A wonderful team of
dedicated teachers
We have a truly amazing staff who serve at ENCOUNTER Preschool.
Debbie Keegan
Director of ENCOUNTER Preschool
Debbie Keegan
I’ve been directing our preschool since 1990. I love to create a safe, nurturing environment for families where children can grow socially, emotionally, developmentally and spiritually. I enjoy spending time playing and snuggling with my granddaughter. My favorite children’s book is Turkey Trouble. When I’m not working, I like to cook, read and enjoy the outdoors.
Teri Rogers
Assistant Director to Preschool
Teri Rogers
I’ve served on our preschool staff since 1991. One of the things I love about preschoolers is their innocence and love of learning. Our three children (now adults) and our grandson all attended the preschool when they were little. My favorite children’s book is I Love You Forever.
Breanna Blankenburg
Half Day / Pre-K
Cool Cats / Room 103
Breanna Blankenburg
I have been teaching at the preschool since 2015. One thing I love about teaching is I get to experience things with the children for the first time. To witness their little faces when they are successful at something is the best reward. I also coach soccer at Ventura College and VFC. One of my favorite things I enjoy is a simple BBQ in my backyard with family and my dog. My favorite book is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Gabriela Chavez
Full Day / 3 year olds
Tiny Tweets / Room 211
Gabriela Chavez
I’m excited and grateful to be teaching at ENCOUNTER Preschool. I have enjoyed working in child care in other churches as well. Working with children is my passion, and it’s a great opportunity to work alongside other teachers who feel the same. I look forward to every day and look forward to a fun future with ENCOUNTER Preschool. I am the youngest of six and love spending time with my family. My favorite children’s book is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
Terry Contreras
Full Day / Pre-K
Busy Bees / Room 213
Terry Contreras
I’ve been teaching at the preschool since 2013. I enjoy teaching Spanish to the full-day children during the afternoons. I am a mom of one amazing daughter who is also a teacher here. One of my favorite things is spending time with my granddaughters gardening, cooking and playing. I love the children’s book Monstruo y el Amor.
Christine Davis
Full Day / Pre-K
Busy Bees / Room 213
Christine Davis
I am happy to be working at ENCOUNTER Preschool with all of the wonderful staff here. I have over 32 years of teaching experience working with ages toddler to 11-year-olds. It has been very rewarding and fun. I have been married to my wonderful husband for over 21 years. We both love God and want to bring glory to His Name in all that we do. We live in Camarillo and attend a Bible-teaching, evangelical church where we have served together in various ways for 21 years. I enjoy reading, reading my Bible, drawing, hiking, watching movies, cooking, spending time with my husband, family and friends. I look forward to getting to know all of you and having a fun year of assisting in the growth and education of your children.
Sulemi Delgado
Full Day / Pre-K
Busy Bees / Room 213
Sulemi Delgado
I have been teaching at our preschool since 2013. I’ve lived in Ventura most of my life. I have three brothers, two older sisters and enjoy living at home with my dear mother. I am currently a student at CSUCI working on my BA. I love working here because they are like my second family. I love that we are a faith based school so I have the opportunity to share with the children about God and the Bible. One of my favorite things are the conversations I get to have with the children…they are a blessing. My favorite children’s book is The Kissing Hand.
Briseida Diaz
Full Day / TK
Awesome Owls / Room 204
Briseida Diaz
Briseida has been working at ENCOUNTER Preschool since 2014. She loves teaching, creating a fun environment where children can bring their imagination to life. She loves the excitement when they play a new game or when singing a favorite song. Briseida has been married for 6 years and has a 4-year-old daughter who attends ENCOUNTER Preschool. With her family, she enjoys traveling and listening to music. One of her favorite children’s book is “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” by Emily Winfield Martin.
Lily Diaz-Rauda
Half Day / 3 year olds
Fabulous Frogs / Room 110
Lily Diaz-Rauda
Lisa Erskine
Half Day / TK
Bears / Room 201
Lisa Erskine
I have been teaching at here since 1998. I love teaching because it’s so rewarding to make an impact on children’s lives at such a young age. Seeing our past students out and about and hearing how much they have grown in so many ways makes me happy. I’m a wife, mom to 2 grown girls, and Memaw to Colton, Harper and Cadence. I enjoy hanging out with my family and watching football. My favorite children’s book is Frog & Toad.
Charlee Graves
Break Teacher
All Classes
Charlee Graves
I have been with ENCOUNTER Preschool since 2010. I enjoy watching the children grow and become independent. This is the best job ever! I have been married to my wonderful sweetheart, Jeremy, for 20 years, and I have two amazing boys, Kanyon and Keegan. I love to bike, hike, surf, swim, and I’m always looking for sea glass whenever I can. My favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web.
