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 freshman. We are blessed with six children, two daughters-in-love, and three grandsons. In my free time, I enjoy historical fiction, walking, traveling, and 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 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
Beth Geyer
Seeds 2-3 Teacher
My name is Beth Greyer and this is my 3rd year teaching at Sprout in the 2-3s classroom. I 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 in Child Development. With over 36 years of experience in early childhood education, I have worked as a classroom teacher, a 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. In my free time, I enjoy reading, walking, baking, and relaxing with my cats.
Maryann charles
Seeds 2-3 Aide
My name is Maryann Charles and this is my 4th year at Sprout. I live in Columbia with my husband and our three children. After spending five years as a Sprout parent and seeing all of my children graduate from the program, I was excited to join the Sprout staff team as an aide in the Seeds 2-3 room.
Seeds 2-3
Katie Bowles
I’m Katie Bowles and this is my first year teaching at Sprout. I was a substitute teacher/aide for Sprout last year and had so much fun. I have 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
Seeds 2-3
I'm Ashely Hicks and I'm so excited to be joining Ms. Katie this year in Sprouts 3-4. I have 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 alongside my own kids. My husband and I have 3 boys, our oldest graduated from Sprout and the younger 2 are currently enrolled.
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 alongside my own kids. My husband and I have 3 boys, our oldest graduated from Sprout and the younger 2 are currently enrolled.
Pre-K 3 Day Teacher
Clara 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 Aide
My 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.
25-26 Sprout staff
Pre-K 5 Day Teacher
Laura Peters
My name is Laura Peters. I grew up in Overland Park, Kansas, but crossed the state line to attend the University of Missouri. There, I met my husband, Nathan. We graduated, and decided we loved Columbia too much to leave! After getting my 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! This is my tenth year teaching Pre-K at Sprout, and my fourth in the Pre-K 5 Day class.
Allison Neuerburg
Pre-K 5 Day Aide
My 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 Teacher
jennie graham-henderson
My Name is Jennie Graham-Henderson. I am a certified teacher in Elementary Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education. This is my 10th year teaching at Sprout. 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, 14 and 19.
Renee Drage
Sprout 3-4 Aide
My name is Ms. Renee. I am the aide in Sprout 3-4 with Ms. Jennie M-F. I am so excited to be here! This is my third year at Sprout. I have degree in Disability Studies and absolutely love working with kids. My husband is a college pastor working with Mizzou students. We have two boys, ages 5 and 3. It's been a joy to stay at home with them but I knew I wanted to teach other kids too, so here we are! I can't wait to watch your kids grow as the year goes on.
Seeds 2-3 Teacher
Kelli Thomas
My name is Kelli Thomas and this is my 11th 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.
Kayleigh Hilsabeck
Seeds 2-3 Aide
My name is Kaleigh Hilsabeck and I am excited to be working in Seeds 2-3 MWF with Ms. Kelli this year. I have been a Certified Child Life Specialist since I graduated from MSU in 2013 and previously worked on the Pediatric floor in Springfield, MO. I have been a stay at home mom the last 3 years with my boys. My family moved to Columbia 3 years ago and my oldest graduated PreK from Sprout last Spring. My husband and I have 2 boys, ages 5 and 2.
My name is Jennifer Flock and this is my 3rd year as a Sprout aide. 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 Aide
I’m Liz Horn and this is my 3rd year at Sprout. My main career for the last 17 years has been being a stay at home mom to my 5 kids! I have a degree in Human development and Family studies- emphasis in Child Development in Education from MU.
Sprout 3-4
Liz Horn
Seeds 2-3
Sprout 3-4
Pre-k
My name is Madelyn Ashton. I am a sophomore in college at MACC studying Early Childhood Education. This Is my second year working at Sprout with Ms. Kelli. I am also excited to be working as preschool director apprentice this school year. I love traveling, the outdoors, playing volleyball, babysitting and spending time with family and friends.
Madelyn Ashton
Seeds 2-3 Aide