Amanda VanRoekel
Lead Infant Teacher
Education & Training:
- AA Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administrative Assistant from Alexandria Technical & Community College
- 20+ years of experience
What do you love most about working with kids?
The giggles and smiles. I love how every day is a new day. I love seeing how much they learn and grow while in our care.
A little about me:
I am married to my husband, Al. We have two children and three grandchildren. I love to craft and shop in my spare time. I enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Braya Meyer
Lead Infant Teacher
Education & Training:
- AA Degree
- CDA Certification
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love watching them grow and learn all different skills and seeing them develop their little personalities.
A little about me:
I was born on Halloween. I absolutely love volleyball and playing almost any sport. I have an older brother with special needs and a younger sister who plays college volleyball. My favorite activity to do with kids is art!
Hannah Christoffels
Lead Infant Teacher
Education & Training:
- Studied Early Childhood Education at Alexandria Technical and Community College
-
2023-2024 Child Care Aware C.A.R.E. Fellow
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love watching the kids learn and discover new skills. There is so much that happens in the first year of life!
A little about me:
I grew up in Fargo, ND, and moved here in 2019. I married my husband, Michael, in 2022. We love living near so many lakes and trails!
Krystal Conrad
Lead Infant Teacher
Education & Training:
- Studied Elementary Education in college
- Homeschooling mom for over 15 years
- In-home daycare provider for 10+ years
- Certified birth doula
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love watching little ones experience new things. Seeing their curiosity about the world around them brings me joy!
A little about me:
The most surprising thing about me is that I have NINE kids (yes, all mine and no twins). I love water skiing, ice skating, and indoor rock climbing (although I don’t get to do any of those activities very often). I enjoy board games — especially Catan- and my favorite thing to watch is The Chosen.
Angie Martin
Lead Toddler Teacher
Education & Training:
- Associate's Degree in Child Development from Alexandria Technical & Community College
- Additional Trainings: Big Science for Little Learners, Culturally Informed Practice in Early Childhood, Food Safety in Child Care
What do you love most about working with kids?
Helping the little ones learn and grow, and having a parent tell me how much they appreciate all that I do that helps their child grow as they can see the growth at home.
A little about me:
I live on a Hobby farm with my good friends. We have sheep, chickens, ducks, and bunnies.
My favorite children's authors are Eric Carle, Dr. Seuss, and Jonathan London.
Haley Davidson
Lead Toddler Teacher
Education & Training:
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota, Crookston
- 13+ years of experience
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love watching children experience the world around them. They are so curious in the early years, and I love being the person to provide them with an opportunity to experience something new.
A little about me:
My family moved to Alexandria in May of 2022 from Crookston, MN. My husband, Brody, and I, along with our 3 children, Dean, Aubrey, and Freya, have enjoyed spending the last 3 years immersed in all that Alexandria has to offer.
Rachel Sherman
Lead Toddler Teacher
Education & Training:
- CDA
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love being able to watch them grow and learn! My favorite thing about working with kiddos is getting to watch them shape their big personalities!
A little about me:
I grew up in Coon Rapids, MN and some of my favorite things are listening to music, reading, cats, and cooking! I’ve worked in child care at The Y since 2022!
Audrey Hovel
Lead Preschool Teacher
Education & Training:
- Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education
- Title I Reading Certificate
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love seeing the personal growth with each kid within the classroom. I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments with them each and every day.
A little about me:
I am originally from North Dakota. I moved to Minnesota to be closer to my family. I love spending my time outdoors. I have been enjoying checking out all the trails here in Minnesota, along with camping at new sites!
Bethany Winter
Lead Preschool Teacher
Education & Training:
- Bachelor's Degree in Education
- 12+ years of experience
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love working with children because watching them learn, explore, and discover new things brings me joy and inspiration. It is such a gift to see them grow, develop, and gain confidence each day.
A little about me:
I enjoy hiking, playing piano, and spending time with my husband and 5 children.
Grace Doraska
Lead Preschool Teacher
Education & Training:
- B.S. in Elementary Education with Early Childhood Emphasis from Winona State University
- 3 1/2 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love watching their excitement over learning new things and having new experiences. Their excitement makes me excited to plan new experiences and to watch them learn.
A little about me:
I like to be outside during all seasons, I love to read, and I love to spend time with my family.
Sheila Midthun
Lead K-Readiness Teacher
Education & Training:
- AA Degree: Early Childhood Education
What do you love most about working with kids?
It is rewarding, fun, and I am making a difference in a child's life by nurturing their growth & learning.
Their natural wonder & eagerness to learn is very rewarding!
A little about me:
I enjoy hiking, boating, and traveling to one of my favorite places along the North Shore.
I love spending time with family and friends, gardening, and 4-wheeling!
Tami Klinefelter
Lead K-Readiness Teacher
Education & Training:
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
- MN State Teaching License for Birth to 3rd Grade
What do you love most about working with kids?
I love that we learn from each other and build relationships. I get the privilege to see how a positive role model can play a big part in our children's success.
A little about me:
I love and appreciate spending time with my family and friends playing a competitive game of cards, as well as enjoying me-time to read a good mystery or fantasy novel.