Staff

 

 
Discovery School teachers are known for their excellence, dedication, and enthusiasm. Teachers have their Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education or a related field. Associate Teachers have an Associate of Arts or a Child Development Associate Certificate. Teachers participate in ongoing training and workshops. Members of Discovery's staff have taken local and state leadership roles in the development of learning standards and in professional organizations.

Front OfficeTeachersAssociate Teachers
Front Office
 
Ms. Maria M., Co-Director

Maria has been at Discovery since 1990.  She was the assistant director for 10 years before assuming Co-Director responsibilities.  As Co-Director, she enjoys supporting both teachers and parents.  She also is a teacher in the Project Child class in the morning.  Maria has a M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has been working with young children and their families for over 35 years. Maria is the past Co-President of Southwestern Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children, a member of Illinois Voices for Children, and she has served in an advisory capacity on various Early Childhood school boards. She was also a project participant in the development of the Illinois Early Learning Standards. She would like to share a special thought with you: “You can teach a child a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." - Clay P. Bedford
Ms. Grace S., Co-Director

Grace is excited to begin her 4th year as Co-Director at Discovery.  She earned a BA in psychology from Chapman University in 1990, a BS in Early Childhood Education with her teaching certification in 1991 and then went on to complete a MS in Education in 1997.  She especially enjoys working with families, sharing, and teaching about the uniqueness of each child and family. Erma Bombeck once said, "When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."  Grace's greatest joy is her own family.  She and her husband, Wes, have three children and four grandchildren.  Her spare time is occupied by reading and crocheting.
Ms. Edna M., Administrative Assistant/Associate Teacher

Edna has her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Illinois State Teacher’s Aide Certificate.  She has 29 years professional experience working with preschoolers and children through age twelve.  This is her 18th year at DISCOVERY.  Edna has worked in the office full time for 11 of those years but also assists in the classrooms as needed.  She teaches children’s Sunday school classes for her church and has directed Vacation Bible School.  She is the proud “Granny” of Taylor, a graduate of DISCOVERY and Devin and Isabella, who love to come visit “Granny’s school.” She enjoys the laughter, excitement, and joy of living that children have.
Ms. Margo T., Parent Coordinator/Teacher

Margo is excited to begin her 7th year at DISCOVERY.  She received a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.  She has had wonderful experiences working with children, including student teaching in the Child Development Laboratory on the U of I campus, completing a Child Life practicum, serving as a camp counselor, tutoring children with special needs, being a therapist for a child with autism, and also is a volunteer in her church. She and her husband are excited about the arrival of their first baby in November of 2010.

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Teachers
Ms. Maria M., Purple Room

Maria has been at Discovery since 1990.  She was the assistant director for 10 years before assuming Co-Director responsibilities.  As Co-Director, she enjoys supporting both teachers and parents.  She also is a teacher in the Project Child class in the morning.  Maria has a M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has been working with young children and their families for over 35 years. Maria is the past Co-President of Southwestern Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children, a member of Illinois Voices for Children, and she has served in an advisory capacity on various Early Childhood school boards. She was also a project participant in the development of the Illinois Early Learning Standards. She would like to share a special thought with you: “You can teach a child a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." - Clay P. Bedford
Ms. Vicki B., Blue Room

Vicki is very excited about starting her fourth year at DISCOVERY.  She received her B.A. from McKendree College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.  She has 15 years experience with preschool and kindergarten age children.  She has taught in Mascoutah school district #19, SIUE Early Childhood Development Center, and was a Parent Educator in Belleville school district #118.  She and her husband, Will, have three children, Paige, 11 and Brent, 7 who are DISCOVERY graduates, and Bryce who is 3 and is starting his first year at Discovery.   She loves working with children and believes that children learn best when they are being surrounded by a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where risk taking is encouraged, and a positive self-concept is being constructed.
Ms. Liz  C., Yellow Room

Liz is beginning her third year at DISCOVERY.  She graduated in 2008 from SIUE with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She enjoys the opportunity to get to know each child and their family and to see the progress made by each child throughout the year.  She and her husband are expecting their first child due in January of 2011.

 
Ms. Gabi M., Red Room

Gabi and her husband Tom are former DISCOVERY parents.  Their children Sam, 20 and Seth, 18 are DISCOVERY graduates.  Gabi started her teaching career at DISCOVERY as a substitute.  She joined the staff as a regular employee fourteen years ago.  She has a B.S. from Bradley University and spends her time away from DISCOVERY as an active participant of her synagogue, a member of an interfaith group, and singing with the Masterworks Chorale.

