Meet our Preschool Staff
Mrs. Gina Fingleman, Director of Early Childhood Education
Mrs. Fingleman was born in Washington D.C. At a young age her family moved to West Virginia where she and her three siblings were raised. She and her family moved to Houston in 1984. She met her husband, Gary and they were married in 1991. They have two adult children, Adam and Anna. Adam serves in the United States Air Force, and Anna is working. The Fingleman family has been Epiphany members since 1994. Mrs. Fingleman began teaching Pre-K in 2002. She taught at Epiphany beginning in 2008 before becoming Preschool director in 2019. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling and spoiling her two dogs, Sammi and Zelda.
Mrs. Pam Groeschel
Mrs. Groeschel, though born in Chicago, has lived in Houston since she was two years old and considers herself to be a native Houstonian. Before coming to Epiphany, Mrs. Groeschel worked as a programmer in the oil and gas industry in the areas of terminal automation and gas chromatography. She married her husband, Kerry, in 1994 and has boy/girl twins who are both students at Texas A&M. Her children started in the MDO 2’s class at Epiphany and went all the way through 8th grade here. Mrs. Groeschel started working at Epiphany in 2009 teaching handbells, chimes, and recorders to the 3rd and 4th graders. She began working in the preschool office a couple of years later and loves greeting the little ones each morning.
Mrs. Diana Blaha
Mrs. Blaha was born in Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. Her father was in the Marine Corps there at the time. She moved to Houston, Texas with her parents and brother at a young age. She and her husband (Rodney) of 32 years and her three sons, Austin, Tyler and Cooper are members at Epiphany. Mrs. Blaha teaches a 3-day Pre-K class. She has previously taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at different Christian schools. Mrs. Blaha enjoys teaching and working with young children. Her other interest include the outdoors, she likes to hike, kayak, bike and go skiing. She also enjoys crafts and making jewelry.
Ms. Diana Blanco
I was born and raised in Mexico City and I moved to Houston about 20 years ago! Teaching is my passion. I realized that learning from my students is an important part of the teaching process! I have two kiddos. One is a former student from Epiphany and my younger one is still at Epiphany in middle school. Epiphany is more than my work it is my home.
Ms. Donna Cotton
Ms. Cotton is a native of Houston, Texas. She has been teaching at Epiphany Lutheran Pre-School since 2002. Ms. Cotton began teaching in the 2-year-old class and is presently aiding in the Pre-K 4’s class. Before Epiphany, she worked in the Finance industry for over 25 years. Ms. Cotton has been blessed with two sons, cats, a dog and a “Lucky” rabbit. Her eldest son Josh, is a professional drummer and musician. Her younger son Jacob works and attends School in Calgary Canada. Ms Cotton thanks God for the gift of teaching children, family, friends and animals.
Mrs. Judy Dahl
Mrs. Judy Dahl was born and raised in New Orleans, La. She married in 1978 and moved to Dallas, TX. where she lived for 14 years before moving to Houston. She and her husband, Richard are blessed to have two sons, Richard, Ryan and a daughter, Rachelle. Her grandchildren, ages ten to three include three granddaughters and three grandsons and are a huge part of her life…one that she totally enjoys. She also has a miniature dachshund, Sami who has been a part of her family for 11 years. For the past 26 years Judy had an in home daycare where she helped to raise many children over those years. This brought her great joy over the years and after sending the last of her daycare children off to school last year, she decided that she missed the interaction and smiles of children and wanted to work with them again. She is a part time aide of the older two year old and the younger three year old children’s class at Epiphany Lutheran and loves each day that she spends with the children. Children are such a gift and to be a part of their lives is a blessing from God. In her spare time Judy loves being with her family and friends and traveling from time to time.
Mrs. Jordan Easy
Jordan Easy was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She has been married for a little over a year. This is her first year working at Epiphany but she has been working in Early Childhood Education for 6 years. She works with Mrs. Wendy on Monday and Thursday and with Mrs. Tracy on Fun Fridays. Mrs. Jordan also works in both our Preschool and School after care. In her free time, she enjoys painting, crafting, and working in her church's children ministry.
Mrs. Rosanne Foty
Mrs. Foty has been with Epiphany since 2008. She started in the MDO/1s and is now a Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Foty has three girls who have all attended the preschool. She loves animals and gardening and, of course, children. She loves working at Epiphany surrounded by a loving staff.
