Lil' Learners Preschool
Our Staff
Cindy Rotter
Hi, my name is Cindy Rotter. I am the director of Lil' Learners. I've been working in early childhood for over 30 years. I still love it!
I have two grown sons, a lovely daughter-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters. I love to kayak and spend time with family.
I'm really enjoying the new classes I've been doing the past 5 years. Our Enhancement Class. And the new Mud Buddies Class we started in 2024.
It is extremely fun to have students I had taught bring their children to preschool now. :)
My favorite bible verse is "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!"
Alyona Merriman
Hello, my name is Alyona, and I am a teacher at Lil' Learners Preschool, responsible for Tot Time and Zumbini Classes. I also am going to start co- teaching Mud Buddies. I have a background as a teacher's aide, which I held throughout high school and during my medical assistant training. This marks my fifth year of teaching. I am married with two children, Charlie and Adelaide, they both attend Lil' Learners. Our family enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, backpacking, and kayaking. Winter is my preferred season, especially with snowfall. I am excited to meet new and familiar faces, and participate in creative activities, dance and play. My favorite Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18
" So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal".
Nichole Rotter
My name is Nichole Rotter, a.k.a. Teacher Nichole.
Cindy Rotter is my mother-in-law.
I am married to Cindy's youngest son Christopher who is a machinist. Christopher and I have two awesome daughters. Katie is 21 years old and Haley is 19 years old.
As a family, we love spending time outdoors. Camping in the Summer time, picking apples in the Fall, sledding in the Winter or watching baby chicks hatch in the Spring. I can't really choose a favorite season as they all have their extraordinary perks and beauty.
Some of my hobbies include Preschool, gardening and doing various projects with my husband and daughters.
I adore everything about preschool. I've worked in a preschool setting for over 20 years now, 17 of which I have been the Teacher of my own classroom.
My job is to get these kiddos excited about school and learning. They will spend so much of their lives devoted to school. It is important that it is a place of joy, wonder and discovery. I truly believe that setting a foundation of love, comfort and confidence is key to sending these kiddos on a path of endless learning possibilities and a great sense of self-worth. I am honored to get to be part of that beginning.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Shirley Sabo
Hi, my name is Shirley Sabo. I've been teaching at Lil' Learners since 2013.
I am married and have two children. My son, Jacob, is 16 years old and my daughter, McKinsey, is 13 years old.
It's wonderful to be in this environment and have the opportunity to share God's love with other children. It's so rewarding to watch the children learn, build friendships, and enjoy coming to school. We all know how quickly they grow and I'm blessed to be a part of this special time in your child's life.
Some things I enjoy outside of the classroom are, spending time with my family, gardening, and working on my parents' farm.
My favorite bible verse is "Let all that you do be done in love".
Sarah Nevard
Hello, my name is Sarah Nevard! We moved to St. Helens a little over a year ago from Forest Grove. In the fall of 2023, my son Kai started the 3 and 4's class. I joined the
Lil' Learners team around the same time, as a teacher's aide in the Enhancement Class. For the upcoming school year, I will be co-teaching the Enhancement Class and Mud Buddies. You will also see me at Lunch Bunch or helping out in the other classes.
I graduated from Portland State University with a BS in Social Science. Upon graduating, I traveled to South Korea to teach children English. I worked in education as a special education assistant for about 5 years and then attended Oregon State University for my MAT in elementary education. In 2017, I married my soulmate and then we had our son three years later :) We also have a giant goldendoodle who is quite the celebrity at the park) and two tuxedo cats.
Some of my interests include family, joy, reading, music, arts and crafts, camping, enjoying God's creation and teaching.
One of my favorite verses is "I love you, O Lord, my strength" Ps 18:1