Our Team
Bethany’s team of educators value themselves on lifelong learning and child advocacy.
Terrie H.
Director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry
My name is Terrie and I am so excited to be the Director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry! I have been in Early Childhood Education for over 39 years.
Learn More About Terrie
My name is Terrie Hedeen, and I am the Director of Bethany Early Learning
Ministry! I am blessed to have been with BELM for nearly 9 years!
I have been in Early Childhood Education for 39 years! I have been an in home
provider, Infant Toddler Director and spent nearly nineteen years as a
Director/Regional Director of licensed centers for children ages 2-12 years. I
have worked as a Consultant and then Director for Center Grove School
Corporation in which I helped with the design of new childcare facility for Center
Grove staff.
My passion is working with children, and I am eager and excited to help Bethany
Early Learning Ministry reach out to as many families as possible to provide the
best Early Childhood education experience and to guarantee a successful start in
Kindergarten. Building relationships with families and staff has always been one of
my top priorities. I love planning family involvement activities and creating ways to
bring staff and families together. Some of those activities have been a Family
Dance in February, Muffins with Moms, Donuts with Dads and a yearend family
picnic celebration! We love any suggestions you may have!
I have lived in Greenwood Indiana, most of my life. I graduated from Center Grove
High School. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health Education with a
minor in Family Life Education from Indiana University (Bloomington). I am
married to Chris and we have 3 grown children, Nathan, Ethan and Chloe. They are
now all married and we have 9 grandchildren and another due in May (ranging two
to seven years old!) We are empty nesters but are very blessed to have our
children living within a 2 mile radius and we enjoy spending time with our little
grand loves!! We attend Saint Francis and Clare Catholic Church. I love to travel,
love football, especially my Cleveland Browns and IU football and Basketball! I
enjoy entertaining and love spending as much time as possible with family and
friends!
Paquita B.
Assistant Director
Paquita B. is Assistant director of Bethany Early Learning Ministry. She has over 30 years’ experience working with children.
Learn More About Paquita
Paquita has been working at Bethany Early Learning Ministry for over 9 years, but she has over 30 years of experience working with children in various positions including: children’s church teacher, Kindergarten teacher, Second grade teacher, Third grade teacher, and now Assistant Director.
Beginning in 2010, Paquita worked as a Pre-Kindergarten lead teacher for KinderCare Learning Center for six years, where she also trained and motivated co-workers. In May 2011, Paquita obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in early Childhood Education at Martin University.
She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior when she was eighteen years old and continues to pour the love and meaning of Jesus into the children here at Bethany Early Learning Ministry. Paquita has led the children through worship where all of the students gather in the gym to do a prayer and bible lesson that is followed by singing and dancing.
Other than devoting her time to children at her place of work, she began devoting her time to her own children. She has four sons and is a grandmother to six grandchildren.
Paquita loves being there to help lead the children and says,
“I have a passion working with children we are shaping, molding, and setting a foundation for the next generation.”
Ms.Gladys
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Learn More About Ms. Gladys
Ms. Gladys is a CDA certified, Pre-K Teacher. Ms. Gladys has been working in Early Childhood Education for 12 years. She has been employed with BELM since April 4, 2011!
Ms. Gladys became an educator because as a young child she always wanted to teach. Her goal is to give the best care she can to the Infants and Toddlers and to ensure our Preschoolers and Pre-Kindergartners are socially, emotionally, and physically ready for kindergarten. Ms. Glady is committed to reassuring all parents/guardians that their children is in a safe and loving environment.
Ms. Gladys is a mother of 5 grown children, 19 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, researching history, astrology and how the brain works.
Ms.Penny
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
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“Children are my Passion”
Ms. Penny attended and graduated from Emmerich Manual High School in 1985. She attended and graduated with a degree in Medical/Dental Administration in 1987. She then attended classes and received her CDA in 2010. Ms. Penny attended and graduated from Ivy Tech with an Associates in early Education in 2015.
Ms. Penny has worked for Bethany Early Learning Ministry for 12 years, she began her journey here in September of 2008. She has taught children in every area of this daycare. Before working at Bethany Early Learning Ministry, she worked for St. Vincent as an Autistic Skills Trainer for 3 years. She has also owned and operated a personal in house daycare for many years while her children were small.
Ms. Penny is a mother of 6, mother-in-law of 4, grandmother of 11. She loves to take pictures, scrapbook, do extreme crafts and spend time with her family. She owns 2 dogs, a Bull Mastiff named Cairo and a Brussels Griffon named Chewy. She has lived on the South side of Indianapolis for over 40 years.
Ms. Dee
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
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Favorite Book: Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier
Ms. Dee has worked in childcare for over 15 years, with 5 of those being at Bethany Early Learning Ministry. Ms. Dee is a native of Indianapolis, born and raised! She graduated from NorthWest High School, then went on to get her CDA in Early Childhood Education, which she is currently working on renewing. When Dee is outside of the classroom, she enjoys shopping at flea markets and thrift shops to find fun and unique items. She also enjoys cooking and baking sweet treats. Dametrice enjoys spending time with her amazing son, she says he has been her strength and her pride. Her favorite classroom activities include sensory and science because it gives the children a new opportunity to explore with new materials and engage their creativity.
