Our Staff:
Mrs.Anne
Mrs.Marquita
Mrs.Anne
GEM Director
Birthday: April 9th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas
Drink: Coffee/Sweet Tea/Vanilla Coke/Wine
Restaurant: Mountain Jacks/Southside Diner/Mount Fiji/Red Robin
Snack: Veggies, crackers and Dip
Meal: Italian/Mexican, Sushi/Japanese
Store: Gordmans/Meijer/Cato/Wayfair/Amazon
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 University of Phoenix. I also have a Master 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.
Ms.Amber
Mrs.Marquita
Mrs.Anne
Assistant Director
Birthday: March 2nd
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas
Drink: Vanilla Latte, Healthies Tea
Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Snack: Cookies
Meal: Tacos, Stir Fry
Store: Hobby Lobby, Maurice's
Book: Romance Novels
Pet: None
Hobby: Hiking, Traveling, Exercise
Collections: None
About Me: I have been working at GEM since 2014! I started as the cook, then was the toddler teacher, and now I’m the assistant director. I hope to go back to school and continue my education in Early Childhood Ed. Or Elementary Ed. When I have free time I love to travel, hike, play games, and reading.
Mrs.Marquita
Mrs.Marquita
Mrs.Marquita
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 currently in school to earn my Associates 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
Mrs. Black
Mrs. Black
Mrs. Black
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.
Mrs. Baker
Mrs. Black
Mrs. Black
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.
Ms.Maria
Mrs. Black
Ms.Maria
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.
Ms. Sara
Mrs. Keely
Ms.Maria
Birthday: May 30th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Halloween/ 4th of July
Drink: Code Red/Water /Sweet Tea
Restaurant: Olive Garden/ Taco Bell/ Texas Roadhouse
Snack: Chips
Meal: Potatoes/ Tacos/ Pizza
Store: Target/ Walmart/ At Home Store
Book: Harry Potter/ Mystery
Pet: None
Hobby: Cooking/ Hiking/ Watching Movies
Collections: Candles/ Books/ Movies
About Me: I have been with Grace since 2016. I have my Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). I graduated from Benton Central High School. I enjoy spending time with friends, family, traveling and watching movies.
Mrs. Keely
Mrs. Keely
Mrs. Keely
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.
Mrs. Julie
Mrs. Julie
Mrs. Julie
Birthday: January 20th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas (Wish it was warm then)
Drink: Coke/White Zin/ Dragonfly Pale Ale
Restaurant: Red Lobster
Snack: Donuts and strawberries
Pet: Love dogs
Meal: The Ultimate Feast( Shrimp scampi & crab legs)
Store: TJ Maxx/Sell It Here/Second Glance
Book: Dean Kountz /Stephen King
Hobby: Drawing/ gardening/ Painting furniture
Collections: Fairy lights/Owls/vintage stuff
About Me: I have my BA degree in Elementary Education, and I was an elementary teacher prior to Grace. I have been with Grace since 1995. My children attended Grace. I also an artist
Mr. G
Mrs. Julie
Mrs. Julie
Birthday: February 11th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas/New Year
Drink: Vanilla Cola & Bailey’s
Restaurant: BWW/ Shake Shack/Indian Food
Snack: Chips & Dip/ Beef Jerky
Meal: Plou/ wings/ cherry pie/ bbq
Store: Hobby Town/ Old Navy
Book: Sci-Fi/ Fantasy/Adventures
Pet: Cats/Ferrets
Hobby: Board Games/Miniatures
Collections: Star Wars/Games
About Me: I am originally from Russia, but I have also lived in Virginia and now Indiana. I have been in the US for over 3 years now. I have experience in nursing, art, and IT sphere. Currently I have a freelance “home business” that is miniature arts. In my free time I enjoy board games and watching movies/anime. My favorite colors are purple and turquoise
Ms. Sydney
Mrs. Julie
Ms. Sydney
Birthday: March 20th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Halloween
Drink: Code Red
Restaurant: Olive Garden
Snack: Nachos and Cheese
Meal: Cheeseburger & Fries
Store: Meijer
Book: Room
Pet: Dog Named Gunpowder
Hobby: Swimming/Hiking/Traveling
Collections: Blankets/Candles/ Cacti
About Me: I’ve been at Grace over a year now. I have worked in the sunshine classroom and now am in the Hurricane classroom. I love working with children! I graduated from Benton Central High School in 2015. I love being outdoors and going on adventures with my dog.
