Meet our team.

Jenni Huddleston - Director

  • Bachelors in Elementary Education
  • Masters in Elementary Education
  • Certified in Elementary Education
  • I am so excited to be a part of the SunRise Preschool program! I am a recently retired second grade teacher from Fort Zumwalt School District. I have been married for 23 years and we have 3 young adult children, all living at home. I am super excited to work with the littles again!

Shannon Stewart- Assistant Director

Shannon is married and has 5 children. And one of her children attended the SunRise Preschool. Before becoming a mom, she worked at Community Living with developmentally disabled adults and children. She has always had a passion for working with children and feels truly blessed to be working with such a loving and passionate group of teachers and staff.

Jamie Barnes - Pre-K Teacher

Jamie has been married 22 years and has three quadruplet children. This is her third year teaching at SunRise church. And she is excited for the adventures of Pre-K and prepare these little sponges for their elementary years. Jamie also has her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Education/Special Ed.

Nicole Hoagland - Pre-K Teacher Assistant

Nicole has been married 20 years with two teenage daughters. One of her daughter’s was born with severe neurological impairments and also runs a special needs cheer team. She is excited to utilize her skills and knowledge to help preschoolers grow through play.

Jessica Mandelberger - Pre-K Teacher

Jessica is married and has 2 children who also attended SunRise Preschool. She worked for the Fort Zumwalt School District for ten years. This is her second-year teaching preschool at SunRise. Jessica also has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education.

Nikki Nielsen- Threes Teacher

Nikki is married and has three children, two of which are deaf. Nikki has been working with small children for over 20 years. She is so excited to be a part of the SunRise family and to help the little ones learn and grow!

Kara Hoenes - Threes Teacher / Lunch Bunch Teacher

Kara has been married 22 years and has two young adult children. Before teaching at SunRise, she had taught 2nd and 3rd grade , been a preschool assistant and a paraprofessional in the FZ School District. Kara is excited to be back in the classroom here at the SunRise Preschool.

Michelle Rhodes - Threes Teacher 

Michelle is married and has 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter. This will be her second year teaching at SunRise. She previously worked at United Services teaching children with and without disabilities.

Lisa Farner - Threes Teacher

Lisa is married and has four children. She has worked for the Fort Zumwalt School District and has nannied for several young families. This is her first year teaching at Sunrise Preschool and she is excited to be a part of the SunRise Preschool family.

Our Mission

We provide a developmentally age-appropriate program that nurtures your child's spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth. We encourage each child’s individual creativity and walk alongside them to show that God loves them unconditionally.

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