Our Incredible Staff
Each staff member is CPR/First Aid certified and continues yearly training to ensure the safety and well being of each child. Each member of our smoke-free staff completes an extensive mandatory background check. We would love to meet you! Come by anytime, or schedule a tour to learn more.
Nice To Meet You!
Lori, Owner
My name is Lori Johnson. I am the owner of Gimme-A-Break. I have my Child Development Associates degree and have worked with children for most of my adult life. I have three children of my own, Jacob, Chris, and Taylor. Here at Gimme-A-Break, it is very important to me that, as a family, you and your child are recognized by myself and each staff member when you enter the facility. Building healthy relationships with each family gives us the opportunity to openly communicate with one another and continue to provide what is best for your child. I wanted to create a center where staff feel valued and appreciated in their jobs, enjoy who they work with and have the ability to use their creativity. All of this creates an environment full of joy for your child to thrive in.
Savanna Teune - Director
Elexa Hanson - Manager
Katie Masterson - Saturday Manager
Taylor Johnson - Chaos Coordinator
Adamari Almaguer - Chaos Coordinator
Sarah De Rycke - Chaos Coordinator
Bel Eide - Chaos Coordinator
Jamiya Gaston - Chaos Coordinator
Skylee Hanson - Chaos Coordinator
Heather Harris - Chaos Coordinator
Izzy Koenen - Chaos Coordinator
Chrissy Masterson - Chaos Coordinator
Shataya, Lead Teacher
Hi! My name is Shataya and I am from Sioux Falls. I am 20 years old and I am the co-lead in the 2 year old room! I live with my fiancée Seth and my fur baby Jax! I have been working in childcare for four years and am currently taking classes to earn my Child Development Associate degree. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, knitting, and spending time with my nieces and nephews. I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to interact with the children and keep them interested! I’m so excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to be apart of this journey here at Encore!
Kailey, Lead Teacher
My name is Kailey Bruxvoort and I am from Sibley, IA. I have two younger brothers who are 20 and 16, and one younger sister who is 14. Some of my hobbies include reading, listening to music, and playing my trumpet when I get the chance. I also love to spend time with my friends and family! I am a recent college graduate of the University of South Dakota with a degree in Social Work. This is my first job in childcare, and I am very much looking forward to this experience!
Nathan, Assistant Teacher
Hello, my name is Nathan Sajdak. I was born on November 1st, 2000. I have lived in Sioux Falls all my life. I graduated from Roosevelt High School in 2019. While I attended school there, I was in varsity show choir for all four years. During my free time I enjoy playing popular video games, entertaining my three dogs, and spending time with my girlfriend. My family includes: my mom, dad, and older brother. I have two years of experience with kids. During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to spend a couple days a week with students from Oscar Howe and I worked at a previous daycare for a year. Although figuring out a major for college is very difficult, I’m set on teaching and want to pursue a teaching career.
Joshua, Co-Lead Evening Teacher
Hello! My name is Josh McBeth. I am 27 years old and am from Sioux Falls, SD. I graduated in 2014 from Southeast Technical Institute with an associates degree in Early Childhood Education. I am currently working full-time at Liberty Elementary School as a Special Education teacher. I have been working with children since I was a kid myself. I have worked with many ages, from birth to 18 in different environmental settings. In my free time I enjoy being with my fiancée, family and friends. I also enjoy playing soccer, singing, and watching sports. I am excited to be at Encore and hope to create a strong bond with the parents and children, as well as watch the children thrive each day.
3-Year-Old Room
Ashley N., Lead Teacher
Hi! I'm Ashley Noel. I have been working with young children for the last 14 years. I have my Bachelor Degree in Communication Studies and Theatre from the University of Sioux Falls. I love teaching because I can impact young lives and watch them grow and learn. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband J.J. I also love going to concerts, going to sporting events and camping!
Chrissy, Co-Lead Teacher
My name is Christina, but everyone calls me Chrissy. I am 20 years old and in my second year of an Early Childhood Education degree. I hope to teach Preschool or Kindergarten when I have completed my degree. I am the youngest of my two sisters, Katie & Amanda and one brother Bobby. In my free time I spend my time being the best aunt "Twissy", as Aspen my 3 year old niece puts it, and binge watching "The Office". A couple of my favorite things are iced coffee and pizza. I have been working with toddlers ages 18-24 months for a year and a half now and I have absolutely LOVED it. I am so excited to start my journey here at Encore in the three-year-old classroom!
