I am the current Director of Learning Tree Preschool. This is my 31 st year at Learning Tree. I began as a teacher at the preschool, moved up to head teacher for the 4 year old program and became the Director in 2006. I reside in Collinsville with my husband Rick and I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Three of my grandchildren are alumni of Learning Tree and I have a grandson who is currently a student in the 4 year old program. Before coming to Learning Tree, I was a teacher in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program in the Granite City School District and a sign language teacher for SWIC. I also operated an in home daycare while my own children were small. I graduated from Illinois State University, Normal with a Bachelor of Science in Education and completed 25 hours post graduate work in the Master of Science Early Childhood Education Program at SIU-E. I have Illinois State Standard Elementary and Secondary Teaching Certificates. I LOVE teaching the littles who attend Learning Tree and interacting with their families. Our staff does not consider ourselves just a preschool. We are the Learning Tree family!

Hi! My name is Mrs. Jessica Bieser. I am a four year old teacher and the Lead two year old teacher. This is my second year at Learning Tree! I live in Collinsville with my husband, three children, and puppy named Rhodi Poe. I love reading, camping, coffee and all things chocolate! My favorite color is black and I LOVE to have FUN in the classroom!

I am Mrs. Weir. I have 3 grown children that all attended Learning Tree. This is my 18th year at Learning Tree. I am the 3 year old lead teacher. I have taught the 4 year olds and have assisted in the transitional Kindergarten class. I want a child’s first school experience to be a happy one. We are a great team of teachers and feel proud and lucky to be part of such a a great preschool.

Bonnie has been teaching 4 year old preschool at The Learning Tree for 17 years. In addition to lead 4’s teacher, she helped implement Learning Tree’s program for the 2 year olds, and was lead 2’s teacher for four years. Bonnie has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from SIUE, with added early childhood education courses. Trained in classical ballet from The University of Utah, and Webster University, Bonnie was also owner of The Turning Pointe Academy of Dance in Edwardsville, IL, teaching students ages 3 through adult. She and her husband James have three sons, and reside in Collinsville.

Mrs. Angela Bramstedt is a Kindergarten teacher at the Learning Tree with a track record of excellent performance, teaching children in the metro east for nearly two decades. Angela grew up in Edwardsville, Illinios, and graduated from Southern Illinios University at Edwardsville with a B.S. in sociology and M.S. in education. After spending eight years as a social worker and foster care specialist for Catholic Charities, she was inspired to teach Kindergarten at the Learning Tree after her first child attended the school. Angela crease a love of learning with her students, sparks curiosity, and builds self-esteem. She leverages the small classroom environment the Learning Tree offers to the utmost advantage for her students by providing a tailored curriculum to prepare her students for first grade and future educational opportunities. She provides children with a safe inclusive environment to grow and learn and also have fun, socialize, and make friends. Angela has loved her experience teaching at the Learning Tree, so much so that all three of her sons have attended pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at the school.

Hi. My name is Mrs. Wilson and I teach in the 2’s and 4’s preschool classrooms. This is my second-year teaching at Learning Tree. Last year I taught in the 3’s classroom. I live in Collinsville with my husband, two sons, and our dog. Both of my sons attended Learning Tree. I enjoy reading, crafting, going to the lake, and the color blue.

Mrs. Whitten is married with 3 children and 2 dogs. She was a Kids director for her church for 5 years and have always loved working with pre-school age children. They are creative, funny, and learning so many things! My oldest daughter went to learning tree and we loved it. She learned so much, made some great friends and I was excited to join the team last year. This is my 2nd year teaching the 3’s. My favorite thing about being a teacher at The Learning Tree is we get a change to be a part of their lives at such a fun age as they learn and grow. I pray for our kids and families and it is such a blessing to be apart of their stories.