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About First English Lutheran Preschool
From the Beginning
Explore. Create. Play. Think. Experiment. These are just a few of the skills and qualities that children will develop at First English Lutheran Preschool. Since our founding in 1985, we’ve focused on supporting kids with their development by providing hands-on activities.
All daily routines are designed to nurture the social, emotional and intellectual growth of our kids. Through stimulating situations and learning environments, young children have opportunities to develop their minds. Reach out to learn more how we encourage appropriate social interactions in our classroom communities and partner with families to provide support and resources!
We are a NAEYC accredited Registered Ministry, with compliance for the Voluntary Certification Program licensing. As a Level 4 Paths to Quality provider we meet Indiana's standards
for high quality early childhood education.
Goals of the preschool program
*To provide opportunities for early loving interaction among children and adults outside of the family.
*To provide new opportunities and activities fostering a healthy self-concept.
*To promote growth in visual, auditory, and tactile perception.
*To help the child relate to others and be a part of a group.
*To enhance creative abilities through the use of materials and experiences.
*To increase awareness and control of their physical body.
*To identify the child's developmental stage and encourage their potential.
*To offer a Christian environment and awareness of God and Jesus through monthly activities with Pastor Patrick.
*To ready children for their elementary school education.
About
Activities
First English Lutheran Preschool provides a safe environment for children, both inside and outside. We utilize an enclosed outside play area that encourages large-motor skills, such as climbing, running and riding wheeled toys. Trout Hall provides similar options when indoor play is necessary. Every classroom is inviting and includes well-defined areas for different kinds of activities, such as art, music, blocks and toys, quiet reading, etc. Each age group spends time maneuvering through the Minds-in-Motion course, a research-validated program designed to stimulate a child's visual processing, auditory processing, as well as their motor skills. The outcome is a better integrated and
balanced child who will perform better in school and at home. The staff at First English Lutheran Preschool encourage children to gain independence as the year progresses. We practice ways in which children can care for themselves, for example, following the bathroom procedures, serving snacks, working out conflict, expressing themselves appropriately, and signing in daily.
NAEYC Accreditation
We are the only program in Indiana to be accredited since 1986!
First English Lutheran Preschool has achieved accreditation by NAEYC, the National Association for the Education of Young children since 1986. This accreditation means that our preschool meets the highest standards in early childhood care, including staff qualifications, materials available, activities offered, quality curriculum, large motor/movement spaces, nutritional snacks and family partnerships. Each program accredited by NAEYC has voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and improvement in alignment with their 10 Early childhood program standards. NAEYC accreditation is considered the mark of quality in early childhood education.
Our 2025-2026 staff
Tracy Gleissner
Program Director
Tracy has been with FELP since August 1996. She has taught in each of our classes from many years, starting in older 2's, 3/4's and finishing her teaching career in the Pre-k class. She held dual responsibilities with teaching and leading the program since August 2014 to May 2024, after 40 years teaching experience. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Manchester College and a Bachelor's degree in the same field from Ball State.
She is passionate about our program and spending as much time with her grandchildren as possible.
Marsha Vinson
Church and Preschool Secretary/Treasurer
Marsha has been working 'behind the desk' at FELC/FELP since March 1989. She is aware of all that occurs within the building; She has worked with several previous pastors and preschool directors over her years. Marsha is a responsible individual who makes multi-tasking look easy.
Ashley Smith
Pre-K teacher
Ashley joined our program, November 2020, after having her oldest son complete his preschool years here. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Lipscomb University as well as a Master's degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Ashley is passionate about making sure children have the skills they need for future school success.
Katie Murray-Emmons
Pre-K teacher
Katie joined our team in April 2024 working as substitute teacher when needed. She found great joy being with our pre-k children that we decided to hire her full time. She has a wealth of experience working with children of all ages and she especially enjoys helping families navigate their child's learning and development. She holds an associate's degree in early childhood education from Ivy Tech. Katie loves to engage children in conversation by asking thought provoking questions.
Emily Burson
3's and 4's teacher
Emily has worn many early childhood education hats in her career. She began as an infant/toddler teacher then became a coach, mentoring and evaluating other ECE teachers. She took time off to raise her children and was ready to return to the field of teaching August 2022 with our program. She has also returned to the college classroom as she obtains her bachelor's degree in ECE from Ball State. Emily holds an associate degree in ECE from Ivy Tech. Her nature-based ideas and peaceful classroom will inspire you.
Jenn Paul
3's and 4's teacher
Jenn joined FELP November 2022 after spending many years in children's ministry. She has such enthusiasm for children's learning as well as her own. She returned to the college classroom taking courses online from Ivy Tech to achieve her associate degree in early childhood education and graduated May 2025. She received her Child Development Associate degree in Dec. 2023. Her smile is always present and her hardworking attitude along with her ability to lead as well as organize are also evident strengths she brings to FELP..
Amy Fulkerson
Program substitute teacher
Amy came to FELP in August of 2023 after finishing her Master's in Elementary Education and her Early Childhood Master Teacher program from Ball State. Her undergraduate work in Elementary Education was done through Indiana University. Amy spent many years in early childhood education raising her family and decided to return to the college classroom as her love for early education began to be realized. Her enthusiasm for children and her delight in seeing growth during their preschool years makes her a great addition to our substitute teacher list. She will take a break from her regular classroom teaching responsibilities to care for her parents more regularly.
Melissa Gearhart
2's and 3's teacher M-F class
Melissa joined our program February 2024 to fill in for a teacher's short-term leave and she stayed on as occasional substitute teacher. She has many years of ECE experience working in other programs with various ages of children. She loves the toddler age of development as they discover so much in their days. We are excited she will continue teaching full time in our program as she works with our youngest classes of children.
Kaylee Burkey
2's and 3's teacher M-F class
Kaylee joined our team October 2023 filling in as a substitute teacher, working with her mom, Mrs. Hodgson (who retired May 2023.) Kaylee has previous experience as a preschool teacher but comes to us after years caring and educating her own children. She loves the development during the toddler years; watching them discover friendships and learning how to be independent are some of her favorite things about being in the classroom. Her calm presence and enthusiasm for learning opportunities is a fun fit for our toddler class.
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Current news
Program newsletter
Each month families receive a copy of the newsletter which shares information about upcoming events in the preschool and community.
Schedule and Activities
Our school year offers many activities and events in the school year. This calendar gives a few of the planned dates.