Meet Our Teachers
Staff Bio
Introducing Wendy Peterson
Director of Preschool @ The Ridge
Wendy’s love for Iowa State runs deep. She’s a dedicated fan with season tickets for both football and basketball. Fun fact: Wendy was the manager of the first Cyclone Cone stand at Hilton Coliseum. (ISU fans know what that means!) She doesn’t have to be asked twice to jump into a messy activity, especially if a paint is involved. Wendy loves being creative and thinking outside the box. Her role as preschool director certainly suits her well!
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
I was asked to help start Preschool @ The Ridge back in the fall of 2014.
What word would your students use to describe you?
“Principal” Wendy
What’s one of your favorite teaching moments?
I love introducing students to new things, and then watching them explore to figure things out. But I would have to say my favorite thing is engaging with families. At The Ridge we love to go the extra mile to take care of families, help parents navigate this stage of parenting, and absolutely love on their kids! Our family events are a highlight throughout the year for me.
What is your favorite subject? Why?
Art. I love textures and color. It’s so fun to see the creativity and imagination of other people.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Two verses are very important to me:
1 Corinthians 9:24-25: This verse reminds me of the lessons my daughter Sydney taught me in her short 19 years here on this earth. We are called to love and serve God. He wants us to be a light others and not be self-serving.
Proverbs 3:5-6: God’s better is always BETTER!
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
I really don’t know, but it would have to be something where I could be creative and work with people. I could see myself being an activities director at a nursing home or better yet … a beach resort!
Staff Bio
Introducing Alise Sunderman
Threes teacher and assistant director
Don’t enter a dance competition against Alise! Fun fact: She and her husband have won the trophy for best technical at the annual swing dance competition at the Glenn Miller Festival in Clarinda, Iowa. Twice. Off the dance floor, you’ll most likely find her camping at Saylorville or dining somewhere that has Steak de Burgo on the menu. Quite a few of her students would say she is silly, so her personality is just right for teaching preschool.
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
I started here in the fall of 2015.
What do you like most about teaching and why?
I love the way the children learn so much in such a short amount of time and how they can get so excited about things we take for granted.
Why did you choose to teach preschool?
I have always loved working with children. While I was still in high school I worked at a day care after school and babysat in the evenings. And in the summers I had a job nannying.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:38–39. It’s comforting to know that there is nothing that can separate me from God.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
I can’t imagine being anything but a preschool teacher!
Staff Bio
Introducing Rebecca Bockart
Fives teacher
She’s nice, funny, pretty, and silly. Just ask her students. That’s what they’ll tell you. Rebecca will never turn down an invite for karaoke. Fun fact: She can play the bassoon. She could never choose just one book but some of her favorites are WWII spy novels. And she can be won over with chips and queso. She’s all the things you want in a preschool teacher and more, for sure!
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
I have been at The Ridge for three years, but the 20/21 school year is my 25th year of teaching.
What is one of your favorite teaching moments?
Watching independence grow is truly awesome. Getting to be part of the first time a child ties their own shoe independently, zips a Ziplock bag without help, makes a friend when they have been struggling to fit in, speaks in front of the class for the first time, or reads their first sentence is such an amazing gift.
What do you like most about teaching and why?
Preschoolers fully embrace the learning process and collaboratively problem solve in the most amazing ways.
What is your favorite subject? Why?
Anything science, I love discovering new information and working with my hands.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Phil 4:6-7. I love this verse because it is the remedy to worry and fear.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
A microbiologist. I loved working in the lab in college—growing cultures was fascinating.
Staff Bio
Introducing Jeanne Hirsch
Fives teacher
She’s a crafty one, Jeanne. She can create something beautiful out of almost anything. She enjoys intricate handiwork, like crochet, and she has a green thumb, so she gardens, too. Jeanne loves sweet and salty—her favorite food is a tie between donuts and French fries. It took her 30 years, but she found her sweet spot teaching preschool. And we’re so happy she’s part of our team!
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
This is my third year of teaching at The Ridge.
What is one of your favorite teaching moments?
I love teaching about Easter by using the story of Benjamin’s Box and building an actual treasure box that reminds them what happened during Holy week. It always amazes me how students can tell the story with their box when we are done.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching at The Ridge?
