KOK Staff 2019-2020
Director
Michelle McGuire
Ms. Michelle has been at KOK for 16 years. She is dedicated to making this preschool the best in town. She believes in this KOK family and makes every effort to create an environment of love, understanding, comfort, and acceptance. She loves the children and calls them ALL by name. She has confidence in her staff and believes in their abilities to provide a wholesome, nurturing environment that will meet the needs of each child's spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.
Administrative Assistant
Ansley Boatman
Ms. Ansley's friendly personality welcomes each new family and makes everyone feel at home. She first taught in our classrooms for four years before finding her way to the office. She always has a smile and is willing to help anywhere. One of her most important jobs is making sure the "smartie" jar is always full.
Lambs
Connie Register
For 6 years, Ms. Connie has been sharing hugs with each new flock of lambs. Her playful personality brings joy to the classroom. She has such delight in watching these apprehensive young learners turn into confident two year olds.
Azul Hartman
Ms. Azul first substituted at KOK and quickly we saw how special she was. She has a special gift of patience and tenderness that is perfect for our youngest children. Her loving arms and sweet personality are a blessing to her little lambs and their parents.
Ducks
Paige Jackson
Ms. Paige has been working with our two's for 4 years now. She is so easy going and fun to be with that these sometimes unsure two's quickly adjust finding comfort and love in her arms. She is so patient and understanding with this young age. Being in a program that allows her to share her enthusiasm and love of Jesus brightens her day and brings joy to her life.
Angie Shivers
Ms. Angie first became involved with KOK as a parent. She had such a pleasant experience that she soon found herself substituting in the classrooms. When an opening for the two's came available she quickly joined the team. Her sweet, nurturing personality is a great fit. Spending quality one on one time reading a book or working a puzzle is one of the things she loves best. Ms. Angie is great at making long lasting, meaningful connections.
Bunnies
Maria Juarez
For 14 years, Ms. Maria’s enthusiasm has been felt in the KOK hallways. You can often hear her laughter and enjoyment as she sings with her class on their way to our enrichment classes. Her joyful spirit is contagious. There is always fun adventures and smiling faces in her classroom.
Amber Jackson
Ms. Amber began working as a substitute at KOK. She found a place to call home in the Bunny room. She finds joy in watching these two year olds discover new things each day. Her quiet, calm nature compliments these often excited young adventurers.
Fish
Kasie Clement
Ms. Kasie has worked at KOK for 5 years. She has been in 3's and 4's and has a gift in building strong minds and bodies of the children in her class. She is very creative and has an excellent understanding of children's need to move their bodies to enrich their learning. She has been a coach and has a passion for physical fitness of young children. Her classroom is always on the move and filled with fun!
Niki Kickel
This is Ms. Niki's third year at KOK. Kids of the Kingdom has been a part of her life for a while now as well as all three of her children have attended our program, so she has seen firsthand how prepared they were using our curriculum. Ms. Niki is excited to teach God's love to her class. Her fun loving spirit brings joy and ease to all children she teaches.
Bees
Jennifer Boyer
Ms. Jennifer’s helpful hand has been felt all over KOK for 13 years. Having worked in all ages, she has settled into the busy threes with ease. Ms. Jennifer always has a calm, steady approach to teaching. She plans activities that are age appropriate with a dimension of excitement in each activity.
Kay Ivy
Ms. Kay has been a part of KOK and preschool for two years but has many years experience working in elementary school teaching a variety of subjects. She has a passion for art and spent time teaching children out of her art studio at home. She is creative and enjoys watching children make masterpieces they are proud of. She is gentle and kind and brings peace and positivity to the classroom.
Owls
Mona Warner
Ms. Mona’s experience in early childhood is evident in her love of all children. Having taught many ages for 17 years at KOK she is firmly planted in providing quality experiences for these ever changing three year olds. She creates a fun, enriching, loving classroom for each child to grow and learn.
Rachael Kelton
Ms. Rachael has been part of the Owl class for 6 years. She has a passion for volunteering and working with children in both early childhood and elementary education. Ms. Rachael’s sweet, gentle personality provides comfort and warmth in the classroom. She enjoys helping children reach their potential through discovery and play.
Penguins
Shawn Jones
Ms. Shawn has been making a difference at KOK for 6 years. She loves teaching about God and building character in each child. Her creativity is abundant and decorates the walls in her class beautifully. She is sweet, sincere, and comforting to everyone she meets.
Cathy Novogoratz
Ms. Cathy has been preparing each brood of penguins for kindergarten for the last 17 years. Her passion for early childhood is evident in her excitement of every new discovery each child has. She instills a love of learning in every child by sharing her love of literature, her dedication to sharing God’s word, and appreciation for each unique child.
Frogs
Vicky Roberts
Ms. Vicky has worked in children’s ministry for many years. She has been a chapel leader and music teacher for KOK. For 5 years now, she has been in the classroom sharing these passions as well as laying a fantastic foundation for future learning with each froggy family. She hopped right in to sharing God’s grace and unconditional love for His children.
Denise Green
Ms. Denise has many years experience in early childhood. We are blessed to have her teach our four year olds. She is super creative and really enjoys transferring the classroom centers into wonderful exploration opportunities for her students. She does an excellent job of creating learning experiences that are super fun for students as they practice important skill development through play.
Bears
Erin Young
This is Ms. Erin's third year with KOK. Working with children is a passion of hers and she has experience in all age levels. Ms. Erin has education and interest if graphic design which allows her creativity to run wild as she helps children reach deep into their imagination and construct their visions through all different materials. She loves to watch young children's imagination at work and is very happy that God led her to KOK.
Floater
Bettina Edgett
Ms. Bettina is a bundle of energy that spreads a helpful hand throughout each one of our classrooms. All of the children know her and enjoy sharing a high five or silly laugh with her every chance they get.
Music
Alicia Soltmann
Ms. Alicia has been a part of KOK for awhile now. She taught in our three's for a few years before taking on the challenge of music enrichment. She has great understanding of all ages and easily adapts lessons accordingly. Music and Movement is a child's language and each week she is making a joyful noise in each child's heart.
Science
Mary Guaraldo
Ms. Mary has been a staple at KOK for many, many years. Throughout her years she has taught ages 2, 3, and 4. Ms. Mary is a pet lover, nature lover, and all things Science lover. She established KOK's science curriculum 10 years ago and has been sharing experiments with all children ever since. The wonder and excitement with each new discovery is what brings her joy. She really enjoys bringing her love of science mysteries to life each week.
Motor Movement
Shelley Wetzel
This is Ms. Shelley's third year at KOK. She has over 15 years experience working with children with and without special needs in a physical education setting. She moved to Montgomery, Texas from La Crosse, WI. She has been married for 15 years and has 3 children. She loves exploring through movement and music and building the children's self-confidence through play.