Staff

The Teaching Staff at Bethlehem

Bethlehem prides itself on having a dedicated, highly trained, nurturing staff who care about each and every child. Our staff have a combined total of 70 years of experience at Bethlehem Child Care Center.

Each staff member is carefully screened and background checks are conducted before they can begin teaching. Our staff complete many hours of ongoing training each year and all teaching staff are certified in CPR and First Aid.

Beginners

Lead: Ms. Melissa

Ms. Melissa’s Bio

My first experience with BCCC was as a parent in 2005. I have two children, ages 16 and 13, both graduates of the Bethlehem Preschool program. I loved BCCC so much that I joined the staff in September 2009 as an Assistant Teacher in the Beginner’s classroom. Prior to working at BCCC, I worked with special needs children for 10 years.

I grew up on an organic, family farm in southern Minnesota, which was and still is a big part of my life. I am passionate about the environment and LOVE teaching children about nature! I graduated from Hamline University with a BA in Environmental Science and Cultural Anthropology and was a Program Director for an Environmental non-profit before having children.

My family lives right here in the Longfellow neighborhood, which is lovely as I can walk, bike or snow shoe to school! As I mentioned, my husband John and I have two children, Ian and Thalie and a dog, named Neville Longbottom. We are outdoor enthusiasts, enjoying biking, hiking, skiing and camping. I am very much looking forward to getting to know you and your children!

Assistant: Ms. Nicole

Assistant: Ms. Nina

Pre-K, Group A

Lead: Ms. Amanda

Ms. Amanda’s Bio

I began working at BCCC as an adult aide in the Beginner’s classroom in 2006. It was during this time that I found my calling to become a teacher. While working at Bethlehem, I attended St. Paul College and received my A.S. in Early Childhood Education. I taught for two years as a lead preschool teacher before deciding to leave to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood from Central Michigan University. After graduating in May of 2016, I was privileged to be given the opportunity to return and become a part of the Bethlehem team of educators!

I am a native Minnesotan and although I have on occasion lived out of state, I always find my way back. I grew up in the southeastern portion of the state and have wonderful memories of hiking the state park trails and exploring the shore of Lake Superior. I am an avid collector of books and am always on the lookout to add to my collection.

As a teacher, I have the dual role of teacher and learner. As I try to guide students on their journey of learning, I am also a student of my own students. My goal is to understand their strengths, areas of weakness, what motivates them, what frustrates them, and through learning about them as individuals, be able to support them in their endeavors. Opening student’s reception to the idea of becoming life-long learners is one of my main goals by stimulating their sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. As Dorothy Parker puts it, “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

Ms. Janine

Ms. Molly

Mr. Yaphet

Mr. Yaphet’s Bio

I grew up in Longfellow and even attended Bethlehem as a
Beginner and Pre-schooler way back when! I started working here in
High School, continued to throughout college summers, and returned
while completing my degree remotely during the first covid school year.

For college, I attended North Park University in Chicago where I
received a B.A. in English: Creative Writing. I plan to further pursue
my education to become an English/Literature teacher.

Outside of Bethlehem, I like to spend my time plowing through
all the literary classics. When not reading fiction or running around with
kids, you can find me recouping myself on Lake Superior, either
camping, hunting for agates, swimming, or hiking.

I’m looking forward to getting to know your kiddo!

Pre-K, Group B

Lead: Ms Karen

Ms. Karen’s Bio

I am the Lead Teacher in the Pre-K B classroom. I have been working at Bethlehem since 2013 and enjoy my fellow staff and our families.

I attended the U of MN and received my B.S. in Child Psychology, and Pre-K and Early Childhood Special Education license. I have been working in the Early Education field for thirty years.

I have a teen-age son and we live in South Minneapolis. We enjoy watching and playing baseball, soccer, football, and basketball. We have fun playing board games and spending time with friends and neighbors. I am an avid reader and we enjoy our local libraries.

Ms. Aunie

Pre-K, P.M.

Ms. Aunie

School Age: K-5th grade

Co-Lead Ms. Chelsea

Ms. Chelsea’s Bio

Co-Lead: Ms. Molly

Mr. Yaphet

Support Staff

Ms. Anneka

Ms. Kayleen

Ms. Thalie

Ms. Aletha

Building Substitute

Ms. Cindy

Office Assistant

Ms. Janine

Ms. Janine’s Bio

I have three sons who all attended Bethlehem starting in 2002. They all loved preschool! Prior to having children I was an elementary school teacher. In 2011 I began to substitute teach here at Bethlehem and then Jill asked if I would like to work in the office and that is how I became the part-time office assistant!

Director

Ms. Jill

Ms. Jill’s Bio

I have been working at BCCC since the fall of 2006 when I started as their Pre-K teacher. My own daughter was in my class. Late the following spring I was hired as the director and have been in this role ever since. Previous to working at BCCC I taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade in Minneapolis Public Schools for 12 years.

I live in the Longfellow neighborhood with my husband Ron and our dog, Pippa. We have two daughters who are both attending universities out of state. Nadia lives in D.C. and Adelaide lives in Phoenix. In my free time I enjoy baking & decorating sugar cookies, and then biking and working out to offset my first enjoyment!