Meet our Staff

 

Mandy Spohn, MA

Mandy Spohn earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a focus on deaf and hard of hearing education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Special Education with endorsements in Early Childhood and Deaf and Hard of Hearing education. Mandy taught with Lincoln Public Schools for five years before opening Here We Grow Preschool in the fall of 2012. She lives in Lincoln with her husband and three, young children.

“Being an early childhood educator and joining each student on his or her learning journey has been such a privilege. I opened Here We Grow Preschool with an unwavering commitment to provide a quality option for all learners in our early childhood community, and what an amazing community it has become. I’m beyond honored to have the opportunity to serve our students and families.”

 

jonelle Morris, BA

Jonelle Morris earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in music from Utah State University. She then went on to receive a different honor- that of the title of mother. She received this honor four times. Some of her best education and experience has come from this. She loves music and has been a piano teacher for over ten years to children of all ages. She met Miss Mandy while seeking a quality early education program for one of her children here in Lincoln. It was through this process that it became clear that Here We Grow Preschool was absolutely the right choice, and subsequently all the rest of her children have attended there. It was also through this process that her friendship with Mandy naturally developed into a working relationship, because she knew this was a great program to be part of. 

“I love learning, I love creativity and I love children. I fully believe that each child is wonderfully unique, and because of this, we all respond to and contribute to learning differently. It’s in this collaborative community where real, successful, lifelong learning takes place. It is truly a joy, honor and privilege to work with Miss Mandy, the children and the families at Here We Grow Preschool.”

 

Amber Ortiz

, MA

Amber Ortiz earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Early Childhood Special Education at Northwest Missouri State University. She went on to earn her Master's Degree in Special Education with endorsements in Early Childhood and Deaf and Hard of Hearing education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Amber taught with Lincoln Public Schools for 3 years before moving overseas to work in the international education field in Nepal and China for 8 years. Upon her return to Nebraska, Amber taught with Grand Island Public Schools for 2 years prior to returning to Lincoln to get married and join the Here We Grow Preschool team. She lives in Lincoln with her husband and son.

“It is such a privilege and joy to get to spend my days at Here We Grow Preschool with the amazing staff, students, and families. Early Childhood is such a magical time in a child’s development and I love getting to be a part of creating a fun, playful, and challenging environment that encourages each child to grow and develop to their fullest potential. I believe each child brings something unique and wonderful to their family, the community, and the greater world and I love getting to be a part of their lives in this season.”

Speech Language Services at Here We Grow

Here We Grow is proud to partner with Beth Brady of Your Corner Speech and Language. This additional service provides families with a quality option for supporting their child’s developing communication skills.

Beth Brady, MS-CCC

-SLP

Beth Brady earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin cities in Communication Disorders with a specialty in Aural Rehabilitation and hearing loss. Beth started her career on the cochlear implant team of Fairview Medical Center in Minneapolis before moving back to Lincoln and joining the Early Childhood Special Education team at Lincoln Public Schools. It was at LPS that Beth and Mandy first met and worked together! After leaving LPS in 2009, Beth worked a private clinic until 2022 after which she left to open Your Corner Speech and Language Services. She lives in Lincoln with her husband and three teenagers.

“Here We Grow is one of my very favorite places to be. Children are encouraged to develop their independence, communication and play; making them more competent and confident communicators. Mandy, Amber and Jonelle understand that children are happier when they are able to express themselves clearly. They make perfect partners, integrating speech therapy goals into everyday routines. This consistency results in better speech and language and faster progress! I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the families and teachers at Here We Grow.”