At School of Enrichment, we are fortunate to have a group of amazing educators who not only bestow their considerable knowledge onto their students, but also every day show deep compassion, caring and enthusiasm for each and every single one of the children in their care.
Katie Brandow, LCSW
Founder
Katie has been involved with School of Enrichment since it opened its doors in 2007. Born and raised in Oregon, she has lived in Bend since age 19. She is mom to two daughters and genuinely believes that early childhood experiences in a supportive environment teaches socialization, problem solving and coping skills that create equipped children and eventually adults who are ready to take on the world productively, healthfully and positively.
Katie spent 13 years working in the non-profit mental health sector working with families in youth advocacy, child protection, family preservation and reunification services and medical social work. Katie is fascinated by brain development, developmental stages and the social emotional development of children. Katie is passionate about supporting parents in finding trusted care with enriching experiences so that parents can maintain a healthy life balance find peace knowing their children are in our loving care. Katie has facilitated Early Words, Darkness to Light, evidence based parenting education programs for the Family Resource Center and The Commission on Children and Families. Katie worked throughout Central Oregon with teen girls in mentoring programs as well as providing community trainings on implementing parenting techniques and behavior rehabiltation services.
Katie attended the University of Oregon where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Science with an emphasis in Sociology and later received her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. In 2007, Katie and the surrounding community recognized the need for a quality and enriching early childhood program in Bend. After several months of planning with learning specialists, researchers, social workers and early childhood education professionals, they opened the doors to an excited community of parents who were equally eager to have their child participate.
Katie coordinates admissions and operations, ensures the philosophy is adhered to and that the program continues to grow and evolve with our community. She gratefully acknowledges the contribution of community partners who have brought invaluable insight, professional advice, and generosity in spirit that helped shape School of Enrichment’s foundational years.
In addition to leading the School of Enrichment, Katie loves to travel and attributes travel as her best educational experiences. You’ll often find her exercising, on her yoga mat, adventuring with her husband, baking or on a trail hiking in beautiful Central Oregon.
Marcee Zendejas, AA ECE
Director & Admissions
Marcee and her family moved to Bend from Southern California in 2004. Her and her husband have two grown daughters and enjoy being empty-nesters. She brings nearly 30 years of experience to School of Enrichment working with children of all ages. Her career began as owner and director of an after school children’s program in California for school age children. She volunteered in a Children’s Musical Theater program for several years and loved it! As her children completed preschool, she realized her passion for early childhood. Marcee then began teaching Parent-Toddler classes, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten.
Marcee has been formally trained in Handwriting without Tears, ABA Therapy and Conscious Discipline. In 2003, Marcee received an “Educator of the Year” award from the Las Virgenes Unified School District. After moving to Bend, she completed an AAS Degree in Early Childhood Education at COCC, and has continued to enjoy working in the field. She e has been a part of the School of Enrichment team since 2011.
As the Director, Marcee oversees all of our programs and curriculum school wide and loves being a part of the daily magic that happens at School of Enrichment. She has extensive experience working with children with special needs and is an advocate for our students with learning differences and our typically developing students.
When Marcee is not in the office supporting families, you will likely find her in one of the classrooms doing music or flannel stories with the children. She happily shares that “The best part of my job is spending time with and getting snuggles from the kids!” Marcee has added value behind the scenes managing logistics, to the classrooms and to families lives. She embraces and embodies the culture within our school family.
Kara Bernhardt, BS
Assistant Director & Teacher
At three years old, Kara decided she was going to be a teacher just like her aunt. Her path never changed, and she graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a focus on Childhood Development. She was involved with many programs that included different aged children, and through these, she found her passion in Early Childhood Education.
She finds the youngest minds to be most interesting. Curious George said it best, “When you’re curious, fun has a way of just showing up!” The excitement kids exude while discovering new things or sharing about things they love is contagious and has kept her in the field for 10 years now. Her passions lie in children’s literature and hands-on learning experiences. Kara’s biggest goal as an educator is to create a stable, loving and fun environment for her students to be welcomed into each day, creating a foundation for their love of learning to flourish and grow.
