Mrs. Karen Wilson
Director |
Mrs. Karen Wilson believes preschool offers young children the opportunity to play and interact within a group setting and to learn to share, cooperate, and be inspired by each other. Preschool is a place where a child’s imagination is encouraged to soar or their spirit to be reflective. Our preschoolers usually get their first exposure to being cared for and accepted in a group away from the safety and security of their own homes. By offering stimulating – age appropriate atmosphere – Mrs. Wilson feels young children learn through their play to embrace our world and the people in it.
Born in Evanston Illinois, Karen has lived in Riverside since 1984 and has been a member of First United Methodist church since 1988. She has taught Sunday school, co-directed our Vacation Bible School, taught the Church’s 3rd & 4th graders “Getting to Know Your Bible” classes, and volunteered in her daughters elementary schools. She has 3 beautiful daughters: Her oldest Daughter Leslie graduated from UCR and is now in Management at Target’s .Com Distribution Center. Her middle daughter, Courtney, graduated from UCR, received her Master of Education Degree from Claremont, and is now teaching. Courtney and her husband, Kevin, are also the proud parents of Karen's two grandsons. Daughter, Stephanie, the youngest, was a preschooler here and works as a Medical Assistant. Stephanie and her husband, Abran, are the proud parents of Karen's granddaughter. Karen enjoys cooking, gardening, football, baseball, & hiking. She has hiked Lake Tahoe’s Rim Trail, summited Mt. Whitney at 14,496’, & walked 14 days completing the Northern Route of the Pilgrimage to Santiago, Camino Del Norte, in Spain. |
Mrs. Lisa Sherman Lucky Ladybugs |
Mrs. Lisa Sherman is our Lucky Ladybug Pre K teacher. We first met Lisa when her children were preschoolers at FUMPS. Her son Tyler graduated from Puget Sound University and is in his third year of Law at William & Mary Law School. Her daughter Morgan is in the nursing program at CBU.
The youngest of three children, Lisa, her brother Michael, and her sister Kathy were born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. She met her husband Steve (they’ve been married for 33 years) while vacationing in Europe. Starting her teaching career with FUMPS as our nutrition teacher 18 years ago, Lisa moved to assistant teacher in the Pooh Bears, then to a 4 year old classroom and then started her Lucky Ladybug Pre K class. She teaches our lesson on Hanukkah & the Festival of Lights. Believing preschool should provide a positive learning environment, improve a child’s socialization skills and sense of independence, Lisa’s enjoyment of children, her creative nature & easy going spirit are most apparent in her relationship with her own family and make her a pleasure to work with and fun in the classroom. |
Miss Melissa Erdman
Cute Kittens |
Born in Orange County about a mile from Knott’s Berry Farm, Melissa’s family moved to Riverside when she was in first grade. She has one older sister who lives in Northern California and a niece and nephew whom she likes to visit. Melissa began her teaching career while still a student a RCC. She had stopped by their Work Experience Office to fill out job applications and while she was there, First Methodist’s Director, Mrs. Natta Lea Wiffin called looking for an assistant teacher. Miss Erdman applied and was hired. Melissa has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Studies. She believes that childhood should be a journey and not a race. She believes the preschool experience is very important and she works to make it the best experience it can be.
These days Melissa opens each morning for Early Drop Off and Closes in the afternoon with Lunch Bunch. She handles our re-cycling of aluminum cans, plastic, & glass. Melissa loves cats, travel, gardening, the beach, cooking, and her Cute Kitten Class. Her favorite pastime, and one that she is expert at is counted cross-stitch. |
Mrs. Lisa Skiver
Little Rascals |
Mrs. Lisa Skiver decided right after high school that she wanted to work with young children. Once she began taking classes at RCC, she knew this was her calling and that the preschool age was her age group. Lisa has worked at Temple Beth El Preschool for 8 years, UCR Child Development Center for 3 years and then while her two boys Ryan, now graduated fro college, and Jacob, now starting college, attended FUMPS, she began subbing for us. She believes a preschool that is safe, values play, encourages children to be themselves and allows them to experiment with their own creativity is a great introduction into a school setting. A good preschool sets the foundation for a positive school experience and teaches confidence and respect. Lisa wants her classroom to be fun and creative. She enjoys color and her classroom reflects positive energy and excitement. She encourages parent involvement and nurtures that same enthusiasm in her families.
