Adam Lamb Preschool
Contact Us | (636) 561-5203
Meet Our Staff
Director: Sarah Ripka-Towe
(sarah.ripka-towe@dpc4u.org or admin@adamlambpreschool.com)
My name is Sarah Ripka-Towe and I am the Director of Adam Lamb Preschool. I graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology where my emphasis in study was child and adolescent counseling. After graduating I accepted two job offers and went on to love them both for over 9 years. I worked full-time for the Saint Louis Crisis Nursery working directly with at risk children and families as a counselor before accepting the position of site coordinator for two of the SLCN’s nurseries. I also worked part-time for St. Cletus Catholic School as a social intervention specialist working with kindergarten through 4th graders. My passion has always been kids and helping them grow socially and emotionally.
My husband John and I have two daughters, Vivian and Carolyn. Both of our girls attended Adam Lamb and loved the teachers and staff immensely, we were blessed to get started on a great learning path early. In 2021 I joined the Adam Lamb team as the Assistant Director. In 2024 I accepted the Director position knowing that my talents and passion for early childhood education would continue to be utilized in this amazing preschool where I have always felt called. I am happy to say this is a wonderful place to learn and grow for students as well as staff. I am so excited for this journey and to be here with your amazing kids! In my free time I enjoy reading, crafting, and traveling with my family and friends.
Assistant Director and Lead Teacher: Tracy McDermott
(tracy.mcdermott@dpc4u.org) Degreed B.S. in Early Childhood
My name is Tracy McDermott. I graduated from University of Missouri- St. Louis with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood in 1999. After graduating, I taught two and three year old's for a couple years before becoming the assistant director of the facility I was at for 5 years. Then after getting married and moving, I taught pre-k for a year and a half at a preschool in O'Fallon until I had my own children. I have also taught Sunday School and volunteer in VBS at the church I was raised in and now here at Dardenne Presbyterian Church. In late 2014 I started here as a substitute teacher and as time has gone by I became a classroom teacher. I love planning activities for the children and watching them learn.
My husband, Dave, and I have two kids. Meredith and Aiden both attended preschool here. They both keep us busy between dance and band. As a family we love to go on trips to national parks and historical places. I love to read and crochet in my free time.
Administrative Assistant: Katy Furlow (admin@adamlambpreschool.com)
My name is Katy Furlow and I am the Administrative Assistant. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with my Bachelors in Accounting. I worked in the corporate world for 5 years before becoming a stay at home mom.
I married my high school sweetheart and we have 3 wonderful girls. We stay very busy attending all their activities. My girls attended both the KDO and Adam Lamb programs. In 2018, when my youngest entered kindergarten I began working for KDO. In 2024, I took on my new role as the administrative assistant for Adam Lamb.
Lead Teacher, Junior Kindergarten: Emily O'Brien (mrs.obrien@adamlambpreschool.com) Degreed B.S. in Elementary Education
My name is Emily O’Brien and I am a teacher at Adam Lamb Preschool. I feel very blessed to work at such a great school. I graduated from the University of Missouri St. Louis with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating I worked for the Francis Howell School district teaching third and first grade. I truly enjoyed working with elementary aged children and now I’m very excited to be helping preschool children prepare for kindergarten!
I have been married to my husband, Tim, since 2006. We have 2 wonderful children, Adison and Caleb. They both attended Adam Lamb for preschool. They keep us very busy with all their after-school activities! I enjoy volunteering at their schools, crafting and spending time with my family and friends.
Lead Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten: Anita Stellhorn (mrs.stellhorn@adamlambpreschool.com) Degreed B.S. Child and Family Development
My name is Anita Stellhorn. I have been a teacher at Adam Lamb Preschool since November 2003. I graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Development. The emphasis of my education was studying child development from ages 0-6 years. Since college, I have taught preschool, worked as a Parent Educator for the Parents-As-Teachers program and was a Teacher Assistant for a pre-kindergarten program.
I really enjoy helping young children learn and grow. It is always amazing to watch how they change throughout the school year. They bring so much joy and laughter to my life. It is a great pleasure to be part of such a loving, Christian preschool program.
My husband, Lee, and I have three children. We enjoy spending time together. We like to walk and bike outdoors.
Lead Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten & First Year Preschool: Kristen Nelson
(mrs.nelson@adamlambpreschool.com) Degreed B.S.
My name is Kristen Nelson and I am thrilled to be joining Adam Lamb this year. My family and I have been in this area since 2006. Both of my own children attended Adam Lamb and had a wonderful experience. This is my first year teaching at Adam Lamb and I am so excited to be able to give back to families what was once given to mine.
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Maryville University in 2005. Over the years I have been blessed to work alongside many truly amazing teachers, both as a classroom aide and also as a lead teacher. I have worked in Pre-K, First Year Preschool and elementary classrooms. My goal for each child is to instill confidence, a love of learning and a love of their faith. I want my students to leave our time together with confidence for their next step in education, with an understanding that we all have God given strengths and talents, to be able to spot those strengths and talents in themselves and others and, most importantly, to be excited and ready to let their little lights shine in the world!
Lead Teacher, Pre-Kindergarten & First Year Preschool: Julie Bentley
(mrs.bentley@adamlambpreschool.com) Degreed M.Ed.
My name is Julie Bentley. I am married, and have two children, a dog, and a cat. Both of my children attended Adam Lamb, so I have been involved in the program for the last 4 years. I am excited to join the team this year as a lead teacher after having subbed last school year.
I have a Masters Degree in Education and my classroom goal is to encourage children to explore, play, and create! This year will be filled with laughter, learning, new friendships, and growth. I am honored to be part of your child’s early educational journey.
