Educating Children Twelve Months through Kindergarten

Telephone:

901 754 3607

2404 Kirby Road, Memphis, TN 38119

Our Story

In the fall of 1970, Emmanuel United Methodist Church opened its doors to young children through Emmanuel United Methodist Kindergarten. Nelie Waller founded the early childhood program which began with one class of four year olds and one class of kindergarteners.

EUMK has grown to a school of 30 teachers and nearly 115 students in age groupings from Toddlers to Senior Kindergarteners. The teachers and staff strive to encourage the development of the whole child while helping students to develop a positive attitude toward learning.

 

At EUMK we believe in a developmentally appropriate curriculum where learning takes place through active exploration and play.

 

In 1988, EUMK received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Emmanuel has continually received re-accreditation from NAEYC and is proud to follow the NAEYC guidelines. EUMK is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education.

 

EUMK offers Early Care and After Care for all students.

OUR CORE

VALUES

1 .  Relationships

Our staff's first priority is to build relationships with our students and their families.

2. Developmentally Appropriate Practice

We want EUMK to be a place where children can be children! 

 

Our teachers meet each child where he or she is and adjust the program to their needs.

3. Play

EUMK is a play based school.

 

Children learn best through play because it allows them to explore, experiment, and engage with the world around them in a natural, enjoyable way.

 

Play promotes cognitive, emotional, and social development, helping children build problem-solving skills, creativity, and language abilities.

 

Through play, they also learn to cooperate with others, mange their emotions, and develop a sense of independence and confidence.

 

Play is not just fun - it is a vital part of how children make sense of their experiences and acquire essential life skills.

OUR STAFF

Maribeth Jeffreys

Director

Maribeth Jeffreys is delighted to be joining EUMK as School Director. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Mississippi State University. 

Maribeth is entering her 10th year in Education. She previously taught third grade and Kindergarten at Tara Oaks Elementary in Collierville. 

Rena Hiatt

Assistant Director

Rena Hiatt has 25 plus years experience as a classroom teacher and administrator at EUMK. Rena joined the office staff as the Student Relations and Enrollment Coordinator in May 2016. She was promoted to Assistant Director in September 2019.

Heather Gavin

Staff Coordinator

Heather Gaven has a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Studies from the University of Memphis. Heather has been a part of EUMK since 2007 as a parent, substitute teacher, K1 teacher, and now joins our office staff as the Staff Coordinator

Ann Heuberger

Office Administrator

Ann Heuberger has worked at EUMK for over 15 years . She has taught in the classroom and most recently provides office support to the EUMK Administrative team. Ann has a BBA in Finance from the University of Memphis. She is a proud parent of a former EUMK student.

 

Kindergarten...

Ebony Allen & Beth Band

M-F

Ebony Allen earned her CDA’s (Child Development Associates) and has been an early childhood educator for 20 plus years. When she’s not working, she loves to spend time with her family, reading, and journaling. Ebony is excited to join our EUMK staff!

Beth Band graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She loves being a Senior Kindergarten teacher. Beth joined EUMK in 2023.

Fours...

Pam Dickey & Ashley Eggers

TWTH

Pam Dickey has been employed at EUMK since 1993. She earned a BA from the University of Mississippi. 

 

Ashley Eggers is excited to join the EUMK staff this year. She has a BS in Integrative Studies with a focus on Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Memphis. She is married to Hamilton Eggers and both of their children were previous Emmanuel students. She has many years of teaching experience in various grade levels of early childhood education.

Jocelyn Scott & Char Ulander

M-F

Jocelyn Scott has over 20 years of teaching experience. She has a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Memphis. She has been employed at EUMK since 2006.

 

Char Ulander has over 30 years of teaching experience and has taught at EUMK since 1999. She earned a BS in Elementary Education from Memphis State University. 

Threes...

Alicia Miller 

& Kelly Klinke

TWTH 1

Alicia Miller  has a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Memphis. She has elementary and preschool teaching experience. Alicia joined our teaching staff in 2019 in K1 and moved to K3 in 2025.

 

Kelly Klinke earned a BS in English and French from Vanderbilt and a Master of Arts from the University of Memphis. Both of her sons are EUMK alumni. She has 16 plus years of teaching experience. 

 

Ragan Martin

& Clara Gwen Waller

TWTH 2

Ragan Martin has a Masters in Elementary Education from the University of TN and has been teaching for 10 plus years. Ragan joined the EUMK family in 2018.

 

Clara Gwen Waller has 25 plus years as a classroom teacher. She has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of MS and her MSW in Children and Families from the University of Tennessee.

