A wonderful team of
dedicated teachers
We have a truly amazing staff who serve at ENCOUNTER Preschool.
Alex Link
Director of ENCOUNTER Preschool
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.
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.
Gabriela Chavez
Half Day / Toddlers
The Ducklings / Room 105
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.
Crystal Clark
Full Day / Pre-K
Busy Bees / Room 201
Terry Contreras
Floater / Afternoon
Busy Bees / Room 201
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.
Anissa DeCondia
Full Day / 3 year olds
Spunky Sparrows / Room 213
Briseida Diaz
Full Day / Pre-K
Busy Bees / Room 201
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.
Colbeyshae Emery
Full Day / 3 year olds
Tiny Tweets / Room 211
Lisa Erskine
Half Day / TK
The Bears / Room 102
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.
Lauren Frash
Half Day / TK (MWF)
The Bears / Room 102
Danielle Hernandez
Half Day / Toddlers
The Ducklings / Room 105
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 / Toddlers
Terrific Turtles / Room 108
Olivia Huffman
Sam Judd
Breaks / Mid-day
Busy Bees / Room 201
Jeani Larson
Full Day / 3 year olds
Tiny Tweets / Room 211
Menta Major
Half Day / 3 year olds
Fabulous Frogs / Room 110
Menta Major
Vickie Martinez
Full Day / 3 year olds
Spunky Sparrows / Room 213
Lisa McConnell
Half Day / 3 year olds
Fabulous Frogs / Room 110
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.
Christine Meier
Half Day/ 3 year olds Marvelous Monkeys / Room 109
Michelle Razo
Full Day / TK
Awesome Owls / Room 204
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.
Megan Smallwood
Half Day / Pre-K
Cool Cats / Room 103
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.
Kylie Spencer
Full Day / Pre-K
Awesome Owls / Room 204
Linda Vaught
Half Day / Pre-K
Cool Cats / Room 103
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.
Jill “Jillybell” Williams
Half Day / Toddlers
Terrific 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.