Heartland Faculty - 2025/2026
*All teachers participate in CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, New Staff Orientations, DHS Essentials and Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting.
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Merilee Mescher
Director of Administration
IWCC Graduate; National Credential in Child Development; National Credential in Administration
Has worked in education since 1985; in early education since 1995
Member National Association for the Education of Young Children; Council Bluffs Community School District Career & Technical Advisory Committee; IWCC Early Education Advisory Board; Professional Development Specialist for CDA Credentialing Program; Winner SWIAEYC’s Friend of the Young Child
Married with 4 adult children
Reading; traveling; spending with family and friends
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Tonya Jensen
Director of Curriculum
National Credential in Child Development; National Credential in Administration
Has worked in early education since 1994
Who’s Who Among American Teachers; Who’s Who Among American Business Women; Member National Association for the Education of Young Children; Winner SWIAEYC’s Friend of the Young Child
Married with 2 adult children and 1 granddaughter
Shopping; hosting; spending time with family and friends
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Ms. Jill
Heath & Nutrition Coordinator
IWCC Graduate; Certified Medication Administration
Worked in the child care field from 1993 – 2008; in early education since 2008
Member National Association for the Education of Young Children; long-time volunteer for Council Bluffs Schools
Married with 2 adult children; 2 grandchildren
Reading; traveling; biking; spending time with family
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Ms. Kristen
Assistant Director and Lead Mentor Teacher
IWCC Graduate in Early Childhood Education
Has worked in early education since 2002
Member National Association for the Education of Young Children; PTA Vice President (Bloomer Elementary)
Married with 2 children
Shopping; reading; enjoying time with her children
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Ms. McKenna
Teacher
State of Iowa Licensed Para Educator with an Early Childhood Education Endorsement.
McKenna started with Heartland Child Development in 2019. Prior to her work here, she worked for four years with adults with disabilities in a day habilitation center and in their homes.
McKenna and her husband have two children. Her husband is a Douglas County Deputy Sheriff.
McKenna enjoys cooking, reading, crafting and spending time with her family.
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Ms. Taylor
Teacher
Bachelors Degree in Human Services from Midland University
Taylor began her full time career with Heartland in 2019; prior to that she worked with school age children at a private program and was a nanny to two young children.
Taylor is married, has four young children, and a stepdaughter.
Taylor loves to Cricut … shirts, signs, decals + all kinds of crafting!
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Ms. Rosie
Substitute Teacher
Rosie is a graduate of the Child Development program at IWCC
Rosie started her career in early childhood in 1979 … her work has included working with handi-capable children, IWCC Center, and owning her own center. Rosie began working with Merilee and Tonya around 1997. Rosie semi-retired several years ago, but continues to be involved working a couple of days per week.
Rosie is married and has 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren.
Rosie loves art / crafting / painting, activities with her grands, traveling, and taking care of others.
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Ms. Justice
Teacher
Justice holds a National Credential in Child Development (CDA) with a Preschool Endorsement
Began in early childhood in 2015 and started with Heartland Child Development in 2016
Justice and her husband have 2 young daughters and a baby on the way Fall 2025.
Justice enjoys shopping and spending time with family and friends.
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Ms. Cinthia
Assistant Teacher
Cinthia is certified in PITC (Program for Infant and Toddler Care).
Cinthia began working at Heartland summer 2021.
Cinthia is bilingual in Spanish / English. She assists with interpreting as needed.
Cinthia lives with her family.
Cinthia enjoys painting and watching YouTube videos.
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Ms. Sam
Assistant Teacher
Current CDA candidate. Additionally, Sam has completed all her Iowa HHS required courses... and more!
Sam started with Heartland Child Development in 2021. Prior to Heartland, Sam was a stay-at-home mom and homeschooled her children for a period of time.
Sam is married and is a busy mom of four children … three boys and a girl.
Sam’s hobbies include cooking and painting!
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Ms. Jamie
Lead Mentor
Jamies holds an Associate’s Degree in Pre-Elementary from IWCC. Additionally, Jamie has her CDA with an endorsement in Preschool.
Jamie started working with Heartland in May 2011 and has also worked for the Council Bluffs School District in a PreK classroom.
Jamie and her husband Randy have 5 children – 4 daughters and 1 son.
In her free time, Jamie likes to shop, craft, bake/cook, cheer on the Huskers!
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Ms. Jeanna
Assistant Teacher
Jeanna has completed all of her Iowa HHS requires courses including CPR / First Aid, Mandatory Child Abuse Training, Essentials, and Universal Precautions. Additionally, she has completed the coursework for Passport to Early Childhood Education. Jeanna is currently working to achieve her certification in the program for infant / toddler care (PITC).
Jeanna began working with Heartland in May 2022.
Jeanna has two children – 1 son and 1 daughter
Board games, scrapbooking, gardening, and family time.
