Robin Abbott
Director:
Robin is a native Tucsonan who has attended and ministered in El Camino Baptist Church for most of her life. She graduated from the U of A with a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and received her masters from NAU in Educational Leadership. She has taught every grade from kindergarten through 12th grade in her 20-year teaching career. She has worked with preschoolers at El Camino Baptist since high school. Ten years ago the Lord called her to leave her secure job in TUSD and move to Oaxaca, Mexico as a missionary teacher to missionary children. One of her spiritual gifts is the gift of service. Through that gift the Lord used her to minister to many people in Oaxaca, both missionary internationals and Mexicans, through various avenues. In the fall of 2008 the Lord called her to return to Tucson to live and work and has given her the opportunity to minister as the director of Tanque Verde Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten. She is so excited about the upcoming year and is looking forward to all the Lord has in store.

Lori Martzke
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
My husband and I have been married for 12 years and members of TVLC for 8 years. We have two daughters. Both girls went to TVL Preschool. I was on the Preschool/Kindergarten Board for almost 4 years when I took the position of bookkeeper. We enjoy spending time camping and riding quads.

Julie Soulvie
Office Assistant/Substitute Teacher
I am so excited to be back at Tanque Verde Lutheran this year! My wonderful husband and I are Tucson natives. We have three Arizona born children who have all attended Tanque Verde Lutheran Preschool. As a TVLCP mom, I learned what an amazing, enriching and nurturing environment this school provides! With my youngest graduating TVLCP last May, I now feel blessed to continue to be a part of our terrific school as a member of the staff. I have a BA in Education from the University of Arizona. I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time with our extended family, and playing with my kids. Go Wildcats!

Wendy Roe
Special Events/Snack Coordinator
As a member of Tanque Verde Lutheran Church and as a mom whose daughter attended preschool here, I can honestly say that I love this school and feel blessed to work here! I am a certified teacher with a BA in education from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI. I love to plan parties and I can’t wait to make the TVL preschool and kindergarten events special and fun for everyone.

Lesley Pinelli
3 and 4 yr. olds Extended Day/Kid’s Club Teacher
This will be my 6th year teaching Kid’s Club. I have really enjoyed working with the children and watching them grow socially and academically in this fun environment. I received my BBA in Business Marketing and worked in the advertising field for 9 years. I relocated with my family to Tucson 13 years ago. We joined Tanque Verde Lutheran Church 12 years ago and I taught Sunday Morning Life for about three years.

Barbara Rovner
2 yr. olds/Lamb Teacher
Barbara Rovner is a former TVLCP parent and starting her fifth year as our lead teacher for the Lamb's class. She grew up in Michigan but has been in Tucson since 1978. She belongs to Mount Olive Lutheran Church. She's been married for 23 years and they have two children. Barb likes to cook, read and most of all spend time with her family.

Jackie Upson
2 yr. old/Lamb Teacher Assistant
This is my 7th year on staff. I have lived in Tucson Since 1987. I worked many years in the clerical field and then stayed home to raise my family. I was a teacher's aid in the Tucson Unified school district. I enjoy the outdoors, taking walks and working in my yard.

Margaret Casolari
3 yr. old/Bunny and 4 yr. old/Giraffe Teacher
This is Margaret’s 19th year on staff at TVLCP and her 23rd year with the program. Her two children attended TVLC Preschool. She couldn’t leave when they moved on. She attended San Jose State and Mission Valley College in California. Margaret and her husband, Michael, have been married for 30 years. They moved to Tucson 27 years ago with IBM. Their family is members of TVLC.

Pam Grimwood
3 yr. old/Bunny and 4 yr. old/Giraffe Teacher Assistant
This is my 6th year on staff and I am thrilled to be a part of a wonderful program with such great people! I received my degree from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. I was a substitute teacher before taking many years off to be a stay at home mom. Lots of time was spent volunteering in our children's classrooms over the years. I worked for TUSD from 1999 until 2004.

Judy Bachman
3 yr. old/Bunny Teacher
I have been a member of the TVLP staff since September, 2000. I moved to Tucson with my husband from Texas. I attended Kirkwood College and I have taught in both preschool and public school for several years. I have three children and four grandchildren. My husband and I are members of Pantano Christian Church. I enjoy music, decorating and especially spending time with my family.

Kathy Braucksick
4 yr. old/Giraffe Teacher
I am happy to say this is my 21st year at Tanque Verde Lutheran Preschool/Kindergarten. I teach the 4 year olds. We are blessed with two children and one sweet grandchild. My schooling has been in Early Childhood Education at Pima College, and also Central Arizona College. My hobbies are walking, cooking, and UofA basketball games. I look forward to a fun year with your children at the preschool.

Jackie Meiner
3 yr. old/Bunny and 4 yr. old/Giraffe Teacher Assistant
This is my 9th year as an assistant for TVLC Preschool. This year I will be working as an assistant in the morning and afternoon Bunny and Giraffe Classes. I have been volunteering for 14 years at my own children's schools. I am a member of the Tanque Verde Lutheran church. I have two children, one of which is an alumni of TVLCP! I enjoy music, sports, walking and crafts.

Shannon Pacheco
Pre-K/Owl Teacher
Originally from Marrero, LA, Shannon earned a BA in Elementary Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has seven and one half years teaching experience in grades Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th. She and her family have lived in Tucson for 4 years. During this time, Shannon has been a stay at home mom and parent volunteer while her children attended the TVLCP program. Shannon is very excited to be back in the classroom and is looking forward to a wonderful year.

Nancy Stat
Pre-K/Owl Teacher Assistant
I am originally from northeastern Pennsylvania. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. I taught fourth grade before I married. My husband and I raised two sons in upstate New York. We also have 2 terrific grandsons. During that time I taught ages two, three, and four at a Christian pre-school and volunteered in the Boy Scouts, marching band, PTA and Sunday school. In 1993, we moved to Tucson. That year I became a lead teacher in the Pre-K class at TVLP and I also assisted in the two's playgroup. In August 1999, due to my husband's employment, we relocated to Florida. Fortunately we returned in January 2005 and I am now the assistant teacher in the Pre-K class. I am looking forward to many more loving years at TVLP.

Laura Sanders
Kindergarten /Gecko Teacher
I graduated from University of Colorado with a B.A. of Psychology and K-8 Teaching Certification. I taught preschool and kindergarten for several years before choosing to be home with my children. I love to hike, read and hang out with my family. I joined TVL Kindergarten in the spring of 2006. I enjoy hiking, reading and spending time with my family. Go Geckos!

Tracy Walrath
Kindergarten/Gecko Teacher
This is my 4th year on staff with TVLCP/K. I love working in the Kindergarten with our wonderful "Gecko" students. My husband and I are members of TVLC where I enjoy leading a mother’s Bible study and have volunteered to help organize past congregational events. I have been married for 14 years and am blessed with 2 children. Both of them are graduates of TVLCP! I am excited to start another year with our "Geckos"!

Susan Curnalia
Kindergarten/Gecko Assistant
I have had the privilege of working with children for over 20 years in Sunday School, AWANA, Mom’s of Preschoolers (MOPS), Girl Scouts and Vacation Bible School. This is my fourth year on Staff at TVLC. I have been married to my husband, Michael, for 25 years. We have three amazing children and one incredible son-in-law. During our free time, you will find our family enjoying worship at Pantano Christian Church, cheering on the sidelines at a soccer game, hiking one of the many beautiful trails in southern Arizona, or trying out a new recipe at home.