Michelle Mannell, Director
Of Operations, Northland
"To teach is to touch a life forever," is a phrase that captures the importance
of early childhood education and is the primary reason that Michelle chose early
childhood education as a career. She became associated with childcare while
still in college. Her experience includes teaching at all age levels, but
pre-kindergarten and school-age children are her favorites. She was a junior
assistant at a large childcare center in the northland area for four years.
Michelle joined Jan Powell, the Director of Spectrum Station, in 1999
and was instrumental in helping to organize and open the center. She serves as
Director of Operations helping coordinate and facilitate the daily operations of
the center, coordinates all special activities for parents, handles all
personnel records and human resources issues, as well as the summer camp program
and community relations.
Dana Mathews, Financial Director, Northland
Dana is the Financial Director at Spectrum Center. She has worked in the
childcare field since 1999. She was a lead teacher for a two-year-old program
and then promoted to an assistant director's position for a large childcare
center in the northland area. Dana attended Northwest Missouri State University
with a major in elementary education and childcare administration.
As Financial Director Dana's responsibilities include maintaining all
financial records for Spectrum Families, bookkeeping, conducting parent
interviews and tours as well as assisting coordinate and facilitate the daily
operations of the center. Dana and her husband are the proud parents of Luke
(school age), and Layne (preschool), plus twin girls, Jessie and Leigh, who all
attend the center.
Sharon Hoevet, Educational Program Coordinator,
Northland
Sharon has spent over ten years in the child care industry. She's held a variety
of positions during that time including lead teacher, center trainer, assistant
director, and the last 7 years as a center director. As a center director,
Sharon completed NAEYC accreditation in her former center. Being a part of a
child's early years is what prompted Sharon to begin her career in early
childhood education.
Sharon and her husband, Owen, have been married since 1993 and have two
wonderful grade school daughters, Gracen and Clara. Sharon has fun with the
girls and their karate classes and loves gardening. With her large extended
family throughout the Midwest, Sharon keeps herself very busy.
Jenifer Reiter, Administrative Assistant/
Operations, Norhland
Jenifer began working with young children immediately after graduating from high
school. She quickly decided that this was the career path for her, and began
taking college classes to earn her Child Development Associates Certification
(CDA). She is continuing her college training in early childhood education.
Jenifer has been working with Jan Powell since 1999. She began as a lead
infant teacher here at Spectrum Station, then helped coordinate the infant program. Jenifer's duties also include overseeing the management
responsibilities in the late evening hours of the center.
Denise Gabbert, Administrative Assistant/
Children's Records, Northland
Denise began working in early childhood nearly 17 years ago as an assistant
director with our director, Jan for a large early learning program in the
Northland.
After several years of staying at home with her three sons, Shaun, Jeremy and
Drew, Denise returned to the childcare field in 1999.
Denise graduated from Winnetonka High School and grew up right here in
the Northland where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Jim. The
boys keep Jim and Denise extremely busy. All of the boys play competitive
baseball. In their spare time (which isn't very often) Denise and her family
enjoy traveling.
Denise's duties include taking care of and updating the children's files.
Theresa Heath, Hooked On Phonics Instructor,
Northland
Theresa originally joined our director in 1999, working in the two year old
program at a previous center. Theresa took a short sabbatical to have her second
& third daughters and returned to early childhood education where she's been
ever since. Theresa came to Spectrum Station with seven years experience as a
lead teacher. Joining Spectrum Station as a Hooked On Phonics instructor is a
dream come true for Theresa. She loves to see the path children take as they
learn and discover new things. Theresa feels that giving children a firm
foundation for learning is the key to success in school.
Theresa and her husband have three beautiful daughters, all in school
now. Theresa is also a certified portrait photographer and worked with Olan
Mills Studios for over 17 years. She still does weddings and private portrait on
the weekends. Being an avid photographer helps Theresa in her other passion...
scrapbooking! Theresa and her girls love to scrapbook together and spend many
hours creating some beautiful projects. Theresa and her husband also love
cooking together. They strive to do lots of family projects to keep the
communication lines always open.
Miss Nicole, Center Cook, Northland
Nicole graduated from William Chrisman High School in 2003. She attended Blue
River Community College for one year. Nicole began working at a large childcare
facility for the next year until she joined our team in August 2004. Nicole has
worked with toddlers and two's throughout her time in early childhood education.
She will be returning to college next fall to complete her education degree.
Growing up, Nicole was an only child, so she loves being around all of
the children. She wants a big family! She loves playing volleyball and watching
movies.
- Executive Director
Teachers
- Infant Program
- Toddler Program
- Older Toddler/Two's Program
- Preschool Program
- Pre-Kindergarten Program
- Private Kindergarten Program
- School Age/Summer Camp Program
- Substitute Teachers - All Programs
