Four Year Old Class Teaching Teams - Mustard Seed Preschool

Tues/Thurs

Alauna Babb & Michelle Hancock

My name is Alauna Babb and I am so excited to be teaching in the 4s program. My husband Jim and I have been married since 2007 and we have 3 boys and 1 girl. We are originally from Elk Grove, California but have lived in Franklin since 2015. We love to spend time together as a family by enjoying God’s creation. Our favorite outdoor activities including primitive camping, hiking and and going on bike rides.

My name is Michelle, this is my 12th year as a teacher. I grew up in California, but my family has called Tennessee home for 27 years. My husband and I have two children, my daughter, a sophomore in college, and a son who is a junior. I love being with the children because they are so open to learning. When not at Mustard Seed, my family loves camping (we’ve been out west twice), watching my kids play soccer, and getting together with friends.

Wed/Fri

Alauna Babb & Drea Rocha

My name is Drea Rocha and I am so excited to start my first year as an assistant teacher in the 4s program in Alauna Babbs class at MSP. I am married to my best friend and love of my life Brett Rocha. We have two beautiful daughters together, Ira and Luna who are also MSP students. We are originally from California but have lived in Tennessee for two years. As a family we enjoy sitting around the table for a meal, hosting our friends and families, taking walks in the parks with our two dogs and attending church together at The Belonging Co in Nashville.
Being a mama is my greatest joy and I know that being able to love and teach these sweet MSP students this year will be added to that list too. I am looking forward to seeing what God does this year in the classroom with your children.
It is an honor to be apart of this team.

Tues/Wed/Thurs

Laura Coughlin & Alicia Reynolds

My name is Laura Coughlin and I am beginning my 9th year at Mustard Seed. Kent and I have been married for 30 years and have 2 sons: Cooper is starting his sophomore year at UTK and Robert was 23 when he died in August 2020. We are members of Cornerstone Pres, Franklin. When not teaching, I am walking my dogs, practicing yoga, reading, hiking, sewing and taking seminary classes.

I’m Alicia Reynolds and I am excited to be starting my 2nd full year at MSP. I am originally from California but have lived here in middle TN for the past 24 years. I am married to Jon Reynolds, and we have 3 children. Our oldest daughter Cassidy just graduated from UT Chattanooga. Our son Kaden will be a freshman at UT Knoxville this fall. Our youngest daughter Brenna will be a Junior, she is homeschooled and attends West Harpeth Christian tutorial. I have always loved working with children and have served in the preschool, nursery, and elementary ministries at Christ Community Church for the past 23 years. In my free time I enjoy reading, good coffee, thrift shopping, hiking with my family, traveling, and playing with our two dogs (Pepper –13 & Bristol-2). I am looking forward to loving on the 4yr old’s and watching them grow this school year.

Tues/Wed/Thurs

Racheal Lopez & Kristi Cobb

My name is Racheal Lopez, and I am excited to start my 6th year at Mustard Seed Preschool. I have been a nanny for a Mustard Seed family for 14 years, and I have experienced first hand the wonderful impact Mustard Seed Preschool has on students. I have lived in Nashville for 29 years, but I have also lived in seven different states and overseas. I am a potter, and I work mostly out of my home studio. I also love to read, garden with my 12 chickens, and spend time with my family.

My name is Kristi Cobb & this will be my 2nd year here at Mustard Seed but my 9th year teaching in a Christian preschool. I absolutely love teaching here! I married my husband, Eric, in 2006 & we have lived in the Nashville area since 2008. We have a 15-year-old daughter (Taylor) and a 12-year-old son (Matthew). When I’m not teaching, I can usually be found at my kids’ schools, volunteering for all kinds of things. I also enjoy spending time with my friends & family, watching HGTV and anything Auburn. I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Business Administration. I can’t wait to get to know the kids this year!

Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri

Sarah Elliott & Sandy Ewert

My name is Sarah Elliott. This is my sixth year at Mustard Seed preschool! My husband, Jason and I have been married for 23 years. We have three wonderful children; Hannah, a Junior at Samford University, AJ, a Freshman at Belmont, and Evie, a Mustard Seed graduate and 4th grader at Walnut Grove Elementary! I graduated from the University of California, Riverside and moved to San Diego, where I worked in Change Management, developing curriculum and training for Accenture. After staying home with my sweet babies I went back to school in Early Education and taught Classical Christian Preschool at Horizon Prep. In 2016 we moved to TN, where my husband was born and raised. My family is blessed to worship & serve at Church of the City, Franklin. When I am not loving sweet kiddos in the classroom, you can find me cheering on my kids at their sporting events, walking our sweet puppy, Diego, playing tennis, kayaking, hosting home groups, enjoying family movie and game nights, and having fun with friends. It is an honor to be a part of the Mustard Seed Family and serve alongside an amazing group of women. I LOVE the 4’s program, especially as we explore God’s character through all He has created! I love sharing His love with our MSP kiddos and watching their hearts open to Him as they grow in their faith and love of learning!

My name is Sandy Ewert, and I’m excited to begin my second year at Mustard Seed Preschool! Originally from Louisville, MS, I went to college in Idaho and graduated with a B.A. in liberal arts. While there, I met and married my Canadian husband, Frank. We lived in Vancouver for 12 years where our three children – Jeannie, Peter, and Charlie – were born. In 2021 our family moved to Franklin, and we just love it here! Our family attends Christ Community Church, where I enjoy serving in the preschool classes at Sunday School. In my spare time, I love playing tennis, gardening (especially flowers!), and hiking in the rain. I look forward to sharing the love of Jesus with MSP students and encouraging their curiosity about the world around them!

Tues/Wed/Thurs/ Fri

Traci Zegelien & Anne Kaysar

My name is Traci Zegelien, and this year is my tenth year on staff at Mustard Seed. My husband Paul and I have been married for 19 years, our son Lucas is 15 years old, and our shepherd-lab mix Clark is 9 years old. We currently live in Spring Hill and attend and serve at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin. I grew up in Indiana and went to college in east Tennessee. I attended Bryan College; I played basketball and volleyball there and earned my degree in education and Bible. I’ve taught middle school reading and language arts in Clarksville and Nashville from 1995 to 2007, earned a Master’s degree in education and spent one year serving as a literacy coach to nine Metro schools before taking time off to start our family. Our son Lucas is MSP alumni and a freshman in high school this year. I’m so grateful to be a part of Mustard Seed staff, among authentic women of faith who are gifted in loving kids well, and I’m especially glad about being a part of the Fours teaching team. This school year, I hope to stretch our students academically, but most importantly plant and nurture God’s Word in their hearts and minds, helping them develop a greater understanding of who He is. What an honor and privilege it is to partner with you in your child’s preschool education!

My name is Anne Kayser. This is my first year employed at Mustard Seed Preschool. I feel so honored to be working as the teacher assistant in Traci Fegelien’s four-year old classroom. My greatest desire is to help create a welcoming, joyful, fun, and safe early learning experience for these special littles as they come to school each day. My hearts prayer is that God’s love would be expressed and shown to these children through my words, actions, and deeds in daily opportunities that the Lord brings each day. Also, that the Bible, His word of truth, as it is taught each day would penetrate their hearts and that every child would come to a greater understanding of who God is and how much He loves them.

I have been married to Larry, the love of my life, for 43 years. We have been blessed with 4 beautiful daughters that have grown into four families of their own, 4 amazing son in-laws, and 11 treasured grandchildren who call us Nana and Papa. Larry is the marriage pastor at Fellowship Bible Church. What we call the “Built2Last” marriage ministry is something we have shared together for the last 12 years. We are passionate about building gospel centered marriages and bringing glory to God which in turn builds strong families.

