Our Amazing Teachers!
Pre-Kindergarten 4/5's:
Karin Eldred - (Certified)
Hello! My name is Karin Eldred and I am thrilled to
be a part of the Wee Blessings family.
My husband of 21 years, Mike and my 3 children, Lindy 16, Maclyn 14 and
Tucker 11, moved to Chandler 5 years ago from Paramount, California. I attended Long Beach City College where I
received my Early Childhood Development certification and taught in Christian
Preschools for over 15 years. I took a
year of when we first moved here to help my family adjust to their new life in
Arizona. I then secured a position at
The Grove Bible Church as their Children’s Ministry Director. Although I thoroughly enjoyed working in
ministry, my passion was for teaching.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with the staff at Wee Blessings
for a 3rd year and I look forward to helping your child develop socially and academically. Thanks for
entrusting Wee Blessings and myself with your child’s development.
Lisa Hoverson - (Certified & Credentialed)
Hello!
My name is Lisa Hoverson and I am extremely excited to be joining the
Wee Blessings’ family. I am married to an amazing man, Yuri, and we have
fabulous twins, Emma and Dalton, who are 8 years old and going into the
3rd grade. I am originally from Northern California. I graduated from
the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary
Education, and from Northern Arizona University with a Masters in Early
Childhood Education. I previously taught 1st grade for 10 years, and
after having stayed at home for bit, I have taught preschool for one
year. During my time at home I tutored students K – 8th grade, served as
a MOPS coordinator and Council Coordinator, and served in the early
childhood ministry at church. The early childhood years are a favorite,
and I can’t wait for the learning
adventure to begin with each child this year! I look forward to
creating a partnership with you, in making your child’s educational
experience a blessing!
Mariza Martinez - Gay - (Certified & Credentialed)
Hello, my name is Mariza Martinez-Gay. My husband
and I moved to Arizona from Michigan about 11yrs ago. We have been
married for almost 17 years and have been blessed with 3 wonderful children
ages 13, 11 and 8. I have always had a passion for teaching children.
I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and
have had several years of teaching experience. I have also volunteered
for many years in the Children's Ministry at my church. I have been
teaching the Spanish Program here at Wee Blessings for the past 3 years. This
includes the Lunch Bunch classes as well as classes for the Extended Day
program. I am always amazed at how quickly the children can learn to
speak a new language! Last year, in addition to this, I began
teaching the MWF 4 yr old class. It was such a fun and rewarding
experience and I am looking forward to continuing with it again
this year. I feel very blessed to be working alongside such a great
staff and wonderful families, Thank you for the opportunity to be a
part of your child's learning and development.
Melissa Branting - (Certified)
Hello my
name is Melissa Branting. I started working at Wee Blessings at the beginning
of 2010 as a Teacher of the 5 Pre-K class, an aide for the 3’s class and snack
person for the school! 2010-2011 I had
the joy of teaching the 4’s Pre-K class on T-Th. What a blessing the kids made to my life and
a joy to see their faces each day. I have been married for 16 years and have 2
daughters ages 7 & 10. I grew up in
a small town in Nebraska where I graduated from the University of Nebraska with
my BS Degree in Business and minored in Economics. Over the last 3 years, I worked at a couple of
Churches helping out with the MOPS childcare and really enjoyed bringing a
smile to a child’s face – the reward is priceless. I have also volunteered in Children’s
Ministry at Church, volunteered several years at VBS, was a part of the MOPS
Steering Team as well as a table leader. I also substitute teach at my
children’s school in Chandler. As I work
with the children here at Wee Blessings, I am truly amazed at the curriculum, what a wonderful start these kids are getting to
prepare for Kindergarten and life. They will truly be ahead of the game. Thank
you for sharing your child/children, and I look forward
to a new year watching each child grow, learn...and being a part of it all.
Amy Deahr - (Certified & Credentialed)
Hello! My name is Amy
Deahr and I am thrilled to join the Wee Blessing team. I am originally from Wyoming, but I received
my Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of
Missouri-St. Louis. I have taught 3rd,
2nd and most recently 1st grade. I was
able to stay home with my children after the birth of our second son and I have
been substitute teaching for the last couple of years at my children's
elementary school here in Chandler. Our
family moved to Arizona eight years ago.
My husband Chris and I have four super children, Alex 14, Carson 6 and
twin girls, Macee and Maren, who are 4.
My three youngest children have been lucky enough to be students at Wee
Blessings. We have absolutely loved it here. That is why I am so excited to be back in the
classroom and that I have the privilege to be a part of the Wee Blessings
Family. I am looking forward to an
exciting year with your child!
