Meet the Teachers!

We have five regular teachers on staff who occasionally substitute for other classes as needed. Of course, this introduction does not include the wonderful librarians who visit us, the Child Development Center (CDC) employees who work with a few of our kiddos, or our awesome substitute teachers.

A box full of colorful letters sits on a tan background. The letters do not spell anything out; they're in alphabetical order.

Director // Pre-K Teacher

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Kiley Whipps

My name is Kiley Whipps, and I am proud to be the Director at Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool. I began my journey here in 2000 as a teacher, worked my way up to Assistant Director, and became Director in 2018. Working with children is not just my job, it’s my passion. I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures growth and curiosity in a positive fun environment. I am a Christian and want my students to know the love of Christ. My favorite Bible verse is Luke 6:31, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” which I teach to all students. I have an Associates of Science Degree in Elementary Education, which I earned from Casper College. I also LOVE music! I am the Music Minister at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, where I choose the songs and lead the worship team. I play the piano, organ, clarinet, and love to sing!
I have a wonderful husband who I have been married to for over 35 years. We have four sons and six grandchildren. My sons live in Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, and Wyoming. Family is important, so I host dinner every Sunday for my in-town family so we can stay connected. This includes my parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Assistant Director // Pre-K Teacher

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Amanda Parsons

My name is Amanda, and I am the Assistant Director and one of the Pre-K teachers at Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool. My kids came to the preschool in 2004 and 2008, which led me to teach in 2010. I earned my CDA in 2014 and became Assistant Director in 2018. I always wanted to teach, but saw myself teaching the 2nd grade. When I started teaching here, I fell in love with preschool. Having the opportunity to teach kids about the world and about God's love is the best part of my job. Outside of the preschool, I like to spend my time reading and being with my dogs. I've been married for 23 years to my wonderful husband.

MWF Teacher

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Melanie Berens

My name is Teacher Melanie. I have been teaching for ten years and earned my CDA in 2020. I have been married to my husband for eighteen years and have two children. When I am not teaching, I enjoy fishing, camping, and gardening.

T/Th Teacher

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Michelle Collins

Michelle Collins' preschool journey began in the fall of 2001 when she enrolled her 2-year-old son in the program and began teaching in the fall of 2003. Teacher Michelle became Miss Michelle in 2005, when she found her passion as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She continues this passion today working with grades K-12, serving 80 Girl Scouts in her troops. In 2008 Teacher Michelle decided to home school her son and thus had to end her time with the preschool. She has always been very involved with the youth at the church through Sunday School, VBS, various Day Camp programs, Lock-Ins and more through 2012. Fast forward to the fall of 2021 when Teacher Michelle returned to her love of the littles at preschool and Sunday School. Someday Teacher Michelle will grow up, but until then, playing with and serving God's children is where she will stay.

MWF Teacher

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Tanya Hansen

My name is Teacher Tanya. I have been teaching at Prince of Peace Lutheran Preschool for sixteen years. My husband and I were married at the old Prince of Peace location in 1999. I graduated from the University of Wyoming in 2001 with a BA in Psychology. I have also completed one year of my Master’s degree. I am blessed with two kids, Elizabeth and Spencer, who attended preschool at Prince of Peace. My oldest is now an art teacher and Cheyenne and my youngest is attending the University of Wyoming. I am also the Youth Director at Prince of Peace and teach dance at Beautiful Feet Academy of the Dance Arts. You can say I spend my days with kids ages three to eighteen! In my free time I am an avid bowler and love to bake.

Pastor // Chapel Leader

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Pastor Bert Eldredge

Pastor Bert Eldredge holds a Doctorate in Theology from The Christian Life School of Theology along with a Master of Divinity. Pastor Bert and Kristie celebrated 38 years together in 2024. They have a wonderful daughter (Keshia Lynch) and Son-in-law (Tyler Lynch) along with two amazing grandchildren, Trenton and Paisley. Pastor Bert was raised in Casper Wyoming. He has been a pastor since 2008 and after leaving the oilfield after 33 years, he took a full-time position here at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. He is an author, teacher, pastor, and outreach minister. He says his greatest joy week after week is the “Littles” and their excitement for Chapel.