This is Mrs. Skiver’s 13th year with FUMPS. Born in Anaheim, Lisa’s family moved to Riverside where she graduated from La Sierra High School and met her husband Aaron of 22 years. Her life is filled with home, family, and activities her sons are involved in. |
Mrs. Judi Jack
Friendly Fish |
Mrs. Judi Jack believes preschool helps children with being away from their parents, learning to share and to play in groups with other children. She wants her classroom to be a safe, loving and fun environment where children feel comfortable and relaxed and able to learn. Judi has been married to her husband Mike for 24 years and has one daughter, Amanda, who was a ”FUMPS-ter” and now an 10th grader at Poly High School where she is on the softball team. She plays travel ball, as well. Growing up in Alta Loma with two brothers, one older, one younger, Judi was the “middle” child. She moved to Riverside in 1991 and worked in cardiology for 13 years and volunteer on the board of Riverside’s M.O.M.’s Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) holding the positions of secretary and vice president. Judi has taught VBS with us. She loves to cook and I’m sure holds the Guinness Book record for most cupcakes baked by one person in a single day!
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Mrs. Natalie McComb
Friendly Fish |
Natalie McComb was born and raised in San Diego County with her younger brother Jason. She attended San Diego State University where she earned a Bachelor's Degree as well as an Elementary Teaching Credential. She moved to Riverside right out of college to teach at RUSD. She taught for over ten years before making the decision to stay home with her young children. She has been married to her husband Jim for twenty-four years and has one daughter, Emma and one son, James. Her favorite hobbies are reading and traveling.
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Mette Furby
Office Manager |
Mette Furby was born and raised in Denmark. At the age of 19 she met her soon-to-be
husband, Matt, who had come to Denmark from California to serve as a youth pastor at her church. After they married they moved to Sacramento, where they lived for five years. They soon started a family and moved to Riverside due to a job change. Mette stayed home with their three children, Ruben, Edwin, and Lydia, for eight years until she began assisting at a local preschool. Interacting with the children as well as their parents is what Mette enjoys the most. She is now part of the F.U.M.P.S. family and working as the office manager. She is excited to get to know the staff and families here and to serve them as best as she can. Outside of work Mette enjoys soccer, reading, and a good cup of coffee! |
Mrs. Nancy Vaughan
Assistant Teacher |
Mrs. Vaughan has lived in Riverside since she was 5. She graduated from North High School, San Diego State University & earned her Master of Science Degree from Cal State San Bernardino in Educational Counseling. Married to her husband Jim since 1997 who is Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Poly High. They have 3 children who Nancy feels are all growing too fast: DJ, a Senior at UC Irvine; Kati, a Junior at UC Santa Barbara & Jerry, a freshman at Poly High School!
Nancy has worked in daycare, as a counselor in a Provisional Accelerated Learning Center in San Bernardino & a private High School in Running Springs. All of her 3 children attended preschool which she feels prepared them socially & academically for Kindergarten. She came to us through Mrs. Higgins & had an instant connection with the children & the teachers. Because she does relate well with this age group, has a great sense of humor, lots of energy & enjoys being part of their learning experience, she completes her goal everyday 100%, by making our playground a fun, safe & loving environment for all preschoolers! Mrs. Nancy Vaughan keeps our playground activities exciting & challenging, not to mention creative & organized. |
Mrs. Raquel Campbell
Nutrition Teacher |
Mrs. Campbell brought her 4 children, Aidan 13, Tristan 11, Ian 9, & Madeline 6 to FUMPS for 10 straight years. They have been Bouncing Bunnies, Pooh Bears, Caring Caterpillars, and Sunny Sunflowers. She was a member of our Preschool Board but only lasted through two meeting before we offered her the Nutrition teacher position. This is her third year with us.
A true Riverside native, her background is in law. Raquel has worked as an investigative assistant & legal secretary, but prefers the warmth and fun of preschool to criminal law! She volunteers at sandals church in their Children’s Ministry and at Pachappa Elementary School. Married to husband Greg for 15 years, they enjoy RV camping, movies, and spending time with family and friends. Raquel is lovingly called “The Snack Lady” by the preschoolers! |
Mrs. Laura Robinson
Dancing Daisies |
Mrs. Laura Robinson has lived in Riverside most of her life. She has been happily married for over 10 years to Joaquin, a Math and Science teacher at a local Middle School. They have a son and daughter in a local elementary school, Josiah and Harper. Laura is an active member at her Church, she loves to cook, read and camp with her family.
