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Full-time Staff Bios

The Child Care Center staff are a unique group of caregivers trained to offer a positive, nurturing, age-appropriate environment. The staff is a mix of early-childhood teachers and students from the IPFW campus, most of whom are training to become education professionals. Training sessions are held prior to employment and periodically throughout the year. All staff receive annual TB tests and are trained in first aid and CPR.

Lynda Place

Lynda L. Place, director, is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in elementary education and early-childhood specialization. Her experience includes teaching in an elementary school and in a YMCA preschool, and directing a large preschool for 16 years. She has been director of the IPFW Child Care Center since 1997.

Risha McLellan

Risha McLellan, assistant director, is a graduate of IPFW with a degree in sociology. For the past 12 years she has played an important part in early childhood and family education in Northeast Indiana by providing education and training to early childhood professionals and parents. She has assisted in the development of two programs: Paths to Quality, now a statewide standard of quality for preschools and child care centers; and The Family Enrichment Series which teaches parents how to protect their children from the risks of divorce and single parent homes.

Stephanie Breidenbaugh

Stephanie Breidenbaugh , lead teacher, is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She has a wide range of early childhood experience with children ranging in age from infant through five.