Staff Directory

 amandawondra-appl@smsd.org 
 (913)993-9380

 Mary Chris Blickhan has been a parent educator with   the Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers program for 6   years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from UMKC in   Sociology and Administration of Justice, as well as   a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of   Kansas. Mary Chris has spent the majority of her career   working with children and families in various situations.   She especially loves working with families through   Parents as Teachers, supporting families during the fun   and important early years of their children’s lives! She and   her partner have a son in college and a son in high school   and two huge, wild dogs!  
 
 marychrisblickhan@smsd.org
 (913) 993-9380                             

 Erin Flint is a passionate parent educator with 17 years of   experience in early childhood education, including 6 years   in preschool and 11 years in kindergarten in the Shawnee   Mission School District. She holds a bachelor's degree from   the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in   Curriculum and Instruction from Emporia State University.   As a mother of three, Erin brings both professional expertise   and personal experience to her role, offering valuable   support to new parents navigating the early stages of their   children's development.

 erinflint@smsd.org 
 (913)993-9380

 Kristin Fulghum loves working as a parent educator and   serving families in the Shawnee Mission School District.   She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from   Texas A&M University and taught 2^nd grade, 4^th grade,   and preschool before joining the Parents As   Teachers   team. Kristin and her husband have three school-aged   daughters and an ornery but well-loved boxer (Hank).

 kristinfulghum@smsd.org

Lauren graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas with a Master's in Business Performance Improvement. Her career has focused primarily on mental health, behavior management, parent support, and teaching both in a classroom setting and home environment. Lauren is passionate about early childhood development and ensuring all students are provided with a unique curriculum that meets their individual needs

laurenrentschler@smsd.org
                                                                   (913)993-9380

 Suzanne Sawalich is a devoted educator with   the Shawnee Mission School District Parents as Teachers program. With ten years of classroom teaching behind her and nearly two decades as a Parent Educator - she loves partnering with families to make a positive difference in the lives of young children. Suzanne holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Elementary School Counseling. Suzanne is also a parent of three children - all who graduated from the Shawnee Mission School District.

 suzannesawalich@smsd.org
 (913) 993-9380        
 

Jen graduated from Southern Methodist University, obtained her master's in Curriculum and Instruction from UMKC, and went on to get her Specialist degree in Reading at Arkansas State University. She brings 12 years of early childhood experience in the classroom teaching kindergarten and six years supporting families through home visits. Jen is passionate about foundational literacy, providing individualized and custom plans that meet the needs of the caregiver/child and fostering life long relationships with families. Outside of work, Jen enjoys time with friends and family, including her 10 nieces and nephews, cooking, travel, trips to HomeGoods and jazzercise.

jenniferwestlake@smsd.org                                                       913-993-2610

 Laura began as a Parent Educator in 2024. She has a   Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from   UMKC   and a Master's degree in Library Science from   MU.  

 laurastarr@smsd.org

Jennifer Wonderly has been a Parent Educator with the Shawnee Mission School District since 2007, the same year she became a mom!

Jennifer loves providing support, education, and empowering young families as they navigate parenting. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Life from the University of Kansas. She also received a Master of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University. Jennifer lives in Prairie Village with her husband Sean, two sons Alex and Sam and her dog Milo.
    
 jenniferwonderly@smsd.org  
 (913) 993-9380

Kari brings over 20 years of experience working with young children and their families. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri–Columbia and her master’s in Counseling and Guidance from UMKC. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Kansas and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri, Kari loves partnering with families in their natural environments and helping them navigate the early childhood years. She and her husband live in Prairie Village and have three children — two in college and one in high school.

karileatherwood@smsd.org