Our Staff:

GEM Director

Birthday: April 9th 

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Vanilla Latte, Cherry Coke, Dry White 

   Wines

Restaurant: Cheddar's, Mt. Jacks, Red 

   Robin, Arni's

Snack: Cheese & crackers, Chips & Dip, 

   Charcuterie Boards

Meal: Italian, Mexican, Sushi, Japanese

Store: Meijer, Cato, Amazon, Fresh Thyme, 

   Pet stores

Book: Soap Opera Magazines

Pet: Rescue Dogs

Hobby: Crafts/Painting with a Twist

Collections: Wine/Dog Decor

About Me: I have been with Grace since 2012. I have my Child Development Associate and a Business Management degree from the University of Phoenix. I also have a Master's Teacher Certificate from Ball State. I have worked in child care since 1988. I have worked in various positions in child care over the years, from being a teacher’s assistant, lead teacher and as administrator. My husband and I have a pack of rescue dogs. I enjoy spending time with family and friends doing actives such as swimming, fishing, and boating. My husband and I enjoy hockey, baseball, football games and visiting wineries.

Assistant Director

Birthday: March 2nd

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Sugar-Free Vanilla Latte, Coke Zero 

   w/Vanilla

Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse, Longhorn, 

  Moe's, Red Lobster, Subway

Snack: Cookies

Meal: Tacos, Stir Fry, Pizza

Store: Hobby Lobby, Maurice's, Meijer

Book: Romance Novels 

Pet: I Love cats and dogs!

Hobby: Hiking, Traveling, Video Games

Collections: Books

About Me: I have been working at Grace since 2014! I started as the cook, then was the toddler teacher, and now I’m the assistant director. When I have free time I love to travel, hike, play video games, and read.

GEM Program Specialist 

Birthday: July 2nd

My Favorite…

Holiday: Thanksgiving

Drink: Coke/ Caramel Frappe

Restaurant: No preference I love food  Snack: Chocolate-covered pretzels

Meal: Alfredo

Store: Target

Book: Romance novels ( I love happy endings)

Pet: None but I love Giraffes

Hobby: Making memories with family  

Collections: Disney movies on VHS tapes 

About Me: I have been at GEM since June 2015. I love watching young children grow and learn something new each day. I am in school to earn my Associate'sassociate's degree in Early Childhood Education. When I am not working, I switch from my teacher's hat to my chaos coordinator hat and enjoy spending time with my tribe of 4 daughters  

Readiness Preschool Director

Birthday: December 16th

 My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas 

Drink: Unsweet Tea/Vanilla Coke/ Starbucks

Restaurant: Chipotle

Snack: Popcorn

Meal: Pasta or Mexican

Store: Hobby Lobby/ Kohls/Target/Bennett's

Book: “To Kill A Mockingbird”

Pet: Buddy (Dog)

Hobby: Scrapbooking /crafts/reading/gardening

Collections: Angels/ Snowman

About Me: I hold degrees in both Education and Theater from Purdue. I have been in the classroom for 23 years! I love the joy and liveliness that the children bring to class every day. I am a lifelong resident of Lafayette and love to spend time outside the classroom with my husband and daughter. I also enjoy reading, scrapbooking, cooking  and gardening.

Readiness Assistant Teacher

Birthday: August 28th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Valentine’s Day

Drink: Sweet Tea

Restaurant: McAlister’s, Chuey’s

Snack: Anything Chocolate 

Meal: Pizza, Mexican 

Store: Hobby Lobby, Target

Book: Country Sampler Magazine

Pet: A dog named Louie

Hobby: Shopping, Crafting

Collections: Crocks

About Me: My name is Mrs. Baker. I have a husband named Eric , 3 daughters, and a dog named Louie. All 3 of my girls went to GEM Readiness. I have been a sub for the past few years. I love to craft and shop in my spare time. I am excited to start at Readiness with Mrs. Black.

Birthday: February 13th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Advent/ Christmas

Drink: Coffee

Restaurant: Noodles & Co./Panera

Snack: Chocolate/ Cheese Its

Meal: Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup

Store: Target/Marshalls

Book: Historical Fiction/Non-Fiction/Classic

Pet: 2 Cats

Hobby: Cross Stitch/Piano/Reading

Collections: Books

About Me: I am from Brookston, In. I am studying Elementary Education. When I’m not at work, I like to read, play piano, and bake cookies.