Ms. Maddie
Ms. Maddie
Ms. Sydney
Birthday: July 18th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Halloween
Drink: Diet Pepsi
Restaurant: Asahi
Snack: Popcorn
Meal: Baked Ziti
Store: Target
Book: The Bible
Pet: Dogs
Hobby: Gardening
Collections: Crocs
About Me: Hello! My name is Maddie! I have 2 dogs named Benji and Honey. I love doing crafts and DIY projects in my free time. I love kids of all ages. I’m excited to get to know everyone!
Ms.Elly
Ms. Maddie
Ms.Elly
Birthday: October 4th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas/Thanksgiving
Drink: Green Tea/ Fruit Smoothie
Restaurant: Kim Chi
Snack: Ice cream & Fruits
Meal: Chicken & Noodle
Store: Fresh Farm Market & Sam’s Club
Book: Life– Application Bible
Pet: Dogs & Birds
Hobby: Singing and playing musical instruments
Collections: Coins & Watches
About Me: I have been in the teaching industry since I was in living in South Korea over ten years now. I really enjoy working with kids. I’m also a mom to two kids who are now grown up. I enjoy a variety of different sports. I was a member of a recreational bowling team. I also like house decoration because it provides me a creative outlet
Ms. Emiline
Ms. Emiline
Ms. Emiline
Birthday: February 20th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Halloween/Christmas
Drink: Flavored Iced Coffee/Propel Water and Gatorade Zero
Restaurant: Cheddars/Chick Fil' A
Snack: Chocolate/White Cheddar Popcorn Meal: Chicken Alfredo and Breadsticks
Store: Target, Meijer, and Walmart
Book: Poetry Books
Pet: Millie my doggie
Hobby: Painting, decorating and organizing
Collections: Light décor and 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
Ms. Rachael
Ms. Emiline
Ms. Emiline
Birthday: March 28th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Easter/ Christmas
Drink: Sweet Tea/Vanilla Coke
Restaurant: Olive Garden & Texas Roadhouse
Snack:
Meal: Tacos
Store: Home Décor Stores/ Target
Book: Bible
Pet: 2 Dogs: Gracie &Annie
Hobby: Spending time with friends & family/ going to the lake
Collections: Jewelry/ purses/shoes
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.
Ms. Salsa
Ms. Emiline
Ms. Jackie
Birthday: August 26th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Drink: Water
Restaurant: Maje Sushi
Snack: Fresh Fruit
Meal: Sushi
Store: T.J. Maxx
Book: The Four Agreements by Don Ruiz & The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
Pet: Cats!
Hobby: Cooking, Thrifting, Picnics
Collections: Snow globes
About Me: My name is Salsa! I’m from Indonesia but have been living in the U.S. for the past five years. I’m a Junior at Purdue studying speech, language, and hearing sciences. I love to cook and enjoy nature and quality time with my friends and family.
Ms. Jackie
Ms. Rileigh
Ms. Jackie
Birthday: September 29th
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas/ 4th Of July
Drink: Peach or Raspberry Tea
Restaurant: Chipotle & Cracker Barrell
Snack: Peppers w/ Ranch or Fresh Fruit
Meal:
Store: Wal-Mart & Hobby Lobby
Book: Anything by Carol or Mary Higgins Clark
Pet: NA
Hobby: Crafting (Sewing) & Photography
Collections: Anything Tigger Or Butterflies
About Me: I have always wanted to work with children as long as I can remember. I am 37 years old and just moved to the Lafayette area. But I am from the Midwest. I am excited to be apart of the Grace family.
Ms. Rileigh
Ms. Rileigh
Ms. Rileigh
Birthday: May 8th
My Favorite...
Holiday: Halloween/Thanksgiving
Drink: Dr. Pepper/Mountain Dew
Restaurant: Chick Fil' A/ Buffalo Wild Wings
Snack: Zesty Ranch Veggie Straws
Meal: Pizza/ Mac & Cheese
Store: Target/ TJ Maxx
Book: Romance Books
Pet: One Dog
Hobby: Spending Time with friends
Collections: NA
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 do Maggie, she’s a pit mix & a big handful.
Ms. Tiffany
Ms. Rileigh
Ms. Rileigh
Birthday:
My Favorite…
Holiday: Christmas
Drink: Diet Coke
Restaurant: Cracker Barrel
Snack: Chocolate
Meal: Chicken
Store: Dollar Tree/Walmart
Book: Magazines
Pet: 1 dog
Hobby: Working out/ Watching TV
Collections: None
About Me: I have my Associates in Early Childhood Education from Vincennes University. I am from South Bend, Indiana but move to Lafayette in August. In my free time I like to workout and sleep. I hope to in the future go back to school and get my Bachelors degree. My favorite color is purple. My favorite comfort food is chicken & dumplings.
