Meet The Teachers
Jolene Hurst
Lead Teacher
Pre-Kindergarten
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.
Cassie Dobson
Pre-Kindergarten
I am excited to be a part of the Little Starts Preschool! My passion for littles, family, and education is rooted in the gifts and desires God has given me. I am married to my wonderful husband, Joseph, and we have four kids ranging from ages 1-13. I just wrapped up my 10th year of teaching for the Eastmont School District and am thrilled to bring my experience and passion for education with me.
I graduated from Central Washington with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and pursued a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language from Grand Canyon University. I started my career as an English teacher for 8th and 9th graders, and then taught 4th graders for several years. The past two years, I have been teaching multilingual students ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade. I am finishing up my career as a K-6 GLAD Instructional coach where I help teachers learn strategies to best support the needs of their students, model lessons and create interactive and engaging supplements to support instruction.
I can’t wait to help your child have the best experience at school. The preschool years are essential to setting the foundation for their love of learning. Education is a partnership and I am excited to embark on this journey with you, as parents, to disciple your children and guide their early classroom experience in the love of Jesus.
I graduated from Central Washington with my Bachelors in Elementary Education and pursued a Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language from Grand Canyon University. I started my career as an English teacher for 8th and 9th graders, and then taught 4th graders for several years. The past two years, I have been teaching multilingual students ranging from kindergarten through 6th grade. I am finishing up my career as a K-6 GLAD Instructional coach where I help teachers learn strategies to best support the needs of their students, model lessons and create interactive and engaging supplements to support instruction.
I can’t wait to help your child have the best experience at school. The preschool years are essential to setting the foundation for their love of learning. Education is a partnership and I am excited to embark on this journey with you, as parents, to disciple your children and guide their early classroom experience in the love of Jesus.
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!