Birthday: October 12th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Hot Chocolate 

Restaurant: Chinese or Mexican

Snack: Cookies

Collections: Good memories with Eliseo

Pet: A dog someday

Meal: Chicken & noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls.

Store: H&M/Old Navy

Book: History/ Biography's/ current Events

Hobby: Traveling/Politics/Extreme Outdoor Sports

About Me:  I ‘m mom to Eliseo, my precious son. He brings much joy to my life! I have worked with young children and babies for over 10 years. I love listening to music, reading books, playing games, and watching movies with my son. My favorite season is spring. I love watching the world come alive again, the trees getting green leaves and flowers blooming. 

Birthday: August 27th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Coffee

Restaurant: El Rodeo

Snack: Cheese

Meal: Lasagna

Store: Torrid

Book: "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck

Pet: No Pets

Hobby: Cake Decorating

Collections: Magnets and Coffee Mugs

About Me: I've been feeding children since 2019. I love spending time with my son, Beau, and fiancé, Jonny. I love music, nature, and animals. My favorite place is Maine. I can't wait to take Beau and Jonny there someday.

Birthday: February 20th

My Favorite…
Holiday: Halloween/Christmas

Drink: Iced Coffee

Restaurant: Cheddars or any Mexican 

  restaurant

Snack: Candy or chips

Meal: Steak & potatoes, Mexican food

Store: Meijer, Starbucks, Walmart

Book: Poetry Books

Pet: Millie my doggie 

Hobby: Painting, decorating 

Collections: Candles

About Me: I have been with Grace since 2016. Working in childcare has always been my dream job. I plan on furthering my education in childcare. I love spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy traveling, listening to music, and photography. I love working with children, and I love helping them expand their knowledge

Birthday: March 28th

My Favorite…

Holiday:  Easter/ Christmas/ Halloween

Drink:  Water/ Cherry vanilla coke/ Dr. 

  Pepper

Restaurant: Olive Garden & Texas 

 Roadhouse, Pepes

Snack:  Chips & Salsa, Fruit

Meal:  Anything pasta or Mexican

Store:  Home Décor Stores/ Target

Book: Mystery

Pet: 2 Dogs

Hobby: Spending time with friends & family

Collections: Candles, wax melts

About Me: I have been working with children since 2011. My goal is to go back to school and study special education. I love working with children. I enjoy watching them grow & learn. In my free time, I love to spend time with my family and friends.

Birthday: May 8th

My Favorite...

Holiday: Halloween/Thanksgiving

Drink: Dr. Pepper/Sprite

Restaurant: Chick Fil A/ Buffalo Wild Wings

Snack: Zesty Ranch Veggie Straws,  soft 

  pretzels with cheese

Meal: Alfredo/Pizza/ Mac & Cheese

Store: Target/ TJ Maxx/ Walmart

Book: Colleen Hoover books 

Pet: Two Dogs (Maggie & Lucy) and a cat (Bentley) 

Hobby: Spending time with friends, Cleaning/organizing

Collections: fuzzy blankets, candles

About Me:   My name is Rileigh! I have worked in Childcare since 2012. I graduated in December 2019 with my degree in Early Childhood Education. In my free time, I like to spend time with my friends, their kids & my dogs Maggie/Lucy, and my cat Bentley.

Birthday: May 26th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Mountain Dew, Coke

Restaurant: Sonic, Olive Garden

Snack: Chips

Meal: Breakfast food

Store: Dollar General, Walmart, Target

Book: Magazines

Pet: Cat -Piper

Hobby: Working out/ Watching TV

Collections: None

About Me: I have been at Grace for over a year now working in the young infant room. I have my Associate in Early Childhood Education from Vincennes University. I grew up in South Bend. I love to travel to different places. I have a cat named Piper and I like to wear mismatched socks. 

Birthday: November 5th

My Favorite… 

Holiday: Christmas/ Easter

Drink: Peach water/ Peach Tea

Restaurant: 

Snack: 

Meal:  

Store: 

Book:

Pet: Dog, Cat, Bird

Hobby: 

Collections:  

About Me: I have almost three adult children (2 sons and a daughter). In my free time I take care of my mother. I try to have a smile on my face everyday and live up to my name!

