Preschool Faculty
Whitney Allen Giller
Orff, Preschool & Music Together Teacher
Whitney holds a Bachelor of Music degree and a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University
of Louisville and DePaul University respectively. She has also holds certification for K-12 music
education in the state of Iowa. She has played cello with many different groups around the country,
and has been teaching privately for 5 years. Whitney has received training in both Suzuki and Orff
Schulwerk methods and is currently teaching Orff classes at the Preucil School. She became a registered
Music Together teacher in 2011 and is very excited to be a part of the Preschool and Music Together
faculty at Preucil School!
Sloane Henry
Preschool 3-Day Assistant
Sloane holds a B.S. in Child and Family Development from the University
of Georgia and an M.A. in Child Development/Intergenerational Programs
from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. Sloane has taught at several
preschools and after-school programs in both Georgia and Massachusetts.
She has also created assessment tools for mentoring programs pairing
senior citizens with school-aged children. Sloane sees the Preucil Preschool
experience as an amazing opportunity to help foster creativity and learning
through play in the classroom. Sloane is the parent of two boys and
thoroughly enjoys their creativity and vivid imaginations. When not
imagining with her children, Sloane enjoys dabbling in art, reading
and volunteering with Arts Share through the University of Iowa.
Marit HervigPreschool Music Teacher & Viola & Violin Faculty
Marit holds a Bachelor of Music from Western Illinois University and a Master of Music from Arizona State University in viola performance and pedagogy. Marit’s teachers include Doris Preucil, William Preucil, Dr. Roland Vamos, William Magers and William Lincer. She completed her Suzuki Teacher Training with Sonja Zeithamel and Doris Preucil. A former Preucil School student, Marit has taught at the University of Memphis Suzuki Institute, is a registered Music Together teacher, and has been a member of both the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra and the Quad Cities Symphony.
Lisa McDonough
Preschool 3-Day Lead Teacher
Lisa received a B.A. in Elementary Education and Early Childhood and
an M.S. in Science Education from the University of Iowa. She was previously
a classroom teacher in the Iowa City Community School District where
she also worked on staff and curriculum development projects in conjunction
with the University of Iowa. Lisa is interested in children's conceptual
development in the midst of art, science, language, play and life experience.
She is the mother of three Twinkie Tunes graduates and finds the Preucil
Preschool classroom to be a perfect atmosphere for children to explore
and develop their creative and emotional selves.
Helen Neumann
Preschool Art Instructor
Helen holds a B.A. in studio art from Grinnell College and an M.A.and
M.F.A. in painting and drawing from the University of Iowa. Helen has
taught art at the University of Iowa and the Art Institute of Atlanta,
and privately in her home. Raised in Macomb, Illinois, Helen was trained
in Suzuki violin since the age of four in the studio of Roland and Almita
Vamos. The mother of two, Helen is interested in the relationship between
art, especially conceptual art, and the imaginative expressions of young
children. She sees the preschool classroom as a place to tap into and
develop those creative energies.
Jennifer Newman (On Leave)
Early Childhood Music Coordinator & Music Together Teacher
Jennifer became a registered Music Together teacher in 2005. She then
taught Music Togetherin the Des Moines Metro area for two years. In
2008 Jennifer relocated to the Iowa City area with her husband and two
children and joined the Early Childhood Education team at the Preucil
School. Jennifer teaches Music Together classes and preschool music.
Julie Prestegaard
Preschool 5-Day Assistant
Julie has spent 21 years teaching preschool. She grew up in Madison,
Wisconsin, and lived several years in Brazil, and West Lafayette, Indiana.
She attended UW-Platteville transferring to the University of Iowa when
her husband was hired by Iowa City. Julie majored in the Social Sciences.
She has three grown children and kept active following their music,
dance, art, and sporting events through college. Julie is a visual artist,
enjoys reading, traveling, and getting together with the extended family
at the lake in Northern Wisconsin.
Chris Sharp
Preschool 2-Day Assistant
Chris holds a B.S. in Growth and Development of Children from Iowa State
University and has spent the past 17 years putting theory into practice
at home with her four children. Chris worked for several years at the
University Hospitals In-Patient and Guest Relations. She enjoys spending
time with family and friends, hot yoga and reading. Chris is excited
to be a part of the creative, nurturing environment of Preucil Preschool
and to foster curiosity and creativity in preschool age children.
Lauren Willberg
Preschool 5-Day Assistant & Music Together Teacher
Lauren worked as a children's librarian and a full time nanny before
joining the Preucil Preschool staff in 2010. She has been involved in
the Music Together program for many years and became a registered Music
Together Teacher in 2011. Lauren lives in the River City Housing Collective
with her husband and young son. She enjoys spending time with her family,
knitting and making music. Lauren has a playfulness with children and
a love of music. She believes that all children deserve the access to
art and music that the Preucil School offers, and she loves being a
part of it.
Kirsten Williamson
Preschool 2-Day Lead Teacher
Kirsten received her B.A. from Luther College in Art and Elementary
Education. She taught K-5 Art for five years in the Des Moines School
District and the College Community School District before coming to
Preucil. She lives in Iowa City with her husband, two small children,
one kitty, and a yellow Labrador. She enjoys sewing, scrapbooking, yoga,
and spending time with her family. Kirsten is grateful to work in such
a special place that respects children and values their creativity in
all forms.
Tricia Windschitl
Preschool Director & 5-Day Lead Teacher
Tricia received both her B.S. and M.S. in Early Childhood Education
from Iowa State University. She has taught preschool children in a variety
of settings including the Child Development Lab School at Iowa State,
the Iowa City Recreation Center, and the Formative Years Center in Ames.
Tricia enjoys the bustle and playfulness of the preschool classroom
and delights in helping children explore, discover, and think about
their world. She sees her classroom as a community of learners, all
influencing one another with their experiences, questions, and curiosities.
