Schneider Children's Center

Meet Our Staff        

          Sara Stearns, Center Director  StearnsMS@sou.edu
Sara earned a Bachelor's degree from SOU in 1983 in Elementary Education (with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education). She taught kindergarten for a year, as well as 1st and 2nd grade for a year, before focusing her attention on preschool programs. Sara has worked at both the Medford and Ashland YMCA's most recently as the Director at the Ashland location. Additionally, Sara worked as a parent educator for Community Works. She is currently taking Master's level coursework in Management at SOU. Sara has been at SCC since 2006.        

          Ellen Hoover, Cook
Ellen has over 20 years of cooking experience, including 12 years of home-style institutional cooking and 8 years in restaurants. She has a commitment to the children to keep them healthy and growing with proper nutrition. Ellen has been at SCC since 2000. 

           Janelle Chapman, Office Assistant
This is Janelle's first year working at Schneider Children's Center. Janelle is majoring in Psychology and will graduate with her Bachelor's degree in the spring. In her spare time she enjoys camping with her son.

  Pink Room (six weeks to young toddlers)        

          Kathy Spain
Kathy has worked at Schneider Children’s Center since 1996. She has an A.A degree in Early Childhood Education, a B.A. in Sociology and graduate certificate in Infant Toddler Mental Health. Kathy has lived in Ashland since 1993. 

          Tawney Nelson
Tawney has a B.S. in Health Sciences and a certification and licensure in Physical Therapy.  She graduated from California State Northridge in 1985 with a specialty in Pediatrics and Early Childhood Development.  In addition to her position at SCC, Tawney is currently working as a physical therapist.  Tawney worked at SCC from 1998-2001, and returned in 2006.  

 Green Room (Toddlers and Two Year Olds)         

        Nikki Heun heunn@sou.edu

Nikki has a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Arizona, and in 2010 received a Graduate Certificate in Infant Toddler Mental Health from Portland State University. Nikki began working in the field of Early Childhood Education in 1982. She also worked as a family advocate for SCC for four years, has volunteered for WinterSpring Centre for Living with Loss and Grief, and teaches infant massage.  In addition, she maintains the SCC web pages.  Nikki has been teaching at SCC since 1991.           

          Heidi Azhocar
Heidi has an Early Childhood Education Endorsement from Oregon State University.  She also worked at OSU's Child Development Center.  Additionally, Heidi was employed as a nanny for two and a half years, and volunteered at the Eugene YMCA.  Heidi began teaching at SCC in February of 2008. 

          Trina Cobb
Trina has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from SOU. Trina worked at the SOU Pre School (on campus) and did her practicum in a 1st and 2nd grade classroom.  She went on to work as a center based preschool teacher for one year, and operated a child care business in her home for five years. Trina began at SCC in September 2008.

          Rebekah Mortenson
Rebekah began working in the Infant/Toddler Program at SCC in January 2007 as an SOU student staff pursuing a degree in Art.  She has since decided to study Early Childhood Education. 

Blue Room (Younger PreSchool)

          Donna Jones   jonesd@sou.edu
Donna has earned a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) from Rogue Community College, and is currently working on a Bachelor's degree in Family Services. Her experience working with children comes from a variety of settings including in-home child care, preschools and volunteer work. She also worked as a family advocate at SCC for four years. Donna has been teaching at SCC since 1994. 

          Kristin Tibbey
Kristin has a B.A. in Social Science from Southern Oregon University.  She is a member of the Oregon Association of the Education of Young Children and the Southern Oregon Alumni Association.  She has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1986.  Kristin has been teaching at SCC since 2000.   

 Purple Room (Older PreSchool)

          Joanie Keller-Hand  kellerhaj@sou.edu 
Joanie has a B.S. in Child and Family Services with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education from the University of New Hampshire and is registered with the Oregon Center for Career Development in Childhood Care and Education through PSU.  Joanie has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1979, and has been teaching at SCC since 1993.  She has also worked for the Ashland School District, and currently volunteers as an ASPIRE mentor at Ashland High School. Joanie is working towards a Master's in Management degree at SOU.

          Jaimie Bernhagen  jaimiesclan@q.com
Jaime has a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of California, Davis. Jaimie began working with children (child care, volunteer work, and as a teacher's aide) in 1992, and began teaching at SCC in 1998. Along with her work in early childhood education, Jaimie serves on the Board of Directors as an Executive Administrator for a nonprofit organization, Natives of One Wind Indigenous Alliance, focusing on diversity education, community outreach and dismantling oppression/racism within marginalized indigenous minorities in Southern Oregon.      

          Julie Kasiah
Julie Kasiah has been involved with SCC since 2005 when she began working as a substitute in each of the classrooms.  She continued as a sub for four years, until 2010 when she was hired as a teacher in the older preschool. Julie also has volunteered in local elementary schools and has worked in one other preschool prior to coming to SCC. She is currently taking coursework and workshops to enhance her knowledge in early childhood development.