Meet Our Staff

The teachers and administration at Ladybug Learning Club are committed and passionate about early childhood education. Our  teachers are dedicated to our curriculum which focuses on developing the whole child. Master teachers have varying levels of education and certifications. Many Ladybug staff members have worked with young children at Ladybug for numerous years.  All staff are finger printed, background checked and required to complete 20 hours of Early Childhood Training each school year.

 
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Jenifer Merriam

Jenifer Merriam

Jenifer Merriam is the Director and Owner of Ladybug Learning Club Christian Preschool.  Jenifer has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University. Jenifer has been an early childhood educator for 19 years. She has directed and owned her own preschool for 12 years. Jenifer is a reading specialist and curriculum designer.   She is also a member of the NAEYC & AzAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children ).  

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Cathy Merrill

Cathy Merrill

Cathy Merrill is the school’s office coordinator. She has an English degree from ASU. She came to LBLC 6 years ago as a parent. While her children where in the classroom, she began working as an aide. She has worked as the office coordinator for 5 years.

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Maria Tefft

Maria Tefft is currently teaching our Pre-K students.  She has been a teacher at Ladybug Learning Club 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 is currently pursuing her Masters in Early Childhood and Special Ed.  Maria also serves as Director when needed.


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Jill Dunigan

Jill Dunigan

Jill has taught the fours program since 2004.  This year she will be our LLP teacher.  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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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 in our Three's and Pre-K 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 a part of the Ladybug staff. 

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Lynda Earls

Lynda Earls

Lynda has been at Ladybug since 2006. Lynda has been working directly with children at Ladybug since 2007. She is the Lead Teacher for our Lunch Bunch after school program. Lynda also taught in our three year old and pre-k classrooms last year as a teaching assistant. Lynda is creative, energetic and has such a love for her students. This year we are happy to have her as one of our three’s classrooms teachers. Lynda has also been a school aide before we discovered how incredible she is in the classroom. Before her time at Ladybug, Lynda received a degree in Dental Hygiene and worked as a dental assistant. Lynda attends Superstition Springs Community Church and has two children. Her son is a former Ladybug student.

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Brandi Forsythe

Brandi Forsythe

Brandi has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Southwestern Bible College. She has previously taught for Mesa Public Schools and Edu-Prize Charter School. She attends Cornerstone with her husband and two daughters. Brandi loves to teach and instill a love for learning in children.

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Leslie Horstman

Leslie Horstman

Leslie is teaching one of our 3 year old classrooms this year.  She has an Associate Degree in Science from Citrus College.  Education has always been her passion and she plans on pursuing her Early Childhood Degree.  Leslie and her husband have two daughters ages three and four.  She is excited for both of her daughters to attend Ladybug this year.  She became interested in teaching at Ladybug after watching her daughter have an amazing experience her first year.  She looks forward to teaching your children in a loving and creative environment.  She is very excited to be a part of the Ladybug staff.

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Kristi McCullough

Kristi McCullough

Kristi McCullough is teaching our Pre-K class. Kristi has a B.S. and a Master's in Elementary Education from Northern Arizona University. She has over thirteen years of teaching experience. She and her husband have two wonderful boys, ages six and four. Kristi loves teaching preschool aged students and likes to make learning fun. She is excited to become a part of the Ladybug family and is looking forward to a wonderful school year.

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Caroina Shields

Carolina Shields

Carolina will be teaching one of our 3s classes this year. She earned her B.A. in Liberal Arts and a Multiple Subject/ CLAD Teaching credential from Hope International University in Fullerton, CA. Previously, Carolina has worked in various churches in the children's ministry as a teacher. Carolina and her husband, Dan Shields, moved from Roseville, CA in 2007 to plant a church here in AZ called Real Life Christian Church. They have been married for 13 years and have two sons, 7yrs and 4 yrs. Carolina is so excited to be back in the classroom where she can impact children's development.

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