Preschool Staff

Meet Our Preschool Staff

We are truly blessed to have wonderful, experienced, and caring staff at CCP!

 

Maureen Leurquin, Preschool Director
Maureen has been the Director of Preschool at Crossroads for the past 19 years. Prior to working at the preschool, she worked as a paralegal for 13 years, but God led her in a different direction after her two children were born. She became dedicated to teaching young children and their families about God and His Word and became the Director of Children’s Ministries at Stony Hills Presbyterian Church in Germantown for 9 years. She then returned to school to obtain her state license in Early Childhood Education, as well as her state license to be a Center Director at a Group Child Care Center when she began her exciting journey with Crossroads Preschool. Maureen stays current on policies and learning strategies by attending seminars and college-level Early Childhood Educational courses, networking with other preschool directors as well as local Early Childhood Teachers. Maureen is committed to creating a nurturing environment where children and their families can feel safe and loved. Each year she looks forward to seeing how God works in each one of the student’s lives, as they blossom and grow throughout the school year. Maureen enjoys taking long walks, Bible studies, watching the Packers, and boating. She and her husband, Jim, live in Germantown and have an adult son and daughter.

 

Jenny Huizenga, 2K Lead Teacher
Jenny previously taught 2K at Mequon Preschool. She received her master’s degree in social work from UW-Madison and spent several years working as a social worker in hospitals and long-term care facilities before deciding to stay home with her daughters. After years of volunteering and subbing in her daughters’ preschool classrooms, she realized she had a passion for working with preschoolers and became state certified in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in early childhood education as a substitute teacher, assistant teacher, and lead teacher for the last four years.
Jenny loves being part of a child’s first school experience. She especially enjoys working with two-year-olds and is grateful to be able to play a role in laying down the foundation for life-long learning. She enjoys helping children learn by providing fun and age-appropriate activities. Jenny is thrilled to be part of the CCP team, to spread God’s love, and to be part of the development of children’s’ spiritual, social, physical, and academic growth.
Jenny lives in River Hills with her husband Tom, three daughters, Regan (17), Lauren (15) and Elise (10). She and her family are members of Fox Point Lutheran Church where she teaches VBS and Sunday school.

 

Ashley Hinz, 3K Lead Teacher
Ashley received a BA degree in International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania. For over 15 years, she worked in Corporate retail for Macy’s, Walmart, and most recently Kohl’s. During the pandemic, she followed her heart and became a stay-at-home mom. Ashley lives in Mequon with her husband and two children, Charlotte (8) and Jack (6). While Jack attended CCP, she volunteered in his 2K classroom which led to a substitute role in both 2K and 3K. Ashley has since completed her Early Childhood coursework and is excited to transition into the 3K lead teacher position! She believes in a hands-on approach to learning through play, creative thinking, social development, and communication.
Ashley is thrilled to be part of the CCP team, providing children with faith-based education rooted in compassion, gratitude, and empathy. She and her family are members of Lumen Christi Catholic Church. As a former collegiate swimmer, Ashley loves to play and watch sports. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and running.

 

Sarah Bivins, 2K Assistant
Sarah received her A.B. in Psychology from Dartmouth College. She worked at a residential treatment facility for children with behavioral health needs, did Neuropsychological testing with children and adults and worked on various research projects. Upon becoming a mother, Sarah became a stay-at-home mom and has loved that job the most (although working at Pottery Barn had some great benefits as well!). With the flexibility of being a stay at home mom, she volunteers at school and church wherever needed, from nursery to roller skating programs; youth group and costume making. For the past three years, Sarah has been the NextGen Director and preschool teacher at Community Bible Study, which has been a joy! Sharing the love of Jesus, through knowledge of the Bible and songs, with children is one of Sarah’s greatest passions. She loves interacting with children and helping them to grow academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Sarah lives in River Hills with her husband David, and four children, Greta, Elizabeth, Caroline and Peter. She is thrilled to be part of the CCP family once again as three of her four children attended CCP! Her family attends Alliance Bible Church in Mequon. Sarah loves creating in the kitchen, being active outside and children’s literature!

 

Laura McDowell, 2K Assistant
Laura received her BA degrees in Communications and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas. Her past employment has all had the same theme of being people focused and service oriented. After volunteering for the Susan G. Komen organization, Laura joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a Campaign Manager, where she helped raise funds for cancer research. Laura became a stay-at-home Mmom when her youngest son, Everett (11), was three months old. She and her husband, Matt, also have Elizabeth (9), Henry (7), and Mae (5). Every child of Laura’s attended Crossroads Christian Preschool and it holds a very special place in her heart. Crossroads also became their family’s home church, where Laura taught VBS Preschool Bible lessons for three years. The preschool offered a wonderful foundation for Laura’s own family to incorporate how God is everywhere and always with us. Laura stayed close to the preschool after her youngest went to 4K by subbing in the 2K and 3K classrooms last year. In her free time, she attends her children’s many sporting events, volunteers her time on the PTO of both the elementary and middle school, and holds a board position in her HOA and the MTLL/HEAT organization. Laura loves to read, cook, stay active and involved in her community, and is thankful to God each day for the beauty around every corner! She is so excited to connect with the 2K students!

 

Erika Nunes, 3K Teacher Assistant
Erika received a BA degree in Fashion Merchandising from Siena Heights University. After several years of managing and merchandising retail environments, Erika became a stay-at-home mom with the birth of her first son.  Her husband’s job relocation brought the family from St. Joseph, Michigan to Wisconsin in 2021. Erika, her husband, and two boys, Henrik (10) and Oskar (6) settled in Mequon where Oskar attended the 3K program at CCP.  Erika homeschooled both boys for a year and through homeschooling, Erika found a passion for faith-based education with hands-on learning and creative play.  Now that both boys are attending a Lutheran private school, Erika is still passionate about captivating the minds of children with a desire to love God and explore His world. Erika volunteers with Ozaukee County Young Life as a youth leader and attends Christ Church in Mequon.  In her free time, she likes to explore the Wisconsin cheese offerings at any local grocer, dig deep into a Bible study, travel with her family to national parks, spend summer days on Lake Michigan, and holiday with her husband’s family in Brazil.  Erika looks forward to engaging 3K students in a nurtured learning environment and inspire their little hearts to grow big with God’s love.