Danielle Hernandez
Full Day / 3 year olds
Tiny Tweets / Room 211
Danielle Hernandez
I have been at ENCOUNTER Preschool since 2020. Originally I was subbing, and I was excited to start teaching in the afternoons in January. What I most enjoy most about working at ENCOUNTER Preschool is seeing how excited the children are when we get to introduce new activities to them outside. It’s amazing how much I learn from the children as I have the opportunity to teach them. My favorite book is The Book With No Pictures.
Olivia Huffman
Half Day / 2 year olds
Terrific Turtles / Room 108
Meg Hern
Sam Judd
Olivia Huffman
Sandra Kunes
Half Day / Pre-K
Super Snoopys / Room 102
Sam Judd
Jeani Larson
Full Day / 3 year olds
Tiny Tweets / Room 211
Sandra Kunes
I have been teaching here since 1996. One of the things I love about teaching is watching my students feel proud of mastering a new skill while having fun. I am married and have 3 amazing children, Kevin, Kaleb and Kamila. I enjoy being a part of mission trips. I currently serve as a board director to Dos Pueblos Relief Fund and Signpost Mission Works who are committed to helping people with housing, education and clean water. My favorite children’s book is, We Are All Alike… We Are All Different.
Alex Link
Half Day / Pre-K
Super Snoopys / Room 102
Jeani Larson
I am a proud mom of two wonderful grown sons who filled my heart with endless love. I had been teaching for many years and had a great opportunity to teach at ENCOUNTER Preschool in 2018, so I took it! I love engaging with children and sharing Jesus’ love. I love their laughter, inquisitive minds and watching them grow throughout the year. My favorite children’s book is Love You Forever by Robert Munson and Mo Willems.
Menta Major
Half Day / 3 year olds
Marvelous Monkeys / Room 109
Alex Link
I have been teaching here since 2014. One of the many things I love about teaching is being able to get to know each child and how unique they are! My husband Evan and I enjoy spending time together, taking pictures, going out to eat with friends and finding new projects to work on. My favorite children’s book is Elmer by David McKee.
Lisa McConnell
Half Day / 3 year olds
Fabulous Frogs / Room 110
Menta Major
Christine Meier
Lisa McConnell
I have been teaching here since 1998. I love this job! Every day is a new adventure with little people. I enjoy having the siblings from former students in my class and seeing their different personalities. Our staff are like family, this is truly home! I’ve been married for 27 years and have two great adult kids, Jake and Jamie. I being outdoors, walking or reading next to any body of water. I love books that rhyme and the children can join in.
Michelle Razo
Full Day / TK
Awesome Owls | Room 204
Christine Meier
Megan Smallwood
Half Day / Pre-K
Cool Cats / Room 103
Michelle Razo
I have been teaching here since 2005. One of the things I love about teaching is watching the children’s progress from the beginning of the year to the end. It is such a blessing when I see the children look toward God throughout their day. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching them play sports. I’ve been married 18 years and have a 17 year old daughter and a 14 year old son. My favorite children’s books are written by Jan Brett.
Linda Vaught
Full Day / TK
Awesome Owls / Room 204
Megan Smallwood
This is my first year teaching at ENCOUNTER Preschool. I am so grateful to have this opportunity. My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the children learn and grow. The hugs and big smiles first thing in the morning is the highlight of my day! I am married and have two daughters, Bowie and Reagan. I enjoy camping, being at the beach, long walks with our dog Mack and family bbqs. My favorite children’s book is Chicka-Chicka Boom-Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
Jill "Jillybell" Williams
Half Day / 2 year olds
Toddling Turtles / Room 108
Linda Vaught
I have been teaching at ENCOUNTER Preschool since 2014. I absolutely love my job! I always look forward to each year bringing lots of fun with learning and new adventures. I was born in Los Angeles and raised in Ventura. I have one son and five beautiful grandchildren, ages one to eight. Two of them currently attend ENCOUNTER, and one who will be joining us next year. Some of my favorite things is hanging out with my grandkids. We love to swim, bake and read. We love all books by Dr. Seuss.
Rose Workman
Half Day / 2 year olds
Toddling Turtles / Room 108
Jill "Jillybell" Williams
I have had the privilege of starting the Toddler Program in 1991 and have been blessed to have grown with the program to the present time. I love to teach toddlers as they keep me humble and continue to remind me of the simplicity of life. I’m a mother of seven children and eight grandchildren, one of whom is attending our preschool. I love to line dance and play guitar. My favorite children’s books are written by Mercer Mayer.