanna is excited to work with both the pre-K and preschool children as they focus on early literacy, math, and handwriting skills.
Ms. Kaylee
Ms. Kaylee is a seasonal Teacher’s Assistant. She is currently attending Pittsburg State University. Ms. Kaylee joined our team in 2017 and is looking forward to working with the children while covering teacher’s breaks and providing support as needed.
Ms. Sydney
Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Sydney is our Teacher’s Assistant in Yellow Crescents (LL-W). She is a recent graduate of Olathe West High School. She is excited to work with our oldest toddlers and assist as they explore arts, crafts, music, and movement activities. Sydney will attend Brigham Young University in the fall.
Ms. Monica
Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Monica is a Teacher’s Assistant. She is a graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School. Ms. Monica worked in child care for six months prior to joining Little Learners. She will be assisting throughout the buildings to cover teachers’ breaks and provide support as needed.
Ms. J’Linn
Ms. J’Linn is a seasonal Teacher’s Aide. She is a Sophomore at Ottawa University. She will assist in the classrooms at the end of the day and help clean the buildings.
Ms. Nancy
Lead Teacher
Ms. Brooke
Teacher’s Assistant
Ms. Brooke is a Teacher’s Assistant and will provide support in our classrooms. She is currently attending Emporia State University through their JCCC location and is studying Elementary Education. Ms. Brooke joined our team in 2018 and is looking forward to working with the children while covering teacher’s breaks and providing support as needed.
Ms. Amaya
Teacher’s Assistant