Ms.Haylie
Preschool Teacher
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Favorite Book: Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Haylie has recently graduated from high school and is considering pursuing a teaching degree in childhood education. Since graduation, she has been an apprentice in a Kindergarten class and has started working on her CDA. Haylie started as a floater at Bethany Early Learning Ministry with the 3 year old classrooms and has worked her way up to having her own classroom. She loves working with the children to ensure they have everything they need in order to excel. She enjoys working on fine motor skills with the children while using kinetic sand. Haylie explains that she receives so much joy when the children get excited over the small things.
Ms.Christie
Infant Teacher
Learn More About Ms. Christie
Favorite Book: Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Christie has been a teacher here at Bethany Early Learning Ministry for over 5 years. She has over 20 years of experience working in childcare and currently has her CDA. Christie currently volunteers at her church in the children ministry and within the foster community. She was adopted as an infant and has always wanted to be there for any child that needs an extra hand. She enjoys working with the infants and helping them meet their milestones at a developmentally appropriate time. She does this by doing sensory play through water, sand, paint, and all types of different materials.
Ms.Tameka
Kitchen coordinator
Learn More About Ms. Meka
Ms. Tameka is the Kitchen Coordinator at Bethany Early Learning Ministry! Ms. Tameka has been working here at BELM since October of 2017! Ms. Tameka finds it a pleasure to work with each and every child that has walked through Bethany!
She not only gets the fun task of preparing and serving healthy meals for the children, she also gets to assist in the classroom from time to time!
Ms. Tameka is the proud mother of 3 sons, 3 daughters, 4 granddaughters and one grandson! Ms. Tameka loves making people smile and she gets to do that everyday just by spending time with her family. It is a joy for her to see all the children laughing, playing and just being happy here at Bethany!
Mr. Nate
Kitchen Staff
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Favorite Book: Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Mr. Nate plays a vital part here at Bethany Early Learning Ministry as part of the Kitchen Staff. Each child lights up seeing Mr. Nate come through the halls. Despite his quiet nature, Nate does like to put himself out there. He plays live music in a band and has done some professional modeling! He enjoys working on cars and playing video games. Nate has been married since 2022 and has 3 cats. In high school, Nate took advanced culinary courses at Ivy Tech and has worked in fast paced restaurants. Nate finds culinary more of a hobby than a job and has always aspired to work in a kitchen.
ms. Ellie
Infant Teacher
Learn More About Ms. ellie
Favorite Book: The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyers
Ellie started working at Bethany Early Learning Ministry in 2023 in the infant room and enjoys finding unique arts and crafts to do with the children. Her favorite thing about working in the infant room is seeing the children’s personality form and watching them become proud of who they are. Ellie has been working with children for over 7 years: volunteering at her church, as a nanny, daycare centers, and working with the Autism Awareness Society.
Before working in childcare, Ellie worked as a kickboxing trainer and interned at a neuroscience facility downtown Indianapolis. She is currently working on her Bachelors degree in Neuroscience and taking more courses in child development.
Ms.Kristin
Two Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Kristin has a bachelor’s degree in educational studies and training in Montessori philosophy. She has been working in childcare for over 4 years in a toddler classroom. Her favorite activities to do with her class are stem and art crafts as a whole class. When asked what she enjoys most about teaching, she says “I love the moment when they finally figure something out and see the determination it takes to get to that moment.” Kristin is married, has 4 children, 2 dogs, and a cat.
Ms.Jessika
Two Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling and Dr. Seuss
Jessika has been working in childcare for over 5 years, while learning and teaching American Sign Language to the children. She is also working on her CDA and learning Spanish to provide more options and experiences to the children. When she is working in the classroom she loves seeing the children take what they learn from her classroom with them and continue to use it as they grow. Even though Jessika is young, she has created a family of her own, from her husband to her 3 children. She enjoys baking, watching netflix series, and playing mystery games.
Ms.Eden
Floater
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Favorite Book: The Lost Boy by Dave Pelzer
Ms. Eden is currently studying Missiology at Indiana Bible College. When she is not studying or in class, she enjoys spending time with her three dogs, Anakin, Thorn, and Foster. When Ms. Eden is here at the center, she enjoys spending time with the preschool classrooms and teaching them through play. She enjoys taking the children outside or to the gym and getting to know their unique personalities. Ms. Eden has been working at Bethany for almost three years and continues to pour her heart into each and every child she encounters.
