Lil’ Champs (Pre-School/Pre-K), Kinder and 1st Grade


Lil’ Champs


Wanda McDonnell (Director of Lil’ Champs)

WMcdonnell@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Gainesville, FL

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Krispy Kreme dougnuts

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: The Sound of Music

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Rubber stamping, watching football, and playing soccer.

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: A high-five, sunflowers, or kind words.



Shannon Williamson, Teacher

SWilliamson@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Decatur, IL

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Butter and Garlic pasta

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Last of the Mohicans

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Training Boxer Dogs & Antique shopping

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Hot chocolate in winter, Root beer soda in summer


Leilani Martinez, Assistant Teacher

LMartinez@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Phoenix, Arizona 

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Pasta (spaghetti)

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Big Hero 6

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Calligraphy, baking 

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Snacks (chocolate, chips, fruit, etc.), flowers, and something thoughtful. 


Madison Davison, Teacher

MDavison@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Tucson, AZ

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Pizza

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Now and Then

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Shopping

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Flowers, Starbucks, sour candy.


Savannah Gydesen, Teacher

SGydesen@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A:

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A:

Q: What is your favorite movie? A:

Q: What are your hobbies? A:

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A:


Alessandra Johnson, Teacher

AJohnson@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Santa Cruz, CA

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Burritos

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Robin Hood Men in Tights

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Reading, organizing, hiking, crafting

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Food, acts of kindness, something home made.


Jeanne Stewart, Aftercare Teacher

JStewart@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Long Island, New York

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Tacos

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Sweet Home Alabama

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Thrifting

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Starbucks, coffee ice cream, Milk Duds


Adilenne Gastelum, Assistant Teacher

AGastelum@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A:

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A:

Q: What is your favorite movie? A:

Q: What are your hobbies? A:

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A:



Kindergarten



Wendy Schofield, Teacher

WSchofield@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Mesa, AZ

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Sushi

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: The Lion King

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Scrapbook, craft things, painting my nails.

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: Amazon gift card, Starbucks gift card, candy (any kind).


Erika Johnson, Teacher

EJohnson@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: I was born in Tucson but I was raised in NJ, VA, CO, and I have lived in other western states and other countries.

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Like the Ninja Turtles, I could live on pizza but I prefer some variety and I love some Tom Yum Gai (vegetarian version!)

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: I love the original Muppet Movie and Joe vs the Volcano. 

Q: What are your hobbies? A: I garden, read, build, do fiber crafts, volunteer, and camp.

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: You could take me to the Botanical Gardens, dinner, and a massage-maybe a different order, I’m not picky!


Paige Gatewood, Teacher

PGatewood@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Searcy, AR

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Macaroni and cheese

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Labyrinth

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Jigsaw puzzles, exploring Tucson, and spending time with my fur babies.

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: A house plant, Reese’s peanut butter cups, or a new book for our classroom library!



1st Grade



Erin Kotel, Teacher

EKotel@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Tucson, AZ

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Chips and salsa

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: The Goonies

Q: What are your hobbies? A: BBQ with friends and family, watching movies or
reading a good book.

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: A caramel iced coffee, flowers, or a book for our classroom.


Michelle Bushey, Teacher

MBushey@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Tucson, AZ

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Chicken nachos with guacamole of course!

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: Stepbrothers/Grown Ups

Q: What are your hobbies? A: I enjoy anything family related! We like to go mini golfing, play the Nintendo Switch, watch movies and go hiking in Colorado where my daughter lives.  

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A:  A Dutch Bros iced vanilla oat milk chai, a hug, or chocolate (Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Twix.)


Laurel Budnik, Teacher

LBudnik@tcdschampions.com

Q: What is your home town? A: Tucson! 

Q: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A: Sausage and fennel Thanksgiving stuffing.

Q: What is your favorite movie? A: The Parent Trap

Q: What are your hobbies? A: Reading, yoga, and cooking!

Q: If you really wanted to make my day, you could surprise me with one of these three things: A: A book for our classroom library, dark chocolate, or a treat from “Dedicated” GF bakery!