Our 2025/2026 Team

My family and I moved from Chicago (Go Cubs!) to Allen in 1988. We currently live in Wylie. I have worked in education and served in a variety of children’s ministries over the last 45 years. I have a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master's in Education Administration. This is my 25th year leading the GEM staff at Grace. I have been married to Blair for 41 years and we have 4 children– Daniel, Katie, Lindsey and our son-in-law Lance. I love my job working alongside the awesome GEM staff! It is a blessing to partner with parents teaching and nurturing children to grow spiritually, academically, socially and physically. It is a joy to have my granddaughter Cash at GEM again this year!

This is my 22nd year at GEM! My husband and I graduated from Allen, and I received my BFA from the University of North Texas. We have been married for 23 years and have 3 children (21, 19, 17). Our oldest is married, attends Collin and works full time; our middle is at the Air Force Academy in CO, and our youngest is a junior at Princeton SHS. They are all pretty amazing - and they are all GEM alumni! 🙂Our family loves spending time together, hosting Life Group, and serving the community through Grace and GEM. I'm really looking forward to the 25-26 school year! Fun Fact: I once danced on the stage with the Beach Boys!

This year marks my 15th at GEM, where I began my journey in the classroom for the first three years before joining the Admin Team—now proudly serving in my 12th year in that role. My husband and I are blessed with three amazing sons and have called Allen home since 2004. In April, we welcomed a daughter-in-law into our family! I cherish time spent with family and friends, and I’m grateful to be part of such an incredible team here at GEM.

This is my 15th year at GEM. My husband, Chris, and I celebrated 29 years of marriage in August, and we have two adult children. Currently, I am busy planning a November wedding with my daughter, Emma. My son, Alec, completed his welding certifications at Collin, started his own welding business and is working at the STEAM Center at AISD. I enjoy hanging out with my family, quality time with my hubby, and crafting. My favorite verse is Matthew 25:21, "His master replied, ‘Well done good and faithful servant.”

This is my 21st year teaching and my 14th year at GEM. I am blessed to be able to share my love of learning and God with my students. Michael, my husband, and I moved to Allen in 2006 from Boston. We have one daughter, Kaitlyn (17), who is a senior (Allen), and Cinnamon our sweet dog. Fun trivia fact: You might see me in PBS Curious George learning segment in the episode "Curious George Sees the Light" with my 2nd grade class in Boston.  In my free time, I like to read, travel, go to movies and spend time with my family.

I am delighted to be teaching at GEM this year! I am originally from Illinois and have had the pleasure of teaching High School Mathematics for 6 six years. Before taking this opportunity, I was a stay-at-home mom to my two wonderful daughters. My oldest, Payton, attended GEM and we loved everything about it. When my youngest started at GEM I started working here! This is my second year at GEM. I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact GEM has on our children. Outside of teaching, I enjoy quality family time,  playing games, shopping, arts and crafts, and spending time outside.

This is my second year at GEM and I’m so excited to be part of the Kindergarten team this year! I will also continue to be a Playground Assistant on Monday and Thursdays. I have two little kiddos a boy, Smbat, and a little girl, Abigail. I love baking, and long walks. I love working with children and I feel incredibly lucky to work with such amazing young learners at GEM. I’m passionate about creating an environment where every child feels safe, loved, and excited to learn.

I married a New Jersey boy and we celebrated our 39th anniversary this year. We raised 2 boys and 2 girls in Allen, Texas. They have blessed us with a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law and 2 grandbabies so far! I’ve loved working at GEM since 2005. I am thrilled to be teaching all the kids Sensational Science and singing in Chapel each week. I am excited to assist in Kindergarten this year!   I love to travel, especially to Montana, Tennessee and College Station where some of my kids live. I also like to eat out, walk at the park, play pickle ball, hike and go to the movies with my husband.

This is my 8th year at GEM and I absolutely love this sweet place! I've been married to my husband, Ro, for 20 years.  We have 3 children, Laela (17), Dhillon (14), & Olivea (12) and rescue dog, Bailee (5). My oldest is a senior at AHS this year, so that will be exciting. The kids are all involved in sports and activities, which certainly keeps me moving!  Spending time with family and friends is my absolute favorite pastime, but I also enjoy bargain shopping and party planning. I am excited to be part of an amazing ministry and look forward to a great year with fabulous 4/5 year olds & their families!

This is my eighth year teaching preschool and my fifth year at GEM. I grauated from Texas State University with a Bachelors of Social work. Before I stayed at home with my kids, I worked with special needs children and adults all over Collin County. My husband Mike and I have been married for 27 years and have four amazing children: Zane (20), Eli (18), Bella (16) and Jude (13). We also have four pups: Scout, Sadie, Oakley and Rip. When I’m not at GEM, you will probably find me at a thrift store, cheering on my kids at their activities or taking a dog for a walk! 

