Preschool Faculty

B.A. in Elementary Education, Minor in English, Aurora University M.A. in Educational Leadership, Aurora University Type 75 General Administrative Certificate ELL/Bilingual Endorsement

Mrs. Mayra Johnson is the Preschool and Elementary School Principal at ACS. Mrs. Johnson started her teaching career in East Aurora School District as a 1st grade bilingual teacher. Since then she has continued her role as a teacher, Reading Specialist, Assistant Principal and Principal.  Mrs. Johnson has had the opportunity to study at Judson College, Aurora University, and National Louis University where she has acquired her BA, MA and ESL endorsement.  She has also had the opportunity to work in East Aurora School District, Wheaton Warrenville School District and Yorkville Community Unit School District.  Within these school districts, Mrs. Johnson has had an opportunity to also work with a variety of populations such as EL (English Learner) students, students in the Stars (Skills Training and Related Services) programs, students with IEPs and gifted students.  After numerous years in public education, Mrs. Johnson was looking for something different for herself and her daughters.  Mrs. Johnson was praying for God's guidance to what was next in her life and she and her family landed at ACS.  She is excited to see what God has in store for all. She and her family (Adam/husband, Madalynn and Hannah/daughters) live in Oswego and attend Harvest New Beginnings in Oswego, IL where they are active members and serve on the worship team.  In her spare time, Mrs. Johnson likes to spend time with family, exercise, compete in races, travel, and if time allows, cook.

Waubonsee Community College – Early Childhood Education

Miss Andrea Stone joined the staff of Aurora Christian Preschool in 2020. She began teaching preschoolers in 2014, after graduating with an Early Childhood degree from Waubonsee Community College.  Miss Stone grew up in Aurora and with strong ties to the ACS school community.  She was actively involved in cheerleading, choir and the school’s drama program.  While studying at Aurora Christian High School, Miss Stone was voted “Most Likely to Work at ACS.” She is grateful that this lighthearted prediction became a reality.  Miss Stone lives in Wheaton and loves spending time with her 7 nephews and 1 niece.

B.S. Child and Family Development: University of Georgia

Mrs. Worsley was born and raised in rural Georgia and lived there her entire life until her family relocated to the Chicago area in 2018. She attended the University of Georgia and majored/studied in child and family development with emphasis in teaching. Her husband, Ryan, is the campus pastor at the Compass Church in Naperville and her family is heavily involved in numerous activities and ministries there. Her and her husband have four children: Myles, Ryder, Adleigh, and Ava, and they all attend ACS. Mrs. Worsley loves the pre-school age and joined the ACS staff in 2022, teaching the preschool 3/4s class! In her spare time her and her family enjoys traveling, camping, and anything involving warm weather. 

B.S. early childhood education-University Wisconsin-Whitewater (1987)

Mrs. Michele Smoot began working at Aurora Christian in 2009, where she has worked in multiple positions. Her passion is teaching Preschool, impacting the minds of the young learner, as well as teaching them about Christ. Her interests include refurbishing old furniture pieces and spending time with family. Mrs. Smoot lives in Batavia with her husband, Dave and three children Grace, Joshua, and Benjamin, who have attended Aurora Christian since preschool. Mrs. Smoot and her family attend Harvest Bible Chapel in Aurora, where she enjoys attending small group and serving The Lord.

B.S. Child Development Northern Illinois University (2009)

A.S. Early Childhood Education Waubonsee Community College (2007)

Mrs. Donelle Johnson was born and raised in central Minnesota. In 2003 she moved to Illinois to attend college. While completing her degrees Donelle worked as a preschool assistant and nannied. She now lives in Aurora with her husband Mike and their daughter Shelby. In her free time Mrs. J enjoys camping, bike riding, kayaking, hiking, and spending time with her entire family!

Mrs. Fessler grew up in Aurora and is an ACS alumni. She attended Indiana Wesleyan University, where she graduated with her elementary education degree. Mrs. Fessler taught preschool for four years before taking time off to be home with her children. Mrs. Fessler and her husband, Zac, have four children and live in Aurora. Mrs. Fessler started teaching Kindergarten at ACS in 2020. 

