Preschool Staff

Nikki Cox, Preschool Director

Email: nikkic@elutheran.church
Phone: (208) 882-1463

Desiree Ramirez

Bears Teacher

Email: desiree@elutheran.church

Ms. Desiree is the teacher for students in the Bears classroom. The Bears class is for students who turn 4 by September 1st. Desiree is a mom of 2 and has experience working with children for 15+ years, including working as a child care center director in Nevada. Desiree is knowledgeable about early childhood education and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool age children. She naturally creates a sense of community and belonging in her classroom. Her energy and passion for early childhood education is infectious. Desiree is currently certified in pediatric CPR and First Aid.

Amber Foutch
Cubs Teacher

email: preschool@elutheran.church

Amber is the teacher for students in the Cubs classroom. The Cubs class is for students who turn 3 by September 1st. Amber has a bachelor’s degree in recreation management with a minor in recreation therapy. She is a mom of 4, and has experience working as a childcare specialist and as a head soccer coach. She fantastically fosters each little child’s personality and is well loved by her students. She is able to create a sense of comfort for each child in the classroom. She loves working at Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool because of the team of ladies she gets to be around. As she puts it, “they are an unstoppable force of good.” ❤️

Mrs. Sophie is the teaching assistant in the Bears classroom.

Sophie is a mom of 2 children who both attended Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool. She has experience as a medical assistant, patient relations representative and stay at home mom. She has an incredibly kind and sweet soul. She knows how to make the kids feel safe and loves them like her own. She is fantastic at getting on the same level as the kids and playing with them. She knows how to give each kid the individual attention and care they need. She loves working at Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool because there is so much love and joy at the preschool. “You can feel it as soon as you walk into the building. Since my kids went to school here, it feels like coming home.”

Carolyn is a teaching assistant in the Cubs and Bears classroom.

Carolyn has a bachelor’s degree in special education and physical education and a master’s in curriculum and instruction. She is a mom of 2 and has an extensive amount of experience in the education field including being a special education teacher for 34 years, a driver’s education teacher for 24 years, a tennis coach, junior varsity volleyball coach and ski club advisor. We are incredibly blessed to have someone with such a wealth of experience teaching with us at Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool! Carolyn is absolutely amazing with the students. She is incredibly patient and always comes to work with a smile. Her favorite part of working at Emmanuel Lutheran Preschool is that everyone is so positive, supportive and friendly; it is like a family!

Ms. Gretchen is the teaching assistant in the Cubs classroom Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Gretchen is the mom of 4 children. She has experience as a paramedic for 14 years and also owns her own event planning business (Emergent Events). She is very easy going and easy to strike up a conversation with. She is willing to take on any challenge and is a wonderful asset to the preschool! She is so happy to have joined our staffing team this year and loves the environment at ELP.

Ms. Katy is a teaching assistant in the Bears classroom.

Katy is the mom of 4 children. She has a dental assisting certificate and has worked 10+ years in dental assisting or oral surgery. She loves working with the kiddos and staff at Emmanuel Lutheran. She is an incredibly positive presence that brings understanding, patience and love into the classroom. We are so happy to add her to the team!