ACC Staff | Asbury United Methodist Church

Director & Assistant Director

Ann Porter, Director

Ann has 20+ years of experience in the field of early childhood education. She holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Pittsburg State University. Previous work experience includes 6 years as a director at a Christian early learning center, having served as its assistant director for 7 years prior to that. When not shaping the lives of children at the ACC, Ann loves to spend time camping with her husband and two sons.

Andrea Kreutzjans, Assistant Director

Andi has been with Asbury since 2018. She chooses to work with children because she loves witnessing the authentic pride they find in their accomplishments. She intends to acquire a business degree and open her own childcare center in the future. Her other passions include spending time with friends, collecting plants, and drinking way too much coffee.

Staff

John F. - Administrative Assistant

John has been working at the Asbury Children's Center since 1998. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's Degree in History. He has the opportunity to watch the children grow from kindergarten to 6th grade. John sees the knowledge they gain, the creativity they bring, and the fun they have, which makes his job exciting and rewarding every day!

Lori M. - Cook

Lori is the cook at Asbury, and she aims to please the little ones by preparing nutrient-rich meals and snacks, as they are a key part of optimal growth and development in young children. Lori has been working with children for more than 24 years, and has won multiple awards for "Teacher of the Year." Lori is a mother of three and a grandmother of two. In her free time she enjoys wine tastings, painting, drawing, baking, and oh - more wine tastings!

Infant & Toddler Teachers

Yvette F. - Lead Teacher, Infant Classroom

Yvette has an Early Childhood Education Degree from the University of Kansas. She has been with Asbury since 2009, but has been in childcare for more than 20 years. While she loves interacting with children of all ages, she especially loves working with infants. Yvette has been married for 20+ years. She and her husband have two sons and one daughter. One of her favorite pastimes is cheering for the Jayhawks, and spending time with her family!

Martha P. - Assistant Teacher, Infant Classroom

Martha has worked with Early Childhood students for over ten years and has been with Asbury since 2014. She is working on her AA in Early Childhood Education at KCKCC, and loves working with the infants in the ACC!

Jess M. - Assistant Teacher, Infant Classroom

Jess has worked at ACC since May 2022, and has been volunteering since she was in 8th grade! She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English secondary education. She loves making connections with children of all ages and looks forward to being a teacher in the future.

Gabi F. - Lead Teacher, Toddler Classroom

Gabi has been around kids her whole life, so she knew Asbury would be a perfect fit for her. She loves watching the toddlers learn through play and seeing their personalities develop over the year. Her hobbies include painting, buying new shoes, and spending time with her friends and family.

Miranda K. - Assistant Teacher, Toddler Classroom

Miranda has worked with children for a large portion of her life - babysitting, nannying, and in childcare settings. She just moved to Kansas from Florida where she received an AS in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children of all ages and loves seeing the differences in the way they learn and grow. In her free time, Miranda likes to read books and be outdoors!

Sophie B. - Assistant Teacher, Toddler Classroom

Sophie has been working with children since 2016, and hopes to continue working with them for as long as she can. Sophie loves working with kids because they always find a way to brighten her day and bring a smile to her face. She really enjoys watching all of the kids grow and getting to be there to help them. In her free time, she's most likely playing with her dog, Bubbles, or hanging out with her nephew. Sophie also loves spending time with family and friends, painting, drawing, being outdoors, and watching movies.

Wendy M. - Lead Teacher, 2-yr-old Classroom

Wendy is a Kansas City native who graduated with her A.S. in Early Childhood Education from JCCC in 2004, and has been teaching in the field for over 20 years. Wendy lives in Strawberry Hill with her husband and their two dogs, Benny and Bear. Wendy loves teaching because children are the ultimate enthusiasts about everything. She loves watching them learn and getting to know their unique personalities.

Lilly S. - Assistant Teacher, 2-yr-old Classroom

Lilly has been around kids and working with them her whole life. She has always had a huge passion for them! She loves watching them grow, learn, and thrive as they navigate the world around them. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Preschool - Grade School Teachers

Amanda M. - Lead Teacher, 3-yr-old Classroom

Amanda has been working with kids since 2011. She loves watching them grow and being a part of helping them grow. She believes early childhood teachers have made and continue to make such a huge impact. Amanda's favorite age is 3, as their personalities at this age are just so unique and fun! She is super excited to be at ACC. Outside of work, Amanda loves walking and being in the sun. Her friends and family mean the world to her, and she loves being with them, but her favorite thing to do is watch Grey's Anatomy!

Jessica S. - Lead Teacher, Mixed Age Classroom

Jessica has been in childcare since 2020 and has a daughter of her own. She is currently in college working to obtain a degree in child counseling. Jessica's favorite thing about working with children is being part of their journey and making a lasting positive impact in their lives. Jessica also serves in the kids' area at her church, and enjoys decorating and outdoor activities.

Alex D. - Lead Teacher, Pre-K Classroom

Alex believes that her time at Asbury has changed her life trajectory. She now plans to obtain an elementary education degree because of the love she has developed for teaching since her hire in 2018. Alex loves encouraging and helping children reach their potential. They continually amaze her with their capabilities. Alex also enjoys caring for her plants, drawing, painting, and crafting.

Leslie L. - Lead Teacher, Pre-K Classroom

Leslie has been with Asbury since 2020. She’s been working with children and varying capacities since 2012. Her experiences as a figure skating coach, camp counselor, and teacher have made it clear to her that she wants to continue working with children. Leslie looks forward to being in Pre-K where she can continue to learn and grow as a teacher. Her favorite part about working with kids is the joy and laughter they bring to her days as well as watching them learn to grow. Leslie‘s goal for the future is to finish her degree to expand her knowledge in the world of art education. She likes to spend her free time reading, figure skating, taking walks, and spending time with her partner and two dogs.

Katie L. - Assistant Teacher, All Rooms

Katie enjoys music, art, traveling, and working at the Asbury Children's Center. She finds working with the children very fulfilling and full of fun. Katie has been working at the Asbury Children's Center since 2004, and she hopes to continue working with children for years to come.

Amber R. - Assistant Teacher, All Rooms

Amber has been around kids her whole life as the oldest of 8! She is currently in her last year studying criminal justice at Pittsburg State University. She is so happy to be here and hang with all the kiddos!

Tessa V. - Assistant Teacher, All Rooms

Tessa has been watching and taking care of children since she was 16! She is currently taking classes at JCCC, working towards an Early Education degree. Tessa loves working with and watching the children grow, learn, and develop their life skills. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends. She also loves to paint, be outdoors, and listen to music!

Jamie Y. - Lead Teacher, After School Care - 1st and 2nd Grade

Jamie has been working with children of various ages since 1996, and has been with us here at Asbury since 2000. She also leads the ACC's Music & Movement program. While she enjoys many aspects of working with children, she really loves to see their faces light up when they accomplish a skill that they have worked on so diligently.