ELC Staff

Mrs. Lacey

Title 1 Preschool Teacher at the ELC. 

Mrs. Lacey was born and raised in the area and has taught Title 1 preschool in Nixa since 2005. She has a degree in Early Childhood and a Masters in Education. Mrs. Lacey's passion is to help prepare kiddos for Kindergarten in a fun, hands-on learning environment. She loves her job at the ELC!

Mrs. Donna Bleau is the Teacher Aide for Mrs. Lacey's AM and PM classes.

Mrs. Sherman

Early Childhood Teacher at the ELC.

Mrs. Sherman was born and raised in Springfield, MO. After going to college in Iowa, she taught for two years in Braymer, MO before coming to Nixa in 2007.  She taught kindergarten in Nixa for 7 years, before moving to the ELC.  Mrs. Sherman's passion is helping little ones love school and watching them grow from August to May.  She enjoys being their first experience in a school setting while helping them realize they can do so much on their own.

Mrs. Cassie Baker is the Teacher Aide for Mrs. Sherman's AM and PM classes.

Dr. Williams

Early Childhood Teacher at the ELC.

Dr. Williams has lived in the Springfield/Nixa area for most of her life. She currently lives in Nixa with her husband and two kids.  Dr. Williams began teaching in 1997. She has taught in Pre-K through 4th-grade classrooms, as well as acted as a literacy consultant for the state of Missouri, and an adjunct professor at several universities. In 2012, she earned her doctorate in teacher leadership with a focus on dyslexia. Dr. Williams is very passionate about providing a preschool environment that develops the whole child (physical, emotional, social, and academic) so that they are ready to be successful in school and life. She also loves to help children with reading problems that may be identified as dyslexia.

Mrs. Shanon Smith is the Teacher Aide for Dr. Williams AM class.

Mrs. Ullrich

Early Childhood Teacher at the ELC.

Mrs. Ullrich has taught in Nixa since 2002 with fifth and second-grade experience as well.  Mrs. Ullrich has a graduate degree from Southwest Missouri State University and a masters from Lindenwood University with certifications in both elementary and early childhood education.  She is a small town Iowa girl, that has professional entertainment experience and loves to incorporate her passion for music throughout her pre-k day.  Mrs. Ullrich most enjoys the opportunity to build relationships with her classroom families and partner together to help her students reach their full kindergarten readiness potential each year! 

Mrs. Tammy Reid is the Teacher Aide for Mrs. Ullirch's AM and PM classes.

Mrs. Newberry

Early Childhood Teacher at the ELC.

Mrs. Newberry has her undergraduate degree from Missouri State University and her master's degree from Lindenwood University. She is certified to teach ages birth through 6th grade. She has taught in Nixa since 2001. Before coming to the Early Learning Center, she taught kindergarten at Century Elementary for five years. Mrs. Newberry's passion is in early childhood education! She enjoys seeing the academic and social-emotional progress that children make throughout the school year. She also loves visiting nursing homes, hospitals and classrooms (including her own) with her therapy dog, Charlie!

Mrs. Tammy Decker is the Teacher Aide for Mrs. Newberry's AM and PM classes.

Mrs. Mandy Lee

Mandy Lee is a Title 1 Preschool Teacher at the Nixa Early Learning Center.  

Mrs. Mandy is originally from the St. Louis area but is a southwest, MO transplant since attending college at Missouri State University. She has a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Family Development. She has been in the field of early childhood education since 2005, serving as a teacher and as part of the leadership team at Missouri State’s Child Development Center. She began teaching at the Nixa ELC in 2022 and it already feels like home! Mrs. Mandy is passionate about working with young children and helping them develop into caring, responsible citizens that have a love and drive for learning. She loves supporting their natural curiosity through play-based experiences that make learning both meaningful and enjoyable!

Ms. Jen Byers is the Teacher Aide for both Mrs. Mandy's AM and PM classes.

Ms. Leigh Berry

Ms. Berry has been teaching since 1993 but she has taught in Nixa since 2007. Ms. Berry believes in a positive experience is very important. She looks forward to partnering with her students and parents to have a fantastic start to their school journey.

Mrs. Donna

Mrs. Donna is the teacher's aide in Ms. Lacey's AM and PM classes.

She has worked for Nixa since 2002.

Mrs. Cassie Baker

Mrs. Cassie is the teacher's aide in Mrs. Sherman's AM and PM class.

Mrs. Shanon Smith

Mrs. Shanon is the teacher's aide in Dr. Williams' AM class.

Charlie

Certified Therapy dog at the ELC.

Charlotte, better known as Charlie, joined the ELC in 2019.  Charlie is a goldendoodle, born in 2017.  She has her CGC, CGCA/U and is a certified therapy dog through Alliance Therapy Pets.  In her spare time, Charlie volunteers at the Christian County Library for the Paws for Reading Program.  Her passions include playing with toys and zooming around the yard chasing squirrels.