Discovery

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
 
Mrs. 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 30 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: “The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882).
Ms. Grace S., Co-Director

Grace is excited to begin her third 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 Brombeck 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 28 years professional experience working with preschoolers and children through age twelve.  This is her 17th year at DISCOVERY.  Edna has worked in the office full time for 10 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, Devin and Isabella, who are both too young to attend DISCOVERY but love to come to 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 6th 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 is looking forward to the upcoming school year.

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Teachers
Ms. Maria M., Yellow 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 30 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: “The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Ms. Vicki B., Blue Room

Vicki is very excited about starting her third 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 14 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, 10 and Brent, 6 who are DISCOVERY graduates, and Bryce who is 2.   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., Purple Room

Liz is beginning her second year at DISCOVERY.  She graduated in 2008 from SIUE with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She enjoys the curiosity of children and loves watching them learn.  She does not have any children of her own yet but loves spending time with her nephew.  She and her husband are looking forward to starting their own family in the future.
Ms. Gabi M., Red Room

Gabi and her husband Tom are former DISCOVERY parents.  Their children Sam, 19 and Seth, 17 are DISCOVERY graduates.  Gabi started her teaching career at DISCOVERY as a substitute.  She joined the staff as a regular employee thirteen 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. Beth S., Orange Room

Beth is beginning her fourth year at DISCOVERY.  She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Illinois University and has fourteen years of experience working with children in child care centers and preschools.  Beth spends her free time with her husband, Brian, and their 6-year-old son, Nathan, who is a graduate of DISCOVERY.  She enjoys bringing her love of books, music, and art into the classroom.

Ms. Jenny S., Green Room

Jenny has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from SIUE.  She is returning for her fifth year at DISCOVERY.  Jenny became acquainted with DISCOVERY when student teaching here.  Jenny comes to DISCOVERY with 19 years experience in childcare with 2-12 yr. olds. Her spare time is spent with her family including her two children, daughter Bailey, 9 yrs. old, a DISCOVERY graduate and son Logan, 5 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., Green Room

Kristi is excited about starting her 17th year at DISCOVERY and working in the Jr. Kindergarten room. 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. This year her class published a summer camp special events newspaper/autograph book for each child to take home. She enjoys interacting with staff, children, and parents at DISCOVERY
Ms. Lynn M., Yellow Room

Lynn has received her Early Childhood Education Certification from Southwestern Illinois College as well as a Teacher Assistants Proficiency Certificate.  She has 12 years of experience working with preschoolers in a state licensed day care and preschool center.  She has one daughter Julie, 13 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 fifth year at DISCOVERY.

Ms. Jan M., Blue Room

Jan has her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.  She is returning for her twentieth year at DISCOVERY.  She has 26 years experience with preschoolers through school age.  She and her husband, Daniel, have two daughters, Khara, 31 and Jayme, 26.
Ms. Lisa R., Purple Room

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., Red Room

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 works as the nursery coordinator at her church and volunteers for many of the other children’s activities offered there.  She is excited about beginning her 4th year at DISCOVERY.  Her son, Christopher, is a DISCOVERY graduate.
Ms. Amy S., Orange Room

Amy is returning for her fifteenth 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 13 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 T., Purple Room

Andrea is looking forward to returning for her sixth 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 second 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.

Ms. Tracey J.

Tracey is beginning her 1st year at DISCOVERY and feels very blessed to have the opportunity to teach here.   Tracey has an Associate’s Degree from Southwestern Illinois College and is working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has been a teacher’s aide at Wolf Branch Grade School and a student teacher at Westhaven School.  While living in Japan she taught English as a second language.  At Kadena Air Base Tracey worked with the youth programs. Tracey, her husband, and her two children are enjoying being back in their hometown. With all her travels Tracey has never met a better staff or worked at a better place than DISCOVERY School.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream, and Discover!”  Mark Twain

Those are the things DISCOVERY helps your children do; Explore, Dream, and Discover!

Ms. Melissa W., Yellow Room

Melissa is beginning her first year at DISCOVERY.  Her brother and nephews are graduates of DISCOVERY.  Melissa has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development from Southern Utah University.  She loves working with children and is excited to be a part of DISCOVERY this year.

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