Judy is Director and founder of Sonshine Patch Christian Preschool. She taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the UW-Stevens Point and has taken many continuing education classes and seminars throughout the years. She believes that God led her to open The Sonshine Patch and likewise the creation of our unique Lovable Letter Puppet curriculum, 26 years ago. In addition, Judy is a trained facilitator of Love and Logic Parenting classes. She teaches to parents both the “Early Childhood Made Fun” and “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” classes and “Nine Essential Skills for Love and Logic Classrooms” to classroom teachers at preschool and in the community. Besides teaching little ones, Judy’s passion is gardening. She and her husband, Rick, share their certified “National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat” with the Getting Ready for Kindergarten children in a hands-on field trip in spring. They have one daughter, Andrea, who is married to Brian and lives in Orinda, California. They attend Mad City Church.
A note from Judy: As I continue in my last year at Sonshine Patch, I marvel in how fortunate I have been to do a job that I love so much. I will desperately miss all the wonderful children and families I have met through the years. You have blessed me so! I look forward to my retirement “second” career in the warmer climate of North Carolina. I plan to pursue marketing “The Loveable Letter Puppet Curriculum” and continue to reach out to parents and teachers with Love and Logic classes. Thank you for being such an important part of my life!
Mrs. Sara Sullivan
Sara’s sense of humor and enthusiastic love of children is a true example of having fun with your students and fellow teachers as well. She began teaching at Sonshine Patch in the Fall of 2008. Currently as well as teacher, she holds the position of Sonshine Patch Assistant Director. Sara received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-K through 8 Education and Cognitive Disabilities. Previous to Sonshine Patch, she worked in several preschool positions and as a CD/ED teacher in McFarland, as well as enjoyed being a full time mom of daughter, Emma and son, Max, both graduates of Sonshine Patch. Sara has taken training in Love and Logic and regularly practices in on her children as well as her students! Sara and her husband, Shawn, are currently involved in “Safe Families”, a Christian based program that provides temporary care for children whose families are in short term crisis. They attend St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Nancy Gorman
Nancy’s warmth is combined with her loving guidance to make her a very special attribute to our school. She is trained as a Love and Logic teacher and uses it very effectively with the children. In addition, as a former Sonshine Patch mom, she brings with her the ‘parent perspective’ as well as teacher knowledge. She and her husband, Randy are parents to Jay, a 2006 Sonshine Patch graduate as well as older sisters, Clair and Allyson. Nancy is licensed by the DPI as a classroom teacher for grades K-8. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Platteville and taught kindergarten for 4 years in the Janesville School District, took time to be a full time mom and joined SSP staff in January of 2005. She and her family attend St. Willliam’s Catholic Church.
Miss Natalie Trivinos
Natalie’s gentle disposition adds to her natural gift of teaching children. She is organized and dedicated to her profession. She received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood from Blackhawk Technical College in the Spring of 2008. She continued her education at UW-Rock County and currently at UW-Whitewater, majoring in Elementary Education, with a minor in Spanish. Her plans are to pursue a Master’s Degree in ESL (English as a Second Language). She is fluent in Spanish and shares that knowledge with her students. Sonshine Patch hopes to offer a “Young Spanish” class next year to completely utilize her gift. Previous to coming to Sonshine Patch, she was lead teacher at Just In Time for Kids Childcare. Natalie is engaged to Tom Drada and they attend St Mary’s Catholic Church in Milton.
When the children
leave Sonshine Patch, they leave their
fingerprints on our hearts!