Birthday: December 4th

My Favorite...

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Orange Juice, Lemonade

Restaurant: Olive Garden

Snack: Pretzels

Meal: Pasta

Store: Bath & Body Works, Target

Book: The Four Agreements

Pet: Cats

Hobby: Guitar

Collections: None

About Me: I am a junior at Purdue majoring in flight, So I fly planes!

 Birthday: January 20th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas 

Drink: Ginger ale, Peppermint Mocha, 

 Gatorade

Restaurant: Red Lobster,En Lia, South Steet

   Smoke House

Snack: Don't snack much

Pet: Love dogs

Meal: Shrimp, Lobster, Crab Legs, french

 fries

Store: TJ Maxx, Sell It Here

Book: Dean Kountz, Stephen King

Hobby: Drawing,  painting 

Collections: Plants, owls, candles

About Me:  I have my BA degree in Elementary Education, and I taught in California before moving back to Indiana. I have been with Grace since 1995. I have two grown children and one grandchild.

 Birthday: March 20th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Halloween

Drink: Marshmallow Vanilla Coke, Code

   Red

Restaurant: Olive Garden

Snack: White Cheddar Popcorn

Meal: Pasta

Store: Meijer, TJ Maxx

Book: Mystery, True Crime

Pet: Dog Named Gunpowder 

Hobby: Swimming, hiking, traveling, 

   camping, skiing

Collections: Blankets/Candles/ Plants

About Me: I started working in childcare in 2013. I love working with children and watching them grow! In my free time I love going on hikes with my dog, going camping, and spending time with my family at the lake. I love traveling! I also enjoy snow skiing and swimming. 

Birthday: January 17th

My Favorite...

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Milk Tea

Restaurant: KFC

Snack: Banana Chips

Meal: Chicken Biryani

Store: Walmart

Book: Beauty & The Beast

Pet: Dog

Hobby: Travelling

Collections: Currency

About Me: I am Priyanka. I live in West Lafayette with my cute family. I have a husband and a child. I am a post-graduate in English Language & Literature. I also completed a bachelor's in Education in English. I have almost three years of teaching experience. I am so thrilled to restart my career with GEM after a small break.

Birthday: September 18th

My Favorite...

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Coffee, Mt. Dew

Restaurant: Cheddars

Snack: Chips

Meal: Chicken Tenders

Store: Gretel's

Book: 

Pet: 

Hobby: Sketching, Reading, Hiking

Collections: Candles, Converse

About Me: I grew up in South America and lived there most of my life. I am the oldest of 4 siblings. I am newly married and loving life!

Birthday: January 14th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Iced Coffee

Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse

Snack: Salty Snacks

Meal: Grilled Shrimp

Store: Costco

Book: 

Pet: Dog (Shelby)

Hobby: Going to concerts

Collections: Family Pictures

About Me: I have lived in Mulberry most of my life. I have 2 daughters, Kortnee & Alektra, and a son, Aaron. Along with 2 granddaughters. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and riding the Harley.

Birthday: December 14th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Peach & Mango Smoothies

Restaurant: Chipotle

Snack: Chips, Ice Cream, and Chocolate

Meal: 

Store: TJ Maxx, Plato Closet

Book: 

Pet: 

Hobby: 

Collections: 

About Me: I was born in Costa Rica. I like being outdoors hiking, taking walks at a park, and relaxing by the water. I enjoy seeing sunflowers as it is my favorite plant with special meaning. Love coming alongside the children.

Birthday: August 28th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Sweet Tea

Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse

Snack: Brownies

Meal: Spaghetti

Store: Maurices

Book: 

Pet: Dog

Hobby: Anything Outdoors

Collections: 

About Me: Busy Mom of a teenage boy! Step-mom to 4 and grandma of two little boys.

Ms.Emily attends Ball State and helps us during summer break.

Birthday: February 22nd

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Sprite

Restaurant: Cheddars

Snack: Watermelon

Meal: Steak & Mashed Potatoes

Store: Hobby Lobby

Book: Fault in Our Stars

Pet: Dog

Hobby: Shopping

Collections: Snow globes

About Me: My name is Emily Galbreth. I have two sisters, one brother, and a half brother. I enjoy playing sports. I am a Junior at Ball State, studying nursing.