Cross of Hope Lutheran Preschool Staff

Mary Sue Hale - Cross of Hope Preschool Director

Mary Sue has been in the field of Early Childhood for over twenty years. She has a
Bachelor’s Degree, an Early Childhood License and the National Administrators Credential. She enjoys reading, traveling, camping and horseback riding. She is married, has two grown children and two grandchildren.

Donna Luca - Lead Teacher for Four Year Olds

Donna has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and taught preschool in
California for three years before coming to New Mexico. In addition to her teaching
credentials, she is also a Sign Language Interpreter. She incorporates sign language
into her classes as much as possible. She is a professional fitness instructor and tri-
athlete and promotes health and fitness with both children and adults. She has two
sons, both of whom attended Cross of Hope Preschool.

Lee Ann Savela - Lead Teacher for Four Year Olds

Lee Ann grew up in Alameda and is a native New Mexican. She lives in Rio Rancho with
her husband and their four children. She has a degree in Elementary Education from New
Mexico State University. Lee Ann has been working with children ages 3-14 for over 16
years.

Lori Braunhardt-Educational Assistant for Four-Year-Olds

Lori has a Bachelor's degree in English and has completed additional coursework in Early Childhood Development. She is the New Mexico Council Coordinator for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) which is one of the ministries of Cross of Hope Lutheran Church. In addition, she is a certified level one YogaFit instructor as well as President of a NM Chapter of Medieval History and Research. Lori has a wonderful husband and she has two beautiful children both of whom attended Cross of Hope Preschool.

Marie Atencio - Educational Assistant for Four Year Olds

Marie is from northern New Mexico and had preschool teaching experience before coming to Cross of Hope in 1993. She is fluent in Spanish, a talent she shares with the children. She and her husband have two children. Her children attended Cross of Hope Preschool.

Susan Case - Educational Assistant for Three Year Olds

Susan is a native of Albuquerque. She lives on the west side with her husband and their two children, one who attends Cross of Hope Preschool and their other daughter attends Cross of Hope Elementary School. She has a BS in nursing and a MS in Health Education. In addition to teaching at the preschool, Susan also teaches Physical Education at the Cross of Hope Elementary School.

Janna Holmes - Educational Assistant for Four Year Olds

Janna was born and raised in Albuquerque. She taught in two different Christian programs before coming to Cross of Hope in 2001. Janna is musically talented and she leads the music program with the three year olds. Janna and her husband have three children.

Ann Martin - Educational Assistant for Three Year Olds

Ann is a native of Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She is married and has three children. Her two daughters attended Cross of Hope Preschool. She is taking classes at CNM to complete her Child Development Associates Degree.