PRESCHOOL STAFF
Our teachers are the best
Our staff members are carefully selected based on educational qualifications and experience in the field of early childhood education. The majority of our teachers hold an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood Ed or a related degree, and a number of our teachers hold a master’s degree or higher.
Equally as important is a loving and genuine interest in young children. All of our staff have a passion for working with young children and work to develop strong positive relationships with the students in their care.
Staff turnover is low because we foster a workplace built on nurturing relationships, community spirit, and an inclusive atmosphere. Here, every team member is crucial to our collective success, contributing to a supportive environment that encourages personal and professional growth.
We believe that a thriving workplace is rooted in robust relationships. Our team collaborates to forge strong connections with each other, our students, and their families, creating a close-knit community akin to a family. This supportive setting is perfect for those who thrive in a dynamic, positive environment committed to mutual success and continuous improvement.
Continual staff development is mandatory and accomplished through university/college coursework, workshops, conferences, and in-service training.
All teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training in accident/emergency procedures, recognition of illness, nutrition, child abuse detection, reporting, and prevention, safety, program administration, infant and child growth and development, observation and assessment, developmentally appropriate practice, child guidance and discipline to meet Arizona Department of Health Services Childcare Licensing Requirements. Most of these requirements are fulfilled on site by the Director or other qualified trainers in the field.
Professional development opportunities are offered monthly during our early release days from 11:45am to 2:45 and range from teaching methodology to curriculum to reflective teaching.
All staff members must have current CPR and First Aid cards. All staff members are fingerprinted, and background checks are conducted through the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
God’s Garden is the Christian Preschool serving families in Ahwatukee and the Foothills and is licensed and regulated by the State of Arizona.
TEACHERS
Our incredible staff of teachers
Ms. Maxine
Teaches: 4’s M-F (part time)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Beautiful Butterflies
Background: Ms. Maxine has over 10 years of experience working with young children.
Interests/Hobbies: Maxine loves spending time with her family. They like to hike, travel, and go bowling. Maxine once got to escort the Queen of England when she worked for the Channel Tunnel in England!
Years at God’s Garden: 6
Ms. Kim S.
Teaches: 4’s M-F (part time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Beautiful Butterflies
Background: Ms. Kim has a Bachelor’s degree in Business and is a certified K-9 teacher. She is also working on her Child Development Associate (CDA) in Early Childhood Education at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.
Interests/Hobbies: Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She likes kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, going to the movies, and traveling. She even traveled the world on a ship!
Years at God’s Garden: 4
Ms. Abbie
Teaches: all ages
Position: Stay and Play Teacher
Classroom: all
Background: Ms. Abbie has a bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She has several years of experience teaching Kindergarten.
Interests/Hobbies:
Years at God’s Garden: 1st Year
Ms. Claudie
Teaches: 3’s MWF (part time)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Ladybugs
Background: Ms. Claudie has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Social Sciences. Working on completing her Child Development Associate Credential.
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Claudie enjoys reading, traveling, and going to the movies.
Years at God’s Garden: 18
Ms. Christine
Teaches: 3’s MWF (part time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Ladybugs
Background: Ms. Christine has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
Interests/Hobbies: She enjoys running, working out, cooking/baking, walking my dog and spending time with my family and friends.
Years at God’s Garden: 12
Ms. Kim C.
Teaches: Kindergarten (full day)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Sunshine Room
Background: Ms. Kim has many years of experience teaching, including several years in the 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s Preschool classrooms here at GG and many years of experience teaching Kindergarten, as well. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education (with a teaching certificate) and a Master’s degree in Human Relations.
Interests/Hobbies:
Years at God’s Garden: 10
Ms. Jacqueline
Teaches: 2’s M-F (full time)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Tadpoles
Background: Ms. Jacque graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s in Elementary Education. She has taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, as well as young children at her church.
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Jacque loves spending time with her family. She loves Gospel music, and her relationship with God. In her free time, she likes to read, travel, and spend time with her boyfriend, Rodrigo. She also loves sushi and steak!
Ms. Kenzie
Teaches: 2’s M-F (full time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Tadpoles
Background: Ms. Kenzie has a bachelor’s degree in business management. She has been working with preschoolers for over 2 years. Her goal is to inspire and support students in their journeys!
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Kenzie enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Kristin
Teaches: 2’s M-F (full time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Tadpoles
Background: Ms. Kristin has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has about a decade of experience working with young children. She loves building close, nurturing relationships with her students and their families. She works to help children develop their self-confidence and grow in their development.
Interests/Hobbies: In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and enjoys the outdoors.
Years at God’s Garden: 1st Year
Ms. Leah
Teaches: 3-5 Preschool M-F (full day)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Busy Bees
Background: Ms. Leah has over 10 years of experience working with young children. She has worked with children of all ages. She has been at God’s Garden for one year and is excited to teach full day preschool this year.
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Leah loves to spend time with family and go hiking during her free time.
Years at God’s Garden: 3
Ms. Hannah
Teaches: 3-5 Preschool M-F (full day)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Busy Bees
Background: Ms. Hannah is completing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. She is in her 3rd year of school.