I like the collaborative nature of our staff. It is really a relaxed and fun place to teach.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
Growing up I was (and still am!) shorter than all my peers. This led to some interesting nicknames as a child. Jeannie Beanie and Little Green Sprout to mention a few.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
1 Peter 5:6–11. It’s a reminder that both God and Satan are influences. The one who guides me on the good path even when things are tough is God. Struggles aren’t forever because God is our hope and deliverer.
Staff Bio
Introducing Kelly Mohrman
Threes teacher
Fun fact: Kelly is FCC licensed for radio broadcast. If she wasn’t a teacher, she would be a sports journalist. She loves almost all food. Italian, sushi, Rice Krispie Treats, cheesecake, donuts, how could anyone choose just one? Kelly loves lake life, too. Outside of Preschool @ The Ridge, you might find her shopping, swimming, or baking. But here, she’s one of our treasured threes teachers.
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
Fall of 2015
What do you like most about teaching?
I love to see the growth of the kids—from the beginning of the year (sometimes barely three years old!) to the end of the year. They become so independent and function as “big kids” on their own.
What is your favorite subject?
I love art and trying different mediums with the kids. I also love language arts. It is fun to see the kids grow in language and writing. I love to read books, find new and interesting literature and old favorites.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite children’s book is Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Philippians 4:13
Staff Bio
Introducing Kristen Funkhouser
Threes teacher
Kristen has been here since the beginning! She started working at Preschool @ The Ridge in 2017. Fun fact: She had children at Preschool @ The Ridge for the first six years the preschool was open. Kristen is an avid reader and an even more avid ISU fan. She loves playing volleyball and going on family bike rides. Preschool @ The Ridge surely wouldn’t be the same without her.
What do you like most about teaching and why?
I love watching the kids learn and explore. And I love seeing the excitement on their faces when they make a connection.
What’s your favorite thing about Preschool @ The Ridge?
I love working with a great group of people who are creative and excited to be working with the kids.
What is your favorite subject? Why?
Reading. There’s always something new to discover or explore.
What is your favorite book?
One of my favorite kids series is Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 27:1. I memorized this verse in fifth grade, and God has used it to comfort me so many times in my life. It is such a great reminder that no matter what happens God is my stronghold.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
Not sure. I have always wanted to be a teacher. I used to play school with my brother when we were growing up. I also taught fifth grade before I had my own kids and before I started teaching preschool.
Staff Bio
Introducing Darci McCullough
Threes associate
Darci loves science because there are always so many pieces to the puzzle. Just put them all together and a discovery is found. Fun fact: She has a case study that was published in a medical journal. Darci loves walks, bike rides, and attending sporting events. And she loves a good book. She offers up a whole list of reading recommendations because there are too many to name just one favorite. Darci is an invaluable member of our Preschool @ The Ridge team.
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
Fall of 2020 after spending the previous six years at one of our local elementary schools?
What do you like most about teaching and why?
Seeing the excitement in the kids when they do something they haven’t done before. It’s such a privilege to be a part of those little moments.
What’s your favorite thing about Preschool @ The Ridge?
We have an incredible, compassionate staff that works hard every day to bring their best for their students.
Why did you choose to teach preschool?
This was one of my favorite stages when raising my own children. Preschoolers find so much joy in the little things and are always excited to learn.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Joshua 1:9. I fall back on this verse often. It reminds me that I am never alone.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
Back in the medial laboratory working.
Staff Bio
Introducing Deanne Sandbulte
Support staff
Deanne is a mom who can be found on the sidelines cheering on her kids in all their activities. Or you might find her on the water. She loves boating, jet skiing, and swimming. Fun fact: She once traveled to Australia for a week to cheer for an Iowa high school football team. Yep! That’s Deanne! She’s still a spirit raiser. And someone we wouldn’t want Preschool @ The Ridge with-out.
When did you join the Preschool @ The Ridge staff?
I joined the preschool in fall of 2018 as a sub in the classrooms.
What do you like most about teaching?
Preschool kids are like little sponges. It’s so amazing to watch them soak up everything! My favorite thing is to see their eyes light up when they understand or learn something new.
What is something not many people know about you?
I started dance at the age of 3, and I danced and cheered all through high school and college.
What is your favorite book?
You Are Special by Max Lucado.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Jeremiah 29:11–13. They were the first verses I ever memorized, and they are fitting in any phase of my life.
If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?
I’d probably be in the event planning business.