Teaching Staff

STAFF

Deborah Nesselhauf, M. Ed., Director

Deborah has over 26 years experience in the field of education. Before coming to The Lab School, she was a principal in early childhood schools for 14 years and spent over 12 years as a classroom teacher. She has earned the following degrees: Specialist in Education Administration (University of Missouri); M.Ed. in Educational Administration (Univeristy of Missouri); and B.S. in Elementary Education (Central Methodist College). This is Deborah's first year at The Lab School.

Jan Erdman, M.A., Administrative Assistant

Jan has been with The Lab School since 1993. She has a B.A. in sociology from the University of Illinois and a M.A. in management/human resources from Webster University.

TEACHING STAFF

Mary Dolores Baca, B.S. Elementary Education, Minor Early Childhood Education

Mary Dolores has been with The Lab School since 2002. She has over 15 years experience with 12 years in grades K-3 and over 4 years in preschool and gifted education. She obtained her degree and has some post graduate work from the University of New Mexico.

Marty Ballard, B.A. Behavioral Science, Minor Psychology, Director Certification Early Childhood

Marty has been with The Lab School since 2000. Her B.A. degree is from Metropolitan State College of Denver and her Director Certification is from Arapahoe Community College.

Kimberly Birner, B.A. Psychology, Minor Sociology

Kim has been with The Lab School since 2000. Her degree is from Florida Atlantic University, and she has prior teaching experience in Boca Raton, Florida.

Kathy Randall Kowieski, B.A. Speech Pathology & Audiology, Minor Elementary Education

Kathy has been with The Lab School since 1999. Her degree is from Western Michigan University. Kathy has 9 years of teaching experience.

Cindy Leonard, B.A. Education

Cindy has been with The Lab School since 1992. Before coming to The Lab School, she had previous teaching experience at the elementary and junior high levels. Her degree is from Fontbonne University.

Robyn Murphy, B.S. Physical Education

Robyn has 31 years of teaching experience and has been with The Lab School since 1998. She has 20 years experience in early childhood. Her degree is from the University of Missouri.

LaDonna Patterson, B.S. Elementary Education

LaDonna has been with The Lab School since 1996. She has 17 years of preschool experience with a total of over 21 years in the teaching profession. Her degree is from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.

Pam Wentworth, B.A. Education

Pam has been with The Lab School for 22 years and has previous experience at the elementary and preschool levels. Her degree is from the University of Montana.

SUBJECT AREA SPECIALISTS

Robyn Murphy, B.S. Physical Education

Robyn has 31 years of teaching experience and has been with The Lab School since 1998. She has 20 years experience in early childhood. Her degree is from the University of Missouri. Besides teaching in a regular classroom, Robyn also teaches gross motor to all of our students.

Kathleen Pottinger, B.S. Music Education, M.Ed. Music

Kathleen is a music educator who has been with The Lab School since 2000. She has 13 years of teaching experience and does private teaching as well as being responsible for some highly regarded music programs in the St. Louis area. Her bachelor's degree is from Southwest Missouri State, and her master's degree is from the University of Missouri, St. Louis.