Where a child's first school experience is sunny and warm!
Meet Our Educators
Janna Sanderson
Janna has worked at Sunny Hill sine 1993. Her mother, Mary Beth Leifeld owned Sunny Hill for thirty-six years until Janna and Mary took over in 2005. Janna has a deep love of all children and loves to help kids feel safe and loved in her classroom. Janna has an AA degree in Early Childhood and a Directors Credential Degree. Janna is married and has four children. Janna's oldest, Tori Meline, is a teacher here at Sunny Hill. In Janna's spare time, she runs Rejuvenated Homes and Gardens with her husband, Derrick. Janna loves bonfires, fishing, camping, raising chickens, her 3 dogs and spending time with her four kids.
Mary morelli
Mary joined Sunny Hill Preschool in 1998 as a part-time teacher. She soon began teaching more and helping with office duties when Mary Beth Leifeld retired. In 2005 Mary and Janna took over as directors and continue to teach. Mary has a degree from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, and her Director's Credentials from St.Paul College. Her classroom is a warm, friendly environment where children have fun and learn about kindergarten readiness. Mary has lived in the Stillwater area for over thirty years. She is married with two children and two grandkids. She enjoys sewing, crocheting, crafts, and spending time up at her cabin in her free time.
Nikki KellogG
Nikki has been at Sunny Hill since 2014. She has a degree in architecture drafting but started helping after her daughter attended preschool at Sunny Hill. Nikki is from Stillwater and has four children with her high school sweetheart and husband. She took child development all through high school and volunteered every summer, helping at Safety Camp. When her kids were younger, she ran an inhome daycare for family and friends. Nikki enjoys spending time with family, walking the bridge loop, and taking pictures of old buildings.
TORI MELINE
Tori is a third-generation teacher after her grandmother (Mary Beth Leifeld) and mother, Janna Sanderson. She first started her teaching career at Sunny Hill in 2016. Tori has her teaching certificate and is on her last year of a 4-year degree in Early Childhood. Tori's cuddles and smiles keep the kids comfortable and secure in their classroom. Additionally, Tori has a skill for arts and crafts, and the children love learning from her at the craft table. Tori loves spending time with her family, her boyfriend, and two dogs, Milo and Lily.
Cassie joined Sunny Hill's teaching team in 2022 after Janna "scoped her out," knowing she would be a great asset to Sunny Hill. Her warm and loving way with kids is what attracted her to them. Cassie has lived in Stillwater for five years and has her Associate's Degree in Health Information Technology. Cassie has been a nanny for five years. She enjoys camping, hiking, skiing, fishing, being outdoors, and spending time with her three daughters, dog, and husband, Jason.
