About Rushville

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, Charles Stephen. 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 Marie, to our family. In June 2011 I began pursuing my masters' degree, online, in Early Childhood Administration through National- Louis University. I will graduate with masters' degree in December 2012. We are so blessed to have the best staff, students, and families EVER!! I LOVE MY JOB!!! 🙂 In my "spare" time I enjoy coaching high school competitive cheerleading at New Berlin High School, running, shopping, Stampin' It Up, and spending time with my family and friends.

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 Director at Kountry Kids Learning Center in Rushville. I was born and raised in Pleasant Plains. I graduated in 2014 from Lincoln Land Community College. I went on to furthering my education at Western Illinois University and I received my Bachelors Degree in Recreation, Park, Tourism and Administration with a minor in Nonprofit Administration in 2017. After Western, I attended National Louis University graduating with my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration in 2019. I have a son named Hudson and a dog named Henry. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with Hudson, Henry and my family, shopping, gardening, putting puzzles together, reading/listening to books and/or playing games. I joined KKLC Berlin in 2013 serving in various roles throughout my years at Berlin and joined KKLC Rushville family in 2024. I have enjoyed getting to know the kids and families over the past several years in both facilities. When I started in Rushville, I brought so many new things over to this facility and could not be more proud of my amazing staff. As a team, we have successfully obtained our NAC Accreditation along with obtaining our Gold Circle of Quality all during my time over here. I am so proud of these amazing

My name is Kayla and I started working at Kountry Kids Learning Center in 2018. During my time at KKLC, I have worked in various classrooms, but recently became the Assistant Director. I have my CDA in Infant/Toddler and have been working towards an Associates in Early Childhood Education at John Wood Community College. I have two kids, Gavin and Hadlee. If I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my kids playing outside and watching movies. My favorite part about working with children is getting to see their personalities grow and building special relationships with them!

My name is Mary Beatty, but everyone calls me Beth. I’ve been married since 2010. I joined the Kountry Kids Learning Center team in 2013 and has served in various roles throughout the year. I am currently the Lead Infant teacher at Kountry Kids Learning Center in Rushville. I was born and raised in Rushville, and the youngest of 3 children. After graduating from RI High School in 2008, I attended and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Arts and Sciences through Spoon River College in 2013. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary & Special Education at Western Illinois University. I currently hold a Level 5 ECE Credential and now working on obtaining a Level 5 Infant/Toddler Credential. If I am not working, I am spending time with my family and reading books.

Hi, my name is Kaitlynn and I have worked at KKLC since 2017. I am the teacher in the Infant Room. I have obtained my CDA in Infant/Toddler. I am currently working on taking courses to obtain my ECE and Infant/Toddler credentials. I have been married to my husband Ross since 2021. I have 2 daughters, Harper and Quinn. In my free time, I like to go shopping and spend time with my family. My favorite part about working with children is watching them achieve their milestones.

My name is Dusti and I was born and raised in Rushville. I have my Associate’s Degree in Arts at Spoon River College and am currently taking classes in Early Childhood Education at Western Illinois University. I started working at Kountry Kids Learning Center in November of 2019. When I’m not at work, I like to crochet, read, and spend time with my family. My favorite thing about working with children is watching them master new skills for the first time.

Hi! My name is Dennise Blackwell. I have joyfully been teaching since 2001. My husband, Wayne and I moved to Rushville a year ago from Austin, Texas. We have been married since 1993. We wanted to get away from the city life and move to my birth place. We have two daughters, Desiree and Jessica. I joined Kountry Kids Learning Center in 2022 and have served in various capacities at the center. During the past several years, I have obtained my Montessori Credential through AMS in 2008. I am working towards an Early Childhood Education Associates Degree through John Wood Community College. If I am not at work, you can find me with my family, being outside with nature and anything to do with science, music and geography. I teach the School Age kids in the Summer and the Toddlers during the school year.

My name is Kallie Logan. I graduated from Rushville in 2020. I have worked in the Infant room and currently, I’m in the Pre-K class and getting my CDA. I have always loved working with children of all ages. I’m working towards my Associates in Early Childhood Education.

Hi, my name is Jessica. I was born and raised in Rushville. I joined the Kountry Kids team in 2024. I am married to Josh and I have one daughter, Addalynn and two bonus daughters, Madelyn and Josie. I am one of the teachers in the PreK classroom. I obtained my CDA in Preschool in 2024. Now I am working towards an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education through John Wood Community College. If I am not working, you can find me outside fishing, hunting, kayaking, and spending as much time with my family.

My name is Larissa, I joined the KKLC family in 2024. I graduated from A/C Central in 2021. I have earned my CDA in Infant/Toddler and currently am floating throughout the building. So you will see me everywhere! I have one daughter, Hazel. I have recently started to pursue Early Childhood Education further by starting classes at John Wood Community College. If I am not working, you can find me spending time with Hazel and watching tv. My favorite part about working with children is watching them grow.

My name is Mickenzie and I joined the Kountry Kids family in April of 2026. I currently Mickenzie's dreams are to one day become an Elementary Teacher. I have recently started to pursue Early Childhood Education further by starting classes at John Wood Community College. In my free time, I love to fish, read books, go shopping and most of all is being with my parents and siblings.

Hi, I am Jasmine and I joined the Kountry Kids family in May. I have taken on the role of Assistant Teacher/Float in PreK/School Age rooms. I am currently pursuing classes at John Wood for Early Childhood/Elementary Education. One day I would love to be a PreK or Elementary teacher. In her spare time she likes to take walks, reading books, traveling and hanging out with friends and family