Mrs. Gray

Mrs. McCumber

What is your favorite children’s book and why?
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss because my kids giggle every time I read it to them and it makes me happy to see them so happy.
What was you first school experience?
I remember going to preschool and making handprints to give my mom. I was so proud
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I love the way that kids look at things so differently from adults.
Where did you study to be a teacher?
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was very young. I have a B.S. in Special Education from Georgia Southern University.

Mrs. McCumber is a certified special education teacher and has 7 years of experience teaching in the public schools before stopping out to be full time mom.  Her children are now school age and she is enjoying being back to the classroom.

Mrs. Peterson

What is your favorite children’s book and why?
My favorite book is The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats because of the wonderful illustrations. I love all of his books!
What was you first school experience?
My first school experience was kindergarter in Texas. I remember LOVING IT!
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I love to listen to children’s laughter and watch the wonder on their faces when they learn and discover.
Where did you study to be a teacher?
I have my certificate in Early Childhood Education from Mesa Community College.

Mrs. Peterson has over 25 years experience working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school age children. She has worked in various preschools and also as a second grade Instructional Assistant in the public schools. Mrs. Peterson has her Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Mesa Community College. She is married and has two grown children and a granddaughter.

Mrs. Schuldt

What is your favorite children’s book and why?
I’ll Love You Forever. It reinforces unconditional love.
What was you first school experience?
In kindergarten I switched writing hands so I could sit next to my friend (and not bump elbows). I’m still left handed today.
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing is seeing a child “light up” when they “get it”.
Where did your desire to teach come from?
I think from my own mother.  She was always there for us and any stray children in the neighborhood.

Mrs. Schuldt grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has a son and daughter who are both grown. She worked as a hospital medical clerk in a doctor's office for twelve years before starting a family. When Mrs. Schuldt’s daughter began preschool, she became an assistant preschool teacher. She has taught in preschools in Indiana and Arizona for over 15 years. Mrs. Schuldt is currently taking early childhood education classes at Mesa Community College.

Mrs. Ham

What is your favorite children’s book and why?
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, because it always made me laugh and imagine. Now reading it to my own kids is equally as fun because I can see the joy and laughter on their faces.
What was your first school experience?
Fairland Elementary in Pennsylvania. I was in Kindergarten with Miss Cooligan, my mom came to school and the whole class read Stone Soup and we made the real soup together, afterwards.
What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I love to see the joy of learning on each little face everyday as we do new things and continue with the old. I have wonderful memories with my teachers when I was little and I hope that I make an impact with the kids that I spend my days with now.
Where did your desire to teach come from?
I have no formal education in teaching, just years and years of babysitting, followed by two years as the lead teacher in a Kindercare facility and then on to my own three children!

Mrs. Ham was born in Michigan, Go State! I moved to Arizona in 2003 with my husband. I am a part-time, at-home mom to my three kiddos. I also sell girl’s hair bows on the internet as my hobby. I have two younger sisters and a beautiful niece who are still in Michigan. One of my goals in life is to write a children’s book.

What is your favorite children's book?

always loved The Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh the best. I met my best friend Kelly, when we were three. Her dad would often read to us.

What was your first school experience?

I remember building a tower with blocks and my neighbor, Mark, came over and knocked it over. We stayed friends anyway.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

I am passionate about reading. There is nothing that thrills me more than to see a child's eyes light up as I read to them.

Mrs. Shubert was born in California and raised in Reno, Nevada. She met her husband when she moved to Wisconsin. They have three wonderful daughters and lived in Houston, Texas before being transferred to Arizona. They love the dry climate and the wonderful friends they have made here in Arizona.

Mrs. Castillo

What is your favorite Children’s book and why?
I’ve always love The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.  I remember my parents reading it to me and I wanted to be just like Ferdinand.  In fact, I spend a good part of recess in second grand sitting in the grass under a grass smelling the flowers (well weeds really).

What was your first memory about going to school?
I remember how the teacher asked the kindergarten class to put our heads down on our desks and rest after lunch and how she asked me if I would be the monitor while she went out in the hallway. I was so worried that something would happen while she was gone that it is one of the clearest memories I have about school to this day.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
I love to see children get excited about learning. It is so rewarding to see the energy they bring to every new topic.

