KOK Staff 2021-2022

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

Colleen Sager

Ms. Colleen'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

Angie Shivers

This is Ms. Angie's 4th year teaching in the two's age level. Her playful personality brings joy to the classroom. She lovingly welcomes each lamb into her open arms offering lots of hugs and encouragement as these apprehensive young learners turn into confident two year olds.

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Melisa Lopez Picardo

Ms. Melisa is beginning her 2nd year in the lamb class. 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.

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Ducks

Paige Jackson 

This is Ms. Paige's 6th year in the two's age level. She is so easy going and fun to be with that these sometimes unsure two's quickly adjust finding comfort and love in her classroom. 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.

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Azul Hartman

This will be Ms. Azul's 2nd year at KOK. She has many years of experience working with children. Ms. Azul speaks Spanish and enjoys sharing Spanish words to common objects, colors, and numbers with children in her class. Her kind and caring personality brings smiles and meaningful interactions with her children and families.

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Bunnies

Maria Juarez 

Beginning her 17th year at KOK, Ms. Maria’s enthusiasm is still going strong and 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.

Katie Register
Ms. Katie is beginning her 2nd year. She is currently enrolled in college and is studying to become a teacher. She is very creative and enjoys working on crafts with the children. Katie is a lot of fun and very playful as she engages in silly songs and stories throughout the day.

Fish

Niki Kickel

 This is Ms. Niki's fourth 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.

Katie Baker
This is Ms. Katie'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. Katie 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.

Tara Tuttle

Ms. Tara is new to the owls class this year.  She has a passion for volunteering and working with children in both early childhood and elementary education.  Ms. Tara'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.

Marcela Hall

Ms. Marcela 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.

Rachael Kelton
Ms. Rachel  is new to the Frogs class this year.  She has a passion for volunteering and working with children in both early childhood and elementary education.  Ms. Rachaels sweet, gentle personality provides comfort and warmth in the classroom.  She enjoys helping children reach their potential through discovery and play.

Bears

Katie Najera

Michelle Sokolwski

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. 

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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.

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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.