Staff Directory
Parents as Teachers Staff
- Chief of Early Childhood Education/Sustainability
- Interim Supervisor
- Administrative Support
- Parent Educators
Chief of Early Childhood Education/Sustainability
Interim Supervisor
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
Administrative Support
Chris Judd
Chris Judd has been the secretary for Shawnee Mission Parents as Teachers for the past 16 years. Prior to that, Chris was a parent educator from 2005 through 2008. She earned a Liberal Arts Degree from Johnson County Community College and continued her education through Kansas University. She lives in Shawnee with her husband (Joey) and daughter (Hannah) who has continued her studies through University of Kansas Medical Center.
(913) 993-9380
Parent Educators
Parent Educators
- Amanda Wondra-Appl
- Mary Chris Blickhan
- Erin Flint
- Kristin Fulghum
- Carrie McAtee
- Lauren Rentschler
- Suzanne Sawalich
- Laura Starr
- Jennifer Wonderly
Amanda Wondra-Appl
Mary Chris Blickhan
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
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
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 2nd grade, 4th 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
Carrie McAtee
Carrie McAtee has been a parent educator for 13 years. She was also a classroom teacher for 10 years. She has a master's degree in school administration. Carrie loves working with young families helping them to feel confident and be the best first teacher for their children.
carriemcatee@smsd.org
(913) 993-9380
Lauren Rentschler
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. Lauren and her husband enjoy spending time with their two sons traveling, hiking, and eating at new restaurants.
(913)993-9380
Suzanne Sawalich
Suzanne Sawalich is proud to be a parent educator for the Shawnee Mission School District. She is from a small town in western Kansas. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Fort Hays State University, and a Master’s in Elementary Counseling from the University of Kansas. Suzanne taught third and fifth grade for 10 years before becoming a parent educator in 2006. She loves working with families and making a positive difference in their lives.
suzannesawalich@smsd.org
(913) 993-9380
Laura Starr
Jennifer Wonderly
Jennifer Wonderly has been a parent educator with the Shawnee Mission School District since 2007. Jennifer loves providing support, education and helping empower 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's of Science in Family Therapy from Friends University. Jennifer lives in Prairie Village, is a wife to Sean and a busy mother to two sons, Alex and Sam, and a terrier named Wally.
jenniferwonderly@smsd.org
(913) 993-9380