Our 2023/2024 Team

I moved to Allen from Chicago (Go Cubs!) in 1988 and have worked in education and served in a variety of children’s ministries over the last 45 years. I have a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Masters in Education Administration. This is my 23rd year leading the GEM staff at Grace. I have been married to Blair for 38 years and we have 4 children– Daniel, Katie, Lindsey and our son-in-law Lance. I love my job working alongside this awesome staff! It is a blessing to partner with parents teaching and nurturing children to grow spiritually, academically, socially and physically.

This is my 20th year at GEM! I taught the 2s for 9 years and this is my 11th year as the Assistant Director. My husband and I graduated from Allen and I received my BFA from the University of North Texas. We have been married for 21 years and have 3 children who have all graduated from GEM. They are now 19, 17, and 15 years old! Our family is very involved at Grace and loves serving the community through Grace and GEM. It has been amazing watching Grace and GEM blossom over the years!

This is my 13th year at GEM; the first 3 years I was in the classroom (assisting 1 and teaching for 2), and this is my 9th year on the Admin Team. My main focus is on special events, communication, and staff support. My husband I have 3 amazing sons and we have called Allen home for the last 19 years. I love spending time with family, friends, and being a part of this amazing team!

This is my 13th year at GEM. In my years at GEM, I have taught 2s, 3s, Friday Enrichment and assisted in 3s, 4s, and kindergarten. My husband Chris and I celebrated 27 years of marriage in August and we have two children. Emma is a senior at SFA and our son, Alec, is a freshman at OSU. When we are not working on a house renovation project, I enjoy hanging out with my family, quality time with my hubby, and crafting. My favorite verse is Matthew 25:21, "His master replied, ‘Well done good and faithful servant.”

This is my 19th year teaching and my 12th year at GEM. I am blessed to be able to share my love of learning and God with my students. Michael, my husband, and I moved to Allen in 2006 from Boston. We have one daughter, Kaitlyn (15), who is a sophomore, and Cinnamon our sweet dog. Fun trivia fact: You might see me in PBS Curious George learning segment in the episode "Curious George Sees the Light" with my 2nd grade class in Boston.  In my free time, I like to read, travel, go to movies and spend time with my family.

I am a veteran teacher with over 23 years in the classroom. I have taught at Allen ISD for six years and Lovejoy ISD for five years. I am a former GEM Kindergarten Teacher of five years with the privilege of returning to the GEM Kindergarten classroom. We had five students when we opened the GEM Kindergarten Department in 2003. This year GEM will have two Kindergarten classrooms with over 31 students. I look forward to the learning and growth we will see this year in Kindergarten! I have my teaching degree from Oklahoma State University with a business minor. I have been married to my husband for 31 years. We have two grown boys, both married to beautiful ladies. I am a grandmother to two adorable grandsons, with a third on the way! In our free time, my husband and I love to travel, take long walks, spend time with our growing family, putter in the garden, and bake goodies in the kitchen.

This is my 2nd year at GEM and it is such a special place! I have lived in Allen for 22 years with my husband Scott. We have two adult daughters, Emily (23) teaches 2nd grade in Stillwater, OK and Hailey (21) is a student at Blinn in College Station. I love to travel, read and workout.

This is my 20th year at GEM. I live in Gunter with my husband, Alan, and son, David. David attends Cornerstone Ranch, a program for adults with disabilities. Our daughter, Anna Claire, is a dietician in Little Rock. I love to read, work puzzles, and watch sports in my free time.

I am a Sophomore at Collin college! I’ve lived and in Allen, Texas and attended Grace church my whole life! I am also a Gem Express Alumni and I’m so excited to work along side some of my former teachers. I enjoy being in nature, playing soccer and volleyball, doing crafts including painting, coloring, and calligraphy. I love working with kids. I’ve served many years in VBS, camps, and nannying for families. I am thrilled to use my skills and to love and nurture kids at Gem express!

