Executive Director

Jill Bartlett, Executive Director, has worked at Northland Early Education Center since July 2002. She attended college at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa as well as William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, where she graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. She came to NEEC with 15 years experience in accounting and business management. She is a proud long term Northland resident and currently lives in Kearney, MO, along with her beautiful daughter, Chase, adorable son, Parker and husband, Thad as well as our dog Sage.

As executive director, Jill is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization, including managing committees and staff as well as developing strategic plans in collaboration with the board of directors for the future of the organization.

Program Director

Brea Nichols, Program Director since 2007, is a familiar face at the school. She began her career at NEEC in 2000 working as an assistant teacher in the Blue Room for over three years and as lead teacher in the Brown room for three years after that. Brea was born and raised in Dennison, Iowa.  She comes from a very large family with three biological brothers, two adopted brothers and two foster sisters. She moved to Kansas City in 2000 and earned her B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in child development and education from Park University. She is currently pursuing her M.Ed. in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.  In her spare time Brea enjoys spending time with her son, Tanner, cheering for ISU and running

As Program Director, Brea ensures that all services are meeting accreditation and licensing standards and that families are satisfied with the quality of services they are receiving from NEEC.

Development Director

Andrea McKown graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. Before joining the staff at the Northland Early Education Center, she spent the last eight years working in special events management, marketing, and fundraising for the non-profit sector, including the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the Southwest Missouri Office on Aging. During her time as Marketing Director for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Andrea planned and managed all marketing and public relations efforts and generated major sponsorships for over 40 children's charities during the annual PGA Nationwide Tour Price Cutter Charity Championship. Andrea, born in Trenton, Mo, has spent the last 12 years in Springfield, Mo and recently relocated to the Northland area, where she resides with her husband Nate and beautiful daughter, Gabrielle (aka Gabby), as well as her adorable dog, Barley.

As Development Director, Andrea is in charge of securing funding for the school through grants, annual fundraisers and annual giving. In addition, she'll be raising awareness of the wonderful early education and therapy services provided by Northland Early Education Center.

Office Manager

Cindy Nekuda has been NEEC’s Office Manager since May 1991. Cindy has two sons Allan and Kevin.

Office Assistant

Dawn Henry has been NEEC’s Office Assistant since June 2005

Whitney Mammoliti- Purple Room
Infant Room

My name is Whitney Mammoliti and I am the lead teacher in the Purple Pollywogs Infant room. I moved to the Kansas City area in May of 2012 and started as an assistant teacher in the Red Ladybugs One-Year-Old room before taking over as the lead teacher in the purple room in August 2012. I absolutely love spending my days with the infants and enjoy watching them grow and learn new things! I graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Studies and Human Services. I am married to my wonderful husband Kirk, and we have one very spoiled Olde English Bulldog named Bentley and a very playful kitten named Juanita.

Paula Morrow- Pink Room
Infant Room

Hi, my name is Paula Morrow. I have worked for NEEC since 1992, all of which has been in the Infant department, though my association with the school began 1 ½ years earlier as a parent when my youngest son began receiving therapy services. I graduated from Kansas City Board of Education Program of Practical Nursing in 1984.

Amy Croghan- Red Room
1 year old room

My name is Amy Croghan, and I started working at NEEC in April 2006. I have my bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas and love to incorporate music into our lesson plans and daily tasks. I am married and have a son with special needs. I enjoy working with young children and watching them absorb all the information around them.

Caroline Brawner- Green Room
1 year old room

Hi, my name is Caroline Brawner. I am the lead teacher in the Green Room. I have been working at NEEC since February of 2012. I started as an assistant in the Purple Room and then moved to the Green Room in March 2012. I have a BS in Elementary Education from Buena Vista University. Most of teaching experience has been in elementary classrooms but I have loved working with the children here at NEEC. I get to play with toddlers all day long and help them learn new skills at the same time. I was born and raised in Kirksville, Missouri. I come from a great big family with 2 wonderful parents, 6 sisters, 1 brother, 4 brothers-in-law, 1 sister-in-law and 16 nieces and nephews. I got to marry my high school sweetheart, Jared, this past New Year's Eve (2011). We currently live in the Liberty area. We are really enjoying Kansas City and everything that it has to offer.

