Mustard Seed Staff
MSP has been blessed throughout these past five years and continue to be blessed to have a staff that loves the Lord and are passionate about working with your children and families. Let us take a moment to introduce our Staff to you...
Administrative Team
Kristin Henke - Director
Vicki Pearson - Assistant Director
Debbie Brevard - Curriculum Coordinator
Valerie See - Administrative Assistant
3 Year Old Class Teaching Teams
Ms. Beth Lindberg and Ms. Charissa Sheffield
Beth is going into her sixth year and Charissa her second.
Beth lives in Thompson Station, TN with her husband Byron and two children Alyce (10) and C.J. (7). They also have a fiesty Schnoodle named Maisy. She loves to read, travel and be outside!
Charissa and her husband John have two wonderful children: Matthew (10) and Susanna (8). Their family also includes a cute little Bichon named Max. She likes to read, listen to music and mostly spend time with her family.
Class Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Ms. Dawn Duffett and Ms. Kelly Fortner
Dawn is going into her fifth year and Kelly her third.
Dawn has three children and married to John for eighteen years. Her hobbies are coaching soccer, swimming and running!
Kelly as a son named Tom and she has been married to Arron for 10 years. Her hobbies are working out. She loves sports and making people laugh!
Class Verse: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
Ms. Dorothy Basak and Ms. Janice Minucci
Dorothy is going into her sixth year and Janice her first at MSP.
Dorothy lives in Franklin with her husband Rick and their three daughters Ashley (16), Brittany (14), and Courtney (12). She enjoys learning about different cultures and languages, loves: cooking, drawing, reading and spending time with her family.
Janice also lives in Franklin with her husband Steve and their three daughters Sarah (15), Julia (13), and Allie (10). She enjoys cooking, entertaining, crafts, learning new things and spending time with family and friends.
Class Verse: "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Ms. Charissa Sheffield and Ms. Elizabeth Stanley
Charissa is going into her second year and Elizabeth her second.
Charissa and her husband John have two wonderful children: Matthew (10) and Susanna (8). Their family also includes a cute little Bichon named Max. She likes to read, listen to music and mostly spend time with her family. Both Charissa and Elizabeth claim to be Auburn fans although Charissa says her conversions came through marriage.
Elizabeth and her husband Steve have three wonderful children. Caroline is ten and in fifth grade at Walnut Grove, Joseph is eight and in second grade and Christopher is in first grade. Joseph and Christopher are both graduates of MSP! She loves to cook, garden and exercise in her free time (between football, soccer, and baseball games).
Class Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Ms. Ellen Grassmann and Ms. Heidi Shepler
Ellen is going into her second year and Heidi her first at MSP.
Ellen says that some things you may be interested in knowing about her are that she has been married for 30 years, and she has two incredible grandchildren. She has always enjoyed being a mother and feels that it was the most satisfying work she's don. Before her children were born she worked as a registered nurse. She enjoys being outside whether gardening, going for walks, or traveling. "I love to see God's wonderful creations."
Heidi has been married now for 15 yreas and she has four children. She also enjoys being a mom and working with little ones. "I love chocolate and I am a big Disney fan!"
"It is a blessing to come along beside you as you parent your children. With God working in and through Heidi and me we have confidence that this will be a year of growth in many ways for your child."
Ms. Dorothy Basak and Ms. Alicia Hewitt
Dorothy is going into her sixth year and Alicia her first at MSP.
Dorothy lives in Franklin with her husband Rick and their three daughters Ashley (16), Brittany (14), and Courtney (12). She enjoys learning about different cultures and languages, loves: cooking, drawing, reading and spending time with her family.
Alicia lives in Spring Hill with her husband Sam and their two children Kaylen (7) and Zoe (4). Both of which attended MSP. She loves art and spending time with family. She is a member of Strong Tower Bible Church and is a part of "Roots" Children Ministry.
Class Verse: "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:13
4 Year Old Class Teaching Teams
Ms. Hillary McClung and Ms. Sandra Rosado
Hillary is going into her second year and Sandra her third on MSP staff.
Hillary loves Jesus and loves children, and at Mustard Seed she loves that she gets to do both! She and her husband have been married now for 17 years. They have three boys and two girls.
Sandra has been married for 10 years and has a son. Her son is 5 years old. She loves kids, loves MSP and is very happy to be here. She says that keeps learning from all of the teachers because they are an open book. Sandra has floated for MSP for two years and assisting for the first time this year.
Class Verse: "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called the children of God."
Ms. Shelly Oliver and Ms. Samia Awad
Shelly is going into her first year teaching (third as a parent) and Samia her third.
Shelly says: "I am a child of God, wife to Andy, and mother to Gray and Tracy." They will have been in Franklin for just over five years and love it here. Andy and Shelly both grew up in North Florida, around Tallahassee. Shelly and her family are members of Christ Community Church. When Shelly has the time she loves to sew and her favorite stores are Publix, Costco and Joann’s.
Samia says: "This is my 3rd year as a teacher assistant. I enjoy working with children, and I have 3 girls of my own. My Family & I came to the US from Egypt 16 yrs. ago. We lived in NY and NJ, then transferring to Franklin because of my husband's job. It is a privilege to be a part of the MSP Family."
Ms. Mary Keith Skinner and Ms. Hillary McClung
Mary Keith is going into her third year and Hillary her second.
Mary Keith loves teaching preschool! She loves finding ways to celebrate children and the beautiful God who made them. Outside of school, she has three children (7, 6 and 4 years old). Her husband is a singer/songwriter and itinerate worship leader. Together she and her husband lead worship in homes, churches and other locations.