If you have a degree in teaching where did you study?
I majored in history in college but I took several ESL (English as a second language) classes because I planned to work as a teacher in Poland when I graduated. I spent three years in Poland teaching English to children, teenagers, and adults.

Mrs. Castillo grew up in Illinois and graduated fro the University of Illinois. She then went on to get a business degree from the University of Pennsylvania and worked for several years in management consulting. She is currently a stay-at-home mom to three children, ages 5, 3, and 2, except when she’s at The Preschool teaching Spanish. She learned Spanish first hand from hearing her husband, who is from Mexico, speak to his children daily.

Mrs. Monsegur

What is your favorite Children’s book and why?
My favorite children’s book is The Gift of Nothing by Patric McDonnell. It features the characters Mooch and Ear from the comic strip “Mutts”.  Mooch want s to get Earl a gift, but Earl has everything so he gives him a box filled with nothing.  However just because it looks like nothing, doesn’t mean it is.  It is actually his friendship wrapped in a present.  The best gift we can give truly is our friendship!

What was your first school experience?
My first school memory is from my kindergarten classroom.  Wee had a classroom incubator and it had eggs in it.  I came to school everyday so excited to see if the eggs had hatched!! I was utterly amazed the day there were baby chicks! I always remember that when I work with my students.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is watching a child grow!  Watching them experience new things with wonder and amazement is truly magical.

If you have a degree in teaching where did you study?
I received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education from Northern Arizona University/ I also have a Certification in Early Childhood Education.

Mrs. Monsegur  says she is the mother of three fantastic boys and has been married for sixteen amazing years! She loves traveling and shopping!

Mrs. Mansfield

What is your favorite Children’s book and why?
Dr Seuss’ Green Eggs & Ham.  It brings back memories of ready it to my children while we were cooking green eggs and ham!  The book teaches children to try different foods because you never know what you will like until you try it.

What was your first school experience?
I remember riding my pony to and from school as we only loved a mile away.  I remember feeling very important to be the only child that rode their pony to school!

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children’s eyes light up when they realize how well they have achieved something and knowing I have helped in the process.

Mrs. Mansfield is originally from England and has lived in the U.S. for twenty-three years. She has lived in Arkansas, Kansas, and Nebraska. She just moved to Arizona earlier this year.  Her husband works in aviation. They have two grown children.  She has been working with children for the past twelve years and hopes to continue for many more!

Mrs. Gipson

What is your favorite Children’s book and why?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.  It shows the incredible love between a mother and her child. I have another favorite which is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  It reminds me of being a parent and the selfless love a parent gives their child.

What was your first memory about going to school?
My first memory about going to school was that I was so excited that I had my clothes laid out two days before school started.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My favorite thing about teaching is feeling the joy a child feels when they have learned something new.  They are so excited to share it with their teacher and most of all their parents.

If you have a degree in teaching where did you study?
I have an Associate of Arts degree Associates of General Studies degree.
 
Mrs. Gipson was born in New York and moved to Arizona when she was six. She attended Mesa Public Schools for her education. She has been happily married for twelve years and a beautiful daughter who is the love of her life. She loves being a teacher and nurturing children.

Mrs. Reinhold

What is your favorite Children’s book and why?
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert.  I love the simple collage illustrations and how after reading it to children they use their imaginations to make their own leaf creations.

What was your first memory about going to school?
My first memory was riding the bus with my older sister and brother. I thought I was so big because I was doing to school.

What is your favorite thing about teaching?
Seeing how excited children are to discover and learn new things and how they make me laugh.

If you have a degree in teaching where did you study?
I do not have my degree yet, but I am working on it at Grand Canyon University. I hope to be finished within the next year and half.

Mrs. Reinhold  grew up in St. Louis, Missouri  and moved to Arizona to go to college. She ended up instead meeting her husband (who was in the military) and spent twelve years living many different places including three wonderful  years in Italy. Once out of the service they settled in a little town in Maryland where she spend the last thirteen years volunteering in her children’s school, substitute teaching, and then working part time as a preschool teacher. Now that both their children are in college they decided to move back to Arizona to enjoy the wonderful weather.