Shawnese Laffoday
Interim Director /
Extended Care Teacher
Mrs. Laffoday teaches in our Extended Care Classroom and is also our Assistant Director. She has been teaching young children for over 31 years. She attended West Valley College and holds over 37 units in early child development. Ms. Laffoday is married with an 18 year-old son. She hopes to obtain her AA now that her son has graduated high school. Ms. Laffoday is truly passionate about teaching and strives to make her class a fun learning environment. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, baking and playing computer games!
Mrs. Shawnese’s favorite Bible verse is
Psalm 20:4
“May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed”
Michelle Miller
2’s Teacher
Mrs. Miller is excited to be part of St. Timothy’s Christian Preschool as the Pre 2’s Teacher. For the last 19 years, she has been teaching preschool ages 18 months to 4 years. Mrs. Miller has a B.A. in History with a minor in Art/Photography from Pine Manor College in Boston and is currently enrolled at West Valley College to further her teaching education. Mrs. Miller is fluent in Spanish and was taught by her Cuban-born grandmother. When not teaching, Mrs. Miller and her husband love to mountain bike, walk on the beach and take their dog Coco to the park.
Mrs. Miller’s favorite bible verse is
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”
Susan Mapes
2’s Teacher
Susan has taught children ranging from 3 years to Kindergarten for the past 28 years! Ms. Susan received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Bethany College. She has been married to her husband, Jim for 7 years. They both love to travel and their favorite place to visit is Disneyland! Ms. Susan is really excited about this school year!
Ms. Susan’s favorite Bible verse is
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Freya Simmons
3’s Teacher
Ms. Freya is excited to be a part of St. Timothy’s as an Assistant Teacher in the Kinder Readiness class. Ms. Freya holds 32 EDC units and has been teaching preschool for 11 years with infants up to 5 years old. She enjoys helping children learn and experience things for the very first time! When not teaching, Ms. Freya enjoys taking her dog, Kona to the beach and on walks. She also enjoys hiking.
Ms. Freya’s favorite Bible verse is
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Courtney Herbert
3’s Teacher
Miss Courtney is excited to be a new addition to St. Timothy’s staff! She has a growing family and loves to read and spend time with family and friends! She grew up in the Lutheran Church and taught at a Lutheran preschool in Livermore for 6 years. Miss Courtney has always had an excitement for and devotion to teaching!
Ms. Courtney’s favorite Bible verse is
Romans 12:6-7
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.”
Debra Mandanici
Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Mrs. M, has been teaching here at St. Timothy’s for 15 years! She holds a Child Development Associate Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She also holds an Associate Degree in Accounting and has been teaching Sunday School for 20+ years! Mrs. M loves to learn and instill a love of learning in her students! Her daughter, Tara, attended St. Timothy’s Christian Preschool over 20 years ago and recently spent 3 years teaching on our staff here as well! Mrs. M enjoys reading, gardening, bargain shopping, watching HGTV, traveling and spoiling her Shih Tzu, Bojangles.
Mrs. M’s favorite Bible verse is
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who gives
me strength”
Sherene Saenz
Kindergarten Readiness Teacher
Ms. Sherene has been teaching for over 30 years. She holds over 35 ECE units from West Valley College. She loves teaching children because they make her laugh and keep her young at heart! Not blessed with children of her own, when her students are under her care, she treats them as her own! In her free time, Ms. Sherene loves spending time with family and friends or going to the movies and splurging on popcorn!
Ms. Sherene’s favorite Bible verse is
Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