Natasha Palmer-Brown Room
2 year old room

I am Natasha Palmer and I have worked at NEEC since February of 2004. I have my BA in Middle School Education; English and Speech. I worked as the lead teacher in the Green Room then looped with a group of children to the Yellow Room. From there I looped again with the same group of children to the Blue Room. When those children were ready for kindergarten I decided to return to the 2 year old classroom and began in the Brown Room in January of 2009. I enjoy the energy and hunger for learning of the 2 year olds.

Jaimie Taylor –Yellow Room
2 year old room

Hello!  I have had an ongoing relationship with NEEC since it was The Lighthouse Pre-School.  I really like it here!  I graduated from Park University with a BA in Education Studies-Elementary (2007) and obtained MO teaching licensure in 2010.  After college I taught English in Busan, S. Korea for one year before I returned to NEEC.  Between the years of 1998 and 2007 I worked at The Children’s Place Agency, Community Living Opportunities, and Gillis Home for Boys.
My passion for people with special needs began in high school.  Through Repertory Theatre I worked with students in the Developmental Center writing and acting out plays.  Those experiences shaped the rest of my life.

Niki Monteil- Blue Room
3-5 year old room

Hi my name is Niki Monteil and I am the lead teacher in the Green Room.  I grew up in Columbus, KS and now live in Platte City, MO.  I have lived in the Kansas City area for about four years. I graduated from Park University in May 2011 with my Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education: Birth through Grade 3.  Also in May, I got married to my husband, Brian. We have a two-year-old Chihuahua named Izzy and a five-month-old Labrador named Jade.  I have one older brother and two wonderful nieces. I absolutely love working with children and I am excited that I got to begin my career in August 2011 with Northland Early Education Center as an educator.  I have worked in early childhood education for a little over a year, but have had much experience during my field work as a student at Park University and through student teaching.  My hours are 6:30 am – 3:00 pm Monday – Friday.  Feel free to visit the Green Room anytime!

Orange Room
3-5 year old room

Sarah Bruce-Gold Room
Before & After School Program

My name is Sarah Bruce, my husband and I have two beautiful children, Mariah (12) and Isaiah (3). I have worked for this great school for almost 14 years. For the past 3 years, I have been the lead teacher in the Gold room, before that I was the lead teacher in the Orange room for five years. I am currently taking classes to obtain my AAT (Associate in Arts Teaching) degree. After I obtain my degree, I plan to attend Park University to obtain my teaching certificate. I have truly enjoyed spending time with every child that has come and gone over the past thirteen years.

Occupational Therapist

Karen Weseloh is NEEC’s Occupational Therapist. She received her degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Kansas. Karen has been working with children at NEEC for over twenty years. She keeps active with her husband and two college-aged sons.

Physical Therapist

My name is Abby Williams and I am a physical therapist at NEEC. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Applied Health Sciences from Wheaton College and my Doctorate in Physical in Physical Therapy from Wichita State University. I began working at NEEC in June of 2011 and love coming to work to play with kids every day. My family so far is myself, my husband, and one big spoiled dog!

Speech & Language Pathologist

Tina Kemp is one of NEEC’s Speech and Language Pathologist. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University and her Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University. Tina has been providing speech and language pathology for NEEC kids since April 2008. She lives in Parkville with her husband and their two sons.

Special Instructor

Shannon Crim is NEEC’s Special Instructor. She received her Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Park College. Shannon has been with NEEC since 1999, first as the Program Director and now as the Special Instructor. She lives in Weatherby Lake with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Evan and Luka, both of whom attend NEEC.