Christine Benedix, Preschool Director, returns for her sixth year at The Wonder Place. She has been Dundee’s Nursery Director since 1999. Christine is an active member in the National, Nebraska, and Omaha chapters of the Association for the Education of Young Children. She enjoys sharing the joys of learning with her students.
Bev Jensen, our fabulous resident grandma, returns this year despite a long commute to her new home in Bennington. She will be working four days a week in the writing center. Bev is devoted to children and The Wonder Place, and will be assisting in our new Christian-based monthly discovery centers as well.
Kathy Pflug, the lead teacher for the Wonder Tots 2005/2006 will continue her role in our art program. She will teach art Tuesdays and Thursdays with a strong focus on process and using recycled materials. Kathy has 10 children including Miss Molly our past art teacher, and Miss Jenny our aide. Kathy is a nurturing teacher with a constant smile.
Nancy Meng-Frecker joined the staff four years ago. Mrs. Meng-Frecker will lead our expanding science program. She has an early education background and previously worked at Sunset Elementary. Nancy loves the energy and spirit of preschoolers and is a wonderful asset to our staff. She loves to share knowledge of the natural world with curious preschoolers.
Paige Festersen joins our art staff this year after staying home with her two daughters. Mrs. Festersen is excited to join the preschool team and loves the chance to explore art with our little artists. She is focusing this year on child-directed art with minimal assistance from teachers. In this way our preschoolers are able to explore art without defined boundries and expectations!
Kim Shaneyfelt has had children involved at The Wonder Place for over 8 years. She will be joining the staff as our Spanish teacher. Kim brings both elementary and high school teaching experience to her classroom. Mrs. Shaneyfelt is also a piano teacher. We are excited to welcome back this high energy teacher to our classroom.
Amy Rossitto returns for her fifth year as a teaching aide. Her college background focused on Psychology. Amy has the energy and enthusiasm of a young mother and will focus on kindergarten readiness skills. She has a kindergarten age daughter who loves to come to work with Mom!
Molly Koley, an eleven-year nursery veteran, will return as a preschool aide. She has a family of six children from college to 7th grade. Molly loves children and has patience and understanding for everyone. Molly is a hands-on teacher always able to work at the child’s level.
Miss Jenny (Plug) is an art aide on Tuesdays through Thursdays. She works well with children at their own level. Jenny has a heart for children and can reassure and guide our youngest students. She understands the different challenges of making the adjustment from home to preschool and loves to work one-on-one with students in art.
Miss Susannah is studying French and Education at UNO. She is energetic and loves the “play” element in our daily routine! She has been a nursery caregiver for over five years. The students love her youthful spirit and high energy interaction. She floats throughout the classroom and supports learning in the areas utilized by the most students.
