Meet Our Staff
“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Lisa Howe, Executive Director
I live with my husband Mark, on our farm, in Wolcottville with one of our four children. We have two wonderful daughter-in-law and 5 grandchildren. I received my bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling from Summit Christian College, now Taylor University, and in 2014 received my Montessori Administration Certificate from Seton Montessori Institute in Chicago. In my early 20’s I worked with a ministry overseas in the Dominican Republic. I have also directed a local Crisis Pregnancy Center, and have worked at the Lagrange Healthy Families as an assessment worker/home visitor before coming to be the director at Agape. I have been blessed to serve God in so many different ways and feel that children are the heart of my ministry. I am also the director for Lighthouse Montessori Education Center in Ashely. A scripture that rings true to me is “With God ALL things are possible. Matt. 19:26” I feel blessed to serve these two ministries and know that everyone involved (board members, staff and volunteers) are making a great mark on so many children and families lives.
Cheryl Darling, Office Manager/ Support Staff
l grew up in Hammond Indiana and went to Hammond High School. I have been married to my husband since 2019, we have 10 children in our blended family, and 17 grandchildren. So you can say that life is very interesting. I love to garden, hike, horseback ride, and camp. I love spending time with our family, dogs, cats and chickens! I also have a photography business that I love to do on the side. I have been at Agape working with the children for sometime, and now I am spending time on administration duties for the children and staff and love it. Children are our future, and they are precious. I feel that giving them a great start to life is very important, and here at Agape we love that we can do our part!
Laura Weber, Primary 1 Lead Teacher/ Curriculum Coordinator
I was born and raised in the town of Kendallville but spent much time as a child visiting my grandparents' dairy farms. After graduating from East Noble High School, I attended Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and taught fourth and fifth grades for over a decade for East Noble School Corporation. Due to my passion for helping kids grow as readers and writers I pursued my master's in Literacy and Reading. Along the way, I am happy to have discovered both Agape and the Montessori approach to learning. Both have been a good match for my strong beliefs that children are loved by God and are designed to learn in a way that meets the needs of the whole child. During the summer of 2015, I was privileged to further my understanding of how children learn at Seton Montessori Institute in Chicago and now am in the process of completing all of the requirements necessary to receive formal certification. I love learning, sharing music, and reading alongside children (most especially with my son Evan). I enjoy singing and being involved with my church family. Most of all I love spending time with both my immediate and extended family.
Kiley Gingerich,
Support Staff
Kiley has background experience in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech as well as Montessori Experience from Elkhart Montessori school. She worked as a Teen Services Librarian and has been a part of the Garrett Public Library for ten years. Kiley has attend Montessori Training in the summer of 2021 and is in the process of finishing her credential. When not in the classroom, she can be found spending time with her family and pets, watercolor painting, crafting, enjoying her musical hobbies, or focused on reading a novel.
Ashley Dibling, Assistant Toddler 2 Team
Hello, My name is Ashley. I am a mother of one precious little girl and have a baby on the way. I graduated from Hamilton Community schools, I was a member of 4H for 10 years. I have worked with children of various ages since I was old enough to babysit and after high school I worked in childcare. I have one sister which we still live very close to one another. I enjoy video games, plants, and all outdoor activities especially swimming.
Carmen Sorto-Sagastume, Infant Assistant
Hello! My name is Carmen Sorto, I am from Honduras, a country in Central America. One of the things my husband and I like to do is preach the gospel of Salvation. We are part of several missionary groups. We attend the Stroh Church of Christ and also a Spanish church in Angola. I have worked as a teacher for a few years. I really like working with children and being able to see the grace of God within their lives. Thank you for trusting Agape to care for the greatest treasures: your children.
Amy Ewers,
Infant Assistant Teacher
When I was in high school I knew I wanted to work with children. After high school I went to Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne for my associates degree in Early Childhood. I live near Wolcottville with my husband Jody. We have been married for 27 years. I like being outdoors working in my flower bed and around the house. I love reading and my husband and I like to motorcycle when we can.
Emem Smith, Substitute
Hello my name is Emem Smith. I grew up in Nigeria, and came to the US many years ago. I am married to by husband and have two children that attend Prairie Heights Elementary. I have a degree in computers engineering. I have had many years of experience as a trained Montessori teacher with infants and toddlers. My passion it to help people feel better through natural products, and also to help families and children grow and learn about child development and God love.
Miranda Balbaugh,
Toddler 1 Team
Hi, my name is Miranda. I am 31 and a mother of two wonderful children, and I am married to a wonderful husband. I have two mischievous dogs as well! I grew up in Steuben Country my whole life and also graduated from PHHS. I am involved in the community though 4-H with my children, as well as, a coach for the Orland Tiger Softball League. I have been coaching for 5 years, and it’s one of my favorite hobbies. Prior to coming to Agape I worked in the nursing field for 14 years as a CNA. I worked in long-term nursing facilities and specialized in dementia care. With this change of employment, I am so excited to take a leap with the children, into this new adventure God has given me. I will provide the best care and love along with the wisdom of our Lord to prepare your children for the future.
Emily Sonner
,
Lead Toddler 2 Team
My name is Emily Sonner and I am married to my husband, Ian and we have 2 wonderful sons! When growing up my family lived in many states (Indiana, Maine, New York and back to Indiana) due to my father being a pastor. I have six sibling, and one that is my twin. I graduated from Lakeland High school and started attending college for art, but switched to being an English major. I love to draw and paint. We attend Fairview Fellowship church in Kendallville.
