Our

Staff

Our Staff

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

I have been working at ENCOUNTER Preschool since 2018. I enjoy working at the preschool because I value the camaraderie with this great group of ladies, my coworkers. I especially love and adore all of the sweet personalities I get to know in the students here. I love seeing the growth in each child, from the beginning of the school year to the end. When I’m not at the preschool, I’m usually at some sort of sporting event for one of my fourteen grandkids. I also love to shop, volunteer at the City Center and I love to decorate homes for the different seasons and holidays. My favorite children’s book is “Dr.Seuss’ ABC book”.

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

I started working at ENCOUNTER Preschool in 2013. I took a break for two years and returned this year. I missed being with the children and the staff. I have twin 17 year old boys, Tyler and Gavin. They also attended ENCOUNTER Preschool when they were little. I especially love to hike and be out in nature with my boys exploring creeks and waterfalls. I also love cats and enjoy collecting antiques. Being a teacher is so fun not only teaching children, but playing and dancing and doing art projects. The children become your second family and ENCOUNTER, your second home. My favorite children’s book is “If you Give a Mouse a Cookie”.

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.

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We have ASL interpretation available for the 9 AM service

CONTACT ADDRESS 6950 Ralston Street, Ventura, CA 93003

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