In 1979, Mrs. Meyer graduated with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. She taught at Trinity Lutheran School in Jamesville, Minnesota from 1979 through 1981. During her first year, she taught a combination 1st and 2nd grade class. The following year she started the Early Childhood Program at Trinity.
In 1981 Mrs. Meyer began teaching at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Dallas. She was their Early Childhood Educator and taught there for four years. In 1985 she took a break from full time teaching to be home with her family. She did “keep her foot in the door” as a substitute teacher and leader for teachers' workshops. In 1991 she returned to Holy Cross and taught part time for two years while writing and creating supplemental teaching materials.
Mrs. Meyer came to Prince of Peace in 1994 bringing a nurturing, experiential style to the classroom. She feels that building relationships is a key factor in the learning process and that a Christian atmosphere allows those relationships to develop. While at Prince of Peace, Mrs. Meyer continued her education by receiving training from the Gesell Institute.
Mrs. Meyer is married and has two sons, both in college. Mrs. Meyer and her family are members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and she enjoys singing with the music ministry.
Mrs. Porter has taught preschool for the past ten years. After attending Greenhill she majored in Art major at Southern Methodist University. Mrs. Porter believes that we are to use our God-given talents and her classroom is a testimony to that statement, where children are encouraged to be active rather than passive learners. Through creativity in play, children are growing and learning under God’s watchful eyes.
Mrs. Porter and her husband Richard have one daughter at Prince of Peace, and a son who graduated from Prince of Peace. They are members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and are very active in their small Bible study group, Careciples. She also sings with a praise and worship team at Prince of Peace. She states, “It has been a blessing to have my family, my church and my school at Prince of Peace.”
Mrs. Taylor was born and raised in Illinois in a family of seven children where everyone learned very quickly to help and care for others. She has lived in Carrollton for 31 years, and is in her 27th year of teaching preschoolers at Prince of Peace. Mrs. Taylor completed Gesell Institute training in 1996 to strengthen her understanding of child development and school readiness. She has been administering the Gesell Developmental Assessment to prospective kindergarten students at POPCS for over 11 years. She has witnessed many changes and growth during her career and considers Prince of Peace school and church to be a great outreach ministry to the entire family.
Mrs. Taylor enjoys the concept of hands-on learning in the classroom, enabling the children to grow independently and at their own pace, but at the same time helping them learn to work together as a group. She believes in hugs and lots of praise to set an example of caring for others and positive reinforcement. Mrs. Taylor and her husband Ron have two married children and one grandson. They attend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Originally from Illinois, Mrs. Carlove has called Texas home for over fifteen years. Together with her husband, Patrick Carlove, the Middle School Principal, they are raising three wonderful daughters ages 12, 10 and 6 years, all attending Prince of Peace Christian School. Kara is a graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin.
As a Prince of Peace faculty member, Mrs. Carlove has had the opportunity to support teachers, administrators and students, but is looking forward to returning to her first love, teaching preschool. She feels so blessed to be able to teach in a Christian school. Kara believes that “growing” is what preschool is all about. “I believe that God has called me to help children grow…in their love for the Lord, in their love for others, and in their love for learning.” She incorporates art and literature with fun, hands-on activities as part of her classroom environment. She believes that learning through play is most effective for little ones and that learning to play together is essential. “We will learn to be good friends, as we learn about our best friend, Jesus.”
Mrs. Carlove and her family are members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and enjoy being a part of the Prince of Peace family.
Although Megan Cleland is a new Preschool teacher, she is not new to the Prince of Peace family. Megan attended preschool, elementary, and middle school at Prince of Peace Christian School. At the time, Prince of Peace did not have a high school program, so she attended American Heritage Christian for high school. She is so pleased now to play a role educating others at Prince of Peace Christian School, coming full circle. Ms. Cleland attended Texas A & M University and pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. While going to college she began working with children. It was then that she discovered her love for this profession and her desire to make a difference in young children’s lives. She is also currently part of the valued staff of our ESS program and is very excited about her new challenge as a member of the Preschool team. She believes that children learn best by doing and therefore incorporates many hands-on opportunities throughout the structured school day.
Kara Carlove
Megan Cleland