Sarah Snodgrass is the Director of the Early Childhood Center. Her Passion is to share the love of Christ and love of learning with children, families, staff and congregation members through building loving and trusting relationships. 

LEAD TEACHER, BABY ROSEBUDS

My name is Ms. Rana and I have been working at Immanuel for 17 years! I love to work with young children and especially infants. I have so much fun watching them grow and develop. My favorite part of the day is snack time and watching babies learn to feed themselves and develop their love for delicious and nutritious food. When the weather is nice I love to take the babies on long walks to enjoy nature. Walking and observing the world around me is one of my main hobbies. I also enjoy cooking and baking. This is most fun for me when I get to do it with my family.

I was born and raised in Madaba, Jordan but my husband and I have been living in the United States for over 35 years. I am a mother to four children - Issa, Sarah, Omar, and Fayrous. I am grateful everyday that our Open Arms families trust me with their precious babies, and so I make sure to pour all of my love and care into them each and every day.

Education: Early Childhood Education CDA certified

Ms. Debbie (that’s me) has been working at Immanuel since August of 2012. I started in the Toddler Tulips and then moved into the Begonia room where I am now the leader of the Begonia team. Prior to coming to Immanuel I was an elementary teacher in a Lutheran school. I am a product of Lutheran education and have always taught in Lutheran schools, graduating with my teaching credentials in 1985 from Concordia Chicago.

I grew up in Racine, Wisconsin, where my sister still lives. I also have two brothers, one lives in Maryland and the other in Georgia. Three of us are Lutheran trained educators. At times you might find me playing the organ at Immanuel, Glenview.

When I do have free time, I enjoy relaxing in front of the tv with my cats Cali, Oreo, and Monti. I also enjoy counted cross stitch projects and sewing. My latest project is sewing bibs for the OA classrooms.

I love working at Immanuel where I can share my faith with the children and their families.

Education: Elementary education - BA in 1985 from Concordia Chicago, Gateways credentials 1 and 2, working on Gateways Infant/Toddler credential.

At the small local church I attended back in Hawaii, I was the only high school student available to run Sunday school. Through my role as a Sunday school teacher and by babysitting during adult Bible study, I discovered my passion for engaging with young learners.

After moving to the mainland to study Fine Arts at Northern Illinois University, I continued to stay involved with children—through babysitting, volunteering at my children’s school, helping with kids’ ministry at church, providing childcare at MOPS (MomCo), and running free art classes for local children. After many years of dreaming about turning my passion into a career, I finally took the leap and completed the Early Childhood Education Certificate program while working as a special education teaching assistant at an elementary school and as a robotics teacher at a learning center.

Now, as the lead teacher in the Toddler Tulips classroom, my goal is to be a caring, dependable presence for both children and their families—a teacher that parents can trust and children feel safe and excited to be around. I’m always ready to get down on the floor, run around, and have fun right alongside them!

I'm Miss Katherine! I have been working at Immanuel for several years now over the summers and winter breaks while I studied at Illinois State University! From the day I first walked into Immanuel I fell in love with the center and was so eager to join the wonderful team and community here! I have worked in every classroom and love seeing the way that each age group grows and develops in such a short time period.  I am so happy I am here to stay and will have the opportunity to build deeper relationships with students and families! I am so excited to implement new curriculums here this year for Music, Art, and Social Emotional Learning and help students learn in new ways! I also love the Daisy 3's room and am looking forward to teaching as I walk alongside the children during such a special and impressionable age. I have been volunteering for faith-based organizations and youth groups for several years, but am so happy I will get to share the love of Jesus everyday at work now too! On the weekends I love spending time with my family and friends! I enjoy watching the Minnesota Vikings, watercolor painting, and of course having a good shopping day! 

Education: State of Illinois Licensed Facility Teaching Credential hours from Illinois State University