Carole McGee 

& Ramona Sanders

M-F

Carole McGee earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Childhood from University of Memphis. She taught kindergarten in the parochial school system in Memphis and Junior Kindergarten at Buntyn Preschool. In 2023 Carole joined our EUMK staff.

 

Ramona Sanders has a BSE and Med. In Elementary Education from Delta State University. She has many years of experience teaching elementary and middle school. Ramona joined the EUMK staff in 2010. She has taught K1, K2, and K3. She and her husband, Jeff, have two children who attended EUMK as well.

 

Twos...

Eliza Ray

& Dixie Weimar

TWTh

Eliza Ray has 5 years of classroom experience. She has a BS in Mathematics from Hollins University and an MS in Psychology from the University of Memphis. She is married and has two children at Riverdale. Eliza is excited about her first year at EUMK!

 

Dixie Weimar has an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a Masters from the University of Memphis. She was an elementary school counselor before becoming a teacher at EUMK. Dixie has been part of the EUMK family for over 15 years. 

Jessica Pickler

& Beth Clark

TTH

Jess Pickler has been teaching preschool for 20 plus years. Jess joined the EUMK teaching staff in 2025. Her favorite part of teaching is seeing how much each child learns and grows through the school year.

 

Beth Clark has over 12 years of experience working with young children and loves the sheer wonder they bring to learning. She graduated from Union University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. As a mom to one college-age daughter who is studying at UT Martin, she is excited to invest in the next generation of learners. 

Donnell Wyatt

& Meg Horn

M-F

Donnell Wyatt served as a camp counselor at Mullins Methodist Parents' Day Out. She values building strong relationships with students, families, colleagues, and is committed to fostering a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom. Donnell attended the University of Memphis. In her spare time she enjoys baking/cooking and posting on her food blog. 

 

Meg Horn has her Associate Degree in Child Development. She has experience working with children from 6 months and up. Meg truly loves working with children and loves to watch them grow and learn. Meg is excited to be a part of the EUMK team in K2.

 

 

Toddlers...

Ann Kelly

& Lea Nowak

TTH 1

Ann Kelly has a BA from Bowling Green State University. She was a substitute at EUMK for 6 years prior to joining the staff. She taught K3 for 12 years and is now enjoying K1.

 

Lea Nowak has a BS in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and a Masters Degree in Early childhood Education from Georgia State University. She has 10 plus years experience teaching preschool and elementary age children.

 

Lisa Spiotta

& Shannon Pressler

TTH 2

Lisa Spiotta has a BA from University of Memphis and an Art Degree from Grad School in Atlanta, GA. This is her fifth year working with toddlers.

 

Shannon Pressler has a BA in Music Education from the University of Memphis. She has been teaching at EUMK for 15 years and lives in Germantown with her husband, two sons, and their doodle, Dolly.

Emma Woodard

& Ashley McBride

MWF

Emma Woodard has been working with children for over 10 years. She has experience in various settings, including special education classrooms, one-on-one, and small groups. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and dog, as well as teaching gymnastics.

 

Ashley McBridehas been working in Early Childhood for over 10 years and 3 of those years she served as the Assistant Director. She has a TECTA and Nutrition certification in Early Childhood. Ashley is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Special Needs focus. Working with children is her passion and she is thrilled to bring her experience, compassion, and love for teaching to EUMK.

Ginny Searight

& Lydia Jackson

M-F

Ginny Searight has a Bachelor of Professional Studies from the University of Memphis. She entered the world of early childhood education a few years ago. This is where she discovered her love for working with young children. Ginny loves to bring fun and imagination into everyday life and to her classroom. Fun facts - she served five years in the United States Coast Guard, loves all things Disney, Dr. Pepper, and fostering dogs.

 

Lydia Jackson a recent graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Arts, including Art Education, has dedicated over six years to working in early childhood education at the Memphis Jewish Community Center and EUMK.

Music

Anna Montgomery 

M-F

Anna Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Mississippi College in 2001. She has 25 years of experience teaching music in MS public schools, mostly in Desoto County.  Most recently, Anna taught PreK through first grade music at Olive Branch Elementary. Anna is very excited to be part of our EUMK staff!

Spanish

Ashley Pera

TTH

Ashley Pera has a Masters in Education and brings over 15 years of teaching experience. Ashley has been at Emmanuel for over 12 years as a parent, sub and/or teacher.

Imagination Lab

Ashley Young

M-F

Ashley Young graduated from Covenant College with a degree in Family and Child Counseling. She is a freelance artist who specializes in abstract art and teaches art camps for children. Ashley joined the EUMK staff in 2023. In 2025, Ashley created the EUMK Imagination Lab(STEAM) from the ground up. The lab is one of the most creative and loved spaces on our campus.