Our Staff
We believe the most important quality of our staff is their warmth and sensitivity to the needs of young children and their families. We strive to create a caring community where children, families, and staff feel supported and enriched by being together.
Administrative Staff
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Barbara Murphy, DirectorM.S., 1979, Child Development, Northern Illinois University 125 Child Development The Director is a faculty member of the Institute of Child Development. Approximately fifty percent of her time is devoted to administering the Lab School. She also teaches courses in the Early Childhood Education program, oversees the student teaching experience and fulfills faculty responsibilities as the Coordinator of the Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure Program. |
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Sheila Williams Ridge, Assistant to the DirectorM.A., Early Childhood Education, Concordia University 10 Child Development (Health Office) The Assistant to the Director oversees the day-to-day operation of the school. She is on duty during class times to conduct health checks on arriving children, maintain health records, provide basic first aid (if necessary), and implement health and safety policies. She also serves as an information resource for parents, supports the teachers and manages the food and nutrition part of the program. |
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Ann Ruhl Carlson, Early Childhood Specialist/Enrollment AdministratorM.Ed., 1994, Early Childhood Education, University of Minnesota 123 Child Development The Enrollment Administrator coordinates enrollment and tours of the Lab School, facilitates quarterly parent discussion groups, supervises student teachers in the community and teaches courses in the Early Childhood Education program. |
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Frances Durkin, Creative Curriculum SpecialistM.Ed., 1999, Early Childhood Education, University of Minnesota 127 Child Development The Creative Curriculum Specialist supports the teaching staff and student teachers by helping them to incorporate the arts and other creative learning experiences into the classroom curriculum. |
Amy Pieren, Administrative Assistant123 Child Development The Administrative Assistant provides administrative support to the Director and staff of the Lab School as well as the Early Childhood/Early Childhood Licensure program and oversees tuition statements and billing for the Lab School. |
Teaching Staff
Each class has a Lead Teacher and two or three student teachers. The Lead Teacher remains with the children through the entire school year and the student teachers change every ten weeks. The adult-child ratio is generally 1:6. All of the lead teaching staff have Master’s degrees, are highly knowledgeable of child development, and are experienced in working with young children in classroom settings. In the event student teachers are not available, well-qualified assistants are hired.
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Ayuko Uezu Boomer, AM Lead TeacherM.S.Ed., 2003, Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Sarah Lawrence College 20 Child Development (Classroom) |
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Dalia Gheiler, PM Lead TeacherM.Ed., 2000, Early Childhood Education, University of Minnesota 50 Child Development (Classroom) |
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Elizabeth Criswell, PM Lead TeacherM.Ed., 2011, Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education, University of Minnesota 12 Child Development (Classroom) |
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Ross Thompson, AM Lead TeacherM.Ed., 2008, Early Childhood Education, University of Minnesota 20 Child Development (Classroom) |
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Amy Vavricka, AM Lead TeacherM.Ed., 2007, Early Childhood Education, University of Minnesota 50 Child Development (Classroom) |