Sherri Crawford, Co-Director

Sherri Crawford served as Director of Kids Express Preschool from it’s beginning in the fall of 2003 through the spring of 2007. She now serves as the Co-Director of Kids Express. Before operating the school, Sherri worked on staff as the Early Childhood Coordinator and Childcare Coordinator for Bethel Church. Sherri received her B.A. Degree in Communication from the University of Oklahoma, with a minor in Business and emphasis in early childhood education in language development. Sherri has taught or worked with preschool children for over 26 years. Her career has spanned from dance teacher, professional choreographer, Vice President of Sherri Hill Designs (an evening gown design and manufacturing co.), to the Kindergarten Coordinator at Hoffmantown Church, in Albuquerque, NM. Sherri also currently serves on the board of Directors at Liberty Christian School in Richland. Currently, Sherri and her husband, Cary, serve as small group leaders for Bethel Church. They have a son, Evan (17), daughter, Clara (8), and a twelve year old dog, Hershey.

Edie Stewart, Co-Director

Edie Stewart has been working at Kids Express Preschool for the past 6 years in various roles. The 2011/2012 school year will be her fourth year as Co-Director. She began her college education at Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada, and then moved to Cedarville College in Ohio where she majored in special education. After Edie completed her third year at Central Washington University, she married Jeff. She has over 26 years experience working with children as a day care provider, elementary school para-educator, home school parent, church and school volunteer. She has served in Bethel’s Sunday School program and youth programs and will be involved in the Middle School Ministry this year. Jeff and Edie have three children, Nathan (and wife, Jaimi), Micah (24), and Heidi (19). She is also now a proud Grandmother of twins, Asher & Hadley(1). Edie enjoys meeting the families that come to Kids Express Preschool and the excitement and joy their children bring.

Linda Waller, Co-Lead Teacher Steam Engine Classes

Holly Davis, Co-Lead Teacher Locomotive Classes

Holly is the Co-Lead Teacher in the Locomotive classes. She has been serving and working with children for more than 13 years. She has attended Bethel Church for 14 years and enjoys volunteering in the nursery on Sundays. She and her husband, Steve, have been married for 29 years and have twin boys, Conner and Dalton (17 yrs). Holly spends many hours volunteering at Liberty Christian School where her sons attend. In her spare time, Holly likes to make jewelry and scrapbook. Holly is excited about Co-Teaching with Jeannette this year. She says, ” I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and watching them as they experience learning opportunities and build new lasting friendships”.

Jeannette Farr, Co-Lead Teacher Locomotive Classes

Jeannette Farr, one of our veteran teachers, is moving into a new position this year as the PreK Co-Lead teacher for the Locomotive Classes. Jeannette began teaching at Kids Express during the 2007 school year and is looking forward to working with two of our oldest classes alongside Ms. Holly. Jeannette brings over 15 years experience working with children in a variety of areas including: teaching preschool, volunteering in the public school system, serving in Sunday Morning Ministry and church nursery care. She is currently attending Joy in the Morning women’s Bible study at Bethel Church. As this school year began, Jeannette said, “I really enjoy getting to know the students and watching them grow and learn. We have a great time!”

Brandy Covington, Co-Lead Teacher Boxcar & Coalcar Classes.

Brandy Covington is the Co-Lead teacher for the Boxcar and Coalcar classes. In 1997, she graduated from CBC. Brandy has attended Bethel for 15 years and has worked with children of various ages throughout this time. She has been married to Tony for nine years and has two children, Keaton (9) and Kailey (6). She loves to sing, scrapbook, and watch her children play and learn. She says, “I am looking forward to teaching the kids to love the Lord, make new friends and have fun learning!”

Jenny Cowell, Co-Lead Teacher Coalcar Class

Jenny Cowell joined our Kids Express team in 2009, teaching 3-4 years old’s. She will join Brandy this year and teach the Coalcar Class. She graduated from the Univ. of Washington with a B.A. in Latin American Studies with Pre-Elem. Ed. program completion. She has many years of experience working with young children, including heading an afterschool program in college. She has also worked on the Bethel Church Children’s Ministry staff as the West Pasco Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Jenny has volunteered in our Upwards Soccer Ministry at Bethel. She is an avid sports fan (of her children’s sports) and spends time coaching, working in her garden and spending time at the ocean with her family. She has been married to Nat for 12 years, and is the mom of four boys, Micah (12), Travis(9), and twin boys – Josh and Sam (7). After joining our team, she said, “I’m looking forward to creating relationships with the kids and their families, and watching them grow and learn througout the year. I’m so thankful and feel blessed to be able to be a part of their lives!”