Kara joined School of Enrichment in 2017 and has been part of the team ever since. As the years passed, Kara began including more administrative responsibilities as the assistant director. She is still often found in classrooms offering extra support to teachers and students, filling in when someone is out, or just hanging out with the kids! She also leads our Friday Fun Day program which lives up to it’s name.
Kara has been with her husband since 2008 and they have two rambunctious boys to keep them busy. They live on an acre of land with lots of projects to do and all sorts of animals to take care of. Her family is big and tremendously important to her, so she spends most of her time amongst aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. When she’s not at school you will probably find her collecting rocks and shells at the Oregon coast, in the woods camping, swimming, paddling, sledding and snowshoeing, or at home baking, doing puzzles and reading.
Heather Sanders, Masters in Education
Teacher & Substitute
Heather has had the privilege to work with kids for over 25 years. Heather has experience working in camps, running programs, has substitute taught elementary in public schools and has nannied. Most recently, Heather has fallen in love with early childhood. Working with this age group brings Heather joy and we all need that! Kids are so pure in heart, fun, and interested in all that life has to offer and Heather really enjoys being a part of that.
Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree from University of North Texas. Heather has early-childhood and elementary teaching credentials from Western State College in Colorado. Heather also has a Masters of Arts in Education with an endorsement in Special Education from Lewis and Clark College.
Heather is also a mom to three awesome kids she shares with her amazing husband. Heather’s very favorite activities are camping and exploring and she believes she would be a perfect candidate to live on the road in an RV someday! Heather also enjoys walking, reading, and playing yard games.
She is so so grateful for the opportunity to work at School of Enrichment because as she says, “It makes me a better person!”
Teri Lippi, BS
Teaching Assistant
School of Enrichment eagerly planned to bring Miss Teri on as a lead preschool teacher for over a year. Teri spent most of her childhood in Oregon, other than an exciting few years living in Italy with her family. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management at Portland State University and an Associates degree in Marketing and Communications at COCC. After college, Teri moved to Bend with her husband to raise a family and escape the big city life.
Upon arriving in Bend nearly 20 years ago, Teri opened Sunshine Corner, an in-home preschool and childcare. We’ve had the pleasure of working with several incoming School of Enrichment students who attended Miss Teri’s reputable and highly respected program. Teri opened this business so she could raise a family while doing work she was passionate about. Teri owned and operated Sunshine Corner for the past 19 years, working with children from infants to age 5. Teri was ready for something new and decided to close the business and join us at School of Enrichment full time!
Brandi Kaniho, BA Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education
Teacher
Brandi was born and raised in Hawaii. She attended Central Washington University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. After that, she moved back to Hawaii to start a family. While there, she worked for 8 years in a private preschool and 2 years as a kindergarten teacher in a public charter school. Since moving to Bend in 2020 with her husband and three children, she lead private learning pods ranging from preschoolers to second graders. When she’s not working she likes to explore new areas, take road trips, involve her kids in activities like sports, and just relax – taking it all in. While Hawaii will always be her home, she thinks Bend is a pretty special place too and is happy to be adventuring and teaching here. What Brandi values most about her job is making connections to build relationships with her students and their Ohana’s. Brandi truly believes that relationships, connection and community are at the heart of growing and teaching good humans. She wants to help foster these traits in kids and create a safe environment where students grow a love for learning.
Emma Parkes, BS
Teacher
Alexa Sherar, AA ECE
Teacher
Alexa was born and raised in Portland. Growing up she babysat her cousins and neighbors and knew working with children was her passion. She moved to Arizona in 2003 and attended Pima Community College, where she obtained her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Alexa taught at a play-based preschool in Tucson for four years where she feels she mastered connecting and engaging children in a positive way. In 2011, Alexa moved to Bend to be closer to family, where she continued to teach and nanny. Alexa assisted at a Montessori school for a year and was a lead teacher for four years at a Waldorf-inspired preschool in Bend. Alexa enjoys teaching children to grow and flourish into strong, independent, and caring people. When Alexa is not working, she spends time with her two dogs and seven chickens in Tumalo. She enjoys knitting, reading and camping.
