Early Learning Center

Meet The Teachers

Our lead teachers must have extensive experience and education to teach at our school. Lead teachers in the Pre K 3 and Pre K 4 classrooms are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education or a similar field of study. This requirement is crucial, ensuring our teachers have the background knowledge of child development to provide a developmentally appropriate classroom environment for their students. Our teaching staff regularly attends trainings and seminars to continue their growth of knowledge in early childhood education.

	Katie Norton, Director Katie Norton is a Duchesne High School graduate who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of MO- St. Louis in 2005 and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Webster University in 2011. She has three children who have all attended the ELC. Mrs. Norton has been the director of our school since 2011. In her free time, Mrs. Norton loves hiking, camping, and gardening.
	Crysten Wappelhorst, Assistant Director Crysten is a Duchesne High School and University of MO- Columbia graduate. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Child Development and Education in 2013. She joined the ELC in 2018. Ms. Wappelhorst enjoys kayaking and traveling in her free time.
	Danyelle Jackson, Infant Lead Teacher Danyelle has been with the ELC since 2016. She has over 9 years of experience in childcare. Danyelle has two boys, 7 and 11, and enjoys crafting, being outside with her children, and playing guitar in her free time.
	Haley Callaway, Toddler Lead Teacher Haley loves working with our youngest students! As a mom, Haley understands how important it is to nurture the social and emotional well being of toddlers!
	Kristen Burke, Toddler Lead Teacher Kristen might be new to the ELC, but she is not new to teaching young children! Kristen has over 20 years experience teaching young children! She has been a wonderful addition to our toddler classroom. Kristen has a daughter and enjoys crafting, gardening, and going to concerts in her free time.
	Jennie Hutson, Two Year Old Lead Teacher Jennie joined the ELC in 2020 and has loved every minute of it! She enjoys doing arts and crafts with the two year olds and giving them lots of snuggles. Ms. Jennie is a mom of a 13 year old daughter and enjoys camping in her free time.
	Brenda Miller, Two Year Old Lead Teacher Brenda has worked at the ELC since 2019 with our two year old class! Brenda loves doing art with her class and is very creative! Brenda has two children and enjoys photography, hiking, and cheering on our STL sport teams in her free time.
	Taylor Dames, Pre K 3 Lead Teacher Taylor earned a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Missouri in 2019. She loves being active with the children in her class since she is a giant sports fan herself! Taylor enjoys playing a variety of sports in her free time including softball and volleyball. Taylor has been with the ELC since 2019.
	Sarah Klein, Pre K 4 Lead Teacher Sarah Klein earned her Elementary Education degree from UMSL in 2007. She has taught at the ELC since 2017. Ms. Klein has one daughter who attended the ELC. In her free time, Ms. Klein enjoys running and going to the park with her daughter.
	Elizabeth Wasielewski, Pre K 4 Lead Teacher Elizabeth Wasielewski is a Rosati Kain graduate who obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Lindenwood University. She has taught at the ELC since 2012. Mrs. Wasielewski has a daughter who attends the ELC and enjoys reading and spending time with family in her free time.
	Ellen Mills, Cafeteria Manager Ellen manages our meal service at the ELC. Ellen creates our menus and cooks our meals! Feel free to message Ellen if your child has an allergy that you are concerned about while attending school. She works with all of our families to ensure the children receive a healthy and allergen safe meal! emills@stpstc.org

Early Learning Center

Meet The Teachers

Katie Norton, Director

Crysten Wappelhorst, Assistant Director

Danyelle Jackson, Infant Lead Teacher

Haley Callaway, Toddler Lead Teacher

Kristen Burke, Toddler Lead Teacher

Jennie Hutson, Two Year Old Lead Teacher

Brenda Miller, Two Year Old Lead Teacher

Taylor Dames, Pre K 3 Lead Teacher

Sarah Klein, Pre K 4 Lead Teacher

Elizabeth Wasielewski, Pre K 4 Lead Teacher

Ellen Mills, Cafeteria Manager

Contact Us

Upcoming Events