staff

Mr. Josh is our Kitchen/Maintenance Manager and Miss Tina’s significant other. He has a Bachelor of Science in Education Studies from the University of Evansville.  Josh has worked in the childcare setting for ten years. He is an Albion native and still resides there.  He has three grown children, one son and two daughters. In his spare time he raises pigs and poultry, watches football, and enjoys spending time with family. 

Miss Karen is a Program Supervisor. She was previously a lead teacher in the Two-year-olds' room at KDCC. Karen has a Master's Degree in Special Needs from WVU and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood from New River Community College. She also completed a two-year Apprenticeship in Early Childhood at the Department of Labor in West Virginia. Karen has worked with children for 25 years, working at Head Start and KDCC.  Prior to working in daycare, she was self-employed and owned her own business, a gift, flower and tanning shop. In her spare time, she ran and coached little league T-ball for six teams. Karen loves to arrange flowers, do crafts, design rooms, watch movies and spend time with her family. She has two sons and two daughters, 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is originally from southern West Virginia and moved to Kendallville several years ago, where she currently resides with her husband, Walt.

Miss Beth works in Administration as the Enrollment Coordinator and helps in the classrooms when needed. Beth has worked with children for many years.  She is originally from Kendallville and currently resides in Garrett. She has three great children, Casey, Caleb and Caylor. Beth has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management and an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal.  She has coached youth soccer for a number of years.  She loves animals of all kinds and currently has four dogs, two cats and an Illiger Macaw.  When Beth isn’t at work, she loves spending time with her family and friends, watching her youngest son play football and wrestle, reading, and watching movies.

Miss Kim has moved into the coaching position for staff. Prior to this, she was the lead teacher in the PK classroom since she started working at KDCC in 2015. Kim has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children in many different settings, including holding the position of director at a licensed child care center, teaching preschool, teaching children’s Bible classes, counseling at summer camp, and spending time with her many cousins, nieces and nephews. Kim loves getting to know each of the children who join her classroom and looks to find each child’s individual personality.  Her favorite subjects in school were Math and Science. In her free time, Kim enjoys curling up and reading a good book.  The biggest thing she strives to instill in children is to BE KIND, SHOW RESPECT, and GIVE LOVE.

Mr. Caleb is a member of our support staff. He does maintenance and helps in the kitchen and classrooms when needed. Caleb has been working with children for about three years. He has four sisters and two brothers and graduated from Garrett High School in 2021, where he was a lineman on the varsity football team and was top heavy lifter in his class. In his spare time, he loves fishing, watching football, collecting specialty tools and equipment, hunting, grilling out with family, playing corn hole and having bonfires. 

  Miss Claudette is the lead teacher in the PK1 classroom. She has been working with children for the past 30+ years. She loves to inspire all the young minds that come through her class. Claudette has a Child Development Associate (CDA) and is an Indiana native. When she’s not at KDCC teaching kids, she really enjoys taking walks in the woods, planting flowers, kayaking with friends, playing corn hole and vacationing in Tennessee. 

Miss Angela is a co-teacher in the PK1 classrooms. She has worked at KDCC for eight years. Angela obtained a Child Development Associate (CDA) and graduated from Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne with a Certified Medical Assisting Degree.  She currently lives in Avilla with her boyfriend and two cats, Butterscotch and Nutmeg.  Angela believes children can thrive in an environment that focuses on their independence, provides ample opportunities for free play and exploration, and is led by a positive role model.  In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading, shopping, watching football, and spending time with family.

Miss Ariyana is  one of our co-lead PK teachers.  She has been working at KDCC since May 2023 and has worked in the early childhood field for about seven years. In August of 2020, Ariyana earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) and renewed it in 2025.  She moved to Kendallville from Fort Wayne in December 2022 with her 17-year-old kitty, Jinxy, and Kyle, her high school sweetheart and husband. In her free time, Ariyana enjoys crocheting, crafts of many sorts, painting, fishing and spending time with her husband and family.

Miss Makayla is an assistant teacher in the Twos/ PK2 classrooms. She has been with KDCC for two years and has been a babysitter for about 15 years. Makayla has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA). She loves working with the children and watching them learn and explore.  Before working at KDCC,  she worked at Sacred Heart Nursing Home in Avilla for ten years. During her free time, she loves shopping, spending time with her family, friends, and babysitting! She is an Avilla native and has two brothers.

