About Berlin

HI!! I'm Stephanie Neuman and I am the owner/director of Kountry Kids Learning Center, Inc. I was born and raised in Girard, IL. I come from a very close knit family, my parents are John and Jeanette Earley and I have one brother JR who all still reside in Girard. I graduated from Girard High School in May 2000. I received my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in May 2004. After finishing my degree I moved home and accepted a position with Sangamon Area Special Education District (SASED) as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher at New Berlin Elementary and Ball/Chatham Elementary for 4 years. In June 2006 I married my husband, Kris and April 1, 2008 we welcomed our first child into the world, Charlie. When Charlie was 4 weeks old we purchased a former church to open our own quality childcare center. It was a whole new career path for me going from the public school to the private sector. After a very busy and stressful summer, we opened our doors August 18, 2008. May 9, 2010 we added our daughter, Elliana, to our family. In June 2011 I began pursuing my masters' degree, online, in Early Childhood Administration through National- Louis University. I graduated with masters' degree in December 2012. We are so blessed to have the best staff, students, and families EVER!! I LOVE MY JOB!!! 🙂

I am a life long native of New Berlin. I graduated from New Berlin High School in 1998 and pursued an Associates Degree in Business Administration from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield. I am able to fulfill my lifelong dream by owning and operating KKLC. I love spending time with my wife and 2 children. In addition to being a business owner of KKLC and a father, I help on my family's farm in the spring and fall.

Hi, my name is Eliza and I am the Assistant Director and lead PreK 2 teacher at Kountry Kids Learning Center. I was born and raised in Pleasant Plains. I graduated in 2017 from Western Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree and my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration in 2019 from National Louis University. I have a son named Hudson. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with Hudson and my family, shopping, and gardening. I joined KKLC in 2013 and have worked in most of the classrooms and have enjoyed getting to know the kids and families over the years.

Hello! My name is Rachel Bandy and I am the PreK 1 teacher. In 2008 I obtained my CDA. I live in New Berlin with my husband and son. We spend our free time outside fishing, camping, and caring for our miscellaneous farm animals. In the fall of 2019, I joined the KKLC family and absolutely love the interactions I have with each child every day!

Hi! I am Kaelyn Baker and I am the assistant teacher in the School Age Room. I have a son who has been at KKLC since 2013, and now also a daughter. I graduated High School in 2013 and worked as a paraprofessional in New Berlin school until 2020, until I joined the KKLC family. In my spare time I love being with my family and cooking! My favorite color is blue and I enjoy Fall; going to baseball games and music! I am blessed to be a part of the KKLC family and seeing each child grow and flourish!

Hi! My name is Makenna Dawdy and I am the two year old teacher! I started at KKLC in March of 2020. I currently reside in Waverly but am a New Berlin native! I have my associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln Land Community College and am currently attending National Louis University for my bachelor’s degree in Infant/Toddler Studies. I have my two fur babies, Oakley and Luna!

My name is Aubrey Guillen and I am the Newborn teacher. I have worked at KKLC since March of 2018 and have shaped my life around Early Childhood Education. I have a bachelor’s degree from Western University. Caring for and teaching young children is a passion of mine and I am blessed for everyday that I am able to work in this career. I have a son, Alexander, who is fortunate to grow up at Kountry Kids Learning Center as well.

Hello! My name is Luanne Loving. I do a little bit of everything at KKLC. I have worked in the medical and child care field since college. I volunteer EMS for New Berlin as well. I currently work for New Berlin Schools and Kounrty Kids Learning Center.

I am Christy Martin and I am a teacher at KKLC. I started here in February of 2021. I am a single mother of a daughter Evangline Noel and son Evander Marvin. I also have two dogs, Max a Shih Tzu and Kia, a rescue Pitbull. I am the second oldest of five children and the only girl. I am currently attending Lincoln Land Community College and will graduate in May 2023.

Hello! My name is Lisa McQueen and I am the Administrative Assistant at Kountry Kids Learning Center. I am originally from Ohio but moved to the Franklin area where my husband grew up. We have a son, Jaxson and a daughter, Gracelynn, that love KKLC as much as I do! I joined the team in September 2020. I graduated from a community college in Toledo, Ohio with an Associates degree in Office Administration.

My name is Heather and I became part of the KKLC family in 2018 as a part-time teacher/helper. I work full time at New Berlin School District. I live in Loami with my husband, Sean and our two children Lily and Landon.

My name is Mary Preston. I joined in 2010. I used to work in the classrooms however I found my true spot in 2013 when I became the cook. I took a 2-year hiatus in 2018 and came back in 2020. I am the mother of one amazing adult son who is my whole world.

My name is Tiffany Thompson. I have been in childcare for many years and have been with KKLC since 2008. I work in the School Age Program. I graduated from New Berlin High School in 2004. When I’m not here I love to spend time with my daughter Rhealynn and husband Casey. I love to do art with kids and play outside.

Hi! My name is Ellie Wilson. I am the Toddler Room teacher. I live in Franklin with my husband and two kids, Ava and Riley. I have an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education from Lincoln Land Community College. In my free time I enjoy taking my kids to the zoo and park. Children have always had a huge part of my heart, so working at Kountry Kids Learning Center makes me feel very blessed.

Hi! My name is Courtney. I graduated High School in 2006. I love to be outside, enjoying the weather! I love swimming, walking, and going to the park with my kids along with family cookouts. I live with my boyfriend and my two children, Serenity and Logan. I joined the KKLC family in March of 2021. Being here is my home away from home and working with the toddlers is always so much fun!

My name is Salem and I work in the Toddler Room as an Assistant Teacher. I have been working at KKLC since March 2022. My favorite things to do are playing with the kids, helping them learn and achieve goals, and creating a bond with them. At home, I love to be with my boyfriend and son, or I love to visit family. I am a lover of all animals and I find joy in helping my friends.

Hello! My name is Kylee and I work in the Twos classroom. My husband, Aaron, and I are raising our son, Cutter, in Franklin. We enjoy spending time on our family farm and being part of the action! I have been in childcare since 2017 but found my true home here at Kountry Kids in March of 2022. I have had my Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential for many years and use the skills I’ve learned daily in the classroom.

Hi There! I’m Jordan, dog mom to 3 fun babies. I joined the KKLC family in early 2023. I have been working with children and people with disabilities since 2018 and love every minute of it. I enjoy peanut M&Ms and spending time with my huge family.

My name is Kaylie. I went to Highschool in New Berlin and graduated in 2019. I have a baby girl, Violet in August of 2022. Being a mother is the best thing and inspired me to work with children. I am newer to childcare but love to learn and have wonderful experience every day!

Hi! My name is Abby. I graduated Highschool from JHS. I enjoy reading and traveling, as well as spending time with my family! I’ve always enjoyed being with kids, so joining Kountry Kids is allowing me to make a career out of it! I’m very easy going and fun.

My name is Jordan. I have 2 children of my own that are the greatest joy in my life. I have been in childcare since 2020. I have obtained my Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and am excited to be working towards the next step in furthering my education. I really enjoy working with all the kiddos at Kountry Kids and hope to create meaningful bonds with everyone I meet here!