Interests/Hobbies:
Years at God’s Garden: 1 year
Ms. Mariah
Teaches: 1’s M-F (full time)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Ducklings
Background: This is Ms. Mariah’s 5th year at God’s Garden. She has a Bachelor’s degree in History from Northern Arizona University.
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Mariah loves animals and spending time with people and children. She used to work at PetSmart and loves to pet sit!
Years at God’s Garden: 5
Ms. Amber
Teaches: 2’s M-F (Part time)
Position: Lead Teacher
Classroom: Little Sprouts
Background: Ms. Amber started out as an intern and impressed us so much that we hired her on the spot! She graduated this Spring from Rio Salado with an Associates in Early Childhood Ed and is transferring to NAU to complete a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Ed.
Interests/Hobbies: In her free time, Amber loves to spend time with her family. They travel to Illinois and Tennessee often. She enjoys camping in the mountains and boating on the lake. She also loves to watch and play sports (soccer, football, quad and dirt bike riding) with her family.
Years at God’s Garden: 2
Ms. DeAna
Teaches: 2’s MWF (Part time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Little Sprouts
Background: Ms. DeAna has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Grand Canyon University. She loves working with kids and especially loves working in the 2’s classroom.
Interests/Hobbies: She loves to read, travel, and go hiking. She played club soccer for 10+ years.
Years at God’s Garden: 2
Ms. Jessica
Teaches: 2’s MWF (Part time)
Position: Teacher’s Assistant
Classroom: Little Sprouts
Background: Ms. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. She has many years of experience working with children, including children with special needs. She has three children of her own, including one who currently attends God’s Garden.
Interests/Hobbies: Ms. Jessica makes space for big emotions!
Years at God’s Garden: 1
Meet the Director – Michelle Rhodes
This is Ms. Michelle’s 10th year at God’s Garden. She has a passion for creating high quality early childhood programs for young children. Above all, she is an advocate for children and families. She strives to improve and make a difference in the lives of young children and their families by preparing professionals to create high quality learning experiences in the classroom. Her goal is to help support all children and families and to provide them with the tools to be successful in life!
Michelle has a Ph.D. in Early Childhood Education and 20 years of experience working in early childhood education. She has many years of experience teaching and training early childhood professionals. She loves coaching and mentoring teachers and watching them grow! You will find her leading professional development workshops on early release days or observing and working with teachers in the classroom; helping them learn new skills or fine tune what they already know.
She has also been teaching and working with diverse young children and their families for over 20 years. Not only has she worked directly with children in licensed preschool centers, but she has also worked with children and their families in various community settings, as well, including Leaps and Bounds, a family-interactive kindergarten readiness program for families with preschool aged children. You will often find Ms. Michelle in the classroom teaching and playing with children. She absolutely loves kids and it shows!
Grounded in Piaget’s theory of Constructivism, Michelle’s believes that children “learn by doing” and thus hands-on experiences are crucial to student learning and growth. Michelle believes in providing an emergent, play-based, child-centered curriculum for children to be successful in school and life.
Although Michelle was born in California, Arizona is home to her. She has lived here for over 30 years. She lives with her two daughters, Josephine and Lola, and enjoys the outdoors. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running, hiking, biking, roller blading, swimming, and camping.
Michelle enjoys connecting and networking with members of the community. Feel free to reach out to her by email with questions or to connect at directorgodsgarden@horizonchurch.com
Meet the Assistant Director – Denise Tobin
Ms. Denise has over 30 years of experience working with children. She a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and has a Principal Certification. She has taught pre-k, first, second, and fourth grades. She has taught classes in education and teacher preparation programs at ASU. She has experience in teaching, training, and mentoring teachers in early childhood education. She was Summer Academy Principal for 3 years, and an Elementary Assistant Principal for 7 years in Kyrene before retiring.
Denise enjoys working with the staff and families at Gods Garden. She is often the first person to greet you when you walk in the door. She handles the daily operations of the school, and helps coordinate many of the activities throughout the school year. This will be her 10th year at Gods Garden. Denise is responsible for all of the behind the scenes administrative work that makes the school run smoothly. She is the “heart and soul” of our school, and we are so thankful for her!
Denise lives with her husband Brian and has been in Ahwatukee for almost 30 years. She has 3 sons, Brandon, Justin, and Preston. She also has two grandchildren that attend Gods Garden.
When Denise is not working, she enjoys shopping, traveling with her husband, spending time with her grandkids, and being with her family.
You may contact Ms. Denise at 480-460-0081 or godsgarden@horizonchurch.com.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Get to know our group
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
God’s Garden Preschool is governed by the Horizon Church Board of Directors, known as Session. Session oversees the continuing operation of God’s Garden Preschool and Child Development Center and consists of Church Members, the Preschool Director, and Pastor. The Board plans, develops and establishes policy, and assess the performance of the school. The Board is also responsible for promoting Christian education in the community. The Board encourages personal faith in Christ and the building of Christian character.
