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Who We Are

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Early Childhood Development program serves children and families of Leech Lake on and off reservation. The program consists of five service areas focused on preparing children for success in school and support families with their children. ECD and sub-programs are almost entirely grant funded by federal, state, and other sources.

Our Programs

The Early Childhood Development Department is under the umbrella of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Education Division and is comprised of the following programs:

Coordination within these programs ensures that comprehensive early childhood services are available to children between the ages of 6 weeks through 5 years old.

Our Objectives

  • To provide early childhood opportunities that will prepare children for success in school and incorporate lifelong learning skills.

  • To support families in their effort to nurture their children and be their child’s primary educator.

  • To support families in their effort to provide quality services and a positive learning environment.

OUR FAMILY

Updated 09/08/2025 - May not reflect current roster.

Education Division

Shannon Budde
Interim Education Division Director

Early Childhood Development

Lee Turney
Early Childhood Development Director

Child Care Services Program Team

Administrative Staff

Cora Roy, CCS Program Manager
Adeline Thunder-Roy, Office Manager
Sharlene Roy, Administrative Assistant
Abrianna Ortley, Receptionist

Administration Staff

Nathan Fairbanks, Maint. Safety Tech.
Naykota Jackson, Lead Cook
Rebecca Tibbets, License and Grants Coord.
Rosella Headbird, Subsidy and Outreach
Sherri Seelye, Training and Cultural Coord.
Tonya Morris, Fam. Eng. & Enrollment Coord.
Destiny Jourdain, ELS Administrator
Ethan Brown, Sr. Maint. Safety Tech.

Maajiigin Center

Emma Gillman, Center Manager

Zaagakii
Michelle Jourdain, Team Lead
Adriena Giffen, Teacher

Nitaawigin
Theresa Jourdain, Teacher
Olivea Ruschmeier, Teacher

Zaagibagaa
Ashkii Jackson, Teacher

Minogin
Alexis Gonzalez, Team Lead
Madelynn Ammerman, Teacher
Lideah Isham, Teacher

Miikogin Center

Amarin Chanthorn, Center Manager

Arionna Lussier, Teacher Team Lead
Brandon White Jr., Youth Assistant
Jenni Wind, Teacher Team Lead
Isabel Lieb, Youth Assistant
Angeline Woundedfoot, Youth Assistant
Tanaya Martin, Youth Assistant
Thomas White, Youth Assistant

Early Head Start & Head Start Program Team

Administration

Lee Turney, ECD Director
Catrina Cloud, Admin Assistant
James Elmberg Jr., Receptionist

Program Staff

Adrienne Cloud, Professional Development Coordinator
Alisha Schjenken, EHS Health/Nutrition & Safety Coordinator
Ann Bradach, Social Emotional Education Specialist
Ann Cloud, Data Management Coordinator
Bethany Stangel, Family & Community Partnership Manager
Isabella Ruschmeier, Family & Community Support Specialist
Julia Whitebird, Health/Nutrition & Safety Program Manager
Julie Gordon, Education Program Manager (AOB EHS)
Julie Pearson, Expectant Moms Coordinator
Kimberly St. John, Practice Base Coach Coordinator
Kristen Jones, Senior Education Program Manager (Outer Centers)
Leila Goggleye, Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
Makayla Formo, ERSEA Coordinator
Natalie Zobava, Transportation Coordinator 
Patricia Broker, Senior Education Program Manager (AOB HS)
Ratana Lussier, Nutrition Manager
Vincent Gillman, Facilities Supervisor
Yodi Blomgren, Practice Base Coach Coordinator

Maintenance

David Staples Jr., Senior Maintenance Technician
Adam Kessler, Maintenance Technician
Jeff Leecy, Maintenance Technician

Kitchen Staff

Deelia Littlewolf, Cook
Kassidy Dudley, Cook
Lena Morgan, Lead Cook
Panit Hutchins, Cook
Timothy White, Cook

SNAPED

The SNAPED program is no longer a part of the Early Childhood Development Department. It is now incorporated into the LLBO's Food Sovereignty Program.  