Shelley Neitzel – Co Lead Caboose, Railcar, and Friday Choo Choo classes

Shelley Neitzel, a native Tri-Citian, is in her second year of teaching at Kids Express. With over ten years of work experience with young children, Shelley is excited about teaching three of our classes; the Friday Choo Choo Class (2 yr olds), the Caboose Class (3 yr olds) and the Railcar Class (3-4 yr olds.) Shelley has made a career change from recently working in the medical community to teaching preschool. She holds an AA degree from CBC and has her pre-requisites completed for the Education program at Heritage University where she intends on pursuing an education degree in the near future. She is married to husband, Mike, and has a little boy, Donny who is in Kindergarten this year. She also has step children, Cody, 13 and Cassie 18. Shelley loves spending time with her family boating, fishing, camping and geochaching. She’s an avid snowboarder and wake boarder and enjoys scrap booking and a good book. She also enjoys game night and movie nights with the family! Looking forward to this new school year, Shelley said, “I look forward to serving the Lord by teaching these little people with wild imagination and limitless possibility in learning. Everything is new and fascinating. I love to watch their faces light up with excitement as they’re building freindships and learning concepts that make their world larger than life! As they are learning and growing, I’m learning and growing right along with them.”

Michelle Thomas – Co Lead Caboose & Railcar Classes

Michelle will begin her second year here at Kids Express. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Michelle brings a new excitement to teaching two of our classes: the Caboose Class (3 yr olds) and the Railcar Class (3-4 yr olds). Michelle has worked with various ages of children at church and Home School Co-ops. She has also volunteered many years as an assistant teacher in preschool classes. Michelle studied business in college and holds a certification in APICS and Childbirth Education. She has been married for 26 years to husband, Greg, and has three children, Kate 18, Michael 14, and Faith, 8 years old. Michelle loves family adventures, traveling and play days on the river. She also enjoys gardening and cross stitching and embroidery. As we start our new year, Michelle said, ” I’m looking forward to this school year with these precious ones! I enjoy helping little ones discover new skills and new truths and wonders about God’s creation.”

New Teachers Joining us this Year:

Corey Wakeley – Co Lead Thursday Choo Choo Class

Corey Wakeley is new to teaching at Kids Express Preschool this year. Corey was originally born in Stockton, CA, but grew up in Pullman, WA. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Washington State University. She has worked with children in a variety of venues for about 20 years by volunteering in Sunday School, working at sports camps and serving in childcare for different ministries. She served at Bethel Church as the Coordinator for Joy in the Evening (Women’s Bible Study groups) for six years. Not only a faithful member of Bethel for 16 years, Corey has participated in Joy in the Morning, Small Group ministry and also coaches a preschool age Upward Soccer team this year. Corey and her husband, Marc, moved to the Tri-Cities in 1995. They have been married for 17 years and have a son named Luke (7) and daughter, Kate (4), who is a student at Kids Express. Corey loves to read, watch movies, Zumba, run and have coffee with friends. A favorite is playing games with her family. Corey is very excited to teach our little Thursday Choo-Choo class and said, ” I am looking forward to helping these little ones grow in their learning of academics, socialization and knowledge of Jesus.” An interesting fact about Corey…she lived in Belgium for a year after high school and learned to speak French.

Christy Stevanus – Co-Lead Friday Choo Choo Class

Christy Stevanus is new to our teaching team this year. Christy, originally born in Pennsylvania, moved here from Fort Myers, Florida in Oct. ’10. She holds a BA degree in Social Work from Cedarville University. She has worked with children in a variety of areas over a ten year span. She started her career working with children as a Social Worker in Pennsylvania. She has also worked as a Caseworker for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. She has many years of volunteer experience teaching Sunday School for a variety of ages of kids and co-leading the Two Year Olds’ class in Women’s Ministry. She has also worked on staff at McGregor Baptist Church of Fort Myers, Florida in the after school program as a Leader/Teacher, in the Daytime Preschool Program as a teacher and, most recently, in the Preschool/Children’s Ministry as a Childcare Coordinator. Christy is married to Dave for over 12 years and they have two children, Hayley – 8 and Dylan-4. When she has time, she enjoys cross stitching and bike rides – especially with her family. Christy is looking forward to getting to know her students this year and said, “I have always enjoyed being around kids. I enjoy hearing their stories and seeing their little faces. I love their energy and excitement. It’s very contagious!”

