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

Manhattan has been my home for over 23 years. I came to Manhattan to go to K-State and met my beloved husband while working on and completing a B.S. in Life Sciences and M.S. in Kinesiology. During and after my studies, we were on staff with a college student ministry here at K-State. We moved away while my husband was finishing his seminary degree. Then we spent 13 years in Wisconsin doing campus ministry. We have been back here almost 11 years where my husband pastors College Heights Baptist Church. I homeschooled all 5 of my children, 1 creative daughter and 4 energetic boys. The oldest 4 have graduated from K-State and my youngest is starting there this year.

Fun Facts:

I teach Conversational English to internationals.
I love to hike, sing, and cook.
At one point I told God that I never wanted to 1) date my now husband, 2) be a teacher, or 3) be on staff with a Christian group, and I am supremely glad He said, "No," to every one of those requests. Those 3 things have brought some of the greatest blessings of my life!

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's in Manhattan, which proves to be very confusing for everyone (same first name, same last name)!
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:

I enjoy sewing baby quilts.
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

I am the assistant teacher in the orange room for the Monday and Wednesday class. My husband and I have been married since 2005 and have 3 daughters who are very involved in music and sports, so we spend a lot of time at their various activities. All 3 of my daughters went to UCC Preschool. I have been a substitute teacher here since 2017, so I have worked in almost every room with every teacher! I graduated from both K-State and Manhattan Christian College and have lived in the Manhattan area for over 25 years.

Fun Facts:

I coach middle school cheer at Riley County.
I play the piano- accompanying choirs, and playing in church.
I spent a semester in Italy.

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.

Mrs. Sandy

Red Room Assistant Teacher

I grew up in South Dakota. I have lived in Manhattan since 1987. I started working at UCCPA in 2015. 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.

Miss Kaitlyn

Orange Room Assistant Teacher

I have lived in Manhattan since 2013, and I graduated from Cloud County Community College in 2025 with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I love caring for little ones and helping them learn and grow! If I'm not taking care of children, I'm probably taking care of my garden. I also enjoy spending time with my family and reading good books.

Fun Facts:

I was homeschooled growing up.
My favorite place to be is outside.
I play the violin.

Mrs. Reasa

Administrative Assistant

I was born and raised in Topeka, KS then attended Manhattan Christian College. In 2002 I graduated and got married in the same weekend. 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!

Mrs. Tamira

Red Room Lead Teacher

I’ve been married since 1998 to a loving husband and we have 3 terrific boys: Michael, Jason, and Daniel. I enjoy spending time with my family and I love to travel. I’ve been at UCCPA since 2013 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.