Susan Ashton
Owner & Director, Sprout Academy Preschool LLC
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hannibal LaGrange University in Hannibal, MO. After teaching Kindergarten there for three years, my husband and I relocated to Columbia with our three young sons. I dedicated six years to being a stay-at-home mom as our family grew to six children. Following this, I co-owned and taught at Stepping Stones Preschool for two years, then owned and taught at ABC Kids Preschool for four years. In 2012, I co-founded Sprout Academy Preschool LLC, serving as director and teacher, and became sole owner in 2018. I am passionate about supporting young families and working with Columbia’s exceptional early childhood educators. My husband Scott and I live in Columbia with our youngest, now a high school sophomore. We are blessed with six children, two daughters-in-love, and three precious grandsons. In my free time, I enjoy reading historical fiction, walking, traveling, and spending time with my family.
Erin Wheeler
Director's Assistant, Sprout Academy Preschool LLC
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Personal Financial Planning and spent several years in the finance industry before transitioning into education. My journey with Sprout Academy began in 2018 as a co-teacher, followed by three years with CPS, and I am now thrilled to be back at Sprout for my third year as the Director’s Assistant. I am deeply committed to building meaningful connections with our students and their families. Outside of school, my husband and I stay busy with our two children, both proud Sprout alumni. As a family, we love hiking, cheering on our favorite football teams, and spending time together in the kitchen.
Sprout Academy Staff
Madelyn Ashton
I just finished my sophomore year in college studying Early Childhood Education. I’m currently an assistant volleyball coach for Hickman High School & exploring a career in floral design. This is my fourth year working at Sprout. I’m excited for my new role as special event coordinator, especially since Sprout is celebrate it’s 15th school year!
Special Events & Staff Assistant
26-27 Teaching Team
Our dedicated early childhood educators are passionate about nurturing both the hearts and minds of preschool children, fostering a foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Beth Geyer
Seeds 2-3 TeacherI hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Development and a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, both from MU, with an emphasis on Child Development. With over 36 years of experience in early childhood education, I have worked as a classroom teacher, college instructor, administrator, and trainer. I spent much of my career at MU, teaching in the Child Development Lab and leading practicum courses. Since retiring from MU, I’m thrilled to continue working with children and families in the Sprout community.Maryann charles
Seeds 2-3 AideAfter spending five years as a Sprout parent and seeing all of my children graduate from the program, I joined the Sprout staff team with Ms. Beth in Seeds 2-3. This is my 4th year in this role, and I am truly excited about the upcoming academic year. I look forward to supporting our youngest Sprouts and witnessing all the wonderful achievements they will make throughout the year.Sprout 3-4 TeacherKatie Bowles
This is my second year as the Sprout 3-4 teacher. I hold a Bachelor’s and master’s degree in elementary education, both from Mizzou. (Go Tigers!) Prior to having children, I taught 1st grade for several years in Columbia Public Schools. For the last 2 years I have been a volunteer teacher in our kids program at church for birth-3 year old's. My husband and I have 4 children. Our oldest 3 graduated from Sprout and our youngest is currently enrolled!Ashley Hicks
This is my second year working at Sprout & my first year teaching. I hold a degree in Secondary English Language Arts and love kids of all ages. My favorite age to teach, after all, is early Childhood. I have 11+ years of experience in the early childhood field. I started as a teacher at a local preschool. Then, I began nannying for families in their homes and finally in my own home alongside my own kids. My husband and I have 3 boys, one is a Sprout graduate and my 2 youngest are currently enrolled. I love connecting with and teaching young children, at Sprout, in my own family and my church.Pre-K 3 Day TeacherClara Bigelow
My name is Clara Bigelow. This Is my sixth year at Sprout! I am a Columbia native. I graduated from Stephens College with an early childhood and human development degree and a minor in dance and psychology. When not loving on your littles, I teach dance at Dancers’ Alley in Jefferson City, MO. My husband, Jacob and I have lived here for 14 years. We have three children, all Sprout graduates. We love our acres, animals, chickens and playing outside together.jess frazer
Pre-K 3 Day & 2 Day TeacherMy name is Jess Frazer and this is my 4th year working in the Pre-K 3 day class at Sprout. I was a Sprout parent for 8 years and all 3 of my boys are Sprout graduates. I have a master’s degree in K-12 Special Education from Truman State University and a masters in Autism from Mizzou. Before having children, I worked in Columbia Public Schools as a special education teacher at the secondary level, in a program that supported individuals on the autism spectrum.26-27 Sprout staff
