Our Staff
MPUMP is excited to have a team of experienced educators leading our preschool program. With over 50 years of combined experience working with children, our staff is uniquely qualified to provide your family with the best possible care and education.
Kathy Dailey, Preschool Director
Meet Kathy Dailey, the proud Preschool Director at MPUMP. With a passion for education and a deep connection to the MPUMP community, Kathy has risen through the ranks to become the leader of this thriving educational institution. A former MPUMP parent herself, Kathy knows first-hand the impact the school can have on children's lives, and is honored to now be part of that impact as a teacher and director. When she's not shaping young minds at MPUMP, Kathy can be found exploring the bookstores and record shops of Portland with her teenage daughters, or escaping to the countryside for a bit of horseback riding. A true lover of learning, nature, and community, Kathy is the heart and soul of Mill Plain United Methodist Preschool.
Andrea Baker,
3's Lead Teacher
Hi there! My name is Andrea Baker and I teach the 3-yr-old classes at this amazing preschool! I have been married to my husband, Keven, for 18 years, have 2 teenage children (who went through this preschool program many years ago), and have been a part of MPUMP for 22 years, 16 as a lead teacher. Other parts of my life include homeschooling my children, gardening, giving pony ride lessons, volunteering at an equine therapy facility, and supporting my husband in his small business ventures.
Laurel Bonnin
Assistant Teacher
I live in Portland. I am a caregiver to my father in the house I grew up in. I had always aspired to be a teacher and God honored that by bringing me to MPUMP in 2010. I have served as an assistant teacher in the 3's , 4's and PreK classes. God continues to use my hobbies of singing, sewing and reading as I continue to work with the children and teachers and MPUMP.
Erin Files,
4's/Pre-K Lead Teacher
Erin Files started teaching in her hometown of San Jose, CA in 2001. After moving to New Mexico, she was introduced to the A Beka Curriculum, while teaching preschool there. Mrs. Files and her family moved to Vancouver in August of 2013. Two years later, when it was time to enroll her younger daughter in preschool, she discovered MPUMP. Her daughter attended MPUMP for 4s and PreK, and Mrs. Files was hired to be the new Lead Teacher for the 4s Class. She now teaches a 4s and PreK Combo Class in both Morning and Afternoon, as well as the PreK Enrichment Class on Fridays, with Ms. Dailey. Mrs. Files is teaching her seventh year at MPUMP and is looking forward to many more. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, Rich and her two daughters, Reilly and Reagan.
Neeka Crispien
Assistant Teacher
Hello my name is Neeka the students know me as Mrs. C. I have worked at Mill plain for 3 years now. I have seven year old twins, a son & daughter who keeps me quit busy, they also attended MPUMP. I was adopted from
El Salvador, I’m number 5 of 6 kids. Three of my sisters are also adopted from Korea & Colombia. I moved to Vancouver in 2013. In my spare time I love boating, camping, traveling & watching the Greenbay Packers playing on Sundays!!
Mrs. Heacock
Music Teacher
My name is Mrs. Heacock. As a music teacher at MPUMP School, I bring my passion for music to the classroom every day. Beyond teaching, I am a multi-talented musician, composer, and singer, working tirelessly to bring my own musical creations to life. My expertise in sound engineering also allows me to assist local churches in elevating their audio experiences. With three children of my own who once walked these halls, I have a personal connection to the students I teach. In my free time, I'm an avid animal lover and am never far from my furry companions, my two beloved dogs.
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Allison Jones
Pre-K Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Allison Jones. I have been teaching Christian PreK at Mill Plain United Methodist Preschool for over 10 years. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I can remember. It truly is a wonderful blessing to teach little minds about God and becoming followers of Jesus. I have been married to my amazing husband Bryan for over 16 years. We have a beautiful daughter Violet, who is 5 years old and our little 8 year old pug Zeke. Violet absolutely loves coming to preschool. We are so thankful for all the love our teachers give her. I am so excited for this school year to learn and grow with our new class.
Jannette Malone,
3's Assistant Teacher
My name is Jannette Malone. I grew up locally and had the privilege of moving back to the area in 2014.
My Husband and I have 4 children that we homeschool.
I started working at MPUMP in 2020 when I was pregnant with my youngest son. I have worked in many
child care locations in multiple states before moving back to WA.