Meet Our Teachers
At Ward Parkway preschool, we believe that you, the parents, are the most valuable resource in your child’s development, and we are excited to partner with you in this journey.
Ward Parkway Preschool teachers are caring, qualified, and dedicated to helping foster your child’s love of learning and most have been with our school for over 10 years. Our staff members hold degrees in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field with enough early childhood college-level hours to qualify them through Missouri Accreditation.
Our teachers are trained in CPR, First Aid, and attend 10-12 hours of Early Childhood inservice each year. We look forward to meeting you in person.
Kim Manford
Kim Manford has been a Director at Ward Parkway Preschool for 24 years. Kim attended the University of Kansas where she received her degrees in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Special Education. Kim was born and raised in the NW suburbs of Chicago where she developed her love for Lake Michigan but settled in the KC area after marrying her husband, Jeff 32 years ago. They have 2 grown children, Jacob (29) & Shelby (27) (married to James). Kim loves her new role as “Lolli” with the arrival of her first grandson, Judah born August 2023 and a new granddaughter arriving November 2025. In her spare time, Kim enjoys traveling anywhere coastal and 70°, organizing closets and baking. One of Kim’s favorite things about her role at WPP is walking alongside parents as they love and lead their children.
Amanda Bartel
Amanda Bartel currently serves as a Director at Ward Parkway Preschool. For 7 years, she was a teacher in our Preschool 1 class and during the 2021-2022 school year Amanda transitioned to her new role. She has an Elementary Education Degree from Tabor College. Amanda and her husband, Paul have been married for 22 years. They have 4 children, Micah (18), Silas (16), Salem (13), and Norah (11), all of whom attended WPP. Together they enjoy cooking and discovering new recipes. Amanda also enjoys yoga, walking, and reading. She loves helping children feel safe and loved during their first experiences at school.
Rachel Dold
Rachel Dold is one of our teachers for our Preschool 1 class. She has been at Ward Parkway Preschool for 11 years. Rachel attended Truman State University and received her Health Education degree. Rachel and her husband, Chris have two children, Caroline (21, & attends Oberlin College in Ohio), and Henry (18) who is a senior at RHS. In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, photography, and spending time at the lake.
Karen York
Karen York has been at Ward Parkway Preschool for 46 years!! She has taught in all age levels, but currently teaches in our Preschool 2 classroom. She attended Tabor College and has also taken several early childhood classes through Johnson County Community College. She has been married to her husband, Bryce for 60 years and has two grown children and three grandchildren. In her spare time, Karen enjoys traveling to Colorado, book club, and laughing with her sisters.
Saushan Kaplowitz
This is Saushan’s 5th year as a permanent teacher at Ward Parkway Preschool. For several years, she helped out as a substitute teacher in various classrooms. Saushan studied Early Childhood Education at Northwood University in Texas. She has been married to her husband, Craig for 17 years and they have 3 children…Kendan is 15, Damien is 13 and Pepper is 9. (All of their children attended Ward Parkway Preschool!) In her free time, Saushan enjoys playing board games, card games and yoga.
Karen Lang
Karen Lang taught in our Preschool 2 classroom for 6 years and this is her 6th year teaching Pre-K. She has a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Webster University in St. Louis. Karen has been married to her husband, Jim for 25 years and they have 2 children, Grace (25) and Claire (23). In her spare time, Karen enjoys hiking, cooking and reading.
Katie French
This is Katie’s 7th year working at Ward Parkway Preschool! Katie has taught in both the Gold Room and also Pre-K in the Yellow Room. Katie has her Elementary Education degree from Tulsa University. Katie and her husband Garrett have 4 children, Caroline (17), Zachary (16), Kate (13) and Tyler (10). In her free time, Katie likes to cook, play tennis and watch her kids play sports.
Jennifer Lukens
Jennifer has been an amazing part of our staff for 20 years. She took a short break when she moved to Utah for her husband’s job, but now that they are back in KC, we are thrilled to have her rejoin our staff! Jennifer works in our Preschool 1 class with our littlest friends! She graduated from Indiana University and also took some additional college classes in Early Childhood Education from JCCC. Jennifer has been married to Charles for 31 years and they have twin daughters Allie and Gabbie who are 29. Jennifer is looking forward to welcoming their first grandchild in January! In her spare time, they enjoy time at the lake, spending time with their 3 Cavalier King Charles pups,
Susan Reboulet
Susan has taught at Ward Parkway Preschool for 19 years. She has spent many years teaching Pre-K, but this is her 5th year teaching Preschool 2 in the Green Room. Susan has her Early Childhood Education degree from The University of Missouri. Susan and her husband, John have been married for 31 years and have 5 children. Emily is 29, Claire is 27, Peter is 25, and Will is 23, Susan is also loving her new role as grandma with the addition of 2 new grand babies. In her spare time, Susan enjoys running, reading and organizing.
Molly Salinardi
This is Molly’s 5th year teaching at Ward Parkway Preschool! In the past Molly has taught Pre-K but is currently teaching Preschool 2. Molly graduated from University of Missouri with her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education. Molly and her husband, Jason have 3 daughters…Anna who is a junior at St. Theresa’s, and Maria and Sara who attend Cure of Ars. In her spare time, Molly loves to read, cook and play games.
Leslie Small
Leslie has taught Pre-K at Ward Parkway Preschool for 7 years. She is married to her wonderful husband, Brian, and together they have two grown sons, two daughters-in-law, and four amazing grandchildren. She loves reading, and cherishing quality time with her family. Originally from St. Louis, she has called Kansas City home for the past 23 years. Leslie graduated from Florissant Valley College in St. Louis with a degree in Special Education. Leslie’s mission as a teacher is to help children fall in love with learning and spark their curiosity in ways that stay with them for life.
Robyn Palmer
Robyn Palmer is beginning her 2nd year teaching Pre-K in the Blue Room. After attending KU, Robyn taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for 14 years before being blessed to stay at home full time with her own children. She has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 28 years and they have a son Wyatt (27) and a daughter Merritt (21). In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and Pilates.
Ashley Gorden
This is Ashley Gorden’s 1st year teaching P.E. at Ward Parkway! She lives in Brookside with her husband Will, and two children, Foxx and Poppy (WPP graduate), both of which are attending Visitation this upcoming school year. Ashley studied Art at KU, and always loves to explore new museums when traveling. Once Ashley and her husband returned home from living abroad in China, she decided to take a turn in her career. Until the birth of my youngest, I worked for the Shawnee Mission School District, and then decided that the most rewarding place for her would be at home with her kids. The last couple of years she has had the pleasure of being a substitute teacher for not only Ward Parkway, but also St.Peter’s. Ashley is excited to start this new adventure at Ward Parkway!
Nicole Johnson
This is Nicole Johnson’s first year teaching P.E. at Ward Parkway! She lives in old Leawood with her husband, their three amazing girls (5 year old twins and a 4 year old), and their sweet dog, Birdie. Nicole is originally from Lawrence (Rock Chalk!), and after college, she spent some time living in Seattle before returning to Kansas. She worked in corporate America for about 10 years before making a rewarding shift into education. Nicole taught second and third grade in downtown Kansas City and absolutely loved being in the classroom. After starting their family, she took time off to be home with their girls, which has been such a special chapter. Nicole can’t wait to partner with staff and parents to focus of gross motor skills and physical development.