This will be my 19th year at GEM! I have been a classroom assistant, office assistant, P.E. assistant and receptionist in AISD, and this year will be my third full year as a 4s teacher. My husband and I have been married for 35 years. We have two adult children and I became a first-time grandmother last January with the second one due in February. I love Bible journaling, shopping on Amazon, and hanging out with our Shelties, Ranger and Maggie.

This is my 13th year at GEM. I previously served as a 4s Teacher and the Music & Spanish Teacher. My husband and I have 18-year-old twin girls that attended GEM 13 years ago. One is going to University of Arkansas and one is going to Abilene Christian University this year.  I love art and scuba diving in Cozumel.

I’m so excited to be serving once again as a class assistant this year at GEM. This marks my ninth year here, and over the years I’ve had the joy of working with children from the 2s all the way through the 4s—this being my sixth year in the 4s classroom. Outside of school, I’ve been married to my husband, Mark, for nearly 20 wonderful years, and we have two awesome sons, Jacob and Joshua. Our family also includes our sweet 10-year-old yellow lab, Barley. When I’m not in the classroom, I love spending time with family and friends. I’m happiest curled up with a good book during a thunderstorm—especially with the windows open! I also enjoy any chance I get to plan a trip and explore new places.

I am excited to start another year on staff at GEM! I have been in education for 30 years and recently retired from teaching. I have 3 beautiful kids, Grace (25), Emma (22) and Will (15) - a GEM alumni! I am blessed with a wonderful family and amazing friends. I love entertaining, reading, crafting, trying new restaurants, and celebrations big and small. My happy place is in Nantucket, soaking up whale watching, lighthouses, and taking lots of pictures. I'm very thankful to now be a part of the GEM family!

I received my BS in Child and Family Development from the University of Missouri in Columbia. I have taught in Developmental Day Care and a variety of preschool settings over the years. This is my 19th year at GEM and I feel very blessed to be a part of such a great school!  My husband, Mike, and I have been married 37 years and have 3 children. Our twin daughters, Hillary and Megan, are married and have blessed us with 5 grandchildren. Our granddaughter, Amelia, will be in a 4s class at  GEM this year! Our son, Michael, our Native Born Texan, works on the Media Tech team at Prestonwood Church.  We moved from St. Louis, MO. to Texas in 1997 and  currently live in Princeton.

This is my 14th year at GEM, my 11th year as a teacher, and before that I was an assistant in the 3s class for three years. My husband, Matt, and I have three wonderful children. My daughter Genevieve, is a Junior at OSU, and enjoying college life. My other daughter Camryn, is starting her freshman year at UNT, and is an active Lacrosse player. My son Dade (14), is a freshman at Lovejoy High School this year. I stay active attending his multiple club and school sports. All three of my children are GEM graduates. I feel blessed to be apart of the GEM team again this year!

This is my 9th year teaching at GEM. Through the years I have been blessed to serve GEM as a parent, a teacher, and as a member of the GEM Board. I am super excited to be teaching the Tues/Wed/Thurs 3s class this year! It is such a privilege to be a part of these foundational years of early childhood. My husband, Chad, and I have been married for 32 years. We have 4 daughters, Mykaela (27), Moriah (25), Marissa (21), and Marlee (15) – all who are alumni of GEM. In my rare spare time, I enjoy reading, watching football, and crafting.

This is my fourth year at GEM and I teach MWF 3s and assist in the T/TH 2s. I was born and raised in southern California. I left the coast to attend The University of Oklahoma where I earned a BA in Letters, a MA in History, and a MA in Library and Information Studies. My husband James and I have been married for 17 years and we live in Lucas with our two kids (both GEM graduates).  I love sports, reading, traveling, and all things Disney! I'm blessed to be a part of this amazing GEM family!

See 4s Team for Bio

See 4s Team for Bio

This is my 4th year at GEM. I have been married to my husband for 22 years, and we are blessed to have an amazing son (12). When I'm not at GEM, I stay busy with my son and my mother. Working at GEM has been such an awesome experience of self growth and daily satisfaction. It is a joy to work with the children as they grow and learn. 

See 4s Team for Bio

This is my 12th year at GEM and my 8th year as the 2s team lead. I love being in the classroom and have such a heart for the littles as they begin their journey in education. My husband, Brett, and I have lived in Allen for 30 years and we have 3 amazing kids, Emily, Kaylee, and Ethan. When I am not at GEM I enjoy spending time with friends and fun game nights! You can also find me cheering for my son, Ethan, as he participates in rec. sports with his fraternity at UNT. Kaylee is a senior at UTD graduating in December and Emily completed her master’s degree in May and will be getting married in November! In my spare time I volunteer for the non-profit Amazing Little Hearts and support the Allen High School Marching Band. I feel very blessed to have been a part of the GEM team for so many years!

