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!

Lauren Longwell - Assistant Director

Lauren has been married for 14 years and has 3 children who all attended the SunRise Preschool.  She has been teaching at the preschool for 3 years. In the summer, she is also the Assistant to the Director for a St. Louis program called Lighthouse for the Blind. Lauren also has her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

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 has been married 11 years and has two children who also attended the SunRise Preschool. She worked for the FZ School District for 10 years and is new to teaching at the preschool this year. Jessica also has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education an Special Education (K-12).

Heather Knott Threes Teacher

Heather has been married for 21 years and has two boys who used to also attend SunRise Preschool. This is her 5th year teaching and loves watching the preschoolers learn and grow right before her eyes. Heather also carries a nursing degree and has also studied Child Development and Family Science.

Shannon Stewart Threes Teacher

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.

Kara Hoenes - Threes 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. Cara is excited to be back in the classroom here at the SunRise Preschool.

Natalie Meurer - Lunch Bunch Teacher

Natalie is married and has three children. She has five years of early childhood experience and her own daughter also went through the SunRise preschool program here. She loves watching the kids grow and helping them to facilitate new friendships.

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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