Beth Howey- (Certified & Credentialed)
I am THRILLED to be part of the Wee
Blessings staff. I have lived in Arizona
for nearly 13 years. My husband, Brett,
and I moved here in July of 1999 from Omaha, NE. We have three beautiful children, Olivia 8,
Jackson 4 and Tatum 2. We also have a 10
year old Black Shepherd mix, named Cayman.I received my Bachelors of Science
Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska in December of
1998. I have classroom teaching
experience in third and fifth grades. I
received my Masters Degree in Curriculum & Instruction, with an emphasis in
Language and Literacy, from Arizona State University in May of 2003. I spent three years working as a Literacy
Coach in the Kyrene School District, where my focus was working with grades
Kindergarten through Third. I have had
the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom the last three years. During this time, I have become very involved
with our church, Cornerstone. I
volunteer in the toddler room on a weekly basis, coordinate all playgroups for
MOMS and also facilitate a playgroup.
Along with volunteering for Cornerstone, I am also a private tutor for
five students in grades K-8. I am SO
excited to be your child’s teacher and can’t wait for a fabulous year ahead!
Preschool 3's:
Deborah Knox - (Certified & Credentialed)
"Hi, my name is Deborah Chovan and I am so happy to
be starting my second year with the team at Wee Blessings Preschool. Last
year was amazing and looking forward to this year being just as good. I have
always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember and received a
Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. I am so thankful for the
many opportunities God has given me to work with children in wide range of
avenues and ages. I don’t think there is anything more rewarding than being
part of a child’s growth and development- physically and intellectually.
Amy Wicoff - (Certified & Credentialed)
Hello! My
name is Amy Wicoff, and I am very excited to be joining the Wee Blessings family. I
am originally from northern California, but have been living in Arizona since attending
college at ASU. I have a Bachelors of Arts degree in Elementary Education, and have
also earned my ESL and Early Childhood Endorsements on my teaching certificate.
I taught elementary school in the Tempe School District for six and a half years;
where I mostly taught 1st grade, but also taught 2nd and 1st/2nd multi-age classes. My
husband and I have been married for 9 years and have 2 amazing daughters.
I took a break from teaching when my oldest was a baby, and was blessed to stay
home with my girls for several years. Now I am thrilled to be able to be back
in the
classroom, and am so very proud to be a part of the Wee Blessings team! I am looking forward to a
wonderful year with your child!
Marie Smith - (Certified & Credentialed)
My name is Marie Smith and I am pleased to be a part of the
Wee Blessings Family! I am originally
from Hawaii, but have lived in Chandler for over 20 years. My husband George and I have 2 wonderful
children: Riley who attends Hamilton
High and Jenna who is a seventh grader at Santan Jr. High. How time flies! I attended ASU and received my Bachelor’s
degree in Business Administration. I
later returned to ASU Polytechnic where I earned my Elementary Education
teaching certification. Since then, I
have taught and tutored students in preschool through 8th
grade. I am truly looking forward to a
rewarding and exciting year!
Preschool 3's / Wee Tots (combo):
Jen Dean
Hi, my name is Jen Dean and I am so very happy to be a part of the
amazing Wee Blessings team! I'm originally from Orange County,
California, but have loved living in Arizona for the past six years. My
husband and I have been married for eight years and have four children:
Cara (6), Rylee (5), Avery (4), and Carter (2). My oldest, Cara, became a
student at Wee Blessings at the start of the opening school year and my
children have returned every year since! I look forward to aiding the
wonderful teachers and getting to know all of your little ones!
Laurie Burke
Hi! My name is Laurie Burke and I'm excited
to be 'officially' joining the Wee Blessings team! (I've been writing the
newsletter for the last 4 years.) I've been married to my husband Josh for
9 years and we have two boys that keep me on my toes... Logan (7) is a Wee Blessings
graduate and Lincoln (4) is currently a student. Born in Kansas and raised
in Pennsylvania, I've lived in AZ since 1994. I have a BA in
Photojournalism from ASU as well as a Certification of Photography from the New
York Institute of Photography. I also spent 12 years in the retail
portrait industry working with youngsters before I left to pursue
photography on my own and stay home with my boys. I'm looking forward to
an exciting year with our Wee Blessings!
Becky LeMay
Hello! My name is Becky LeMay and I'm new to Wee Blessings
Preschool. I have been married for 24 years and we are recently empty
nesters. Our daughter, Alexa, is starting her sophomore year at ASU.
We moved to Chandler from Memphis, TN about 10 years ago and try to get
back about once a year to see our family. I
have worked with children of some age for over 20 years. I am
currently a high school leader at the Grove Bible Church. I was once
asked why I only have one child since I love kids so much. I just
looked around and replied, "I don't have just one, I have about 100!" I
am looking forward to meeting everyone and loving on your kids!
Erin WhiteHello! My name is
Erin White and I am so blessed to be part of the Wee Blessings staff. I am originally from Orange County,
California but relocated to Gilbert, Arizona in June of 2011. My husband Justin and I have been married for
2 years and we have a 4 yr old son Caleb.
I have a BS in Business Administration/Accounting and have been working
with children for the past 10 yrs. Wee
Blessings has been a true blessing for our family, being able to watch our son
graduate preschool and be fully prepared for kindergarten, I couldn’t be a
happier mom. I can’t wait to watch your
children grow and learn.