Laura found her true calling when she became a preschool teacher. She believes in play based learning that allows children to explore, socialize, and grow. She believes that art and music are a key component to the learning process. She has seen through experience that through play, fine and gross motor skills are developed, critical thinking occurs, and scaffold learning emerges. Laura believes through play we see our children grow and learn. She loves to see the magical sparkle in a child’s eyes as they conquer a new feat. She creates a safe and loving environment for all her students. Laura encourages cultural understanding and acceptance in her classroom. |
Miss. Tori Jansen
Playground Supervisor |
Tori Jansen was born and raised just two blocks from FUMPS Preschool and has always had a passion for working with children. She graduated from high school at sixteen in order to pursue this goal by taking classes in Early Childhood Education at Riverside City College. She is excited to be working as a playground supervisor at FUMPS.
Tori believes that children learn through playing and will encourage this learning through the children’s time outside of their classroom. She hopes to continue her education by getting her BA in Early Childhood Studies. She is excited to be a part of the FUMPS Family! |
Taylor Pfeiffer
Assistant Teacher |
Taylor Pfeiffer is a 27-year-old Riverside California native. Her mother attended FUMPS as a young child,
leading Taylor, along with her younger sister Kathryn, to attend FUMPS as well in the early 90’s. Taylor still has strong wonderful memories of her time attending the preschool, and it is one of the ultimate reasons she has returned. Taylor’s parents were also married at First United Methodist Church before she was born making both the church and the Preschool near and dear to her heart. She earned a Cosmetology license through Riverside City College in 2012 at the age of 21, but has recently decided to return to school to follow her dreams in doing what she loves most, which is working with children. She has completed her core Early Childhood Education classes at Riverside City College and is working towards her ultimate goal of achieving her Bachelor's in ECE. In Taylor’s spare time she enjoys being with friends and family, spending time outdoors / anywhere near a body of water, watching baseball, and traveling. She is beyond excited to be working at FUMPS both on the playground and in the classroom, and she believes children learn most through play, spending time with other children, using their instilled imagination and being hands on. She is confident that one day her children will attend FUMPS as well. |
Mrs. Katie Nicholson
Assistant Teacher |
Mrs. Katie Nicholson knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was in second grade. Her teacher inspired her and Katie looked up to her. Katie is still in touch with that teacher to this day. Katie attended schools in Riverside and went to college at RCC, where she earned her AA degree. She transferred to CSUSB and earned her BA in Liberal Studies. Then, she transferred to Azusa Pacific University where she earned her Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Education. At 19 years old, and all throughout college, Katie worked at California School for the Deaf Riverside as an aide and as a substitute teacher. She is fluent in American Sign Language. After she graduated with her teaching credential and Master’s, Katie moved to Pensacola Florida, which is where her husband is from, and taught 1st grade. After a year teaching there, Katie came back to Riverside and taught at California School for the Deaf for 14 years. She taught 10 years in middle school and 4 years in Kindergarten. Katie and her husband were married in 2007, after being together since they were 19 years old. Katie and Jason have 2 daughters Destiny, who is going into 6th grade and Addison who is going into 3rd grade. Katie fell in love with FUMPS when her daughters were here. Even though she was already teaching, she knew she would like to work at FUMPS one day. Katie enjoys spending time with her family, running, traveling, and reading.
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Mrs. Rita Theodorou
Assistant Teacher Dancing Dasies |
Born in Anaheim, CA, Rita’s parents moved to Riverside when she was 2 years old. She grew up in the
Woodcrest neighborhood, and is the middle daughter of three sisters. Rita has been happily married to her husband, Nick for 8 years. They have been blessed with two precious sons, Georgie (7 years old) and Antony (5 years old). As well as her love for animals, Rita has always been very passionate about working with children. Rita has known from a young age that she wanted to help children and make a positive impact in their lives. From the age of 11 years old, Rita helped take care of her youngest sister, and as a teenager, began babysitting other children as well. Rita has worked with children with Autism as a Behavioral Therapist, and as a Victim/Witness Advocate in the Division of Victim Services at the Riverside District Attorney’s Office. She has also been a parent volunteer at FUMPS and at William Howard Taft Elementary School. Since the spring of 2018, Rita has been a substitute teacher at FUMPS, and will now begin her first year as the Assistant Teacher in the Dancing Daisies classroom. Rita is also very involved in her church parish. Rita feels that a classroom environment should be welcoming, colorful, fun and diverse. She believes that children learn best when they are in a safe, nurturing environment that promotes the freedom of exploration and discovery through play. Creating a curriculum that is meaningful, thoughtful, interactive, developmentally appropriate and inclusive for all children to learn to their full potential is imperative. Rita also believes that it is important to have open communication with parents and family members in order to meet the individual needs of their child’s overall development. She encourages parent participation and collaboration on strategies to promote ongoing positive learning experiences and a love for learning. |