Stacie D'Anna: I am 25 years old and live in Southern California with my hubby of 5 years, my 3 1/2 year old daughter and 2 year old son.  I have my credential in Early Childhood Special Education and am currently teaching in this field.  I love young children, and feel that I have finally found my calling.
Renee H. Davis: I live in Flat Rock, North Carolina.  I'm married to a wonderful guy for almost 23 years now.  We have two boys in college, Rusty 19 and Rocky 21.  We also have a beautiful granddaughter-Rylee 18 months.  I volunteered in the elementary schools my boys attended until they reached 4th and 6th grades.  I then taught at a church based Preschool (ages 2 & 3) for a couple of years.  The Director's job came open and I directed and taught the 4's for about 3 years.  We moved and I taught the 3's again for a couple years until a Director's position came open at another church.  I'm going on my 4th year in my present position and I love it.  I try to give the staff a lot of resources and information that I get mainly off the internet.  They always say, "Keep it coming."  I take alot of work home with me so I can be more involved in the classrooms during school hours.  Working with children is a most rewarding experience.  E-mail: rrrrd@bellsouth.net
Deborah Denzel: I live in Australia, in the Western Suburbs of Sydney and am the director of a small Pre-School which is part of a governmental Primary School.  I have a School Principal to answer to, but basically, I run the Pre-School with an assistant.  The main school takes local children up to the age of 12.  This is great for me because I get to watch many of my children grow throughout their school years.  It is a very multicultural area.  Some years I have as many as 16 different languages to cope with.  It certainly gives us a very special feel about our children.  I also always have at least one child per year with some form of handicap or serious learning problem.  I drive 26 kilometres each morning in traffic that can only be described as a walking parking lot, but it is worth the drive.  It is never boring where I work and I wouldn't choose any other career.  I have taught all age groups for a number of years before I had my two children.  They are now adults, one is even a teacher.  I have taught for 5 years in the lower Primary, mainly in Kindergarten, and now am in my 6th year of Pre-School teaching.  My interests are mainly the Pre-School, my mad dog (a shihtzu, who occasionally comes to Pre-School as a therapy pet), my husband, and my family (which seems to be growing).  I have a diploma of Teaching Primary and a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education Degree.  One day I would like to retire to the Central Coast to live by the water.  E-mail: dkdenzel@hotmail.com
Shelley Erickson: I live in Paola, Kansas.  Being of sound mind, I have started this year (1999) teaching Pre-school.  My background is in Highschool Education, although I just wanted the degree and not the position.  I went into sales after college for 5 years, then I married and quit work to have children.  I also sold "Discovery
Toys" from home and watched other children.  I had a wonderful job offer and went to find a daycare for my 2 children.  I came home with a job from the daycare instead.  I told my director I could not leave my children, I just could not bare it.  I gave her my word I'd be there for at least four years.  I want to express how much fun I am having at this job.  If I could give advice at my early age of two months at this job, I would like to say, "Don't stress out over the small stuff."  Kids are looking for love, touch, and just to be noticed.  Tell the most daring child in your class that you love him/her and see how often that child misbehaves.  Just relax and enjoy these beautiful young people.  E-mail: tazbaby2066@yahoo.com
Wendy Ferguson: I live in Melbourne, Australia.  I went to university in my late 30's to study kindergarten teaching.  In Australia, kindergarten starts at 3yrs for pre-kinders and goes to 4-5yrs for main stream kinders. The children then go to Prep which is their first year at Primary school.  The following year is called Grade One and goes up to Grade 6.  Our school year starts in January.  This year I will be teaching two 3yr old groups who will come for two 2-hr sessions per week.  There will be 20-21 children in each group.  I enjoy the work although the first couple of months are exhausting!!  I also have four children of my own, 19-32 yrs old, and one grandchild.
