Our staff are all professionals trained in Early Childhood Education along with CPR and first aide certificates. We are licensed by the State of California and have high standards for our teachers.

Our staff has many years experience teaching in a loving, Christian environment. Teachers have taught here an average of ten years and several of us over twenty! We pride ourselves in our individual attention with all our students, nurturing each and everyone towards life learners as well as kind and thoughtful citizens. We feel our school and family connection is a critical part of the partnership we share in these most precious years of your child’s life.

Becci Lukes is completing her 23rd year at Shepherd of the Hills, and has been director for the past eleven years. She has taught all ages at Shepherd from young 3's to to Pre-K, and Lunch Bunch.

Cindie Reilly, Preschool Assistant Director, Jr. Kindergarten Teacher
Cindie is a very organized person, which makes a big difference when multi-tasking amongst 3 and 4 year olds. She is that ray of sunshine beaming from the preschool office each morning. In the afternoon she is busy with our "older children" encouraging each child to be the best that they can be. After 8 years here at Shepherd she has been a great asset to our program's success.

Deanna Roberson, Resource Specialist, 4 year old Teacher
Deanna is celebrating her 31st year of teaching at Shepherd. She is foundational to our school. In September we dedicated our newest building on our playground in her name. "Roberson's Retreat" is a place at our school where chlidren can dance, ice skate, build with blocks, eat lunch, and be well rounded preschoolers. Deanna has given children that strong foundation in all her programs all these years.

Mary Vrooman, Motor-Music Teacher
Mary is truly the consummate matriarch of our staff. She is the standard we all strive for. She gives 110% to her job everyday. She is always here for any of us when we need ideas, support, or advice with a situation. She is a great listener and a modest professional. She has taught at Shepherd over 35 years.

Dorothy Walther, 3 year old Teacher
Dorothy is celebrating her 25th year at our school. She grew upon on campus! She is so patient with our youngest of the young, truly her strength and gift. She always is sensitive to these little ones as they grow in their independence from home. She is always there with a hug and a sympathetic ear.

Elaine Collins, 3 and 4 year old Teacher
Elain is in tune with all her students and their famlieis. She began teaching at Shepherd in 1996 after eight years at another preschool, and she genuinely helps mold a child's future in the most positive of ways.

Flo Bashaw, 3 year old Teacher
Flo has a cheerful and positive influence on all of her children and their families. She sees only the good in children as she teaches each day. Flo is celebrating her 12th year with us and is an asset to our staff. She is always interested in new ways to develop our program, whether it is skill application or communicating with families. Flo started teaching at Shepherd after her own children attended.

Laurie Canedy, 4 year old Teacher
Laurie is the kind of teacher who develops new curriculum during her summer time off, even after 12 years of teaching. She is always trying new things and adjusting her program for the individual needs of her students. She is our most artistic teacher and her love of art flourishes in each child's interpretation of whatever media she offers them.

Debbie Porizo, 3 year old and Extended Day Teacher
Debbie has been a fun loving part of our staff for 11 years now (after 8 years at another school). She has as much fun in her programs as any of her children. Parents love her easy going personality, which brings out the personality of even the quietest in our preschool program. Everyday is full of excitement and song!

Nancy Senerchia, 3 and 4 years old Teacher
Nancy is celebrating her 10th year at our school (and 20 years experience at other schools). We feel very honored to have such a considerate and perceptive teacher on staff. She genuinely loves teaching. She comes early each day and can't wait for summer to end.

Kris Bell, 3 year old Teacher
Kris always has a smile as she greets you each day. She has been a positive part of our program for the past 6 years. Working with little 3 year olds requires a lot of patience and Kris is just that lady!

Michelle Denny, Lunch Bunch
Michelle has been a dedicated Lunch Bunch teacher for the past four years. She is very conscientious with her charge and is sensitive to all the children's needs. Even though she spends only an hour her and there with our students she seems to really get to know each child and enjoys their individual personalities. Our Lunch Bunch program is in good hands with such an attentive teacher.

Lisa Arnold, Jr. Kindergarten
Lisa began teaching at Shepherd four years ago with our oldest children and has really found her age group. The children enjoy Lisa's thoughtfulness to their every need, and the parents in her class always feel comfortable wiht her easy going personality. Lisa taught for many years, then took time off to raise her two sons before coming to Shepherd.

Natali Van Wormer, 4 year old Teacher
Natali joined Shepherd two years ago, after many years of teaching experience in an informal church related setting. She has brought many fresh new ideas to our program, and we feel blessed to have her on our staff.

Sarah Galliver , Yard Coordinator and 4 year old Teacher
Sarah is our newest staff member and she is a great find! We love all the "dramatic" changes she has brought to our playground. She is always making something new with a real "child-like" enthusiasm and attention to detail. Her "English Tradition" has a lovely influence on us all.

Shepherd of the Hills Church

Shepherd of the Hills
United Methodist Preschool

26001 Muirlands Blvd.
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949/837-2993
shump@sothumc.org

Hours: 9:00am to noon
or 12:30 to 3:30 pm
Jr.K: 11:30-3:30 pm

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
naeyc.org