ABC Teachers

Karen Wind, Lead Teacher M/W/F, Living Waters

Karen Wind has worked at ABC Preschool since 1999. She currently teaches the Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes at the Living Waters preschool location. She has been teaching or directing preschool for over 30 years and continues to love working with young children and their families!

Karen has a bachelor of arts degree in education from Arizona State University and has done her master’s degree work at the University of St. Thomas. Karen continues to take classes in the field of early childhood education.

Karen and her family live on Coon Lake in East Bethel, MN. Her hobbies include gardening, scrapbooking, reading, and traveling.

Kelli Krause, Lead Teacher, St. Joe’s

Kelli began working at the preschool in 1997 after her boy/girl twins started first grade. She received her Child Development Associate Certification (CDA) through the National Council For Professional Recognition in 2001. It is her belief that her job is to provide an environment of security, an atmosphere of loving acceptance, and an opportunity for each student to grow and learn that is unique to them. Kelli enjoys the challenge of making school fun while helping each child realize self-confidence and independence. She loves her job at ABC Preschool!

Hilary Handahl, Director and T/Th Assistant Teacher, Living Waters

Hilary Handahl is the Director at ABC Preschool, as well as an Assistant Teacher at the Living Waters Location. Hilary has a degree in Business Management with a Minor in Administration from MSU, Mankato. Hilary was a stay at home mom of three boys, who also attended ABC Preschool, before joining the ABC team herself, and before that worked at Wells Fargo Bank. Hilary lives in Centerville with her boys, husband, and dog. Hilary loves spending time outside, swimming, going for bike rides, watching the Vikings, playing any sports her boys choose, and eating corn on the cob!

Karen DeBlieck, Assistant Teacher, St. Joe’s

Karen started teaching at ABC Preschool in 2013. She absolutely loves working alongside Kelli (Mrs. Krause) in all of the St. Joe's classes and truly loves her job. She has plenty of previous experience working with children as a former Sunday School Director, Youth Group leader, Girl Scout leader, sports team parent, and school volunteer just to name a few.  Karen and her husband, Joe, have been married for 30 years. They have four children, Joe Jr., Brogan, Tatum, and Trevor (three of them are former ABC students). In her spare time, she enjoys having coffee with a friend, a great book, bible studies, knitting, musicals, vacations, and most of all, spending quality time with her hubby and kids.

Hannah Paddock, Lead Teacher T/Th, Living Waters

Hannah Paddock has been part of the ABC community as a parent since 2015 and is excited to be teaching the Tuesday/Thursday class at Living Waters. She loves working with children and helping them learn and grow. Before staying home with her boys, Hannah taught kindergarten and first grade for five years. She has a bachelor of science degree in education from the University of Northwestern. Hannah lives in Lino Lakes with her husband, Heath, and her three sons. She loves learning, spending time outside, going for long walks, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

Kelly Thurmes, Teacher M/W/F, Living Waters

Kelly Thurmes first joined ABC Preschool when her kids were young and is excited and thankful to join the ABC Preschool team and to have the opportunity to spend time with children as they learn, play, and grow through these special years. Kelly has been an active volunteer in the community for the last 18 years, and has also served as the Elementary School Faith Formation Director for 10 years at a local church, a substitute/guest teacher in the Centennial School District, and Community Education instructor preschool and elementary school-aged youth and their families. Kelly has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She and her husband, Ed, live in Lino Lakes and have two daughters. Kelly enjoys spending time outdoors during the summer months, volunteering, crafting, holidays and outings with family and friends, and going on vacation.