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Infant Room Lead Teachers
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Colleen Bloom, Infant Lead Teacher
Colleen started working as a teacher’s aide in our Preschool I classroom in 2002. She has a BA in Human Development and Family Life specializing in Early Childhood Education from KU. In August 2007, after completing practicums in KU’s infant, toddler and preschool classrooms and receiving her degree, she became the lead teacher in the infant room.
Colleen is from Overland Park, Kansas and is married to her husband, Eric.They have one son, Beau who attends Stepping Stones.
Colleen wants to offer a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with open communication between parents and staff in the infant classroom. She loves working at Stepping Stones and enjoys playing with the babies and helping them learn lots of new things.
Tasha Judie, Assistant Infant Lead Teacher
Toddler Room Lead Teachers
Lance Greenly, Lead Teacher
Lance has worked at the center since 1988. He was a teacher’s aide in our preschool room while attending KU and Penn Valley Community College and took over as the lead teacher in our toddler classroom in 1990. Together his classes in Early Childhood Education, more than 20 years of experience and continued professional growth in the field have made him an expert with toddlers.
Lance is from Atchison, Kansas, is married to Casey and has three sons, Isaac, Zachary and Austin. Lance enjoys getting down and having fun with the toddlers.
Through his enthusiasm, creative activities, sense of humor and sharing of knowledge he wants to provide a happy environment for the children, their parents and the other staff.the babies and helping them learn lots of new things.
Jessica Thurber, Assistant Lead Teacher
Jessie started working at Stepping Stones in January of 2018 as a teacher’s aide in the Toddler room. She quickly moved her way up to Assistant Lead Teacher in August of the same year. She has worked in a childcare setting for a total of five years. Her very first job was at a childcare center – she started when she was 16. She’s been babysitting children of all ages since she was 13 years old.
Jessie was born and raised in Lawrence, KS and graduated from Free State High School. She’s married to Alex and has two dogs – Zeus and Artemis. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. She’s fortunate to have her parents and grandparents living nearby.
Jessie seeks to provide a friendly energetic colorful environment for children to laugh, love, and have fun all while learning. She loves bringing creativity and hands-on activities to the children, allowing them to express themselves as a little human being
Preschool 1 Lead Teachers
Kiesha Mumford, Preschool 1 Lead Teacher
Preschool 2 Lead Teachers
Lori MacDonald, Lead Teacher
Lori joined Stepping Stones as the Preschool 2 lead teacher in August 2009. She has 10 years of experience as a kindergarten teacher and a background in art.
Lori is originally from Lawrence and moved to New Jersey after high school. After living there for 30 years, she returned to Lawrence in November 2008 with her husband, Tom.
Lori believes that there is a special bond that develops between teachers and young children. That is why she often refers to the teachers and students in her classroom as the “Preschool 2 family.” Teaching at Stepping Stones allows her the opportunity to play a role in her students’ emotional, social and academic development which is a role she warmly welcomes. By introducing the children to interesting and fun subjects each week, she hopes to foster their enthusiasm and passion for learning.
Part-Time Lead Teacher
Hope O'Connor, Part-Time Preschool Lead Teacher
Support Staff
Calee Cruse, Cook
Calee started working at Stepping Stones in 2011 as a teacher's aide in the toddler room. She's since worked in every classroom at Stepping Stones over the years.
Calee enjoys cooking and loves to create great meals for her friends and family. She has chosen to use this passion and apply it here at Stepping Stones in our kitchen! Her goal is to teach our kiddos about different food groups, making healthy choices, and learning about where food comes from. Additionally, as a lover of nature, she wants to help the kiddos connect with nature through our garden where they plant and harvest fruits and veggies that go directly onto their plates.