For the last 16 years we have had the privilege to be part of a team of couples who speak at FamilyLife Weekend To Remember marriage conferences. These conferences strengthen healthy marriages and renew hope to the hurting ones throughout the United States. I also thoroughly enjoyed working in the Williamson County School District at Hunters Bend Elementary School from 2006-2014 as a Teacher Assistant in the Special Needs Department and then substituted 2016-2019. What brings me joy is family gatherings, my grandchildren, intimate friendships, opening my home to others, seeing others succeed, gardening, flowers, baking, traveling adventures, sunshine, swimming, boating, camping, hiking, picnics, sunrises,s and sunsets being still in God’s word, and singing God’s praises.

Looking forward to a great year working in partnership with each of the parents and caring for these beautiful children that have been entrusted to us.

Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri

Sarah Elliott & Ellen Grassmann

My name is Sarah Elliott. This is my 5th year at Mustard Seed and 12th year teaching preschool! My husband, Jason and I have been married for 22 years. We have three wonderful children; Hannah, a Sophomore at Samford University, AJ, a Senior at Franklin High School, and Evie, a Mustard Seed graduate and 3rd grader at Walnut Grove Elementary! I am a transplant from San Diego, California, where I graduated from the University of California, Riverside, and taught Classical Christian Preschool at Horizon Prep. Prior to teaching, and staying home with my sweet babies, I developed curriculum and training for Accenture. My family is blessed to worship & serve at Church of the City, Franklin. When I am not loving sweet kiddos in the classroom, you can find me cheering on my kids at their sporting events, walking our sweet puppy, Diego, playing tennis, kayaking, hosting home groups, having fun with family & friends and making trips to see my first one off to college as much as I can! It is an honor to be a part of the Mustard Seed Family and serve alongside an amazing and loving group of women. I am excited to see all God is going to do this year! I love Jesus and can’t wait to share His love with our MSP kiddos! I am praying for our class to grow academically, as we develop a lifelong love of learning, and spiritually, as we learn more about God’s grace and love!

My name is Ellen Grassmann, and this is my 15th year at MSP. I was born in Minnesota. My husband, Don, and I have been married 43 years. I worked as a registered nurse many years ago at UNC Chapel Hill. We have lived in the Nashville area for 33 years, and have 2 adult children and 3 grandsons. I love Jesus, studying his word, sharing his love with little ones and their families at MSP. When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors (traveling, bike riding, hiking, gardening, bird watching…) reading, and cooking. I look forward to another year at MSP and hope to serve you and your children well.

Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri

Traci Zegelien & Philana Hancock

My name is Traci Zegelien, and this year is my eleventh year on staff at Mustard Seed. My husband Paul and I have been married for 20 years, our son Lucas is 16 years old, and our shepherd-lab mix Clark is 10 years old. We currently live in Spring Hill and attend and serve at Rolling Hills Community Church in Franklin. I grew up in Indiana and went to college in east Tennessee. I attended Bryan College; I played basketball and volleyball there and earned my degree in education and Bible. I’ve taught middle school reading and language arts in Clarksville and Nashville from 1995 to 2007, earned a Master’s degree in education and spent one year serving as a literacy coach to nine Metro schools before taking time off to start our family. Our son Lucas is MSP alumni and a sophomore in high school this year. I’m so grateful to be a part of Mustard Seed staff, among authentic women of faith who are gifted in loving kids well, and I’m especially glad about being a part of the Fours teaching team. This school year, I hope to stretch our students academically, but most importantly plant and nurture God’s Word in their hearts and minds, helping them develop a greater understanding of who He is. What an honor and privilege it is to partner with you in your child’s preschool education!

My name is Philana Hancock and I am excited to be joining MSP as an assistant this year! My husband David and I met at Covenant College and have been married since 2002. We relocated to Franklin the end of 2022 from Knoxville with our middle schoolers, Annabelle and Cooper. We are thankful to have found a church home in Christ Community and are enjoying getting settled into Franklin! I enjoy hiking, walking and jogging with our labradoodle, reading, sports, good food and traveling.