Our Village

“It takes a village to raise a child,” is a common saying. So, what role do each of us need to play in your child’s life?

Child

Play is the work of our children
Learn of God’s great love for him/her
Utilize their self control
Participate
Do their best to learn as much as possible
Keep friends safe
Bring an enthusiasm to learn about new things/subjects
Be open to new experiences & making new friends

Parent

Be supportive of your child

- Help make sure child has what they need each day

- Read newsletters & mark important dates on calendar

- Help child with homework

Be a partner with your child’s teacher in the learning and growing process

- Discuss progress/issues with teacher

- Volunteer in the classroom/playground

- Keeps office updated on changes of phone/address or health concerns

Be encouraging with any progress

- Provide structure in your child’s life by making sure regular, on time attendance is a priority

- Call school when child will be absent

- Transport or arrange transportation to and from school

Roles

Teacher

Communicate:

- Visit each family before school starts in the fall to get to know each child in their comfort zone

- Communicate with parents about what is being learned, children’s progress & address any issues that arise

- Communicate about current activities using newsletters & calendars

Provide a nurturing learning environment:

- Keep children safe

- Accepting of each student and their current abilities

- Encouragement

Provide meaningful education

- Show each child the love of God through Bible stories and prayer

- Plan engaging lessons

- Prepare materials for classroom, centers, projects & lessons

- Help each child develop skills in fine motor, gross motor, emotional awareness, cognitive ability, memory, engaging with friends & classroom etiquette (sharing, listening, sitting criss-cross, et.)

- Coordinate plans with other teachers

Director

Lead, guide and support teachers (Keeps teachers in line!)

Makes sure teachers are up to date on certifications
Takes care of handling school financials
Runs monthly board meetings & staff meetings
Assists teachers when necessary
Communicate with parents
Make sure we are following DFS requirements
Maintains files on all preschoolers, ensuring all required paperwork is on file
Makes sure preschool is in compliance with all fire & health codes
Acts as the liaison between board, parents & teachers

Church

Keeps teachers & children covered in prayer
Keeps building in working order
Participates on preschool board with representation
Offers scholarships when need arises
Offers support for special projects
Provides representative for the preschool board of directors

Meet Our Staff

Staff

Mrs. Kim Bolding

Teacher, 3s & 4s

Mrs. Bolding was born and raised here in Casper, Wyoming. She recently moved back from Florida in 2020. She has worked with children for over 20 years, starting with almost 18 years at WMC’s child care center. She has a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and started with our program in the fall of 2020.

Mrs. Kelsey Coleman

Teacher, PreK

Mrs. Coleman was born and raised in Glenrock, WY and moved to Casper in 2003 to attend Casper College, earning an A.A. degree in Human Communications. She graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is highly qualified in Early Childhood Education. She has spent several years as a substitute teacher in the Natrona County School District and spent three years teaching our Spot and Grover classes until 2021. When she is not working, she enjoys spending her time with her husband and four children, all of whom are graduates of Shepherd of the Hills CDC.

Mrs. Janice Moffatt

Music Teacher, 3s & 4s

Mrs. Moffatt has been involved in music almost her whole life. She joined school band at age 10 and have always played somewhere since then – mostly oboe but some flute and clarinet. Mrs. Moffatt has a Bachelor of Music Ed from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught full-time in the Casper school district, played with the Casper Symphony for 30 years and is still playing with the Casper Municipal Band. Mrs. Moffatt is married and has 2 grown sons and 6 grandchildren. Her love of music makes her want to share the gift of music with children. Mrs. Moffatt has been with our program since 1993!

Mrs. Ruth Bell

Violin Teacher, PreK

Mrs. Bell grew up in Casper, WY in a family where music has been loved for generations. She started violin when she was 8 years old. Her mother was her first teacher! She discovered her own love of teaching when she started to teach private lessons 15 years ago. Mrs. Bell graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. Besides teaching violin and playing in the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, she also enjoys swimming, baking, and spending time with her family.

Hi my name is Abby Chaput. This is my first year at Shepherd of the Hills Preschool. A few things about me would be I am a mom to two awesome girls and have been married for 16 years. Kids have been a part of my life since high school, where I was a nanny. I have been an assistant teacher for a preschool learning center for 16 years. I have also worked in the school district as a resource assistant for 3 years. I have worked with a wide range of children, but preschool is definitely my favorite! I am so excited to learn, guide, and teach these kiddos this year!

Mrs. Abby Chaput

Assistant Teacher, 3s & 4s

Mrs. Kim Bolding

Director

Mrs. Bolding has been in many leadership positions during her work history including as an assistant manager with both Kmart and JoAnn Fabrics.

At Next Generation Learning Center, she finished her Associates Degree and became the Lead teacher in the Infant/Toddler classroom. She worked with 3 other staff in that room, creating age-appropriate curriculum, having staff meetings with the staff, and mentoring others. When she received her Bachelor’s Degree, she become the Manager of the center. One of the classes that made an impact for her was in Crucial Conversations which helped in issues between employees and teaching this to other staff members. Creating relationships with parents and children, answering questions and concerns, and building an environment that was successful for everyone is very important to her.