Chan’Tal Underwood is a part time assistant teacher in the infant room.  She has enjoyed being a part of Hope Lutheran Early Learning Center since April of 2007.    Throughout her life she has worked with children of all ages as an employee at the Fort Riley Child Care, as a lead teacher in the nursery at a YMCA center, by running her own childcare and serving as an assistant preschool teacher.
Chan’Tal has loved all her life experiences through the years that she has spent caring for all of the different children.  For there is no better place to be and every one of them has touch her in so many different ways.  She thanks you for letting her have this opportunity to share in your children’s lives here at Hope Lutheran.

Whitney Walters is the lead teacher in the Toddler 1 room.  She is a current student at Kansas State University, and is pursuing her degree in Early Childhood Education.  She’s originally from Salina, KS, moved to Manhattan four years ago, and has been with Hope since August of 2006.

Ashley Wanklyn is an assistant teacher in Toddler 1.  She came to Hope in January of 2008.  She has had experience in the infant room and enjoys working with children of all ages.  Since joining Hope, she has learned so much from the children and looks forward to all that Hope has to offer.

Beka Swafford is the lead teacher in the Toddler 2 classroom.  She graduated from K-State in May of 2007 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has been teaching at Hope in the Toddler 2 classroom since July of 2007.  Some of Beka’s favorite things include spending time with her fiancé, Jared, all things K-State, the color purple, and singing children’s songs.

Taci Alpers is an assistant teacher in the Toddler 2 classroom.  She has been at Hope since August 2007.  Taci is a junior at Kansas State pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.  In her free time she loves to spend time with her family and friends.  She also loves to shop and play sports.

Laurie Kurtz is the Preschool 2 Room lead teacher.  She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Elementary Education.  Laurie has been working with preschoolers for the last three years and enjoys it very much.
Laurie’s husband’s name is Donald, who also has a brother named Ronald!  They have an adorable, but very ornery, dog named Tipper and a cat named Uno because he only has one white spot!

Connie Brandt is the assistant director at Hope Lutheran Early Learning Center and a teacher in the Preschool 1 classroom.  In May of 2008 she graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota with her degree in Elementary Education.  Connie’s originally from Wisconsin and moved to Manhattan in July of 2008. 
Connie really loves the children and being able to help them grow.  She especially likes sharing Christ’s love with the children throughout the center on a daily basis.

Along with being program director of the center, Jessica Upton is a lead teacher in the Preschool 1 room.  Jessica graduated from Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN with her degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education in May of 2005.  In September of 2008 she married her husband, Cleveland, a member of the United States military and they are expecting their first child in June of 2008.  The preschoolers are constantly keeping her on her toes and make sure that work is NEVER boring!

Charli Hamilton is an assistant in the preschool room.  She has been a member of the HLELC staff since January of 2006.  Charli is 21 years old and is currently attending Kansas State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.  Kids are her passion and she looks forward to working with them everyday.

Mercedes Waker is an assistant teacher in the preschool room.  She worked with the preschoolers ever since she started in June of 2006.  Sadie is currently enrolled at Kansas State University as a freshman and is majoring in Early Childhood Education.  She loves working with children and hopes to make a career out of it.

Sara Miller started working at Hope Lutheran Early Learning Center in March 2008.  She has worked in the Infant one and two rooms and is currently an assistant teacher in the Preschool 1 classroom.  Sara is a sophomore attending Kansas State University and planning on getting a family studies degree.  Once she completes her degree she will study to become a registered nurse.  Sara enjoys working in such an uplifting environment and loves watching each child grow and develop into his or her own special personality.