Mrs. Tracy Harris
Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Harris moved to the Houston area in 2007 with her husband Gerome and four boys. She worked in the accounting field for 13 years before starting a family. Mrs. Harris was a substitute teacher for the preschool before joining our staff. She is now the preschool 3's teacher. Mrs. Harris feels very blessed that God has given her such a strong passion for working with children. In her spare time she enjoys teaching Sunday School, going to her son's football games and being outdoors.
Mrs. Michelle Jernigan
Mrs. Jernigan has been on staff at Epiphany Lutheran preschool since 2006. She teaches a four-day Pre-K class. Mrs. Jernigan has been married to her husband Dwayne for 25 years and they have 3 children all currently in college. In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking, crafts and reading.
Mrs. Cathy Mattiza
Cathy Mattiza was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She and her husband, Dennis, are blessed with sons, Matthew and Jess and their wives. They have been members of Epiphany for 14 years. Mrs. Mattiza has worked in education for the past 35 years which includes preschool and experience working in Cy-Fair ISD and Spring Branch ISD. She currently works as an aide in Pre-K. Cathy’s hobbies include enjoying nature, cheering on the Astros, and watching the “wonder” of granddaughters, Violet and Avery.
Mrs. Wendy McManners
Serving as the Lead Teacher for Older 2’s / Young 3’s class, Mrs. Wendy McManners has been in Early Childhood for over 27 years. Part of this time, she worked at St Mark Lutheran Church and School as the Director in the Toddler and Extended Day/Summer Camp programs then as the Director of Family, Children and Service Ministries. In the recent past, she worked as a Substitute Teacher for several Lutheran schools in the Houston area. Mrs. McManners is excited that our Lord has brought her journey to Epiphany to work in the Preschool. It is most certainly a great place to be. Who doesn’t like to play at work?
Mrs. Salena Mize
Mrs. Mize began teaching the MDO 2's class at Epiphany in 2010. Prior to this, she taught Pre-K and Exploratory Kindergarten for eight years. She currently teaches the 3's classes. Mrs. Mize has been a member of our church for over twenty years and regularly attends services with her husband Keith and three children: Emily, Madelyn and Brandt. Her two passions are working with children and raising awareness and funds for those affected by congenital heart defects.
Mrs. Shari North
Shari North has been teaching in Early Childhood Education for 13 years. She previously held positions at St. Mark Lutheran School and Jersey Village Baptist School. She is a native Houstonian, has been married to her husband Daniel for 32 years and has one daughter, Channing, who is a graduate of Texas A&M. She currently works with Mrs. Tracy with the 3’s.
Ms. Jessica Scott
Ms. Scott was born in Houston, TX, where she lived until 6th grade. From there she moved to Ohio and finished high school before moving to Colorado for 2 years. She attended college in Kansas. Ms. Scott moved back to Houston about 6 years ago. She has two siblings and two wonderful boys, 8 and 5. Her youngest attended Epiphany for 2 years before heading to kindergarten. Ms. Scott loves what this school provided for her son and felt blessed when given the opportunity to work here. She loves working with children. While education was not what she went to college for ( massage therapy ), she feels it’s her passion and a wonderful blessing she's been given. A child’s heart is pure, fill it with God.
Mrs. Linnea Rohrer
Mrs. Rohrer was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. She moved to Houston in 1995 and that same year met her husband, Jeff, a native Texan. They have been married for 22 years and have a daughter, Chloe. Chloe attended Epiphany Preschool and currently attends the day school at Epiphany. Mrs. Rohrer started working in the preschool aftercare program and is now the teacher's aide in the preschool 3s class.
Mrs. Lindsey Williams
Mrs. Williams is a native Houstonian. She worked in the corporate world for 19 years before joining the Epiphany family. Mrs. Williams was a substitute teacher for the preschool before joining our staff. She and her husband Chuck have two girls, one who attended Epiphany Preschool and one who is currently attending. Mrs. Williams enjoys spending time with her family. In her spare time she enjoys selling Scentsy, playing bunco and pokeno and being a part of the Cy-Fair Women’s Club. She is excited to be a part of children’s lives.