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: Riviera Maya, Longhorn

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: May 30th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Halloween

Drink: Water, Sweet Tea, Energy drinks, Coffee

Restaurant: Taste of India, Chipotle, Guac Box

Snack: Dill Pickles, Chips, Tomatoes

Meal: Pasta, Anything Veggies, Pizza

Store: Barnes & Noble, Target, Earthbound, Amused Clothing

Book: Harry Potter Series

Pet: Dog

Hobby: Games, Reading, Puzzles, Painting, Bracelet making, Legos

Collections: Board Games, Mystery Books, Vintage Shirts

About Me: I graduated from Benton Central in 2015. I enjoy playing games, building Legos, going on walks with my dog, and painting. I have worked in child care for over 7 years.

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, Target

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: December 2nd

My Favorite…

Holiday: Halloween, Christmas

Drink: Dr. Pepper, Tea

Restaurant: Sonic, Texas Roadhouse, Dairy Queen

Snack: Tater Tots, Jolly Ranchers

Meal: Cheeseburger, Italian/Chinese

Store: Any pet store

Book: The Hunger Games

Pet: Dog and two cats

Hobby: Reading, Video Games

Collections:  Squishmallows, Teddy bears, Snow Globes

About Me: I have a dog named Rigby and two cats named Cassian and Azriel. I'm from Kentucky. I enjoy reading and playing video games.

 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: June 23rd

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Coke/Water

Restaurant: Applebee's

Snack: Sweet & Salty Popcorn

Meal: Noodles

Store: Meijer

Book: Not Sure

Pet: Dog (2) & cat (1)

Hobby: Camping, shopping, family time

Collections: Cow Prints

About Me: I'm a mom of two; a boy and a girl; I have been married for about a year. I love my family and cows.

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: December 10th 

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Strawberry Lemonade

Restaurant: Olive Garden

Snack: Fruit

Meal: Pasta

Store: 

Book: 

Pet: 2 Dog

Hobby: 

Collections: 

About Me: 

Birthday: December 15th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Cherry Dr. Pepper

Restaurant: Pepe's

Snack: Dorito- Nacho Cheese, Funyuns

Meal: Breakfast, Pasta foods

Store: Bath & Body Works

Book: Mysteries

Pet: Dog

Hobby: Soccer, Dance

Collections: Magnets from different places

About Me: I have been teaching in the ECE field since 2013. I am married to my amazing husband. I love helping young minds learn new skills. 

Birthday: May 30th

My Favorite…

Holiday: Christmas

Drink: Rootbeer

Restaurant: Canes

Snack: Fruit Roll-Ups

Meal: Mac & Cheese

Store: Buckle

Book: 

Pet: Dog

Hobby: 

Collections: 

About Me: Hi my name is Maddie. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. One of my favorite things to do is go to rodeos and other things like that. If I'm not working you will definitely find me outside.