Ms. Tara Y., Orange Room

 

Ms. Jenny S., Green Room

Jenny has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from SIUE.  She is returning for her sixth year at DISCOVERY.  Jenny became acquainted with DISCOVERY when student teaching here.  Jenny comes to DISCOVERY with 20 years of experience in childcare with 2-12 yr. olds. Her spare time is spent with her family including her two children, daughter Bailey, 10 yrs. old, a DISCOVERY graduate and son Logan, 6 yrs. old, also a DISCOVERY graduate.   Jenny is thrilled to be a part of the DISCOVERY team and looks forward to working with the children, staff, and parents at DISCOVERY School.

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Associate Teachers
Ms. Kristi E.

Kristi is excited about starting her 18th year at DISCOVERY.  She has completed the certificate program in childcare at Southwestern Illinois College, and has her teacher’s aide certificate. During summer camp she has enjoyed being the Primary age teacher.  The children and Kristi have fun and exciting adventures playing games, reading, and creating their own works of art.  She enjoys interacting with staff, children, and parents at DISCOVERY
Ms. Lynn M.

Lynn has received her Early Childhood Education Certification from Southwestern Illinois College as well as a Teacher Assistants Proficiency Certificate.  She has 13 years of experience working with preschoolers in a state licensed day care and preschool centers.  She has one daughter Julie, 14 yrs. old, which is the pride of her life, and enjoys spending time with her. In her spare time Lynn enjoys making renovations to her older home. She also volunteers for Family Hospice Heartlinks program, a grief support group for children. Lynn enjoys working with children very much, and is looking forward to her sixth year at DISCOVERY.

Ms. Jan M.

Jan has her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.  She is returning for her 21st year at DISCOVERY.  She has 26 years experience with preschoolers through school age.  She and her husband, Daniel, have two daughters, Khara, 32 and Jayme, 27.
Ms. Lisa R.

Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wofford College in South Carolina.  Lisa received her Masters in Counseling from Troy State University.  She has experience as a preschool teacher and has taught children’s swim lessons and gymnastics with the American Red Cross and the YMCA.  She enjoys working with children now but previously has served as an education counselor with adults.  She and her husband Bill, have two sons, Collin and Clayton.  They are both DISCOVERY graduates.  Lisa loves working with children and truly believes they are the key to a better world.  She feels very fortunate to be a part of their learning experience.  In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Cagney and Lacy.
Ms. Shannon R.

Shannon began working on her degree at Central Texas College and is currently completing courses to receive her Associate in ECE at Southwestern Illinois College.  Shannon and her family recently returned from a three-year tour in Germany.  She worked one year at an Army CDC (child daycare) and one year as a family childcare provider on an Army post.  She worked as the nursery coordinator at her church for three years and volunteers for many of the other children’s activities offered there.  She is excited about beginning her 5th year at DISCOVERY.  Her son, Christopher, is a DISCOVERY graduate.
Ms. Amy S.

Amy is returning for her sixteenth year at Discovery.  She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education along with her 1-year certificate from Southwestern Illinois College.  In her many years at DISCOVERY, Amy has worked with all age groups and especially enjoys sharing her love of nature, art, and books with the children.  She is looking forward to meeting her new students and their parents and sharing the DISCOVERY experience with them.
Ms. Dolores S.

Dolores is a native of Arizona and is bi-lingual.  She will be introducing Spanish to some of our classes.  She received her Associate’s Degree from Cochise College and a certificate as a Teacher’s Aide.  She worked with children aged 18 months to 5 years in Arizona.  She began teaching at DISCOVERY 14 years ago.  She has also taught religious education in Arizona and teaches the Atrium classes at her church in O’Fallon.  She has been married for 26 years and has two children, Michael, 25 and Daniel, 23.  She loves singing, dancing, and going for walks.
Ms. Andrea P.

Andrea is looking forward to returning for her seventh year at DISCOVERY.  She has her Associate Degree in Child Development from Rend Lake College and her Illinois Director Credential Level I.  Andrea enjoys watching children learn and grow through developmentally appropriate activities in a positive and caring environment.

Ms. Jonnie H.

Jonnie is beginning her third year with DISCOVERY.  She attended SIUC for a year where she took a semester of Early Childhood classes.  She is now working toward her Associates degree at SWIC and plans to continue at SIUE to complete her degree in Early Childhood Education.  Jonnie has been learning a lot from the other teachers at DISCOVERY and loves the atmosphere.
 

 

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