Laura
Preschool Director
Leah
Assistant Director
Name: Leah
Position: Assistant Director
Family: I’ve been married for 18 years to Dennis and we have two teenage sons.
Experience/Background: I’ve worked at the preschool since 2008 and have been the assistant director since 2013.
Favorite thing about the position: I love sharing the good news of Jesus with the kids and their families.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love spending time with my family outdoors.
Jillian
Music Teacher
Name: Jillian
Position: Music Teacher
Family: I am married and have three children ages 20, 18, and 17.
Experience/Background: I was born and raised in Malaysia. I speak 5 languages: English, Chinese, Malay, Cantonese, and Taiwanese. I teach Sunday School for toddlers-Kindergarten at my church. I lead worship for children ages 2-12. I am also a worship teacher at my church. I was the principal of Austin Chinese School from 2012-2014 and have been on the Board of Directors since 2014.
Favorite thing about the position: I love to teach singing, dancing and worship with little children. Most importantly I love to teach them how to pray and talk to God.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love to watch movies with my family at Alamo Drafthouse and Flix Brewhouse.
Rita
2’s Teacher
Name: Rita
Position: 2’s Teacher
Family: I’ve been married for 15 years and have two girls, 14 and 12 years-old.
Experience/Background: I try to keep a happy and positive attitude. Always be kind to others. I’ve worked at Palm Valley preschool for 4 ½ years. I was the 18-month teacher for ½ a year and I’ve been with the 2’s for 4 years.
Favorite thing about the position: I love making children smile and having fun.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I take family walks and try out new restaurants.
Dora
Hi, I am Ms. Dora and I am so exciting for another great year filled with discovery and joy here at Palm Valley. I enjoy working with children and helping them reach for their dreams through their education. I believe every child should be valued and treated with respect. An education should empower children and help them make a positive contribution to our world. I love teaching preschool, the rate of language acquisition at this age never ceases to amaze me! The highlight of my day is circle time with a board book on the reading rug.
My husband and I have a beautiful family, a three year old son who also attends Palm Valley and a Yorkie puppy. Round Rock, Texas has been our home for the past 10 years. I enjoy being outdoors and playing sports like softball, volleyball and soccer. I like to cook, read and have as many family outings as possible. The Round Rock/Austin area is a great place to be. We often check out the Do512 Family weekly listings for activities we enjoy doing like story time, festivals, parks, arts and crafts for kids, interactive museums exhibits, farm visits, and so much more!
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Bilingual Education from St. Edward’s University and I have 8 years of experience working in an Elementary/PK-5th grade setting. I spent most of my time teaching all core subjects for 1st and 4th grade students and was also a bilingual Math specialist for 3rd-5th graders.
At Palm Valley, I find great joy in the community feeling that exists here and the way parents and teachers work together, allowing us to witness the growth within each child through exploration, creativity and hard work. I look forward to continued success and new discoveries with an amazing team of teachers at Palm Valley.
Susan
3’s Teacher
Name: Susan
Position: 3’s teacher
Family: My husband, Don, and I have three daughters and three dogs.
Experience/Background: I’ve worked at Palm Valley Preschool for 17 years. I started as an aide and have taught 2 and 3 years
Favorite thing about the position: I enjoy getting to watch all the children grow and learn. All the preschool children, parents
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I like walking in Old Settler’s Park and visiting the Bob Bullock museum.
Jennifer
2’s Teacher
Name: Jennifer
Position 2’s teacher
Family: I am married with three children.
Experience/Background: I have a degree in Psychology with a minor in art. I’ve been teaching at Palm Valley since 2016.
Favorite thing about the position: I love to see the changes as children grow and learn.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love Christmastime in Round Rock with the lights and the family nights.
Ann
Floating Teacher
Name: Ann
Position: Floating Teacher
Family: I am happily married to my husband, Jim. I have eight children and two stepchildren. Four of my sons have served in the military and one is making a career in the Navy. I have ten grandchildren and one on the way.
Experience/Background: I ran a successful daycare in Massachusetts for ten years. I work as a crossing guard for Round Rock ISD. I also sub as a cafeteria monitor on the days I am not at preschool.
Favorite thing about the position: I love Palm Valley Preschool! My youngest daughter’s first school experience was here. We fell in love the program and joined the church.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love the many family events and numerous restaurants in the Round Rock/Austin area. It is true the people are genuinely kind and helpful in the South.
Kim
3’s Teacher
Name: Kim
Position: 3’s teacher
Family: I am married and have 3 kids.
Experience/Background: I’ve taught at Palm Valley for 20 years and have enjoyed every year.
Favorite thing about the position: I love the kids, families, and the everyday relationships formed with them.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I live in Cedar Park and am active in my community and schools. I love to visit downtown Austin.
Erika
Floating Teacher
Name: Erika
Position: Floating Teacher
Family: In 1995 I married the “Boy Next Door” and we now have three daughters, one son, and one grandson. I enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom to my older children and working part-time here at the preschool and assisting my husband in our business while raising our 4-year-old daughter.
Experience/Background: I’ve always enjoyed working with children and love volunteering at several VBS’s, in my children’s classrooms, and running my third daughter’s Girl Scout troop. I’ve been working
Favorite thing about the position: I feel very blessed to work with these great ladies and sweet children.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: In my free time I enjoy taking day trips around the area and finding fun places to dine and shop, seeing all Texas has to offer.
Tammy
Lead Floating Teacher
Name: Tammy
Position: Lead Floating Teacher
Family: I’ve been married for 37 years. I have one married son, two grandsons, and one daughter.
Experience/Background: I’ve worked at Palm Valley preschool for 12 years.
Favorite thing about the position: I love working with the children.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love being outdoors, walking, biking, and swimming.
Andrea
18-month Teacher
Name: Andrea
Position: 18-month teacher
Family: My husband, Chris, and I have been married since 2003. We have two daughters.
Experience/Background: I subbed for two years before I started at Palm Valley in 2015.
Favorite thing about the position: I love getting to spend time with the kids and watch them grow and learn.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: We love to go camping as a family and attend all the great festivals in the area.
Keslie
2’s Teacher
Name: Keslie
Position: 2’s Teacher
Family: I’m married to my high school sweetheart and we have an adorable and sassy daughter.
Experience/Background: I attended Houston Baptist University where I graduated with a degree in education. I have been teaching for almost 3 years.
Favorite thing about the position: I have wanted to be a teacher my entire life. I love the excitement the Palm Valley team has for teaching kids about God’s love.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I like thrifting at Goodwill and the Caring Place for teacher items.
Jen
Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Name: Jen
Position: Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Family: I have 3 kids who have graduated or are currently attending Palm Valley
Experience/Background: I’ve taught just about every level, but have a huge place in my heart for Pre-K.
Favorite thing about the position: I love working with kids and preparing them for Kindergarten through play and experience.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love visiting parks and walking trails with my kids. I could live on Round Rock donuts. I love seeing shows downtown in Austin.