Miss Crystal is a lead teacher in the SA classroom. She has been working with children for 20 years.  Crystal has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech and recently received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at PFW.  She and her husband, Jon, have two sons, Brandon and Kordell.  Her husband is a Middle School Math teacher at East Allen County Schools. Crystal loves to watch children grow and learn.

Miss MacKenna is an assistant teacher in the PK classroom.  She is from Fort Wayne. Her parents are Cory and Amanda.  MacKenna is the oldest of three children and has two siblings, Madison and Mason.  She and her family love to travel and go to the lake.  In high school, she has studied Philosophies of Teaching, the way a classroom affects a child’s ability to learn,  and how teachers can affect and be effective, and more. She has also studied Child and Adolescent Development.  These classes have MacKenna to where she is at KDCC. She loves and cherishes all the children she has worked with and taken care of and has built a strong connection with each of them.

  Miss Journey works in the kitchen as support staff. She is a 2024 graduate of East Noble High School. Journey has lived in Kendallville her whole life. She is an only child, but has a large extended family including a big group of cousins. Journey is planning to attend the College for Funeral Directory and Mortuary Services and also study Culinary Arts. She loves hanging out with her friends. In her free time, she likes to read, draw, bake sweets and try new foods. 

Miss Rana joined KDCC in March of 2024 and works with the PK and School Age classrooms. Rana graduated from East Noble High School. During her high school career, she acquired a Certified Nursing Assistant License. In 2026, she achieved a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant License through the Impact Institute. Rana is leaning into the medical field and, beginning in the fall of 2024, began attending Nursing School at Ivy Tech Community College. She has lived in Kendallville all her life. She is the fourth child of five. Her parents migrated from Yemen to the US more than 20 years ago and without them she wouldn’t have accomplished all she has. 

Miss Vicki works in our PK2 classroom and comes to KDCC with over 30 years of experience in early childhood education.  She was born and raised in Kendallville and has very strong ties to the community.  Vicki graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education.  She later graduated from Ball State University with a Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education.  In her free, Vicki enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her grandson, Carson.

  Miss Adriana is an assistant in our PKE classroom. She is originally from Mississippi, but moved to Miamisburg, Ohio during her freshman year of high school. During her sophomore year, she moved to Fairborn, Ohio. In her junior year of high school, her family relocated to Kendallville. Adriana graduated from East Noble High School in 2023. She is currently a student at Ivy Tech. Outside of work, Adriana enjoys spending time reading, writing short stories, painting, and sketching. 

Mr. Evan is an assistant in our PK2 classroom.  He is a high school graduate. Prior to joining KDCC, he worked at another daycare as a lead teacher for three-year-olds.  Evan lived in Fort Wayne until recently, when he made the move to Kendallville to explore new opportunities and experiences with his partner. In his free time, Evan enjoys crocheting as a creative and relaxing hobby and crafting unique pieces for people to enjoy.

Miss Bessie is a co-teacher in our Toddler classrooms. She received her CDA in 2025. Bessie graduated from East Noble High School in 2018. She is originally from Kendallville and currently resides in Avilla. Bessie is married and she and her husband plan to start a family in the future. An animal lover, Bessie and her husband currently have a Pomsky named Sabrina. Bessie is a big fan of Disney and loves Olaf and Baby Yoda. She is a shy and quiet person until she gets to know people. Bessie has a big heart and attends church in Fort Wayne. She loves all children like they are her own. Bessie, named after her grandmother, is the only girl and youngest of her family. 

Miss Crystal works in our Infant class.  She grew up in LaGrange County and graduated from Lakeland High School in 2015. She is a proud mom to her baby boy, Levi, whose big smiles and even bigger personality bring her joy everyday.  When she’s not chasing after Levi, she enjoys Com shows, browsing antique stores, and exploring Indiana’s nature trails.  She is very excited for the opportunity to grow and make a difference here at KDCC!

  Miss Madeline is working with our PK2 classroom. She is originally from Roanoke, Indiana. In 2022, she received her CNA license and worked as a CNA for three years. Madeline is currently attending Ivy Tech for Early Childhood Education. She was formerly a nanny for a family with seven children, all of whom had special needs. Working with them fostered her love for working with children. In her free time, Madeline’s hobbies include, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.

  Miss Madison is working as an assistant in our Toddler classrooms. She is the mother of two boys that also attend KDCC. Madison grew up in Angola and has since moved to Kendallville. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Animation from the University of Saint Francis. Prior to working at KDCC, she worked in children’s animation and illustration for five years. Madison loves to cook and bake, and in her free time she still illustrates.