This is my second year at GEM as an assistant, but I am familiar with GEM as I graduated from GEM kindergarten in 2005! I am a senior at Texas A&M Commerce working towards my degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. Thankful to be back for another amazing year! "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Mark Twain

This is my 6th year at GEM and I absolutely love this sweet place! I've been married to my husband, Ro, for 18 years.  We have 3 children, Laela (15), Dhillon (12), & Olivea (10). The kids are all involved in sports and activities, which certainly keeps me moving!  Spending time with family and friends is my absolute favorite pastime, but I also enjoy crafting, bargain shopping, and party planning. I am excited to be part of an amazing ministry and look forward to a great year with fabulous 4/5 year olds & their families!

I was born in San Jose, CA, moved to Frisco, Texas in 1998 and now reside in Princeton. I have been teaching preschool for the past 20 years. This is my first year at GEM Express and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful school. My husband, Wes, and I are a blended family with 5 awesome children between us; Casey (30), Caitlin (28), Megan (25), Katelin (30), Marisa (27) and a son, together, Sean (20). We have also been blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren; Leah (5), Emilia (5), Levi (4), Lily (3) and Lemon-Louise (1.5). We love camping, fishing, boating, watching movies, playing with our 2 fur babies (Buddy and Shiloh), being involved at church, and spending time with family.

This is my third year at GEM. I have previously taught preschool with Allen ISD for four years. I have a Bachelors of Social Work from Texas State University. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Mike for 25 years. We have four children: Zane (18), Eli (16), Bella (14) and Jude (11). We have four pups, Scout, Sadie, Oakley and Rip. When I’m not at GEM, I’m cheering on my kids at their activities or taking a dog for a walk!

This is my first year of teaching at GEM. I have a BS in Child and Adolescent Development from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. My husband, Michael, and I helped pioneer a ministry called Ten Thousand Homes, which was formed to build HOPE and HOMES for orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. Our first 3 children, Isabelle, Ethan, and Aidyn were all born in South Africa, where we served as missionaries for 7 years. We have lived in Lucas since 2016. We’ve had 2 more children, Riley and William, since moving to TX, for a total of 5 kids (ages 4-15). I enjoy spending time with my family and cheering my kids on in all their activities. We’re a baseball family for sure! I love running and have completed 3 marathons to date. I also enjoy reading and photography. I love working with children and am so excited for the opportunity to teach at GEM.

This is my first year teaching at GEM Express and I am so excited! I grew up in Connecticut. Got my teaching degree in Boston. And moved to California after finishing college. I taught many years Pre-K and Kindergarten before getting married. My husband and I moved to Allen, TX in 2010. I have been home with my amazing children, Sophie (13), Elyse (10), and Holden (6). We also have a mini golden doodle puppy named Hailey. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, watching my kids play sports, going to parks, and going to the movies. I am thankful to be part of the team here and start a new adventure!

This will be my 17th year at GEM! I have been a classroom assistant, office assistant, P.E. assistant and receptionist in AISD, and this year will be my first full year as a 4s teacher. My husband and I have been married for 33 years. Our son lives in Plano and our daughter is married, lives in Melissa, and will be making me a first-time grandmother in January. I love Bible journaling and hanging out with our Shelties Maverick and Ranger.

This is my 11th year at GEM. I previously served as a 4s Teacher and the Music & Spanish Teacher. I serve as a classroom assistant to Mrs. Tarbox on Mondays and Wednesdays. My husband and I have 17 year old twin girls that attended GEM 11 years ago. They are in cross country for AHS. I love art and scuba diving in Cozumel.

This is my 7th year serving at GEM and have taught and assisted over the years. My husband and I have lived in Allen for over 20 years and have two sons. Joshua is a junior at Allen High School and Jacob is a 2023 Allen graduate. I love spending time with family and enjoy a good book during a thunderstorm. I’m thankful for another year at GEM and GO COWBOYS!!

I have had the blessing of being at GEM 13 years. I live in Allen with my husband, Billy, and we’ve been married 32 years. Our daughter, Ally, and son-in-law, Braden, live close-by, thankfully, and are expecting their first child early next year! We’re excited about becoming grandparents! Our son, Blake, attends college at Texas State in San Marcos. We also have one really spoiled dog named Genevieve. In my spare time I like to read, watch movies & college football, spend time with my family, and serve at Grace Church. I am so grateful to get to work with the sweet kids at GEM and with such an amazing staff!

