Experience and education are of upmost importance when choosing teachers to educate our youngest learners.  All of our teachers have degrees in education and many years of experience working with children both in and out of the classroom setting.

Our director, Hilary Graves, received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education at the University of Central Missouri. She earned her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri Columbia. She has taught in the Lee's Summit, Harrisonville and Independence school districts as a kindergarten teacher and as a Parent Educator. She was named Teacher of the Year in the Cass RIX school district in 2004.

When Miss Hilary is not at the preschool you can find her curled up with a good book, on the pickleball courts or enjoying dinner at a Mexican restaurant. She enjoys watching her daughter, Georgia, take to the stage in local theatre productions and oldest daughter, Hazel, perform in the LSHS Golden Guard. Iced tea, trail mix and dark chocolate help fuel her for the day when she stays up late to watch the Chiefs or Royals win.  

We have a returning cast of teachers for the 2023-2024 school year which includes Miss Angela, Miss Dianna, Miss Lesley, Miss Nancy, Miss Courtney and Miss Brandi. Check out a glimpse of their hobbies and favorite things below. Better yet, set up a tour of our preschool to meet them in person!


Our Teachers Favorite Things

Miss Angela

Birthday: June 15th

Place to Shop: Target

Restaurant: Chipotle

Drink: Coffee and Sparkling Water

Snacks: Dark Chocolate and White Cheddar Popcorn

Miss Lesley

Birthday: June 29th

Place to Shop: Target and Hobby Lobby

Restaurant: Jose' Peppers

Drink: Vanilla Latte and Coffee and Strawberry Limeade

Snacks: Cheese and Crackers


Miss Dianna

Birthday: August 28th

Place to Shop: Target, Amazon, Old Navy, Bath and Body Works

Restaurant: Houlihans, 54th Street, McAllisters

Drink: Coffee and Lime-Flavored Drinks

Snacks; Snickers, Paydays, Dill Pickle Chips, Takis


Miss Nancy

Birthday: June 29th

Place to Shop: Hobby Lobby and Amazon

Restaurant: Chipotle

Drink: Coffee and Sparkling water

Snacks: Dark Chocolate Almonds, Ferroro Rocher Hazelnut Chocolates, Lindoor Dark Chocolate truffles, Flavored Popcorn

Miss Brandi                                                                                   Miss Courtney

Birthday: January 29th                                                                                          Birthday: January 5th

Place to Shop: TJMaxx and Hobby Lobby                                                            Place to Shop: Target

Restaurant: Mexican                                                                                             Restaurant: Chipotle (Or anything Mexican!)

Drink: Caramel Macchiato and Rootbeer                                                              Drink: Coffee and Tea

Snacks: Reese's Pieces and Jalapeno Chips                                                       Snacks: Anything salty or chocolate