Bailey
Preschool Director
Position: Director
Family: My husband and I have been married for 6 years. We have two children, a five year old daughter and two year old son. We love family time, whether its an art project or hitting golf balls!
Experience/Background: I have an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master's Degree in Business Administration. I spent 8 years teaching preschool age children and after that worked in the Sales and Marketing field. My true passion is child development and seeing how that is fostered in a classroom setting!
Favorite thing about your position at Preschool: I love that Palm Valley starts children off with a strong foundation, not just academically, but through the strong relationships our families build with one another and with a love for Jesus.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: I love experiencing the culture in this area! My family and I love to check out all of the local festivals and fairs.
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.
Michelle
18 mos teacher
Name: Michelle
Position: 18 mos Teacher
Family: My sweet husband and I married in 2012 and have a lovely young daughter and a happy rescue pup! We love living here in Round Rock and the amazing family-centric atmosphere in this community!
Experience/Background: Born and raised in Oklahoma. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Oklahoma, and a few short years later relocated to Texas and made Austin my home. Prior to my current teaching position I was a substitute and aide at the preschool. I have also led Children’s Ministry programs at my church and vacation bible school groups in a number of Lutheran Churches across Central Texas.
Favorite thing about the position: Fostering a love of learning and the natural explorer in every child I get to see at Palm Valley Preschool! We are one big happy family here and I love that!
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: We love to experience the culinary variety available in Austin and Round Rock! Any chance we get we’ll explore a new restaurant, new flavors, and the diverse cultures they represent.
Rita
Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Name: Rita
Position: Kindergarten Readiness 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.
Nicole
2's teacher
Name: Nicole
Position 2's Teacher
Family: I married my high school sweetheart 11 years ago. We have 1 son.
Experience/Background: I was a substitute at Palm Valley while my son attended in 2018 and then was able to take a full time position as a 2's teacher. I absolutely love teaching!
Favorite thing about the position: I love that Palm Valley is a play based school. My class and I explore new things every day and the STEM room is so much fun.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: My family and I love to spend time outdoors. We love that Round Rock has lots of parks and recreational areas to enjoy. We spend a lot of time at our family ranch in west Texas and fishing on the Texas coast.
Laura
3's Teacher
Heather
3’s Aide
Name: Heather
Position 3’s Aide
Family: I have been married to my college sweetheart for 15 years. We have two beautiful children who keep us very busy.
Experience/Background: I graduated from Concordia University with a Director of Christian Education degree. I have loved working with children from a very young age, and would spend my summers begging my best friend’s mom to let me help with her in home daycare. I have work/taught at several different preschool within the last 20 years and throughly enjoy teaching and learning from children on a daily basis.
Favorite thing about the position: Palm Valley is an amazing place because the joy in the hearts of its staff members is undeniable!
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: Round Rock and its surrounding area has AMAZING family friendly park. One of my favorite things to do is visit these parks with my children.
Ashley
3's Teacher
Name: Ashley
Position 3's Teacher
Family: After subbing at Palm Valley for 2 ½ years, I became a teacher in January 2019. My husband and I have been married since 2004 and we have 3 amazing daughters. I love teaching the children about God’s unconditional love for each of them .
Favorite thing about the position: My favorite thing to do with the children is explore new things and have fun.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: My family and I love to explore new places in Austin. We love trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors together and attending fun activities and festivals around town.
Deb
Kinder Readiness Teacher
Name: Deb
Position Kinder Readiness Teacher
Family: I have 3 busy kids and 2 crazy dogs.
Experience/Background: I loved teaching first, second and third grades, but my passion is birth - 5 years old. Being an early interventionist for children with special needs was my favorite job.
Favorite thing about the position: The cooperative aspect of Palm Valley is incredible. I love having parents as partners working in the classroom with us.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: My favorite thing to do in Austin and Round Rock is volunteer with my family. I love the opportunities we have in this community to give back and make a difference.
Jennifer
3’s Teacher
Name: Jennifer
Position 3’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.
Erika
2's Teacher
Name: Erika
Position: 2's 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.
Tobie
Aide
Name: Tobie
Position Aide
Family: I have a wonderful husband, Jeromey. We have been married for 18 years. We have 2 children. Breckin is 13 and Kallee is 5. I have always loved being around children. It is so fun to witness them learning and experiencing new things. Both of our children attended PVLCP.
Favorite thing about the position: I love the sense of family. I always felt the teachers treated/loved my children as their own.
Favorite thing to do in the Austin/Round Rock area: With all of our family being in the Midwest, we really enjoy spending time with our friends. We enjoy camping with friends as well.
Tammy
Kinder Readiness Aide
Name: Tammy
Position: Kinder Readiness Aide
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.