My name is Katelyn Spencer. I was born in California and moved to Texas in 2018. I was homeschooled through high school and graduated with THEO in May 2022. I started taking ballet at seven years of age and have continued dancing since then. I am 19 years old and am attending Collin College, studying dance and business. I love working with children and am excited to be part of this team.

This is my second year at GEM. I have a true passion for working with children and knew early in life that I wanted to be a teacher. Helping each child progress in all areas of their development (academic, social, language, and spiritual) is a challenge that I am honored to accept daily. I have been married for 24 years and have a son who is 17 years old and attends Allen High School. He is an avid bowler and I love to travel to watch him compete. I also enjoy cooking, music, gardening, and hiking.

I have a BS in Child and family Development from the University of Missouri in Columbia. I taught for several years in a Developmental Day Care before having my own children. Since having my children I have taught Pre-School age children in a variety of settings. This is my 17th year at GEM and I feel very blessed to be a part of such a great school! My husband, Mike and I live in Princeton and have 3 grown children. Our twin daughters, Hillary and Megan, are both married and have blessed us with 5 grandchildren! Our son, Michael, is a Lovejoy graduate and he graduated from UT Arlington last year. We are originally from St. Louis Mo. and have lived in Texas since 1997.

This is my 12th year at GEM, my 9th year as a teacher, and before that I was an assistant in the 3s class for three years. My husband, Matt, and I have three wonderful children. Genevieve (18), who is a freshman at OSU enjoying college life. Camryn (17), is a junior at Lovejoy High School this year and is very active in Lovejoy Lacrosse. My son Dade (13), plays soccer for Texas Spurs club team, is an active fisherman, and dirt bike rider, They are all GEM graduates. I stay very active running the kids around to their various sports and activities. I feel blessed to be at GEM again this year.

This is my 2nd year at GEM teaching on the 3s team. I have been a pre-school teacher at two other places for the past 13 years and I love teaching little ones. I have been married for 19 years and we have 2 amazing teenage boys. 

This is my second year at GEM, but I am not a stranger to the school. My daughter is in Kindergarten class and my son is a GEM graduate. I’m a southern California native and I attended The University of Oklahoma where I earned a BA in Letters, a MA in History, and a MLIS. I’ve been married to my husband, James, for 15 years and we live in Lucas with our kids and our two Huskies. I love reading, traveling, and all things Disney! I'm blessed to be a part of this amazing GEM family!

This is my 12th year at GEM. I am a graduate of UNT (Go Mean Green). I live in Allen with my husband Zach and our 2 daughters, Shelby (19) and Courtney (15). When I am not at GEM, I can usually be found with my daughters. Shelby and I enjoying shopping and kayaking together. Courtney keeps me busy with Girl Scouts, volleyball and competing on the Allen Archery Team. In my quiet time I love to fish, swim, and binge watch good shows. I enjoy spending time with friends and love a good game night. I am very excited to be part of such a great ministry and love working with an awesome staff, amazing families and getting to help develop little hearts and minds for Christ!

This is my second year at GEM, and it is truly special. I have been married to my husband for 20 years, we are blessed to have an amazing son (10). When I'm not at GEM, I stay busy with my son and my mother. Working at GEM has been such an awesome experience of self growth and daily satisfaction. It is a joy to work with the children as they grow and learn. 

This is my second year at GEM as an assistant, but I am familiar with GEM as I graduated from GEM kindergarten in 2005! I am a senior at Texas A&M Commerce working towards my degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. Thankful to be back for another amazing year! "Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life." -Mark Twain

This is my 1st year at GEM. I'm excited to join a loving team of exceptional ladies! I live in Lucas with my husband David, and 4-year-old son Lucas, who also attends GEM. I have a BA in Journalism; taught 4th grade for 6 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom for the last 4 years. I'm looking forward to a great year assisting these precious little ones.

This is my third year at GEM. I have a Bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Dallas and I’m currently working on my masters. My husband, Drew, and I have three boys, Hayes, Hank and Carson. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and on most weekends you will find me at my families lake house in Bonham, TX. I have really enjoyed being a part of GEM!