B.S. Physical Education-Bethel College (2006)
M.A. Kinesiology-Sam Houston State University (2007)

Mrs. Tiffany Lantz is a native Texan who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a master’s degree in Kinesiology. Her undergrad includes a minor in Educational Studies. Tiffany has led from a variety of positions in education including coaching and teaching. She has taught Special education, Kinesiology, Teen Leadership, and classes in an Early College High School program. She also served the past two years as a Pre-K teacher at a Christian School in Bullard, Texas. Mrs. Lantz has recently moved to Aurora from Texas where her husband Caleb is serving as the Associate Pastor at Crossroads Community Church. They have two children, Tenley and Carter, who will both attend ACS. In her free time Mrs. Lantz loves to craft, explore new places (especially coffee shops) and spend time with her 80-pound Goldendoodle, Biscuit.

Mrs. Schneeman joined the ACS family in 2021 and now serves as the preschool aide. In addition to working part-time at ACS, Mrs. Schneeman helps with her husband's construction business. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her son's travel games with the Downer's Grove Longshots baseball team, boating, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Schneeman is married to Rob and they attend St. Katherine Drexel Church, in Sugar Grove. They have two children, Dutch, who lives in Texas and Chase who attends ACS. Mrs. Schneeman feels it is a privilege and blessing to serve alongside of the staff here at ACS!

B.A. Elementary Education- North Central College (2006)
Biology Minor- North Central College (2006)

Mrs. Lauren Gary was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois.  She graduated from North Central College with a Major in Elementary Education and a Minor in Biology.  After graduation, Lauren spent four years teaching first grade in Yorkville before making the decision to take some time off to raise her children at home.  During this time, she enjoyed working with athletes as a part time swim coach.  Mrs. Gary is thrilled to be back teaching and a part of the staff at Aurora Christian!

Lauren and her husband Brian have three children.  They enjoy spending time outdoors, playing and watching sports, traveling and playing games. Mrs. Gary and her family are members of Our Saviors Church in Naperville. 

Miss Kelsey Palmquist has been teaching preschool and elementary music and middle school choir at ACS since the 2021-22 school year. She is a graduate of Music and Worship arts at Kuyper College and enjoys using her love of music to both teach and lead worship. She loves that at Aurora Christian, we can use every song we sing to worship God and declare His goodness. In her free time, she volunteers at a local Christian theater company, both on stage and behind the scenes. She recently moved back to the Aurora area and is excited to be a part of this community again! 

B.A. in Elementary Education, Moody Bible Institute

Stacie graduated from Moody Bible Institute with an Elementary Education major. She completed her student teaching with 4th grade in Cornerstone Christian Academy in Sycamore, IL and her kindergarten student teaching in Chicago in Humboldt Park Christian Academy.  She met her college sweetheart, Nico, at Moody Bible. Soon after graduating, they got married and went to do missionary work with a Christian school in Ayacucho, in the Andes Mountains of Peru.  They served there for five years with various responsibilities, and by God's grace planted a church with the families of the school. They had two boys while they were in Peru, Joshua and David.  In 2015, they returned to the States.  Stacie taught one year as a Kindergarten Bilingual teacher, and then made the decision to stay at home when she had her third child, Gracia. Her husband currently pastors in a Spanish speaking church in Aurora. Soon after, they had their fourth child, Caleb. They currently live in Plano, IL.  Stacie enjoys serving with the women's ministry in her church and spending time with her family. Stacie will be teaching Spanish this year for PreK-Middle School.  She and her children are looking forward to being part of the ACS family!
 

Bachelors of Arts - Western Illinois University

Mrs. Tracey Wright is the Elementary Physical Education Teacher at both the Aurora and Cornerstone campus of ACS.  She has taught Physical Education at Cornerstone since 2001.  She has had three sons that graduated from ACS, Jason, Jawanza, and Jeremiah.  Mrs. Wright is in the process of getting her bi-vocational ministry license with the Evangelical Covenant Church.  She has helped her husband Jerry as he pastors the Rock Covenant Church in Dekalb, Illinois since 2004.  She has enjoyed leading the Women of Shekinah Women’s Ministry for 16 years.  Along with teaching Bible study and Sunday school, she has had many opportunities to speak at church and women conferences.  Mrs. Wright loves the Lord with all her heart, and shares the goodness of Jesus to anyone who will listen.