Our Christian Childcare in San Antonio Leadership Team

The Pillars Christian Learning Center attracts and retains staff members who have a true heart for children. The Pillars preschools are professionally managed and staffed by teachers and administrators who seek to contribute to your child’s growth in loving and meaningful ways – for a positive impact that lasts a lifetime. We strive for all members of our lead teaching staff to be certified in early childhood development or education. Many have advanced degrees.

Our Leadership

Melissa Anderson

Founder

Melissa Anderson

Melissa Anderson had a vision to start a combined early childhood and day care center that would deliver an unrivaled, holistic approach to the San Antonio region. Her program addresses the comprehensive needs of the whole child – cognitively, socially, physically and spiritually. She received her Child Care Director’s License from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Geren Anderson

Founder

Geren Anderson

Geren Anderson is the co-founder of The Pillars Christian Learning Center and oversees the company’s financial, marketing, and strategic-growth activities. Since 2009, his vision and leadership have helped the business to grow from one location to multiple locations across the San Antonio area.

Kellie Copeland

Vice President of Finance and Administration

Kellie Copeland

Kellie Copeland is the Director of Finance and Administration of The Pillars Christian Learning Center, where she oversees accounting, finance and administrative responsibilities for each of the centers. She has solid experience ranging from bookkeeping to corporate finance to valuation consulting.

Kerstin Brinson

Vice President
of Operations

Kerstin Brinson

Kerstin Brinson is an accomplished early childhood industry executive with over 30 years` experience driving profitability and academic learning within preschool settings. She offers a laser focus on providing best in class early learning preschool experiences for children. She is the mother of two girls and wife to her husband James, a US Army veteran.

Torrey Laffoon

Vice President of Marketing and Sales

Torrey Laffoon

Torrey Laffoon is The Pillars' Director of Marketing. His experience in marketing and communications spans over a decade. Torrey's background in student and children's ministry makes him a great fit for The Pillars. Torrey graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Marketing and a master's degree in Organizational Communication and Marketing.

Dawn Spainhower

Director of Spiritual Development

Dawn Spainhower

Our Director of Spiritual Development and Administration is Dawn Spainhower. Prior to her current role, she led our Reed Road location for two and a half years, our Bandera Road location for seven and a half years, and our Regional Director of Operations for two years. In combination with her expertise, we have been able to create this unique role for her within the industry

Valerie Ragsdale

Director of
Family Relations

Valerie Ragsdale

Valerie E. Ragsdale is our Family Relationship Manager. Having recently worked with children of all ages and abilities, Valerie has the necessary experience and expertise for this role. Fostering relationships with families will be key in her role, and she is ready to serve all current and future Pillar`s families to ensure a joy-filled and successful journey in learning and in life.

Ashely Lakey

Regional Director of DFW, Mountain Peak Center, Midlothian

Ashely Lakey

Ashely Lakey is our Regional Director of DFW Mountain Peak location in Midlothian, Texas. She has been in the Early Childhood Education industry for 13 years. She says, “I’ve always been a strong advocate for the educational and spiritual growth of children”. Ashely plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Business Management and master’s degree in Management and Leadership.

Laura Nelson

Curriculum and Training Specialist

Laura Nelson

Laura graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, majoring in Early Childhood Education. Laura celebrated 20 years of working with families in education by answering the call to serve as Director of the fifth Pillars Christian Learning Center, located in the Creekside Community of New Braunfels, which opened in January 2021.

Valerie Lewis

Regional Director of Operations - San Antonio

Valerie Lewis

Valerie Lewis is our Regional Director of Operations for San Antonio. She has 15 years of experience in early childhood development and spent 10 years teaching infant and toddler classrooms. She was promoted to an administrative position and later became director. “As Regional Director of Operations, my door is always open and I welcome input from parents and staff.” Valerie is married with three children.

Director team

Amber Mendoza

Director, Singing Hills Center, Bulverde

Amber Mendoza

Amber started her journey at The Pillars as the Assistant Director and was soon promoted to Center Director. She says at The Pillars, “We are not just a learning center but also a family”. As Center Director she strives to build strong relationships with parents, children, and staff. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, and spending time with her dog.

Stephanie Alvarez

Director, Cibolo Center, Cibolo

Stephanie Alvarez

Stephanie Alvarez is the Center Director for The Pillars Christian Learning Center in Cibolo, Texas. She has been in the Early Childhood Education industry for over 30 years, working as a teacher, Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director and now a Center Director. Stephanie is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and has three amazing grown children.

Kayla Russel.

Director, Mountain Peak Center, Midlothian

Kayla Russel

Kayla Russel is Director, Mountain Peak Center, Midlothian

Marla Compton

Director, Walnut Grove Center, Midlothian

Marla Compton

Marla Compton is Our Director, Walnut Grove Center, Midlothian

Jessica Reboller

Director, Reed Road Center, San Antonio

Jessica Reboller

Jessica Reboller is Our Director, Reed Road Center, San Antonio

Amy Neal

Bandera Director

Amy Neal

Jessica Reboller

Reed Director

Jessica Reboller

Shelley Motyka

Creekside Director

Shelley Motyka

Kayla Russell

Mountain Peak Director

Kayla Russell

Jaslyn Knuckles

Colleyville Director

Jaslyn Knuckles

OUR LOCATIONS

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
210-940-4878
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
210-523-2613

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
830-581-0842
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
830-310-0017

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
972-573-8135
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
972-775-5688

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?210-903-9349
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
210-361-6489

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
210-942-9733
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
210-664-3366

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
210-934-0910
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
830-980-2520

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
469-518-7420
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
972-775-5855

Interested in learning more about The Pillars?
(817) 839-2434
Already a Pillars Family at this location?
817-605-9102

Our Christian Childcare in San Antonio Leadership Team

Our Leadership

Melissa Anderson​

Melissa Anderson​

Geren Anderson

Geren Anderson

Kellie Copeland

Kellie Copeland

Kerstin Brinson

Kerstin Brinson

Torrey Laffoon

Torrey Laffoon

Dawn Spainhower

Dawn Spainhower

Valerie Ragsdale

Valerie Ragsdale

Ashely Lakey

Ashely Lakey

Laura Nelson

Laura Nelson

Valerie Lewis

Valerie Lewis

Director team

Amber Mendoza

Amber Mendoza

Stephanie Alvarez

Stephanie Alvarez

Kayla Russel.

Kayla Russel

Marla Compton

Marla Compton

Jessica Reboller

Jessica Reboller

Amy Neal

Amy Neal

Jessica Reboller

Jessica Reboller

Shelley Motyka

Shelley Motyka

Kayla Russell

Kayla Russell

Jaslyn Knuckles

Jaslyn Knuckles

OUR LOCATIONS

Helping Children Achieve Their Full Potential! Call us or Click to Learn More!

Director, Walnut Grove Center, Midlothian

Melissa Anderson

Melissa Anderson

Helping Children Achieve Their Full Potential!
Call us or Click to Learn More!