Faith Filey: I am 29 years old and have been connected with the child care field for about 14 years now.  I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California.  I am only 10 miles inland now in a small mountain town called Felton.  I have been married for 5 years and a Christian for 2 years.  I always believed in God, but wasn't really sure what that meant, until recently.  I have a 9 1/2 year old step-daughter who lives with us part-time and her mother and step-father part-time.  I have been working as a Preschool teacher for the last 4 1/2 years in a small private school, which ranges from 2-13 year olds.  We also run a private day school for K-6th grade.  I am now our Preschool Coordinator and Kindergarten Supervisor.  My husband and I are also in the process of becoming Foster Parents for a particular child in my program, which I hope to introduce on Stormie's website!  We would like to adopt her if we can.  And, finally, I must give the glory to God.  He has brought me to this most incredible space in my life.  And my teaching has been changed as well.
Lisa Finnigan: I was born and raised in a small town in Central Texas.  I had the unique opportunity of attending several preschools, and my mother was a teacher's aid in the early '60s when the pilot programs for
Headstart began.  I loved helping her cut out things for her class.....who would have guessed... many years later I am carrying on the same tradition.  I love it when my little girls can help be get ready for my 'class.'
Laurie Firpo: I teach at Childhaven Preschool, Brentwood, California.  I am a registered nurse who became a family child care provider when my third child was born.  I have been in family child care for the past three years and I love working with children!!  I'm blessed with a family child care association that challenges me as well as supports me and I have just recently received accreditation through the NAFCC.  This spring, I am applying for a Master teaching certificate through the Department of Education...and I'm closing my child care in the fall and opening a half-day structured preschool (Childhaven) out of my home.  I am  looking forward to having similar age groups of children...it's difficult to have "Circle Time" with a 14 month old circling you!!  My hobbies include music ministry, bunco, and I am a creative memories consultant.  You can e-mail me at: firpo@ecis.com
Christine Francis: I started working at my church daycare center here in North Carolina ten years ago.  My class usually numbers around 8, sometimes more.  I have great freedom choosing and creating my own curriculum for my class.  In addition to my job, I have a husband and children (ages 3, 4, and 10).  I also have a 20 yr old daughter who is currently an honor student at Pensacola Christian College.
Rosie Fourman: I actually hold a 1-8 teaching license with a K-12 reading certificate.  I started teaching in 1973 and have taught a variety of grades in Ohio, and in Maine where we lived for 13 years.  I am currently teaching preschool disabilities, but just accepted a new position as Literacy Manager for Washington and Morgan counties in Ohio.  I will really miss the hands on with young children, but am excited about promoting literacy in this area.
Cassidy Fuess: I teach three, four, and five year-olds at Montessori Country Day School in Flower Mound, Texas.  Some of these children attend five days a week and some only three.  Our day goes from 8:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.  It is amazing how children learn when they are given the necessary tools and the time to work at their own pace.  I've been teaching for six years and now my two children attend this school.  I'm very honored to be included here by Stormie.
Jennifer G: I'm 27 yrs. old and I live in Chardon, Ohio.  I lived in Alabama and Georgia until I was 12, when we moved to Ohio.  My Dad is a Pastor and my mom works with him in our church.  I attented Christian schools through most of my education.  My husband, Adrian, and I married in '93, had our first child 11 months later, and continue to have kids on a regular basis :-)!!  My husband is an account manager for a computer reseller and is a wonderful man.  I have realized my dream of being a mom and a wife and even my dream of teaching, as we will be homeschooling.  Our goal with our kids, Hanna (5), Nathan (2), and Leah (3 mos), is to raise them with a knowledge of the Lord.  We want to glean as much as we can from other teachers, in the home and out.  I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids, reading, singing, and working on my computer.  I do our church bulletin and teach Sunday School.
Rita G: I did home daycare for 18 years and "Kids Crafts" on Saturdays (I love painting and doing crafts).  Then, after getting burned out, I took a break for a couple years.  But then I started missing all those "little people."  Now I work as "Pre-K Senior Lead Teacher" at an early learning center here in Topeka, Kansas, and I will be finishing up my CDA in May.  I just love my job and being around children again.  Someone asked me WHY I got back into it.  My answer is simply that I love children and every day when I hear a little voice say, "I love you Ms. Rita," it makes it all worthwhile.  Children love to learn and I try to give them the best.  I took a class this year in SIGN and have been teaching it to the children.  They love it and think it's so cool!  We are now learning simple songs in SIGN.