Hillary loves Jesus and loves children, and at Mustard Seed she loves that she gets to do both! She and her husband have been married now for 17 years. They have three boys and two girls.
Class Verse: "All things hold together in Christ." Colosians 1:17
Ms. Casilda Harrison and Ms. Samia Awad
Casilda is going into her second year and Samia her third.
Casilda shares, "God has chosen to douse my bones with passion of teaching children for some time now. I love to learn, and am currently majoring in education." This is her second year at MSP. Franklin is her native hometown, along with her husband, and their children.
Samia says: "This is my 3rd year as a teacher assistant. I enjoy working with children, and I have 3 girls of my own. My Family & I came to the US from Egypt 16 yrs. ago. We lived in NY and NJ, then transferring to Franklin because of my husband's job. It is a privilege to be a part of the MSP Family."
Class Verse: "We Are Family"
Ms. Kristee Dickson and Ms. Elda Johnston
Kristee is going into her second year and Elda her second.
Kristee has been married for 15 years. She has two children one of which had the "blessing of learning at Mustard Seed". She loves to see how your children embrace our loving God. She loves to laugh, loves music, good coffee and a good conversation.
Elda, her husband and two daughters moved here from Dallas two years ago. She has been at MSP for two years, and she is teaching Spanish for some of our 4s classes this year as well. She says, "It is a blessing to work at MSP."
Class Verse: "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is! Blessed are you you run to him" Psalm 34:8 (The Message)
Ms. Leah Murphree and Ms. Lianne Perkins
Leah is going into her fifth year and Lianne her first at MSP.
10 Fun Facts About Your Teaching Team
Married or Single
Leah: Married to Steve for 11 years
Lianne: Married to Kelly for 10 years
Children
Leah: 2 Boys - Adam (9) and John (7)
Lianne: 1 Boy - Christian (3 1/2)
Favorite Song or Hymn
Leah: My Savior My God
Lianne: Take My Life and Let It Be
Favorite Book or Author
Leah: The Sierra Jensen series by Robyn Jones Gunn
Lianne: Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper
Favorite Sport or Sports Team
Leah: Red Sox Baseball
Lianne: UT Football
Coke or Pepsi
Leah: Neither - Dr. Pepper
Lianne: Coke
Pets
Leah: Oscar a 2 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Lianne: Sophie a 9 year old English Springer Spaniel
City Girl or Country Girl
Leah: Country Girl
Lianne: Country Girl
Favorite Movie or TV Series
Leah: Pride and Prejudice
Lianne: Andy Griffith Show
1 Thing you Really Enjoy Doing
Leah: Riding Roller Coasters
Lianne: Hiking
Class Verse: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
Ms. Dana Bianchi and Ms. Jane Steele
Dana is going into her fourth year and Jane her third.
Dana has loved Mustard Seed since year one when her son, Jacob, was in Ms. Sheryl's class! This is her fourth year at MSP and she is excited to experience God's glory through His "Little creatures" and image bearers. She lives in Franklin with her wonderful husband, Michael, of 14 years and her sons, Jacob (9) and Andrew (5). Some of her favorite things include baking, sewing, hiking, and taco night every Friday.
Jane is going into her third year at MSP and she says she "is privileged to be a part of this amazing kingdom work. I am touched every year by the precious hearts of the children." She says that this December she is be married 26 years to her husband, Bob, who shows her daily what a life of faith looks like. They have 3 daughters, Sarah (24), Jessica (22), and Clare (17). They also have four dogs and a cat who round out the members of their family.
Class Verse: "I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in truth."
Ms. Kara Coates and Ms. Jo Gooden
Kara is going into her third year and Jo her first at MSP.
Kara has a six year old who came to Mustard Seed for the three years, Mason. She has a horse named Newt and three dogs names Tana, Hattie, and Sonny. She loves nature and loves teaching about creation!
Jo says that God has blessed her with being married to her best friend for 16 years. God sent her to China twice to bring home her precious daughters. Jo has a passion for the world's orphans. She also has a love for wool applique. Jo and her family have one sweet 12 year Bichon Frise Winston, her first baby.
Class Verse: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
5 Year Old Class Teaching Teams
Ms. Delyn Redmond and Ms. Elaine Harold
Delyn is going into her sixth year and Elaine her first at MSP.
Delyn says, "I love my job!" She says that Mustard Seed Preschool is another way God says to her, "I love you and have a wonderful plan for you and each little seed you get to teach."
Elaine says that she is so honored to be a part of MSP this year. She loves children and seeing them learn as the "light" goes on in their little minds. She says she learns so much from the wonder that they see in God that we tend to forget of overlook.
Class Verse: "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you...to give hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Ms. Sheryl Griffin and Ms. Marcy Shore
Sheryl is going into her sixth year and Marcy her fourth.
Sheryl loves teaching. She has been in the child development and teaching field for 20 years. Sheryl is married and has 2 children. She says that she loves teaching Pre-K as it allows us to lay a solid foundation spiritually as well as prepare them for a love of learning.
Marcy says that for her teaching is living out and loving what she loves in front of the children God sends to their classroom. "I feel so grateful and privileged to be a part of learning and growing in the context of our covenantal community."
Class Verse: Jeremiah 17:7-8
Art and Music Teachers
Left to Right: Liz Eskridge (Art) and Barbara Haynes (Music)
Spanish Teachers
Left to Right: Mary Keith Skinner, Elda Johnston, Amanda Savo, and Elaine Harold