Jessica Laemmle, AA ECE
Teacher & Teaching Assistant
Jessica was born in Southern California and moved to Central Oregon at a young age. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and is a natural with kids of all ages.
Jessica spent 11 years working with elementary school aged
years and enjoyed this age group but was eager to begin working in early childhood. She’s worked as a lead teacher and a teaching assistant at School of Enrichment, based on the seasons of her life. Jessica’s classroom focus is the creation of a loving and safe environment where all kids feel free to express themselves. She thrives when building a small community in her classroom, allowing students to feel safe to explore. Jessica excels at forming a space for little minds to learn and grow. In Jessica’s free time she enjoys traveling and hanging out with her husband, two daughters and dogs. Jessica specializes in establishing relationships with each student and making their early childhood experience an ideal starting point for many years to come.
Janine Higgins
Teaching Assistant
Janine began as a substitute teacher at School of Enrichment in 2014 and began as a teaching assistant shortly after. Janine spent the last 18 years raising her two daughters who are now young adults. Janine is excited to have the opportunity to spend more time supporting at School of Enrichment now that her girls are older! Janine is flexible and calm in her nature and students and staff enjoy spending time with Janine. Janine has regularly volunteered in both of her daughter’s classes since they were in kindergarten and this is where she found her passion of working with children. Janine has a presence that we all appreciate and students bond with her quickly. Janine’s favorite part of working in early childhood education is watching them grow and learn. Janine is flexible in her nature and in the classroom giving her the ability to work with a variety of personalities, she is cheerful and friendly and children are naturally drawn to her. We are so grateful to have her at School of Enrichment each day!
Amanda Moran
Teaching Assistant
Amanda and her family moved to Bend from Central California in 2009. As a teen, Amanda enjoyed
working in the nursery at her church as well as in the special education classroom at her high school. Amanda has volunteered in her three children’s classrooms since preschool and they are now in high school and college. When her children were young she taught music and art classes at the Gymboree Play and Music. In more recent years she has had the privilege of being asked to travel with her children’s outdoor learning program. Amanda enjoys spending as much time as possible with her children and family. She also enjoys traveling and exploring new places as well as seeing all that Oregon has to offer.
Kristine Klees, Masters in Early Childhood Education & Special Education
Teacher & Substitute
Yanira Condon, AA CFD
Teacher
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Yanira has spent the last 25 years doing what she loves: working with young children during some of the most important years of their development. She has an Associate’s Degree in Child and Family Development, and there’s nothing that lights her up more than watching a child grow and learn. She is also fluent in Spanish and can’t wait to bring that into the classroom by teaching ESL to her students.
In January 2025, Yanira and her husband, Todd, packed up and moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Bend after Todd took a job with Pahlisch Homes.
Her mom still lives in Massachusetts, though she’s hoping to make the move out to Bend before too long. Yanira’s parents originated from Puerto Rico, and moved their entire family to Massachusetts where Yanira was born. Her dad and step-mom once again call the island home. Her younger sister lives in Southern California and loves to visit Bend often.
When she’s not in the classroom, you’ll find Yanira with her nose in a book, writing short stories, out fishing or kayaking, or planning her next trip somewhere in the world. And of course, there’s Maddie, her 15-year-old miniature Schnauzer, who very much holds down the fort at home.
Yanira is enjoying the classroom, culture and her career at School of Enrichment and looks forward to the years ahead.
Emily Johnson
Speech & Language Pathologist
Emily Johnson is a board certified speech language pathologist and owner of Juniper Therapies. She received her masters degree in communication disorders from Arizona State University and has worked in private practice and public schools for more than 10 years. She currently serves on the board of the Oregon Speech Language Hearing Association (OSHA).
Juniper Therapies works in collaboration with the School of Enrichment to provide the highest quality care for your preschooler. Emily and her team of speech therapists come to the School of Enrichment to conduct free speech and language screenings with your permission. If further assessment is needed, we offer assessments and speech therapy during the school day. If you prefer to attend your child’s assessment and speech therapy sessions, we offer after school appointments, also located at School of Enrichment.