Open Monday-Friday 6:30am-5:30pm
Meet Our Staff
Wendy Brunelle
Preschool Teacher
Hi, my name is Wendy Brunelle. I have lived in the Bemidji area my whole life. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a BS in Elementary Education.
My favorite color is red, and my favorite cartoon character is SpongeBob!
Jenny Anderson
Preschool Teacher
Hello! My name is Jenny Anderson and I am a retired Early Childhood Special Education teacher having served with the Bemidji Area Schools. It is my great delight to be team-teaching the Preschool children, helping to prepare them for their transition into kindergarten. The leadership team of Pine Pals is exceptional as is the facility.
My favorite color is burgundy, and my favorite cartoon character is Winnie the Pooh!
Brianne Peterson
Infant Teacher
Hello, my name is Brianne Peterson and I’m the lead teacher in Infant Room C. I have a BA in Elementary Education, and before I moved to Bemidji I had an in-home daycare. I’ve lived here since the spring of 2020. My husband and I have an orange tabby cat and a Shiba Inu puppy that keep us busy!
My favorite color is silver, and my favorite cartoon characters are Baymax and Jack Skellington!
Andrea Dragan
Infant Teacher
Hi, my name is Andrea Dragan. I'm the Infant A/B lead teacher. I have an AAS degree in Child and Adult Care and Education. I have been working in child care since 2004.
My favorite color is green, and my favorite cartoon characters are Stitch, Tinkerbell, and Tigger (I can't pick just one)!
Dina Mickle
Toddler Teacher
Hello! My name is Dina Mickle and I am the Toddler A teacher. I am a mother to two beautiful children and two fur babies. I have a psychology degree from Bemidji State University.
My favorite color is yellow, and my favorite cartoon character is Rubble from Paw Patrol!
Camille Moreno
Toddler Teacher
My name is Camille Moreno, I am the Lead Teacher in Toddler Room B. I have five daughters, four cats, and one dog. I enjoy reading and organizing while listening to music. A chocolate truffle will always bring a smile to my face.
My favorite color is purple, and my favorite cartoon character is Snoopy!
Paul Rother
Cook
Hello, my name is Paul Rother. I love to cook, especially outside. I love to camp, fish, and hunt. I am a huge nerd and love to read fantasy books like Lord of the Rings and things like that. I also have a large sword & knife collection.
My favorite color is blue, and my favorite cartoon character is Droopy!
Lynn Case
Preschool Teacher
My name is Lynn Case. I’ve been working in child care for 20 years and have worked in centers and have also owned an in-home daycare. My family has been living in Bemidji for 17 years, though my husband and I both attended college here. I have a teenage daughter and 2 dogs that keep me very busy when I’m not at work.
My favorite color is blue, and my favorite cartoon character is Winnie the Pooh!
Kristen Bjerke
School-Age Teacher
Hi! My name is Kristen Bjerke and I am a teacher in the school-age classroom. In May of 2022, I will be graduating from Bemidji State University with a degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Mathematics.
My favorite color is pink, and my favorite cartoon character is Cassie from Dragon Tales!
Katelyn Heuer
School-Age Teacher
Hi! My name is Katelyn Heuer, I am a teacher in the school-age room. I am going to graduate in the fall of 2023 from Bemidji State University with a degree in Elementary Education and Middle School English.
My favorite color is yellow, and my favorite cartoon character is Anna from Frozen!
Rebekah White
Assistant Teacher
Hi, my name is Rebekah White and I am an Assistant Teacher, primarily in the infant room but I float to other classrooms as well. I live in Bemidji with my husband and 3 children. I worked for roughly 6 years as a CNA/PCA, and 2 years as a special education para, but decided I needed more experience with a younger age range (and I love it!).
My favorite color is maroon (and all the colors of autumn), and my favorite cartoon character is Batman!
Linda Simons
Teacher
Hi, my name is Linda Simons and I work part-time as a teacher in the infant rooms. I previously worked as a speech/language therapist in Bemidji's Early Intervention Program.
My favorite color is green, and my favorite cartoon characters are Arthur and his sister D.W.!
Ashley Egerdahl
Assistant Director
Hi, I am Ashley Egerdahl, the Assistant Director. Previously I had been the lead teacher in the 3's and 4's preschool class here, and a lead teacher in the toddler room at another center. I have lived in Bemidji since 2006 when I started at BSU. I have a 4-year Psychology degree as well as a 2-year degree in Early Childcare and Education from Northwest Technical College. My husband and I have three kids and two fat felines.
My favorite color is teal, and my favorite cartoon characters are Heihei from Moana and Becky from Finding Dory!
Samantha Rudnick
Classroom Aide
My name is Samantha Rudnick. I work as an aide in our infant rooms. I also coach figure skating with Bemidji Figure Skating Club.
My favorite colors are purple and blue, and my favorite cartoon characters are Scooby Doo and Spider-Man!
Brooklyn Baumgartner
Classroom Aide
Bio
Abigail Lamusga
Classroom Aide
Bio
Hannah Munsch
Classroom Aide
Bio
Shawna Johnson
Assistant Teacher
Bio
Nina Rudnick
Classroom Aide
My name is Nina Rudnick, and I'm originally from New York City. I am a part-time aide in the infant room. I am a nurse and have worked in New York, Bemidji, and Cass Lake. I have four children and one granddaughter.
My favorite color is turquoise, and my favorite cartoon character is Snoopy!