ECEC Staff Information

Director

Melinda Hale

Ms. Melinda just joined our ECEC in July 2026. She brings over 16 years of experience in education, including classroom teaching, teacher leadership and school administration. She is passionate about creating nurturing, engaging environments where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.

Office Administrator

Ms. Kari 

Ms. Kari joined St. John's ECEC in June 2023. She has a Business degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and also over 15 years of experience working and volunteering in Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.

Teachers

Ms. Katia 

Ms. Katia has been working at the ECEC since 2018. She is the lead teacher in the Kind Koalas classroom! She received her Child Development Associate (CDA) in 2019. 

Ms. Arabella

Ms. Arabella joined ECEC in April 2025. She is the lead teacher in the Caring Caterpillars classroom. 

Ms. Grace

Ms. Grace started working as a sub at ECEC in 2024 and is now our Lead Teacher in Pre-K Pandas. She is very excited to help your children prepare for Kindergarten. 

Ms. Bethel

Ms. Bethel has been teaching here since October of 2023. This year she will be leading the Blooming Butterflies in a year full of learning and fun! She has completed her CDA and has received her Food Manager License.

Ms. Margarita  

Ms. Margarita has been at the ECEC since August 2016. She has her CDA and continues to receive training in Early Childhood Education each year. She is an assistant teacher in the Caring Caterpillars room.

Ms. Rachel

Ms. Rachel joined the ECEC in July of 2026. She is a teaching assistant in the Pre-K Pandas and is very excited to get to know all of our children and families!

 Ms. Winter

Ms. Winter joined the ECEC in April 2025 and plans to study Early Childhood Education.  She is an assistant teacher in the Caterpillar class and loves spending time with her students!

Ms. Glenda

Ms. Glenda has been working at the ECEC since 2022. She is currently studying Education at George Mason. Ms. Glenda is an assistant teacher in the Kind Koalas classroom.

Ms. Teresa 

Ms. Teresa has been working at the ECEC since 2015. She has her Food Manager License and is our kitchen manager. She also helps in all classrooms.

Ms. Asifa

Ms. Asifa joined ECEC in October 2025. She is a teaching assistant in the Blooming Butterflies classroom and is so excited to be here!

Ms. Irma

Ms. Irma joined ECEC at the start of this school year. She is a teaching assistant in the Blooming Butterflies classroom and is looking forward to getting to know the children.

Substitutes

Ms. Lorri, Ms. Catherine, Ms. Giulianna, Ms. June, and Ms. Mariele