Meet Our Staff

All Ladybug Learning Club Christian Preschool staff hold degrees in early childhood education or related fields.  All staff are finger printed, background checked and required to complete 12 hours of Early Childhood Training
each school year.

     

Jenifer Merriam

Jenifer Merriam is the Director and Owner of Ladybug Learning Club Christian Preschool.  Jenifer has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. Jenifer is also a state certified teacher. Jenifer has been an early childhood educator for 17 years. She has directed and owned her own preschool for 9 of those years. Jenifer is a reading specialist and curriculum designer.   She is also a member of the NAEYC&VSAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children ). Jenifer is currently pursuing a masters in Early Childhood Curriculum at ASU. 
 

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Maria Tefft

Maria Tefft is currently teaching our three to five year old students, and has been a teacher at Ladybug Learning Center since January 2004. Previously, Maria taught Kindergarten in the Gilbert School District for three years. Maria has a Post Bac in Elementary Education from Arizona State University.  Maria also serves as Director when needed.


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Heidi Anderson

Heidi currently teaches our threes program and has been with Ladybug Learning Club since 2005. She has 6 years experience in Early Childhood and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.  She has served as a Childcare Provider, Sunday School Teacher and Director of Early Childhood Development for Bethany Community Church.  While at Bethany, she took great enjoyment in writing curriculum, organizing classes, and most of all interacting with the kids.  Heidi believes that preschool teaching is her calling in life.  She enjoys helping to shape the lives of children at Ladybug Learning Club.

 

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Tandra Rederick

Tandra Rederick teaches in our Lunch Bunch program.  She has a Bachelor's degree in English (including courses in early childhood development) and has taught in a professional preschool environment for 5 years. Additional experience includes helping set-up and coordinate a church nursery, teaching in classes ranging in age from 18mths to 5 years, caring for infants through toddlers in a nursery setting for the past 14 years, and being the mother of two daughters ages 3 and 6. Her passion for teaching and working with young children comes from having a mother who taught in the public school system for over 26 years and from enjoying the privilege of being a part of a child's earliest experience on his/her educational journey.

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Jill Dunigan

Jill Dunigan

Jill currently teaches the fours program and has been with Ladybug Learning Club since 2004.  She has a BS in child development from Cal. State University of Fullerton. She taught in California for six years before moving to Arizona in 1997. Jill also teaches first graders each Sunday at her Church, Central Christian church, and is involved with first through third grade curriculum and Application Activities. Jill is passionate about teaching young children and is dedicated to helping them develop socially, academically and spiritually!

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Andrea 

Andrea Nisbet 

Andrea currently teaches our 4s class and has been a teacher at Ladybug Learning Club since 2007.  She has a BS in Special Education with her teaching certificate from Arizona State University.  Andrea previously taught Special Education for five years at the elementary level.  Andrea was born in Arizona and currently lives in Gilbert with her husband and two boys ages six and three.  Her hobbies include reading, scrap booking, and spending time with her family.  Andrea is thrilled to be a part of the Ladybug team.  While her oldest son attended Ladybug, Andrea fell in love with the curriculum and the Christian environment.  It is Andrea’s goal to help her students be fully prepared for kindergarten both academically and socially, to develop a love for learning, and to have fun! 

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Annie Fiser

Annie Fiser

Annie Fiser is a one of our teachers for the Ladybug Launching Pad class.  Previously, Annie taught Pre-Kindergarten at a Christian Preschool in Mesa.  She has also taught First and Second Grade in the Mesa School District.  Annie has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University.  She and her husband have two daughters ages six and three.  Annie loves teaching preschool aged students and likes to make learning fun.  She feels she can make a difference in early education because she knows the skills students need to attain for Kindergarten and Elementary School.

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Nicole Holmberg

Nicole Holmberg

An Alumni of Grand Canyon University, Nicole has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Arizona University. She holds English as a Second Language Specialist endorsement. Nicole has been teaching preschool through 5th grade students since 1992. Nicole believes that God placed the teaching “bug” in her heart at the age of 7 years old. She cannot imagine doing anything else. She is thrilled to be a part of the Ladybug Learning Club staff. She and her husband, Nick, have 2 terrific children.  They love to spend time together as a family.

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Laura Richardson

Laura Richardson

Laura has several years experience working as an Early Childhood Educator. She has an associates degree in Child Development.  She has previously worked as a preschool teacher and a nanny. Laura has taught at Ladybug during the last school year as a substitute teacher for the pre-K and summer camp programs.  Laura is pursuing her Early Childhood degree at this time. She attends East Valley Bible Church with her husband and 4 children. She loves teaching and being able to instill a love for school and the Lord at a young age. Her passion for working with young children is evident to all who have the opportunity to see her teach. She is excited to be a part of Ladybug and feels very blessed to be teaching there.