Kimerly Gaines: I work in the Volusia County school system (Florida) as a paraprofessional level 3 / Pre-K early intervention.
Sally Garcia: I live in Richmond, Indiana.  I have a licensed family day care center and have been in the child care business for about 6 years.  I have my CDA and am almost finished with my Associates Degree of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in curriculum and administration.  I plan to graduate in May, 2004.  I have 4 children of my own, and two step-sons (one who lives in Mexico and one who lives with us).  And I have a wonderful husband (who I thank him for all the time he has spent taking the children to "after school" activities while I'm in school).
Raquel Gosser: I am a preschool teacher of ages 2-4 at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana.  I feel God worked through my daughter, Dakota, when she was a two yr old in the program, to draw me to him, to the preschool. and to place me where I am today.  I LOVE the children so much and we have way too much fun!
Liz Gray: I live in Massachusetts and I teach in a Montessori preschool right on the Connecticut border.  I am having so much fun!  I teach in the music room with a professional musician, which is exciting for me because I've played the flute and piccolo since I was 10.  I have been involved with education in some form since going to college back in 1996.  I earned my B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in ECE in 2000.  Since then, I have worked as a substitute in both childcare settings and public school settings.  I spent two years working as a one-on-one paraprofessional to a preschool aged child with autism.  Later I worked in Head Start.  I think what I love most about my job is seeing the amazement on a child's face when he or she learns a new task.
Cindy Hall: I own and direct a child care center in Connecticut.  I have a degree in ECE and have been doing this since 1997.  We teach a 2-day and 3-day preschool program, a full day child care program and an after-school kindergarten program.  Watching the children grow and develop is the most rewarding aspect of this career.  Learning at this age can really be fun.
Karen Hall: I'm Karen Hall, teacher of three-year-olds at Zion Christian Preschool in Ottawa, Illinois.  I started at the school as a sub when my youngest was in the four-year-old program (she is now a senior in high school).  The next year I joined the staff as an assistant, two years later taught the three-year-old classes, then became the school's director and teacher of four-year-olds.  Four years ago (when my oldest was a senior), I returned to substitute so I could spend more time with my girls, and help my husband with his business.  I was excited to return as a teacher of threes this year.  In addition to teaching, I work for an accounting firm as a bookkeeper and still take care of my husband & his partner's books.  I am an elder in our church, as well as a member of our handbell choir.  Besides teaching and handbells, my hobbies include scrapbooking.  At this time my favorite activity is watching my daughter perform with the band.  I love this website, but welcome any helpful suggestions and ideas geared specifically for working with three-year-olds.  My email address is kjh@mtco.com.  Thank you Stormie for keeping this website so enjoyable!
Sabrina Halverson: I am a Preschool Caregiver, and Army Wife stationed in Friedberg, Germany.  I will be 26 in April.  I've been married to the military for almost 4 years now, and have 2 children, a 4.5 yr old girl and 2.5 year old boy.  I've been working in the Army's Child Development Preschool Program for a little over a year now, and I'm part of a very wonderful team of women, taking care of an extraodinary group of children.  When I started this job, most of my 3-5 year old children had one or both parents stationed in Iraq.  They were part of 1st AD, who got extended to have a total deployed time of 15 months.  It was difficult, but these "little people" were so strong, and awesome, and, it just shows how amazing they truly are.  My ultimate goal is to go into child psychology or social work, but to remain devoted to these children, as they are SO special.
Jennifer Harris: I've been a fully qualified and licensed Early Childhood Educator since 1989 and a Special Needs Educator since 2000.  I began my career at the college lab setting where I was trained.  I worked there for 5 years before leaving to start my own preschool as I wanted to work with smaller groups and have closer relationships with the families.  In the beginning, I actually opened a family childcare instead of preschool because three children from the lab setting left to come with me!  At one time, I also offered school-aged daycare, but now, after 6 years, I offer preschool only.  I also work for various schools in the district with "Ready, Set, Learn!"  I'm a very active member of our provincial branch of ECEBC, and am a strong believer in the first 6 years laying the foundation for a child's success in life.  I provide practicum placements for students in the Early Childhood Education and Special Needs department at our local university.  On a personal note, I live in Canada. I have been married to my husband for 12 years, and we have two daughters, ages 10 and a half, and 7 months.  I enjoy working out at Curves, scrapbooking (when I can get to it - the baby takes up alot of time!), staying at our trailer at the lake, and my job is also my hobby!  I really love planning children's programs as well as preparing and presenting them.