This is my 10th year at GEM. I love being in the classroom and have such a heart for the littles as they begin their journey in education. My husband, Brett, and I have lived in Allen for 28 years and we have 3 amazing kids, Emily, Kaylee, and Ethan. When I am not working at GEM you can find me volunteering with the Allen band for my senior, Ethan or the non-profit Amazing Little Hearts. You can also hear me cheering on Emily in grad school and Kaylee with the UT Dallas swim team! I am truly blessed to be a part of the GEM team.

This is my third year in the 2s Team at GEM. I have also been an assistant in the Friday Enrichment class, but the 2s are my sweet spot! The littles are such a joy to teach! And I'm humbled to be a part of their first pre-school experience. Texas has been my home for most of my life but I am originally from Honduras and speak fluent Spanish. My husband, Ray and I have been married for 32 years and are blessed with a daughter, Maya(24) and a son, Ethan(21). Ethan is a GEM Alumni, and we’ve been attending Grace church since God brought us to GEM in 2006.

This is my second year at GEM; it was always a passion of mine to work with children since I was in first grade and had an amazing teacher. I wanted other kids to experience that too and be that kind of teacher. I attended Lucas Christian Academy most of high-school until my senior year I was homeschooled. I’m half English and love going to London and travel in general. I have an older sister and I’m an aunt to a lovely niece and nephew.

I have been married to my husband David for 29 years and we have 3 boys. I was an Early Intervention Specialist for 12 years. After staying home for a few years, I taught at GEM Express from 2008-2012. I have been a Special Education Assistant in Allen ISD, and a substitute teacher in Allen and Lovejoy. I completed my Masters of Education in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education in Spring 2020. I taught public Pre-K in Plano during the 2020-2021 school year before returning to GEM two years ago. I am excited to have a new role at GEM this year; looking forward to helping students succeed and learn the most possible.

I married a New Jersey boy and we will celebrate our 38th anniversary this year. We raised 2 boys and 2 girls in Allen, Texas. They have blessed us with a son-in-law, two daughters-in-law and 2 grandbabies so far! I’ve loved working with 4 and 5 year olds at GEM since 2005. I am thrilled to be teaching all the kids Sensational Science each week, as well as, one of the Friday Enrichment classes. I love to travel and go to the movies with my husband. 

I am so excited to be celebrating my 13th year at GEM! This is my fifth year to teach music and Spanish. I absolutely LOVE my job because I get to teach all the GEM kids!  My husband, Todd, and I have been married 28 years and have 2 busy kids. Olivia (21) is a sophmore at OU. BOOMER SOONERS! Grant (19) is a freshman at SFA. AX EM’ JACKS! Besides being a full-time mom and a part time teacher, I love to volunteer in our community. A few of my favorites are ACO, Feed My Starving Children, and Samaritan Inn. Working with all the kids and staff at GEM is one of the many blessings in my life!

I am a graduate of the University of North Texas, where I met my husband Lee. We have been married for 29 years and have three children; Dylan attends Texas Tech University, Morgan is a graduate of Texas State University and Jessie attends Lovejoy High School. We spend our free time fishing at the lake, playing with our dogs and visiting the college kids! This is my 13th year teaching at GEM and I have coached the Soccer Express program here for several years. I love being a part of this great community and am thankful for all the children I am blessed to teach.

This is my 8th year as the GEM Resource Assistant. I have the opportunity to support teachers, assistants, and other staff so they are able to spend their time and talents teaching or aiding the students. My husband, Rocky, and I have a daughter, Ransom and son, Zackary and daughter in law, Vanessa, which have blessed us with Alexandria and Gideon.

This is my 3rd year serving at GEM as the Playground Assistant and Extended Care! I have the coolest job in the world. I love teaching and laughing with the children, and exploring what the Lord created for us! I am an artist, children’s book illustrator and new wife.

I was born and raised in Russia and moved to the U.S. in 2001. I am married and have two grown up children and a grandson. My daughter is a part of GEM team as well. I like scrapbooking, cooking, and traveling. This is my second year at GEM. I am blessed to work with such a wonderful team. I love children! It's a joy to help them learn new things and develop new skills.