Angela Striefel – Co-Lead Boxcar Class

Angela is originally from Moses Lake, WA but has made the Tri-Cities her home since 2003. She and her husband, Tony, have been married for 17 years. They have three children -Alex(10), Michael (8), both Kids Express alumni, and a daughter, Alaina (4), currently attending our preschool. Angela has worked with children for over six years volunteering in the Richland Public School system. She worked for Fred Meyer for ten years and then decided to stay home while her children were little. She is now excited about her new career change and teaching our 3&4 year old Boxcar kids. She is very involved at Bethel Church, and is currently attending the Stevanus Grow Group, coaching for her daughter’s Upward Soccer team and volunteers once a month in Children’s Ministry on Sundays. Angela’s favorite things include: spending time with her family, hiking Badger Mountain with her husband, running marathons (Bloomsday and Badger Mountain Challenge), cross training and gardening. Angela commented, ” I am looking forward to getting to know all of these wonderful kids and watch them grow and learn – not only the educational part of school time, but also the spiritual part. I know that teaching them will also help me be a much better parent.” One of Angela’s special talents…she makes quilts out of old worn out denim jeans that her kids have out grown.

Chelsea Chavez – Co-Lead Thursday Choo Choo Class

Chelsea Chavez, originally from the Tri-Cities, WA, is also a new Co-Lead teacher on our Kids Express Preschool teaching team this year. With over nine years of experience with young children, Chelsea is excited about teacing our two year olds in the Thursday Choo-Choo Class. She is a very nurturing and loving teacher and always brings joy and a smile to work every day. She is married to her husband, Fernando, now for six years. They have two children, Adrian 4 years old and Isabella 2 years old, who are also students here at the preschool. Chelsea loves spending time with her family and enjoys baking and scrapbooking. She is involved in both Joy in the Morning Women’s Ministry and MOPS at Bethel Church. She is currently working in the medical community at Family Chiropractic Wellness Center as well as teaching for our preschool. When asked what she is looking forward to this new school year, Chelsea said, ” I look forward to working with these little people and helping them learn in a loving environment. It will be fun!”

Melody Hall – Co-Lead Steam Engine Classes

After a short time away, we welcome back Melody Hall who joins our teaching staff again. With almost 20 years of experience working with children, Melody brings a joyful spirit to teaching our Steam Engine AM & PM classes. She began her teaching experience many years ago helping in Sunday School, but began her ministry at Bethel Church in 1998 and has enjoyed many different roles since. These include: Sunday School teacher of 2 yr. olds up to 8 yr. olds, serving in Middle School ministries (Sunday morning, small group leader and camp counselor), and in High School ministry from 2006-2010 as High School Cluster leader. Melody joined our Kids Express staff in 2005 until 2008. She then took the position as Educational Assistant in the Kindergarten program at Liberty Christian School from 2008-2011. Melody and her husband Bob of 35 years, are long time members of Bethel and attend a weekly adult small group. They have a son, Jonathan, and daughter-in-law, Amy, who have a baby girl, Brynn (born in March of 2011). They also have a daughter, Jaimi, and son-in-law, Nathan Stewart and grand twins, Asher and Hadly who celebrated their 1st birthday in September of this year. Melody loves spending time with her family, playing with her grand-babies. She is also a gifted scrapbooker and loves to make cards and other crafts. When asked what she looks forward to in returning to Kids Express, Melody said, ” I love getting to explore and discover new things with our preschoolers. How great it is to teach things through art, science, interesting books and creative play. Preschool should be a lot of fun for them besides learning the basic fundamentals and it’s my hope to help make that happen!” She also commented, “I love to research new art and science ideas and I’m not afraid to make messes in the classroom to help the kiddos learn.”