Teacher's Aide, PK & FYP: Chris Dodd-Swim
I have been a teacher’s aide since 2005 at Adam Lamb Preschool. Prior to that, I worked for the Mother’s Day Out program at Dardenne Presbyterian Church while my daughter attended the preschool. I enjoy working with the children, and find it rewarding to see them grow in size, knowledge and their love of Jesus. My mission is to help prepare them for school by giving them a solid foundation to build upon.
I grew up in Iowa, and attended Kirkwood Community College completing the Early Childhood Development program there.
My husband, Phil, and I have 4 children, and one grandchild. My hobbies include biking and other fitness challenges. I also enjoy volunteer work and serving God by helping those in need.
Teacher's Aide, Junior Kindergarten: Colleen Fox
My name is Colleen Fox. I am the teacher's aide for Mrs. O'Brien's Junior Kindergarten class. I started this position in 2019 after retiring from 20 years of in-home daycare. I love nurturing young children in education and creativity.
I am happily married to my husband Craig. We have a blended family of five grown children; three of which went through the Adam Lamb program. I'm also blessed with five adorable grandchildren. I enjoy keeping busy with family activities, walking, playing with my dog, cooking, baking, and traveling.
Teacher's Aide, FYP & 2's Teacher: Nichole Orbin
My name is Nichole Orbin. I am the teacher's aide for Miss Tracy in full day FYP, and Miss Rachelle in the 2's class. I am married to my high school sweetheart Chris, as we've been together for over 30 years. We have two daughters - Kylie and Ashlan, and two English cream golden retrievers - Chance and Kane. I have been a part of the Adam Lamb family since my own girls attended here, then making it my work family. I have a passion for helping children be the best they can be. Helping them to learn and grow while celebrating the little things in life, (especially fun shoes:), is one of my favorite things to do.
Teacher's Aide, PK & FYP: Nineta Cheng - Degreed B.S. Elementary Education
My name is Nineta Cheng. I am the teacher's aide for Mrs. Bentley's classes. I have my bachelor degree in elementary education.
I've always had an appreciation for different cultures and languages. My husband is Taiwanese and fluent in Mandarin. I was raised bilingual with fluency in Spanish.
After college, I taught Spanish for a few years before deciding to stay home to raise our family. An and I have been married for 17 years. We have 4 children and the youngest three all attended Adam Lamb Preschool. I'm so excited to be a part of the Adam Lamb family.
Teacher's Aide, PK & 2's Teacher: Kristie Waldron
My name is Kristie Waldron, and I am so excited to have joined Adam Lamb for the 24/25 school year. I have been involved in childcare and schooling almost my entire life- starting with being the oldest of 7 and many foster siblings, babysitting as a teenager, running my own in home childcare center, working on a mobile preschool gymnastics bus, homeschooling my children for a few years, working in the DPC Nursery, nannying, and lunch monitoring.
My husband of 27 years and I raised our 9 children in Pennsylvania, and after a very brief stint in Hawaii, moved to O Fallon in the summer of 2023. We found Adam Lamb's JK program while looking for a bridge from PreK to Kindergarten for our youngest, and the school and church touched my heart and made me feel so welcome I keep coming back even though my son has moved on to elementary school.
Watching young children grow and learn is a gift, and I thank all of you for entrusting me to do it.
2's Teacher: Rachelle Broadfield
Hi, my name is Rachelle Broadfield. I graduated from Truman State University with a B.S. in Justice Systems. I went to work in the social services area in Kansas City; first as a child advocate at a battered womens shelter, and then as a Relative Care Social Worker for the State of Mo.
My husband and I moved to St. Louis for his new career , and I took a job as an Interim DayCare Director for a local church. That turned into a 3 year position. I went on to decide that I needed to focus on my family for a while and became a stay at home mom.
I came to Adam Lamb about 6 years ago to work with the 2 year old class, and I have loved watching how quickly they learn and grow at this age.
My husband, Jon, and I have been married for 29 years and have 3 children. Our daughter, Ashley is 27. She is married and teaches High School Sciences. Brittany is 23 and is in her first year of teaching Middle School English. We got guardianship of our son, Diego, when he was 15 years old. He is now married, has a Phlebotomy certificate, and is attending Nursing School.
2's Teacher & Fun and Fitness Teacher: Samantha Schaeperkoetter
Hi, I am Samantha Schaeperkoetter, also known as Ms. Sam. I am one of the Two’s teachers and am also taking on the teaching role for Fun and Fitness this school year.
I went to Truman State University and majored in Business Marketing. I was fortunate to leave my corporate job to become a stay-at-home mom to my 3 sons, now 18, 15 and 13 for 15 years! They all 3 spent their preschool years at Adam Lamb. I am married to my college sweetheart Seth, and we just celebrated our 22nd anniversary.
I absolutely love spending my days with young kids and joining the Adam Lamb staff has been such a blessing to me! In my free time my family loves to golf, travel, hang out at the lake and participate in all things sports related! I’m really excited to be taking over the Fun and Fitness program this year and spending time with all the kiddos in our program!
Interested in learning more?
About Adam Lamb Preschool
Adam Lamb Preschool offers a Christian based early childhood educational program for children 2 - 5 years of age. We are conveniently located in the Dardenne Presbyterian Church in Dardenne Prairie, MO and serve the surrounding areas of New Melle, O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, and Winghaven. Adam Lamb Preschool has been part of these communities since 1987.
Copyright © 2012 Adam Lamb Preschool. All rights reserved.
