Our Team

Sara Hillebrand | Owner/Director
Sara graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Special Education with emphasis in Behavioral Disorders. Sara worked as a teacher for three years working with elementary (in St. Louis, MO) all the way through high school (East High, Waterloo, IA). After a few years Sara decided to make the move north to Edina, Minnesota where she supervised recreation programs for the district. While there Sara also assumed the role of Special Needs Consultant for all recreation programs ran throughout the district. After two years Sara and her husband decided to move back to Iowa to start a family of their own. Working for the City of Ames as a trainer until she decided that time spent with her daughter was more valuable then money. Everyday Sara thinks back and knows that she made the right choice. To get up everyday and truly love your job is hard to find. Sara has found that with children she sees everyday.

Michelle Siepker | Head Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director
Michelle Siepker graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Michelle has been working with children for the past four years, ranging from birth to preschool. This is her second experience teaching preschool and she really enjoys the challenge the job brings everyday. Michelle started out at LilyPad running the preschool daycare program. Recently she was promoted to take charge of the new preschool school program that will open fall of 2006. Michelle is very excited to be working with the new program and to provide children with the academic skills that will prepare them to enter kindergarten.

Cris Prins | Infant Room #3 Supervisor/Assistant Director
I began working at LilyPad in August of 2006. I graduated form Iowa Stage University with a degree in Child & Family Services. My dream is to someday own my own childcare center. I also have a passion for social work and foster care. I grew up in Eastern Iowa in Clinton. I currently live in Polk City and love to boat, fish, camp , run & read!

Eden Gaul | Preschool Supervisor
I graduated from Buena Vista University in 1999 with a double major in elementary education as well as special education. My husband Mike is the plant manager at Syngenta Seeds in Slater. We have two boys, Peyton who is 2 years old and Marcus who is 1 year old. We have been living in Huxley now for 2 years.

Sonia Wallis | Two's Room Supervisor
I live in Huxley with my two boys Lane, 13 and Seth,6. They keep me busy with football, soccer, basketball & baseball games, as well as various school activities. We moved to Huxley from Grinnell 2 1/2 years ago. And until September 2006 I worked at a daycare center in Ankeny as the lead teacher in the 2 year old room. I also ran my own in home daycare while living in Grinnell. I am proud to be the lead two-year old teacher for LilyPad!, as well as working as a massage therapist.

Lindsay Golly | Infant Room #1 Supervisor
I grew up in Huxley and graduated from Hubbard-Radcliffe in 2003. I then continued my schooling for a massage therapy. I work full time in our infant room caring for all our "little guys". I currently live in Maxwell with my husband Jake, our dog Maverick, and very shortly our new baby boy. I have been working with LilyPad since May of 2006 and truly enjoy making the babies smile and laugh.

Judy Gloede (aka Grandma) | Infant Room #1 Supervisor
I have been working with the infants at LilyPad since March of 2006. I become the "resident Grandman" to the staff as well as all the children. My husband (Ron) and I purchased a house in Huxley and we have our daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren here in Huxley. To me, I have the perfect job for a retired grandmother. The staff and all my "grandbabies" at the LilyPad have fulfilled my life!

Robin Maas | Lead Teacher Bumblebee Room
Robin started back at LilyPad Learning Center in June of 2008. Robin originally worked as an assistant teacher with LilyPad as she completed her Early Childhood degree at Iowa State University. After graduation Robin worked through ChildServe as a lead teacher and then moved to the Des Moines district working with a daycare and being a lead teacher in their 3 and 4 year old classrooms. Robin and her husband Zach live in Ames with their daughter Lydia and are expecting their second child in November 2008.

Gina Gilbert | Lead Preschool Teacher
Gina Gilbert started at LilyPad Learning Center in January 2008. She has worked with our preschool program since the beginning and is currently the lead teacher in our 3 year old program. Gina will be completing her student teaching this spring and will have then completed her degree in Early Childhood Education from Iowa State University. Gina spent four years, prior to LilyPad, at Eagle's Loft Daycare in Ames where she worked as an assistant teacher. Gina and her fiance, Will, live in Ames with their son Gavin.

Jessi Roth | Lead Teacher Ladybug Room/Family Specialist
Jessi Roth has been with LilyPad Learning Center since February 2007. Jessi started with LilyPad as an assistant teacher as she completed her degree in Child/Adult/Family Services through Iowa State University. Jessi also completed her internship through LilyPad where she focused our parent and community involvement through the center. After completion of her degree Jessi has taken over lead teaching responsibilities in our Ladybug classroom and will work on bringing training opportunities to the parents of LilyPad Learning Center.