Meet Our Staff

As a team, we provide a safe, high-quality, nurturing environment for your child to learn.

Administration

Dr. Elizabeth Watson

Director

Ph.D., M.Ed., University of Missouri-Columbia, B.S., Stephens College

Elizabeth Watson is the director of The Children’s School at Stephens College and continues to work with preservice teachers as the Education Program Chair. Her passion for education has been shaped over the past 20 years as a classroom teacher in both preschool and elementary and as an instructor in the college classroom. She started her career at Stephens College as an undergraduate student and received her early childhood degree and teaching certification. After her first year of teaching, she continued her education at the University of Missouri and received her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Reading. Later she earned her PhD at the University of Missouri in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum with an emphasis in Reading. 

Danyelle Doak

Danyelle Doak became a CSSC parent in 2020 and was thoroughly impressed with the program. This experience led her to decide to join the team in spring 2023.  With a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years in administration support roles, she brings valuable expertise to the organization.

Preschool Teachers

Stephanie Thompson Stilley

B.S. in Education; M.Ed. in Curriculum + Instruction

Stephanie Stilley has 27 years of teaching experience with the Hannibal Public Schools which included pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, second, third, fifth grade, and Title I reading. She also served 3 years as an Education Administrator with Head Start and Early Head Start. This is Stephanie’s first year as a preschool teacher with the Children’s School at Stephens College.

 

 

Taylor Midgley

B.S. in Education, M.Ed. in Curriculum + Instruction

Taylor Midgley received her Bachelor of Science in Education in 2012 and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Taylor has been teaching preschool at The Children’s School at Stephens College since 2013. She has a passion for early childhood development and believes the key to unlocking a child’s full potential is through developing a safe, nurturing, and loving learning environment. 

 

 

 

Lauren Huskey

B.S. in Education

Lauren Huskey received her Bachelor of Science in Education this past spring, this is her first year as a preschool teacher with The Children’s School. She has a passion for fostering a love of learning with her students and believes that building positive relationships is important for their success. 

 

 

 

Elementary Teachers

Rachel LaMear

M.Ed. in Curriculum + Instruction, certified in Elementary Education

Rachel LaMear teaches kindergarten through fifth-grade students in the multiage elementary classroom. In the education department, she teaches Introduction to the Teaching-Learning Process, Explorations in Education, and Integrating the Arts in Education, as well as mentors preservice teachers in student teaching and practicum experiences. She is a teacher consultant for the Missouri Writing Project Network and is passionate and curious about where language and literacies intersect identity and cultural awareness. She holds both her bachelor's and master's degrees from Stephens College. Originally from Colorado, she enjoys hiking and climbing fourteeners. 

 

 

Peter LaMear

Peter LaMear teaches in the open elementary classroom at the Children’s School, working primarily with third, fourth, and fifth-grade students, and teaches Foundations, Family and Community, and Inquiry into Education in the education department. His scholarly interests include psychodynamic theory, creativity, learning, learning to teach, and depictions of teachers in narrative and documentary film. Previously, he has worked as an English and math teacher in public schools in Chicago, Illinois; Chelsea, Massachusetts; and Fulton, Missouri. He has trained teachers with Harvard Teacher Fellows, developed an integrated ESOL/Know Your Rights curriculum with Boston College’s Center for Human Rights, and leads professional development with the Missouri Writing Project. Peter holds degrees from St. John’s College and Harvard University and is a certified elementary school teacher. 

Julia Gundacker

B.M. in Music Performance, M.M. in Music Performance

Julia Gundacker teaches grades 3-5 at the Children's School as she finishes her degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education at Stephen's College. She has also been a preschool teacher at Learning Star Preschool since 2019, using her extensive training in Conscious Discipline to develop and teach social/emotional skills with children aged 2 through 6, a passion that she carries with her in her work with the students at the Children's School. Julia also teaches in the community in her private flute studio, where she works with flutists one-on-one. In her free time, Julia is passionate about running, and can often be found running on the MKT Trail. Julia also holds a BM in Music Performance from the University of Arizona and a MM in Music Performance from the University of Alabama.

 

Kimbriana Evans

B.S. in Education Student, certificate in Elementary and Early Childhood

Kimbriana Evans is from a small town in Scottsboro, Alabama where she is the oldest sibling to three brothers. She is a former assistant college basketball coach and player. She loves to binge-watch good Hulu and Netflix series. Her favorite show is Master Chef or any type of cooking show. She occasionally loves to go on a long walk and the beach is her happy place! Kimbriana is also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Kimbriana is a student seeking her Bachelor in Education with a certificate in Elementary and Early Childhood education.