I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, moved to Frisco, TX in 1998 and now reside in Princeton. I have been teaching preschool for the past 22 years, 19 of those years with the 2s. This is my 3rd year at GEM and I am blessed for the continued opportunity to be a part of such an awesome school. My husband, Wes, and I have been married for 23 years and are a blended family with 6 awesome children between us; Casey (32), Caitlin (30), Megan (27), Katelin (32), Marisa (28) and a son, together, Sean (22). We are Papaw and Nana to 7 beautiful grandchildren; Emilia (7), Levi (6), Leah (7), Lily (5), Lemon-Louise (3) and Haven (4 months). I love spending time with my family, watching movies, playing with our 2 fur babies, Buddy and Shiloh (both 10), shopping on Amazon, fishing and boating.

This is my fifth year in the 2s Team at GEM. I have also been an assistant in the Friday Enrichment class, but the 2s are my sweet spot! The littles are such a joy to teach! And I'm humbled to be a part of their first pre-school experience. Texas has been my home for most of my life but I am originally from Honduras and speak fluent Spanish.  My husband, Ray and I have been married for 34 years and are blessed with a married daughter-Maya and son-in-love-Chris and our son Ethan who is a GEM Alumni and he recently got engaged to his sweetheart Carli.. We’ve been attending Grace church since God brought us to GEM in 2006. I love working and serving the Lord and our community at Grace church. Ray and I are leaders in the Big Tots room on Sundays. And I serve as an  AWANA leader on Wednesday nights. I love working at GEM where we teach in a loving, nurturing and God honoring environment.

This is my 9th year at GEM Express.  I was at GEM from 2008-2012 then came back in 2021!  Through the years I have taught 18 month olds, 2s, 3s, 4s, PE, and was a learning support teacher and extended care teacher. Last year I was a substitute in multiple roles before finishing the year as an assistant in Kindergarten. My husband David and I have been married for 30 years and have 3 adult sons, Joseph, Adam, & Luke.  We also have 2 cats, Blue & Pumpkin, and 2 dogs, Sunny & Bob. My background includes being an Early Intervention Specialist for 12 years, working as a Special Education Assistant, subbing in both Allen and Lovejoy, and teaching blended public Pre-K.  I got my Masters in Education in 2020 and am currently working on becoming fully certified to teach in Texas.

This is my first-year teaching at GEM and I am excited for the opportunity. I was born in York, AL and moved to St Louis, MO as child, where I grew up. I moved to Dallas, TX in 1984, where I met my husband, George, in (1985). We were married in 1992. We  were Blessed with  2 awesome children, DeVon (30) and Raelyn (29) and a wonderful grandson, GianCarlo (10). In 2024, my beloved husband passed away. We were married for 32 years. I enjoy spending time with my family, making custom gift baskets, bowling, hanging out with friends, taking long walks, watching movie's and volunteering when I can. I am looking forward to getting to know your child and can’t wait to get started on a great year!

This is my second year teaching at GEM, and previously taught at another preschool before joining the GEM team. I grew up in Allen and then attended college at the University of Oklahoma where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations. I met my husband at OU, and we have been married for 12 years and have 3 kids:  Caroline (8), Rhett (7), and Abigail (2). On the weekends, I enjoy cheering on our kids in their activities, spending time with friends and family, and attending/serving at our church.  I also enjoy exercising, baking, and eating anything chocolate!

This is my 4th year at GEM and my 2nd year teaching Music and Spanish. I have lived in Allen over 20 years with my husband Scott. We have two adult daughters, Emily (25) teaches 2nd grade in Stillwater, OK and Hailey (23) is a student at Tarleton State in College Station. Emily is recently engaged and we are in the beginning stages of wedding planning! I enjoy working out at HotWorx and Reformed Pilates. When I’m not at work or working out, I am at home chilling with my dog, Phoebe, reading or planning my next trip.

See Kindergarten Team for Bio

I am a graduate of the University of North Texas, where I met my husband Lee. We have been married for 31 years and have three children. Our youngest, Jessie is a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. We spend our free time fishing at the lake, playing with our dogs and traveling! This is my 15th year teaching P.E. at GEM and I have coached the Soccer Express program here for several years. I love being a part of this great community and am thankful for all the children I am blessed to teach.

See Kindergarten Team for Bio

I am thrilled to kick off my first year at GEM! After spending time as a stay-at-home mom, I'm excited to join my three daughters as they embark on their educational journeys. I have 3 girls: a 7-year-old in first grade, a 5-year-old in kindergarten at GEM, and a 3-year-old in the 3s class. I look forward to working with everyone to create a meaningful year filled with learning, growth, and cherished memories, all while witnessing how God works in our lives.

Blessed to be serving my 10th year as the GEM Resource Assistant. This opportunity allows support of teachers, assistants, and other staff so they are able to spend their time and talents teaching or aiding the students. My husband, Rocky, and I have a daughter, Ransom, a son, Zackary and daughter in law, Vanessa, which have blessed us with Alexandria, 4 and Gideon, 2.