Pre-K 5 Day TeacherLaura Peters
I am excited to begin my 11th year as a Pre-K teacher at Sprout! I have a degree in Elementary Education. I earned my Masters in Curriculum & Instruction, also from Mizzou, through the Fellows program. I taught kindergarten for six years in CPS before I had my first daughter. Both of my girls are Sprout graduates!Allison Neuerburg
Pre-K 5 Day AideMy name is Allison Neuerburg and this is my 11th year with the Sprout family as the PreK 5 Day classroom aide. I graduated from Columbia College and worked as a legal assistant in downtown Columbia for six years. I decided to be a stay-at-home mom when we had our three girls, all Sprout graduates!Sprout 3-4 Teacherjennie graham-henderson
This is my 11th year teaching at Sprout. I am a certified teacher in Elementary & Early Childhood Special Education. I’ve had various classrooms preschool-6th grade, but my passion is teaching the little ones. Prior to Sprout, I taught Preschool Special Education for 5 years, with a focus on Autism and Emotional Disorder. On the home front, I have a techie husband and two daughters, 15 and 20.Seeds 2-3 TeacherKelli Thomas
My name is Kelli Thomas and this is my 12th year teaching at Sprout in the 2-3s classroom. I hold a degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia in Human Development and Family Studies, with an emphasis in child life therapy. I have worked in many early learning classrooms in Missouri and Colorado. My husband and I have three children ages 23, 21, and 16, plus two dogs and a cat. We love animals and have spent many years fostering for the Central Missouri Humane Society. In my spare time, I love to read and listen to podcasts.Liz Horn
Seeds 2-3 Co-TeacherJune kelty
Sprout 3-4 AideI have a degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. I taught preschool throughout college and later taught elementary school (K–3) for three years before staying home with our two boys. My husband and I are both Moberly natives, but we moved to Columbia after college and have loved raising our family here. We spend a lot of time exploring the many trails and parks around Columbia with our boys. Both of them will be enrolled at Sprout this year, which makes this year even more special for our family.Sprout 3-4 AideAlaina downing
Seeds 2-3 Team
Sprout 3-4 Team
Pre-k Team
This is my third year at Sprout. I have a degree in Human development and Family studies- emphasis in Child Development in Education from MU. I’ve been married to my husband for 21 years and we have 5 kids! 2 of my kids are Sprout graduates and our youngest is currently enrolled. We like traveling, hiking, playing games, adventure races, movie nights, roadtrips, and time with our family and friends. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work at Sprout-it’s truly the best. I’m looking forward to helping little minds grow and develop in a school setting. I can’t wait to meet all my new friends this year!This is my third year working as a classroom aide at Sprout! I have a bachelor's degree from Missouri State in Child and Family Development. I have worked in early childhood in various positions for the past 15 years. Before working at Sprout, I was at home for 5 years with my 2 children. My son is a Sprout graduate and my daughter is in Prek this year.Jennifer Flock
Sprout 3-4 AideThis is my first year working at Sprout! I earned my undergraduate in early childhood education from Mizzou. I also have a master's degree in special education. I taught third grade in Hallsville for a couple of years before I became a stay-at-home mom to our two children. Our oldest is a Sprout grad and our youngest is a current student. I have a few years teaching preschool as well! Something I absolutely love about the pre-school age is how much I get to connect with the students AND their families. It really does take a village to raise our kiddos!Allison Zeller
Sprout 3-4 AideThis is my first year as a Sprout parent and working in the classroom! My degree is in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I graduated with my Bachelors Degree from Missouri State University. I later earned my Master of Arts in Teaching from Columbia College. I taught FACS at Boonville High School, including Child Development, for seven years before deciding to become a stay at home mom. I then ventured back into education, this time in the role of Parents as Teachers Coordinator for our school district.I am so excited to join the Sprout team this year as the Pre-K 2 Day & 3 Day aide. My family has been part of the Sprout family for the past couple of years. I have an Associate in Arts. When I am not at Sprout, I am very involved in the children’s ministry and music ministry at the church that I attend with my family. I am also the Children’s Choir director at our Church.Pre-K 2 Day & 3 Day AideElizabeth Brinegar
Pre-K 3 Day AideGina Sandwith
Pre-K 5 Day AideI have been a part of Sprout for the past 13 years as a classroom teacher, aide and subbing. My husband and I moved to Columbia 14 years ago from Marshall, MO. We have two married daughters and are the proud grandparents of our five- year-old granddaughter.