Meet Our Staff
In The Office
Lori Steuer, IUMC Preschool Director, Dolphin Lead Teacher
Lori has a degree in Special Education from Indiana University and worked as a teacher in the IPS school district before embarking on the adventure of growing this ministry. She began as a member of the church's task force that developed the idea, philosophy, and mission of our school, and became one of two teachers in the first year of our existence in 1988. She took over as Director in 2001, but still maintains a teaching position with one of our 4-year-old classes. She has five children of her own who are all alumni of IUMC Preschool and are all now successfully navigating their own way in the world. This school has been Lori's personal ministry for over 30 years, and it has given her multiple blessings in return.
Micki Gowdy, IUMC Preschool Office, Finance and Substitute Manager
Micki received her AAS in 1999 in the medical field, but after she and her husband moved to the Indianapolis area, she became a stay-at-home momma/volunteer. Micki has received a variety of awards from the Girl Scouts, the schools, and the programs she has volunteered for. Once all her children were in school full time, Micki chose to change career paths and sought a degree in Finance. She graduated with honors from Ashford University, shortly after she began her new position in the preschool office.
Micki and her family have been part of the IUMC Preschool family since 2007 and are current IUMC members. She and her husband have 4 children, two of which are IUMC Preschool alumni. She and her crew continue working and volunteering at the preschool on a regular basis.
In Our Classrooms.......
Miranda Gowdy, Koala Lead Teacher
MaryBeth Spaulding, Koala Teacher Assistant
Kayla Smith, Butterfly Lead Teacher
Iona Duncan, Butterfly Teacher Assistant
Annie Walk, Turtle Lead Teacher
Annie is an alumnus of IUMC preschool who attended from the age of 2 years! She began working here as an assistant when she first began college and took a lead teacher position in the Penguin classroom in 2019. She is currently taking classes to complete her certificate in hospital billing and coding. She has a 3-year-old son who keeps her very busy. In her spare time, she loves to make YouTube makeup videos and podcasts on a variety of topics. This will be Annie’s sixth year on staff with our school.
Amy Bironas, Dolphin Teacher Assistant
Amy Alexander, Penguin Lead Teacher
Amy came to IUMC Preschool after making the move to Indianapolis in 1998. Her, now adult, son loved his time at the preschool and so did Amy! She started volunteering her time, subbing in classrooms, and working on the Preschool Action Committee. When the opportunity to teach became available, Amy jumped at the chance to work as an assistant with Miss Linda in both the Butterfly and Caterpillar classrooms. After several years away, Amy is now returning as the assistant in the Koala class. Amy has also worked the past 14 years as the Wedding Coordinator at IUMC. She enjoys gardening, reading, cooking for family and friends, and she has never met an animal she didn’t like.
Gina Walk, Penguin Teacher Assistant
Gina is a former pediatric nurse. She left nursing to become a stay-at-home mom. When her eldest started preschool at IUMC, she became involved in the school as a classroom substitute and as a member of the Preschool Action Committee. She joined us as member of the staff when she was hired as a classroom assistant in the Dolphin room. Once her girls were older, she went back to nursing for a short time, but returned to IUMC to resume her position in the Dolphin Classroom. She has a total of 17 years in this position!
Lisa Hedges, Tiger Lead Teacher
Lisa is happy to be part of the IUMC Preschool staff. Previously, she was the temporary lead teacher in the Penguin class and then the Office Manager. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Elementary Education. In 2011 Lisa earned her master's degree from Butler University in School Counseling. She has 14 years of experience teaching elementary age children in MSD Warren Township. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, bowling, reading, quilting, and scrapbooking. She is married to Steve Hedges, and they have two daughters, Lauren, and Erica (both former IUMC preschool students).
Kristy Margison, Tiger Teacher Assistant
Kristy is an alumni parent. Formerly she worked as a traffic supervisor at Ryder Logistics at the Ford plant. After staying home with her daughter during her preschool years, she's ready to get back to work and has found that the community of staff, students, and parents at IUMC Preschool are a great fit. Her husband, Toby and daughter, Leah live in the Irvington area. Kristy enjoys working out, crafting with Leah, and spending time with her family.
Dawn Sorenson, Lion Lead Teacher
Glenda Ballard, Lion Teacher Assistant
Glenda was introduced to IUMC when her son and his wife enrolled their oldest son, Matthew as a student. What started out as simply helping with her grandson's transportation to and from school, quickly turned into something more. Retirement from the Phone Company and time on her hands, a love for children, and a "We Need Substitutes" sign, soon had her filling in for absent staff at the preschool. After 3 years of subbing, and working in the Caterpillar room, she is now the assistant in the Owl room.
Constance Bratton, Owl Lead Teacher
Constance's experience with children started very young and has continued to be her passion. Not only a wonderful mother and preschool teacher, but she was also a director of Sunday school programs for 6 years, managed her own in-home daycare, volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, directed VBS, and led a children's choir. Constance has been at IUMC Preschool since 1999. She has been married to her husband, Bill, for a very long time. She is the mother of two adult daughters and enjoys being a grandparent. Being a blessing to children as well as being blessed by children is definitely what God has called her to do with her life. Constance is looking forward to a great year.
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