Kelsey, Afternoon Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Kelsey Brenna! I am currently a full-time student at the University of Sioux Falls and I am obtaining an Elementary Education degree with an ELL minor. As I am a twenty-year-old living in Sioux Falls, I have learned to love spending quality time with my friends and family and being able to explore any opportunity that is placed in my path. However, my true passion is spending time with children and being able to help guide them through educational and life journeys. I look forward to getting to know each child and staff here at Encore and am extremely excited to start this new adventure!
4-Year-Old Room
MaKayla, Lead Teacher
Hi! My name is MaKayla. I’m 22 and I am the co-lead of the 4 year old room. I have lived in Sioux Falls my whole life with my amazing mom, 2 sisters and my little brother. I have been working in childcare for 5 years and have loved every second of it! I graduated from Washington High School in 2016 and then went on to attend USF for 2 years where I studied Elementary Education. I then decided that childcare was where my heart was set so I took a leap of faith and switched my career plan. I am currently taking classes to earn my Child Development Associates degree and plan to further my education in the future. In addition to my passion for working with children, I love painting and music and spending time with my family. I am so excited to be working at Encore and can’t wait for all of our future adventures!
5-Year-Old Room
Ashley G., Lead Teacher
Hello! I am Ashley G. and I was born and raised in Elk Point, just an hour away from Sioux Falls. I started teaching preschool in Vermillion five years ago and moved to Sioux Falls with my dog, Luna, and boyfriend, Patrick, four years ago. I loved my time in Vermillion, and I learned so much, but I am excited for this new journey at Encore! I studied Early Childhood Education at Western Iowa Tech Community College and graduated in 2016. I am currently working towards my Child Development Associate credential. My interests are Taylor Swift, macaroni and cheese, camping and crafting. In my free time, I am renovating a 1960’s Volkswagen bus and a 2000’s school bus into an RV. Fun fact, I have never met a dog I did not want to pet!
Jaycey J., Afternoon Lead Teacher
Hey there, my name is Jaycey! I am a student at the University of Sioux Falls majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in Theology. In my first two years of college, I was majoring in youth ministry. I believe I have found my true calling and cannot wait to get into a classroom. I’m all about being a positive influence, building relationships, and being a stable constant for the children in my care. I have years worth of experience with kids which include nannying in the summers, babysitting and counseling at day camps. Working with children is one of my passions as well as singing at churches and spending time in nature or with animals. When I have free time, you can find me outdoors or with my cats. My boyfriend, Delton, and I like to keep active and have found a hobby in rock climbing. Fun fact: I have a pet raccoon named Berry!
After-School Program
Kaitlin, After-School & Summer Lead
My name is Kaitlin Masterson; however, I prefer to go by Katie. I grew up in small-town Chester, South Dakota, but love to venture around the world. I recently graduated from Augustana University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. I am attending USD in Vermillion starting this fall for a Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology. I have 4 years of experience with children in different settings. I have worked as a teacher’s assistant in an early childcare center, a teacher’s assistant for an after-school program and as a counselor for residential care for children ages 4 to 14. I spend a lot of time working and studying, but when I am not doing that I find myself going for walks, reading, doing puzzles, and exploring different types of coffee.
Terry, After-School & Summer Lead
Hello, my name is Mr. Terry and I have been in the educational field for 14 years. I have taught at international schools in Russia, Japan and was a school administrator in Thailand. I taught myself how to fix/build arcade machines and I also was a street magician and fire-eater in Las Vegas for a short while. I am currently learning how to solve a Rubiks Cube in under a minute. I would like to share my various talents with the children at Encore.
Busy Bee
Bee L., Busy Bee
Hi there, my name’s Bee! I’m 21 years old, born and raised in Sioux Falls. I live with my partner Burke and our 3 cats, Cricket, Cherry, & Wendall! In my spare time I love to make earrings, thrift, & collect vintage toys! This is my first job in childcare and I’m so excited to spend time with & learn from the kids here!