MNTRECC Team

Patti Turney, Program Manager

Diana Smith, Culture & Language Coord.
Hannah Baird, Quality Coach
Janel O'Brien, Workforce Advisor
Melissa Amundson, Professional Development Advisor
Vacant, Outreach Childcare Startup & Retention Navigator

EHS & HS Educators

Head Start

Amik
Cammi Stangel, Team Lead (CDA-FSC)
Brenda Hunt, Teacher/FSA (CDA)
Taleigha Cloud-Dick, Teacher

Maang
Alyyson Boman, Team Lead (AA)
Charli Buckanaga, Teacher
Ila McDougle, Teacher

Mikinaak
Tara Brown, Team Lead (CDA)
Sophia Finn, Teacher (CDA, IT,FSC)
Aurora Ogema, Teacher

Migizi
Lashelle Masten, Team Lead (BA, CDL)
Cordelia Cournoyer, Teacher
Vacant, Teacher

Makwa
Katie Fieldsend, Team Lead (AA)
Betty Jane Schaaf, Teacher
Vacant, Teacher

Giniw
Eva White, Team Lead (BA, CDL)
Jennifer Stangel, Teacher (CDL, CDA, PS)
Dalee Morris, Teacher

Early Head Start

Banajannh (Newborn/Infant Room):
Tate Dailey, (CDA) Teacher / FSA
Toni Leigh Smith, (CDA - IT) Teacher
Neaunna Carmona, Teacher
Autumn Madigan, Teacher

Gaagoons (2-year olds):
Samantha Jackson, (CDA - IT) Teacher / FSA
Rachel Northbird, (CDA - IT) Teacher / FSA
Rachel Klaers, (CDA) Teacher

Esiban (older 2-year olds):
Heidi Shultz, (CDA) Teacher
Niishiime’ Blomgren, Teacher
Josephine Bruce, (AA) Teacher

Waagosh (1-year olds):
Cassidy Anderson, (CDA) Teacher
Alysha Brown, (FSC) Teacher / FSA
Mataya Mitchell, (CDA) Teacher

Outer Centers

Bemidji Classroom:
Wendy Brunelle, (BA) Team Lead
Shawna Johnson, (AA) Teacher
VACANT, Teacher
Aubree Brunelle, PT Teacher
VACANT, Cook

Bena Center Classroom:
Amelia Daigle, Team Lead
Willa Howard, (AA, CDL) Teacher
VACANT, Teacher
Larissa Losh, Cook

Bena Newborn/Infant Room:
Alyssa Thompson, Teacher
Adina Headbird, (CDA - IT) Teacher

Bena Toddler Room:
Vanessa Cichy, Teacher
William Morrison, Teacher
Candace White, (AA) Teacher

Ball Club Center Classroom:
Sharon Howard, (BA, CDL) Team Lead / Center Supervisor
Anna Gotchie, (CDA - FSC) Teacher / FSA
VACANT Teacher
Lorraine Salo - Daigle, Cook
Michelle Oothoudt, (CDL) Maintenance

Ball Club Infant/Toddler Room:
Lori McClellan, (CDA) Teacher
Savannah Mainville, (CDA) Teacher

Ball Club Toddler Room:
Mackenzie Goodrich, (AA) Team Lead
Arionna Doerr, Teacher
Shelby Geving, Teacher

Onigum Center Classroom:
Wendy Whitebird, (AA) Team Lead / Center Supervisor
Melissa Week, (AA, CDL) Teacher
VACANT, Teacher
Mardelle Reese, Maintenance
Kendra Cloud,Cook

Onigum Newborn/Infant Room:
Taylor Week, (BA) Teacher
Lorraine Klaus, (CDA) Teacher
Maxine Smith, Teacher

Onigum Toddler Room:
Kaylee Sheppard, Teacher
Daizie Johnson, Teacher
VACANT, Teacher

Employee Resources

LLBO Organizational Chart