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.

[Note: Due to internal security and accessibility limitations, media will not play on LLBO network or devices]

Watch on personal devices at our YouTube channel here: @LLBOECD

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:

Leech Lake Head Start
Leech Lake Early Head Start
Leech Lake Child Care Services
MN Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MN TRECC)
SNAP-Ed
Expectant Mothers Program

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 09/16/2024 - May not reflect current roster.

List in alphabetical order

Education Division

Laurie Harper
Education Division Director

Child Care Services Program Team

Rebecca Littlewolf, Program Manager
Amerie Goggleye, Procurement & Billing Coord.
Avery Matthews, Child Care Services Program Assistant
Hannah Baird, Miziwegin Engagement Coordinator
Nate Fairbanks, Maintenance Safety Technician
Rebecca Tibbetts, Licensing/Support Coordinator
Rosella Headbird, Child Care Specialist
Sarah Jones, Maajigaan Center Manager
Tonya Morris, Early Learning Scholarship Administrator

Maajigin Educators

Alexis Gonzales Gekinwaa’amaaged
Alyssa Larsen Gekinwaa’amaaged
Dana Crawford Gekinwaa’amaaged
Destiny Jourdain Naagaanizid Gekinwaa’amaaged
Indaanis Waybenais Gekinwaa’amaaged
Jordan Butcher Naagaanizid Gekinwaa’amaaged
Kate Harrison Naagaanizid Gekinwaa’amaaged
Kylee Leblanc Gekinwaa’amaaged
Michelle Jourdain Gekinwaa’amaaged
Natalia Pliego Gekinwaa’amaaged
Vacant, Naagaanizid Gekinwaa’amaaged
Shaunice Headbird Gekinwaa’amaaged

MNTRECC Team

Cora Roy, Program Manager
Diana Smith, Culture & Language Coord.
Michele Frederickson, Grants & Outreach Coord.
Vacant, Professional Development Advisor
Vacant, Workforce Advisor
Vacant, Statewide Quality Coach

SNAP-ED Team

Claire Chase, SNAPED Coordinator
Marcus Roy, SNAPED Senior Educator
Sherri Seelye, SNAPED Assistant
Vacant, SNAPED Educator

Early Head Start & Head Start Program Team

Administration

Lee Turney, Director
Hallie McDaniel, Office Manager
Amber Dahl, Receptionist

Program Staff

Adrienne Cloud, Prof Development Coord.
Alisha Schjenken, Health/Nutrition & Safety Coord.
Amarin Chanthorn, Grants and Budget Coord.
Ann Bradach, Social Emotional Education Specialist
Ann Cloud, Data Management Coord.
Bethany Stangel, Family & Comm. Partnership Mgr.
Emma Gillman, ERSEA Coord.
James Elmberg Jr., Family and Comm. Support Spec.
Vacant, Practice Base Coach Coord.
Julia Whitebird, Health/Nutrition & Safety Program Mgr.
Julie Gordon, Education Program Mgr. (AOB EHS)
Julie Pearson, Health & Nutrition Assistant/Expectant Moms Coord.
Kimberly St. John, Senior Education Program Mgr. (Outer Centers)
Kristen Jones, Education Program Mgr. (AOB HS)
Leila Goggleye, Early Childhood Special Ed. Coord.
Michael Smith, Anishinaabe Lang. & Cult. Dev. Coord.
Natalie Zobava, Transportation Coord.
Patricia Broker, Senior Program Mgr. (HS)
Reuben St. Cyr, Maintenance Sup.

Maintenance

Adam Kessler, Maintenance Technician
Jeff Leecy, Maintenance Technician
Vincent Gillman, Maintenance Technician

Kitchen Staff

Donovan Armstrong, Cook
Jessamay Cotton, Cook
Lena Morgan, Cook
Ratana Lussier, Cook
Roxanne Cotton, Lead Cook
Timothy White, Cook

Early Head Start & Head Start Educators

Adina Headbird, Teacher [CDA-IT]
Allyson Boman, Teacher
Alysha Brown, Teacher
Alyssa Berg, Teacher [Cert.]
Alyssa Thompson, Teacher
Arionna Lussier, Teacher
Breeanna McDougle, Team Leader [AA,CDA,CDL]
Brenda Hunt, Teacher
Cami Stangel, Teacher
Cassidy Anderson, Teacher
Cheryl Ballek, Teacher/FSA [CDA-PS, CDL]
Cierra Armstrong, Teacher
Cindy Roger, Team Lead [BS]
Deelia Littlewolf, Teacher
Destiny Jourdain, Teacher
Emilio Ortego, Teacher
Eva White, Team Leader [BA,CDL]
Heidi Schultz, Teacher
Isabella Rushmeier, Teacher [CDA]
Jenny Kornezos, Teacher [CDL, CDA-PS]
Kayla Robinson, Teacher
Kim Wouri, Teacher [CDA-IT]
Lori McClellan, Teacher
Lorraine Klaus, Teacher
Mackenzie Goodrich, Team Leader [AA]
Mariah Cloud, Teacher
Mataya Mitchell, Teacher
Megan Erdahl, Team Leader [AA]
Melissa Week, Team Leader [AA, CDL]
Rachel Klaers, Teacher
Rachel Northbird, Teacher [CDA-IT]
Samantha Hale, Teacher [CDA-IT]
Sara Newton, Team Leader
Shawna Johnson, Teacher
Shelly Masten, Team Leader [BA, CDL]
Sierra Brunette, Teacher
Sophia Finn, Teacher
Tara Brown, Teacher
Tate Dailey, Teacher
Taylor Week, Team Lead
Toni Leigh Smith, Teacher [CDA-IT]
Vacant, Teacher
Vacant, Teacher
Vacant, Teacher
Vacant, Teacher
Vanessa Cichy, Teacher
Wendy Brunelle, Team Leader [BA]
Willa Howard, Teacher/FSA [AA, CDL]