Meet The Teachers
Jolene Hurst
Lead Teacher
Preschool
Pre-Kindergarten
Preschool
Pre-Kindergarten
My husband Chad and I have been married for 26 years. We have 3 amazing daughters, Brittany, Marissa and Talia! I attended Eastern Washington University and Blackhawk College in Illinois and studied Elementary Education. I really found my love for working in children's ministry while living in Illinois as the Children's ministry director of our church. It was such a special time in our life and we are in relationship with those people who are now adults.
When we moved back to Wenatchee in 1999, I found a job working for a large preschool in the valley and immediately knew this was my spot, working with children ages 3-5. I eventually started my own in-home preschool, and most recently taught for 11 years at a local Christian School in Wenatchee. The past 23 years have been so much fun teaching little minds about God's world and His amazing love for them through their education.
I can't imagine a school year where I'm not teaching small children. What a joy and privilege it is to partner with parents in educating their children! It's an honor to know that I get to be a child's first introduction to school. I take that role seriously, knowing I'm planting little seeds in the beginning years of a child's education that will further the Kingdom.
When we moved back to Wenatchee in 1999, I found a job working for a large preschool in the valley and immediately knew this was my spot, working with children ages 3-5. I eventually started my own in-home preschool, and most recently taught for 11 years at a local Christian School in Wenatchee. The past 23 years have been so much fun teaching little minds about God's world and His amazing love for them through their education.
I can't imagine a school year where I'm not teaching small children. What a joy and privilege it is to partner with parents in educating their children! It's an honor to know that I get to be a child's first introduction to school. I take that role seriously, knowing I'm planting little seeds in the beginning years of a child's education that will further the Kingdom.
Cassy Bartel
Preschool
My husband Jason and I have been married for 13 years and have four beautiful kiddos ages 12, 10, 7 and 5. As a family we have been calling Grace City home for the past 13 years and for the majority of that time I have been serving on the Grace Kids team as one of the 2 year old leads.
I have always had a heart for loving on littles and throughout my life have been drawn towards jobs that allowed me to do so. My first job was a nanny position, I then worked for the school district as a summer camp staffer and I have been a dance teacher for the past 16 years.
Two years ago the Lord put a call on my heart to open my own studio specifically geared towards 2-7 year old dancers where I could teach in a way that was individualized to each kiddo and their learning style without any extra pressures of recitals. I am passionate about creating a space where little ones can begin to discover the incredible love of Jesus and the uniquely amazing person He created them to be!
I have always had a heart for loving on littles and throughout my life have been drawn towards jobs that allowed me to do so. My first job was a nanny position, I then worked for the school district as a summer camp staffer and I have been a dance teacher for the past 16 years.
Two years ago the Lord put a call on my heart to open my own studio specifically geared towards 2-7 year old dancers where I could teach in a way that was individualized to each kiddo and their learning style without any extra pressures of recitals. I am passionate about creating a space where little ones can begin to discover the incredible love of Jesus and the uniquely amazing person He created them to be!
Katie King
Preschool
My husband, Addison, and I are high school sweethearts who have been married for 10 years and have 3 sweet, Jesus-loving children. My family is by far my greatest joy! My husband teaches and coaches at Garden City Academy and we are blessed to be able to send Mya, Hudson, and Ella to GCA and Little Starts as a support in raising our children to not only love and serve Jesus but also to establish an excellent academic foundation.
I grew up assisting my mom in directing the Children's ministry at our church, and it was there that my passion for teaching little hearts about Jesus began to take root. I attended Columbia Bible College where I studied leadership and biblical studies. Since then I have spent time as a nanny, worked in a preschool, and later, homeschooled my own children. My prayers is that every child I teach encounters the love of Jesus in a real and lasting way. It's an honor to get to be a teacher for King Jesus!
I grew up assisting my mom in directing the Children's ministry at our church, and it was there that my passion for teaching little hearts about Jesus began to take root. I attended Columbia Bible College where I studied leadership and biblical studies. Since then I have spent time as a nanny, worked in a preschool, and later, homeschooled my own children. My prayers is that every child I teach encounters the love of Jesus in a real and lasting way. It's an honor to get to be a teacher for King Jesus!
Rachell Burri
Pre-Kindergarten
I am married to my loving husband Michael and we have three incredible daughters: Pearl 8, Juniper 6 Hazel 4. My daughters love to serve, learn, and all have a huge heart for Jesus.
For the past 20 years, I have been a hair designer in the area and still work part-time when I’m not teaching. My love for teaching grew after homeschooling my girls. To see their little hearts soak up all the goodness God has created is truly incredible!
I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of this community and team to grow our children’s hearts and minds in the name of Jesus.
For the past 20 years, I have been a hair designer in the area and still work part-time when I’m not teaching. My love for teaching grew after homeschooling my girls. To see their little hearts soak up all the goodness God has created is truly incredible!
I feel so honored and blessed to be a part of this community and team to grow our children’s hearts and minds in the name of Jesus.
Nikki Block
Pre-Kindergarten
I am married to my wonderful husband, Jeremy, and we have four amazing children who love Jesus—Skyler, Keyton, Kaydence, and Matteha. We have had the honor of calling Grace City Church home for the last four years. I discovered a deep love for teaching during my high school years in an AP class called Teaching Academy and my heart was set to work with preschool and kindergarten students.
After high school, I co-taught kindergarten for the Ephrata School District for nine years. In 1026, we transitioned to homeschooling our own children where we adopted a classical, Bible-centered curriculum. It truly was one of my greatest joys to watch and experience my children get excited about Jesus and their education. I am so excited to bring the skill sets developed by both of those experiences to Pre-K.
I am endlessly amazed by the curiosity and enthusiasm of children as they explore God's creation. It is an incredible privilege to walk with parents and students in these development years, fostering a love for Christ and learning about His creation in this special season of life. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to teach at Little Starts!
After high school, I co-taught kindergarten for the Ephrata School District for nine years. In 1026, we transitioned to homeschooling our own children where we adopted a classical, Bible-centered curriculum. It truly was one of my greatest joys to watch and experience my children get excited about Jesus and their education. I am so excited to bring the skill sets developed by both of those experiences to Pre-K.
I am endlessly amazed by the curiosity and enthusiasm of children as they explore God's creation. It is an incredible privilege to walk with parents and students in these development years, fostering a love for Christ and learning about His creation in this special season of life. It is such an honor to have the opportunity to teach at Little Starts!