Meet Our Staff!
Miss Peterson's Preschool 1
Welcome to the Preschool 1 class! I would like to introduce myself. My name is Karen Peterson and I have been teaching at Little School of the West since 2001. I have an Associate of Arts degree from Cerritos College in Early Childhood Education and I am beginning my thirty-second year of teaching. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading (paper books), going for walks, and having coffee with friends. I believe God has called me to teach the little ones, and I am blessed and honored to have the opportunity to work with your precious child and family.
God Bless!
Mrs. Sanchez's Preschool 2
Welcome to the Preschool 2 class! My name is Lizette Sanchez. I am married to my wonderful husband and have a beautiful daughter, Noel, and precious son, Declan. I started working at Little School of the West in 2012. I began as an aide, became a teacher's assistant, and am now the teacher of the Preschool 2 class. I am currently working on completing my Early Childhood Education Certificate. I believe God has called me to teach young children and I am excited to have Him work in and through me as I teach your precious little ones!
Miss Neilson's Preschool 3
Hello and welcome to the Preschool 3 class! My name is Karen Neilson. I have attended West Cypress Church since I was in 2nd grade and have worked with young children, serving in the Children’s Ministry, since high school. I have my Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from Whittier College. I have been working at Little School of the West since 2016. I started as an aide, became a teacher’s assistant, subbing in each classroom, then taught the Preschool 2 class, and have been teaching the Preschool 3 class since 2021. I believe God has called me to this profession and I will do my best to have Him guide me as I teach and care for your precious little ones. I am so blessed to be your child’s teacher and am excited for what the Lord has planned for this school year!
Mrs. Verhoef's Preppy Pre-K
Welcome to the Preppy Pre-K Class! My name is Kari Verhoef. I became a preschool teacher in 2017 after many years of homeschooling my own three children. The preschool years are my favorite because they learn so much during these years. My favorite part of working at a Christian preschool is teaching about the love of Jesus! I am so excited to get to know your child this year.
My name is Bonni Nisbet and I am so excited to be teaching this year! I spent two years as Miss Peterson's aide before becoming a teacher in the 2014-2015 school year. I am thrilled to be back for my ninth year of teaching and I am so excited to have this opportunity to be teaching your children! I have loved working with children since I was about twelve. I worked in the nursery at my church for about eight years before coming to Little School of the West and I am currently on the road to obtaining my Early Childhood Education Certificate. I strongly believe that teaching is what God has called me to do and I am pleased to do His work through spending time with your precious children!
Miss Nisbet's & Miss Salas's Pre-Kindergarten 1
I am very happy that your family will be part of this special year that I have planned for us. My name is Crystal Molinar. I began teaching in 2000 and I have my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Development. I believe that God has called me to this profession and I will do my best to let Him guide me in teaching, caring for, and loving your children. My classroom theme, “sloths,” is based on the scripture found in Psalm 37:7, "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him." We will learn how God is always there for us, how we can rest in His promises and how He has made each one of us special in our very own unique way.
Miss Molinar's Pre-Kindergarten 2
Mrs. Muesse's Transitional Kindergarten
My name is Kelly Muesse (pronounced Macy). I would like to share a little bit about myself with you. I received my teaching certificate in Early Childhood Development and have been working with children since 2001. I started teaching at Little School of the West in 2015. I am also a proud mother of 2 teenage boys, Samuel and Abel. I am looking forward to getting to know my new students and their families. Through a structured theme based curriculum I will nurture and stimulate your child's growth in areas of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development. I am so thankful to have this opportunity as your child's teacher this year!