Ms. Hazel
Floater
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Favorite Book: Chrysanthemum
Miss Hazel recently graduated from High School in 2024 and currently attends Indiana Bible College. There, she is majoring in Worship Studies and later plans to get her BSN in Nursing where she hopes to work in NICU or Labor and Delivery! Ms. Hazel is fluently bilingual in Spanish and English. Both of her parents are from El Salvador, and her favorite ethnic food is pupusas. In the classroom, her favorite activity is playing games with the children. Interacting with every child, every day, getting to know them more and more in the highlight of day and what she enjoys most about teaching!
Ms.Arevietta
Two Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle
Arevietta has her CDA, over 10 years of experience in childcare, and helps teach American Sign language and Spanish to the children. Arevietta is always up for crafts and activities that cause the biggest mess. She loves seeing the children explore all of their potential, while having as much fun as they can. She always says, “learning and growing should be fun and no mess is too great for success.” She has 2 young daughters who she pours her knowledge and experience into. She loves listening to audio books and watching Greys Anatomy.
Ms.Sandra
One Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Anything by Mario Benedetti
Ms. Sandra graduated from Dominguez High School and attended Compton Community College! She is currently in the process of obtaining her CDA. a fun fact about Ms. Sandra is she speaks 4 languages! Sandra has been with Bethany Early Learning Ministry for 4 years. Her favorite classroom activities include singing and dancing to all of the children’s favorite songs. She loves watching the children she teaches grow as they learn. Her favorite part of it all; receiving little hugs!
Ms.Mitchell
One Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Twilight
Ms. Mitchell has been in childcare for 14 years. Her favorite activities are art, signing, and gym time with her children. In her free time, she is also a Nail Technician. She absolutely loves working with children, and seeing how they learn through singing, playing, and making art. “It’s a beautiful experience” she says!
Ms.Nicole
One Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: Where the Heart Takes You by Virginia Wise
Nicole has college education and is currently working on completing her CDA to advance her knowledge of early childhood education. She enjoys working with the children by showing them how to express themselves through art, music, and dance. She loves when the children gain her trust and have a smile on their face when they are dropped off because it shows her that she is doing a great job. Outside of work, Nicole has three children of her own who have also/and currently attend our facility. She loves spending time traveling, cooking, and dancing with her family and friends.
Ms.Sabrina
One Year Old Teacher
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Favorite Book: The Bible
Sabrina graduated from High School as an Agricultural technician and is currently enrolled in college to further her education. Sabrina has one daughter who is currently enrolled in the center. Sabrina’s favorite activity is singing songs and reading books to the children. Sabrina loves connecting with each child to find their interests and create activities for them to encourage growth and development.
Ms.Abby
Floater
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Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Abby is currently going to school for Elementary Education and has previously studied Early Childhood Education and Development. In the classroom, Abby enjoys getting messy with the children! She cherishes how comfortable the children are around her, getting to teach them, and simply being apart of their lives.
Ms. Priscilia
Infant Teacher
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Favorite Book: Self Love
Priscilia completed High School and intends to continue her education to become a Biocatalyst. In her free time, she enjoys camping, dancing, traveling, eating out, and sleeping! In the classroom, she enjoys doing tummy time with the infants, and painting crafts! Her favorite part about teaching is the satisfaction she gets out of seeing children learn and grow to build a better society!
Ms. Emma
Four Year Old Teacher
Learn More About Ms. Emma
Favorite Book: The Book Thief
Emma was homeschooled from K-12! She now attends Indiana Bible College, majoring in Christian Leadership and a focus in education. Emma loves to travel! When she was 16, she left the USA for the first time and went to Stockholm, Sweeden, London England, and Paris, France. Last summer she spent 2 months in Alaska on an internship. And most recently, visited Reykjavik, Iceland, Rome, Italy, and London again! Emma’s favorite activities include playing outside together, drawing/coloring with her little friends, and doing the girls hair! Emma’s favorite part about teaching is connecting with the kids in ways she wanted a teacher to connect with her when she was little. She loves being a safe place for her tiny companions to express feelings and demonstrate creativity and imaginations!
Ms.Taylor
Administrative Assistant
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Favorite Book:
Miss Taylor comes from a prominent medical and management background. She has three children, two of which are students here at BELM. In her free time, she bee keeps and enjoys all things outdoors including hiking, camping, and boating. She brings her love for the outdoors into the classroom and enjoys nature inspired crafts and activities. She also loves music and dancing with the children. She loves watching each child grow into each stage of their personalities, and building a bond with them and their families.
Ms. Mirna
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Mirna comes to us with an extensive education background previously working for Early Learning Indiana, IPS, Bradshaw Christian School, and Central Bilingual Preschool. Ms. Mirna studied in Honduras, where she was born, at Pedro Nufio College and graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree. Since childhood, she dreamed of becoming a teacher; she has always loved being around children, knowing that each one of them is unique and has great potential. She enjoys seeing students learn, grow, and succeed. She finds joy in making a lasting impact in their lives and contributing to their development, always making sure they will achieve their goals. Over the years, Ms. Mirna has gained a wealth of experience working with children. No matter where she goes, children are attracted to her, and has had many wonderful experiences with them.