Preschool/Kindergarten Staff
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.