Meet Our Team

At UCC Preschool Academy, we have a highly qualified team of experienced/degreed educators who are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for your child. They are dedicated individuals who are passionate about early childhood education and strive to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families. We believe that each child is unique and has the potential to achieve great things. Therefore, our team works together with families to develop a personalized learning plan when needed that will meet the needs of the individual child.

Kristi Plummer - Director

Director

I am originally from the Wichita area but have lived in Manhattan for over 25 years. My husband Randy and I have been married since 1982 and we have four children and seven grandchildren. I have a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Studies and have been in the early childhood field since 2000. I have worked in various early childhood settings throughout my career and have been the director at UCC Preschool Academy since 2013.

Fun Facts:

There is a 17-year gap from my oldest to my youngest child

I drove tractors and combines growing up on the farm
I have not had great luck with cruises (one total rain out, one hurricane, COVID hitting U.S. threatening to keep us at sea)

Mrs. Caralee

Pink Room Lead Teacher

I've been happily married since 1995 & have 2 grown sons. Originally from southeast Kansas, I graduated from Pitt State University with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I have been teaching since my youngest child was in first grade. I love spending time with my family & friends, am active in my church community & work with some pretty special ladies.

Fun Facts:

I have written a children's book (published Spring 2024).
I enjoy taking long walks.
Crafting doesn't come naturally to me, but I enjoy trying!

Mrs. Amy

Purple Room Assistant Teacher

I have been at the preschool for several years now! I've filled both lead and assistant positions, whatever is most needed. I love making connections and conversing with little ones about what they enjoy, and seeing what spiritual conversations can come up! Outside of teaching, I enjoy writing, both fiction stories and devotionals, and spending time with my family.

Fun Facts:

I was homeschooled growing up.
My mom was a preschool teacher before she had kids so a lot of the songs I sing or activities I do when teaching are things she did with my siblings and I when I was little.
I am constantly creating fictional stories in my head and am working on writing one of these stories during breaks from school.
Before I came to UCC Preschool I contemplated attending Spurgeon College, the undergraduate program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mrs. Amanda

Green Room Lead Teacher

I am the teacher in the green room. This is my 6th year at the preschool. I have been married for 21 years & have 3 daughters. Our oldest daughter is a freshman at KSU, our middle daughter is a sophomore at MHS & our youngest is a 6th grader at AMS. I love all things sports but especially track & cross country.

Fun Facts:

I spend most weekends watching my daughters run cross country
I spend most evenings taking long walks
My family enjoys old TV shows

Mrs. Lora

Green Room Assistant Teacher

My husband and I have lived in MHK since 2016. We have a son, Declan, and a daughter, Delaney, that keep us on our toes. They both attended UCC, which is how I have ended up here and helping out in the Green Room.

Fun Facts:

Up until April 2020, I worked many years in the energy industry doing sales & logistics throughout the US via transport & pipeline.
There are two Matt and Lora Pfeifer's in Manhattan, which proves to be very confusing for everyone!
If or when it is feasible, I aspire to embrace in island living year round!

Mrs. Jenna

Pink Room Assistant Teacher

I was born and raised in Manhattan but married a military guy, Tom, and have been gone for the last 10 years. We called the south home for many years but we are glad to be back in the MHK. We have two children, a son Hunter (7 years old) and a daughter Karsyn (3 years old). I graduated from Pitt State with a bachelors in Early/Late Childhood Development.

Fun Facts:

We raise chickens, currently have 14
I love exercising and being active with my kids and their sports
I love spending my summers by the pool and beach

Miss Mandi

Orange Room Lead Teacher

I have been a nanny for almost a decade, I graduated with an Associate's Degree in arts from Garden City Community College, and I have 10 published novels. When I'm not teaching the young, I'm writing stories for them. I strive to do both to the glory of God.

Fun Facts:

I am a published author
I have a feisty kitten named Aravis and a grumpy hedgehog named Val
My nickname in preschool was "Fred" because my teacher often got me mixed up with my many siblings and finally just started calling me Fred... which I still answer to, to this day

Mrs. Donna

Purple Room Lead Teacher

Manhattan has been my home since graduating from K-State. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Greg, since 1986 and we have 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, and a growing number of grandchildren. I’ve taught for over 20 years and am enjoying teaching the 3-4 year olds at UCCPA.

Fun Facts:

My son-in-law is a pastor at UCC
I’ve gone on mission trips to Mexico & Kenya
Our family of 5 lived in a studio apartment while our house was being built & lived to talk about it

Mrs. Amber

Orange Room Assistant Teacher

Fun Facts:

We raise chickens, currently have 14
I love exercising and being active with my kids and their sports
I love spending my summers by the pool and beach

Mrs. Courtney

Orange Room Assistant Teacher

I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and spent most of my life there. I graduated from the University of Fairbanks Alaska with a bachelor's in Elementary Education. I was a kindergarten and first grade teacher until I had my daughter, who will also be attending preschool. I am excited to be back in the classroom. I have missed learning and working in the classroom.

Fun Facts:

I love hiking and being outside with my family.
I enjoy being involved in my church.
Winter is my favorite season.

Miss Kaitlyn

Orange Room Assistant Teacher

I grew up in South Dakota. I have lived in Manhattan for 37 years. This will be my 9th year at UCCPA. I love working with kids. I enjoy teaching Sunday School at New Hope Church. I love spending my time with friends, helping others, and walking.

Fun Facts:

I like to walk
I love doing craft stuff
I enjoy time with family and friends

Mrs. Tamira

Administrative Assistant

I’ve been married for 24 years to a loving husband and we have 3 terrific boys: Michael, 22, Jason, 19 and Daniel, 16. I enjoy spending time with my family and I love to travel. I’ve been at UCCPA for 10 years and absolutely love teaching 4-5 year olds.

Fun Facts:

I was a Kindergarten teacher for 10 years
I will watch my kids play any sport
I think being a surgery nurse would be awesome
I would rather use paper

Mrs. Sandy

Red Room Assistant Teacher

Fun Facts:

I like to walk
I love doing craft stuff
I enjoy time with family and friends

Mrs. Reasa

Administrative Assistant

I was born and raised in Topeka, KS then attended Manhattan Christian College. I graduated and got married in the same weekend in 2002. We have four smart and witty children (2 boys & 2 girls). We have lived in 10 different homes in Arizona, Kentucky, Tunisia, and Kansas. I started working for the preschool in 2017, after my first three kids were in elementary school. I enjoy getting to know the parents and children that attend the preschool.

Fun Facts:

I lived for 2 summers in a bombed out school building in Kosovo
Our oldest and youngest children are 14 years apart
I love cross country season with my family!