Steff Hartman: I am an OLD mother of three children in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  My daughters are in college and my son is finishing 8th grade.  I have been a stay-at-home mom for many years but always volunteered as a teacher's aid, in the school library, taught Sunday School for 18 years, and coordinated all the details for a dance team our daughters started in high school.  I have a BS in Education.  Currently, I am a teacher in a daycare center.
Lee Harwig: I am an At-Risk Pre-K teacher for 3, 4, and 5 year olds.  Many of my students are English Language Learners.  I have been teaching for seven years, and look forward to many many more!  I have worked with kids from 6 weeks up to third grade.  
Heather: I'm a Pre-K Assistant who lives in Leawood, Kansas.
Cynthia Hernandez: I am 21 years old and live in La Quinta, Cailfornia.  When my daughter was 2, I worked full-time.  I found that it was a little overwhelming working as a Designer's Assistant full-time as well.  I also go to church 2 nights a week, and on Sunday.  Finally, I stopped working in December 2000.  I was only going to stay home for a while and then return, but while at home, I began caring for my niece and nephew.  This led to my becoming licensed for home day care.  Currently, I have one full-time little girl, a kindergarten boy starting in September for after school care, and possibly two more children enrolling soon.  I have many thanks to Stormie for helping me with a preschool curriculum.  I am a member of my local Child Care Association.
Anna Hill: I live in Missouri.  I started out as a school age assistant in April of 1995 when my son turned 2.  I needed to work but didn't want to leave him, so I decided to go full time and became assistant in the 2/3 year old room, eventually becoming the teacher in that room.  I then changed employers and taught a preschool class.  I have recently finished classes for my CDA and am awaiting the final interview and test.  I am now assistant director as well as the school age teacher and am beginning classes this month to increase my credit hours so I can qualify to be a director.  I have a number of hobbies: crafts, photography, reading, and sewing.  I have fun with the school agers because they can enjoy doing crafts.  I keep very busy, busier than I'd like alot of times, so sometimes 2-3 weeks go by before I even check my e-mail.  So if anyone e-mails me, don't worry if it takes awhile for me to respond and I apologize now.  E-mail: tahill@netzero.net
Lotus Hoey: I have been teaching in Texas since 1978 and began my career as a high school math and science teacher.  While my 3 children were growing up, I substituted in their school and loved teaching the little ones.  I now am certified from PK-12 with ESL certification and I speak 3 languages (English, Spanish and Chinese).  I love teaching Pre-K/ESL here in Katy, Texas, and I have done numerous Staff Development and Conference sessions in our local area.  My home and school families keep me very busy, but I also love to travel, cook and sew.
Pat deVries Howe: I live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my Seminary Professor husband of 29+years.  (He's still my boyfriend!)  We have 3 grown kids and 1 growing grandchild.  I've been a certified Montessori preschool teacher for 7 years, although have been in a Montessori environment about 13 years.  I have a Primary/T.K. class of 24, ages 3-5+.  LOVE IT!  My interests include writing - (children's books, children's songs, poetry) illustrating simple "worksheets," and rehabilitating injured/orphaned wildlife.  Lots of pets keep me busy.  I am also attempting to learn to play the guitar - hard to teach an old dog new tricks!  My philosophy in the classroom: Freedom within control.  Would love to hear from others.  E-mail: pshtah@perigee.netm
Jane Jack: I'm from Glasgow, Scotland.  I'm 30 years old and have been married for almost six years.  I've worked with children for 7 years.  I'm (what you call in Scotland) a nursery assistant while working on my education in the field.  I am just finishing my first year (it takes two years).  Then I will be able to work in the country's state run or private nurseries (although the private ones don't pay as much).  It's a good job but we don't do it for the money, do we?  I also worked in Camp America during my youth.