Ashlyn Shaffer,
Facility Support /After School Age / Substitute Teacher
I was born and raise in Wolcottville Indiana. In June of 2024, I graduated from Lakeland High School. I am currently attending Trine University for pediatric physical therapy, nutrition, and health coaching. I enjoy fishing, hiking, and crafting, and anything including animals. I chose to work with children because they are amazing to be around and they deserve great role models. Everything in life is learned, so it’s critical to learn form good people. I have always had a great relationship with God, but recently have began to grow in that relationship. It’s a blessing to be able to do it with other by my side!
Hannah Ramey Toddler Assistant
My name is Hannah Ramey. I am 23 years old and grew up in LaGrange County, right outside of Stroh. I graduated form Prairie Heights. I grow up with a sister and two brothers. In 2011 we moved to a farm in Steuben County and started raising cattle. We now have a horse, chickens, and some barn cats. I love farming, antique shopping, and crafting. There are lots of reasons why I wand to impact children’s lives, but the biggest one would be is that they are our future. The first 5 years of a child’s life is the most important. This is a critical period of development that should be harnessed with care and structure.
Rick Feagler
,
Support Staff
I was born and raised in southeast Allen County, the middle of 3 children. My wife and I met as seniors in high school and married in 1978. We are blessed with 2 sons and 7 grandchildren (5 girls and 2 boys). We current home on Lake of The Woods in Lagrange County.
I attained 2 undergraduate degrees from Purdue University and a Master’s degree from St. Francis College. My professional career was spent at various manufacturing and insurance organizations. Positions held were related to computer technology, business management, project management, facilities management, staff management, data analytics, auditing, report authoring, customer service, customer account management and intern mentoring. I retired from my professional career in 2018.
I love to tinker on my property and am making constant improvements. Also, my life is very much centered on faith and family. Summer weekends are often grandkids visiting for lake activities. I do a very small amount of fishing and boating. I am also a fairly good cook, when I put my mind to it!
I loved my career time as a mentor for interns. With Agape, I hope to translate that zeal into mentoring and acting as a role-model for the young. It’s all about early life formation. I strive to be an example for the young people to follow. Also, one of my granddaughters is an angel. Hopefully, I can touch the life of these young people as I would have hers.
Candy Slabaugh,
Lead Infant Teacher
My name is Candy Slabaugh. I was born and raised in Goshen Indiana. My husband, Jeff and I moved to Lagrange 7 years ago. We just celebrated 31 years of marriage. We have one daughter, who along with her husband have blessed us with two grandchildren. Both very active boys, the oldest almost 4 and youngest almost one. I love spending time with the “boys”.
I have been in Montessori education for over 25 years. I have my infant & toddler and pre-school certificates. I have also taught Music Garden, Positive Discipline and Parent and Child classes. I have worked as an assistant, lead teacher, Education Director, Parent Educator, a mentor for teachers in training and supporting Montessori schools and they continue to make their programs the best version of themselves. Christian education and Montessori together warms my heart.
I spend my free time fishing, boating, trail riding in my Jeep, gardening and helping others.
I have worked here at Agapé as a teacher mentor and a Consultant over the last 12 years. I am looking forward to join the team. I will be supporting the staff and children when and where I am needed.
Megan Hart, Toddler 1 Team
I was born and raise in Topeka, IN. I graduated from West Noble High School in 2010. I attended college at Ravenscroft Beauty College. Unfortunately, I didn’t finished though because I became a mother of two babies at age 25.I am now a mother of 5 children. I love spending time with my family and making memories. I clean houses on the side and love doing this as well. I find joy in helping and teaching young children and seeing them grow. God has always been part of my life. I’m feel blessed with the life God has given me.
Emma Melchi, Preschool Assistant
I was born and raise in Pleasant Lake Indiana. I graduated from Prairie Heights High School, I plan on attending WGU to study elementary education. I like to spend time with family, especially my nieces and nephews, and love to hand out with friends. I want to work with children because they are all so unique and special in their own ways and there is never a dull moment. It is fulfilling to see them grown and achieve milestones. I have a steady relationship with God and rely on him heavily to keep me on my path he sets for me. I trust that he is always there to guide me to succeed in life.
Selena Snider,
Support Staff
My name is Selena Snider. My husband and I have been married 41 years. We are blessed with two great boys and three wonderful grandchildren. In 2017 we bought a home at Big Turkey Lake, and my husband retired a year ago after driving a truck for 48 years. We lived in OH for 29 years before moving to this area. We enjoy living on the lake! In my spare time I enjoy all kinds of crafts, my latest craft is making cards for all occasions. I was lookin for a part-time job and saw that Agape was hiring. I applied and got the job! I really enjoy working with the children and I’m looking forward to getting to know all the students and their families, as well as, my staff members.
Joey VanMeter, Afternoon Infant Assistant
Hello, my name is Joey VanMeter, and I’m from Mason, Michigan. I am currently a senior at Trine University, where I’m pursuing a degree in Psychology with minoring Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice. My ultimate career goal is to become a school psychologist, as I am deeply passionate about making a positive impact on children and heling them navigate the challenges they face. I firmly believe in the transformative power of support, and my faith in God is a central guiding force in my life. My hope is to share that sense of comfort and guidance with the children. I work with, creating a safe, understanding environment where they feel empowered to overcome obstacles in their way.