Pam Scranton, the Curriculum & Training Coordinator, received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Bradley University, with an endorsement in early childhood special education. She received her Masters from Bradley University in Curriculum and Instruction. Pam taught at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Education Center and in the Woodford County Bright Beginnings program. She is a frequent presenter in school districts around the state on topics such as engaging children in projects, authentic assessment, and developmentally appropriate practice. Pam was featured in the video, “A Children’s Journey: The Fire Truck Project” and in Young Investigator, The Project Approach in the Early Years. She is a contributing author of The Power of Projects edited by Dr. Judy Harris Helm and Sallee Beneke. She is co-author of the book: Teaching Your Child to Love Learning: A Guide to doing Projects at Home with Dr. Helm and Stacy Berg.

Kerry Grimm - Curiosity Corner
Kerry has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University. She taught elementary school for eight years before staying at home with her two sons, Cole and Shane.

Michelle Herington - Discovery Preschool
Michelle received her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Illinois College. She is also certified in Deaf Education. Michelle has been trained in project work and work sampling.

Judy Hultgren – After School Care
Judy received her Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University and taught special education in Peoria’s District #150 and in the Bartonville Schools. She is an active member of Northminster.

Nicki Igoe - Curiosity Corner
Nicki has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Hartford in Connecticut. She has received training in Project Approach and has presented at the Opening Minds Conference in Chicago. Nicki and her family have been members of Northminster Church since 2001 and reside in Dunlap.

Alisha Kapparos – Kindergarten
Alisha received her Bachelor of Arts. in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa in 2001. Before moving to Peoria, Alisha taught in a K/1 classroom in Madison, WI and received training in Cognitively Guided Instruction and Project Read. Since joining Northminster Learning Center Alisha has taught in both toddler and preschool classrooms, and received training in Work Sampling and the Project Approach.

Marie Lindahl – Curiosity Corner
Marie received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University. She has several years experience in early childhood classrooms, teaching at the W.I.U. lab school, Little Friends, and the YWCA Child Care Center. Marie has four daughters, Rachel, Rebekah, Mikayla and Magdelina. Marie has been trained in Work Sampling.

Jessica Stanton - Discovery Preschool
Jessica has an Associates Degree in Child Development from Illinois Central College. She is trained in the Work Sampling System and Project Approach. She has presented for CAEYC on activities to support language development. Her sons Blaine and Mason have attended Northminster Learning Center.

Jaime Swick - Discovery Preschool & After School Care
Jaime has been trained in Project Approach and Godly Play. Jaime is currently attending Illinois Central College working on her Associates Degree in Education.

Lora Taylor - Discovery Preschool
Lora graduated from Illinois Central College with an Associates Degree in Child Development and Bradley University with a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood with a Special Education endorsement. Before coming to Northminster Lora worked at the Woodford County Special Education Association. Lora has received training in Project Approach, Work Sampling, Godly Play and the Second Step Program. Lora resides in Dunlap with her husband and son.

Judy Harris Helm serves as ongoing consultant to the program. She is a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church and has been a member of the Children's Outreach Ministry for many years. Dr. Helm was involved in the first needs assessment and helped design the first Together Time for Tots program, and all programs since. Dr. Helm has her own consulting and training company, Best Practices, Inc., and assists schools and centers in incorporating best practices in prekindergarten through primary grade programs. She is co-author of Windows on Learning, Young Investigators, The Power of Projects, and Teaching Your Child to Love Learning: A Guide to Doing Projects at Home all published by Teachers College Press. Her work has been translated into three different languages and she provides consultation and training throughout the country.