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...where learning begins
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Brandon Methodist Kindergarten Team
Julie Parker
Director
Mrs. Julie Parker and her husband, Donny, moved to Brandon 20 years ago and enjoy life with their three children, Benton, Anna-Scott, and Lila. Before Mrs. Julie started teaching at BMK in 2008, she was a proud BMK parent. At BMK, she has taught 3 year old preschool and served as assistant director before being named director in 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing education and a master’s degree in instructional technology from Mississippi State University. Mrs. Julie finds joy in watching children have fun while they learn. Her favorite part of the BMK day is the carpool chats she has with students.
Leigh Sharp
Assistant Director
Mrs. Leigh is a long-time resident of Brandon. She has been married to Noel Sharp for 20 years and they have two children- Sophie and Brady, who both attended preschool and kindergarten at BMK and now attend Brandon Schools. Mrs. Leigh holds a dual degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from the University of West Alabama. She is a former Rankin County School district elementary school teacher, and she has been with BMK since 2015. She moved into the Assistant Director position in 2020 after teaching PreK-3 and PreK-4. BMK holds a special place in Mrs. Leigh’s heart and she is blessed to be a part of the best preschool around!
Kindergarten Teacher
Hope Whittington
Mrs . Hope has lived in Rankin County her whole life. She and her husband have one son, Weston. He is a Senior at East Rankin Academy.
Mrs. Hope graduated from Mississippi College with a Bachelors of Science In Elementary Education . She started her teaching career in 2006. Some of those years at public school, BMK, and VIP KIDS. She has a passion for working with young learners! Mrs. Hope loves helping students develop their academic and social skills.
She loves to watch her son play basketball and tennis. She also loves spending time with her family and her miniature schnauzer, Maggie Mae. She attends Crossgates Baptist Church and loves singing in the choir.
K-4 Teacher
Dee Dee Stowers
Mrs. Dee Dee has lived in Rankin County almost all of her life. She and her husband have three boys, Josh, John and Matt. Dee Dee and her family are members of Brandon Presbyterian Church. The Stowers have been blessed to have BMK as a very special part of their family since 1999. She enjoys watching children as they grow academically and spiritually. She feels there is nothing more special than seeing a child's eyes twinkle with delight as they hear about God's love for them.
Sherry Sanderson
K4 Teacher
Mrs. Sherry is married to Ted and they have two amazing children, Mary Elizabeth and Michael. Mrs. Sherry received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Belhaven University and has been teaching four year old pre-k at BMK since 2014. She loves to hear the laughter of all the children and the stories they love to tell. When Mrs. Sherry isn’t at school, you can usually find her at her farm taking care of her horses, cows, donkeys, cats, chickens and peacocks. She loves animals as much as she loves teaching children.
Jennifer Altman
K4 Teacher
Mrs. Jennifer and her husband, Jeff, have lived in Brandon for 26 years with their three children, Connor, John Clarke, and Caroline. While they are originally from south Mississippi, Brandon is now their forever home. All three of their children are BMK alumni and they are so proud of the amazing foundation they received during their time there. She was so impressed with their success at BMK, that she chose to be a part of this wonderful team as a teacher. This is her 16th year as a 4 year old teacher and she absolutely loves the laughter, stories, hugs, and most of all, the light bulb moments from teaching such amazing students!!
Penny Watson
K3 Teacher
Mrs. Penny was born and raised in Brookhaven, MS. She moved to Brandon in 1996 and married Joe Watson. They have one son, Reeve, who attends Mississippi State University. She has been loving on three year old preschoolers at BMK since 2005. Her favorite thing about teaching is the big hug she gets from each student every morning.
Cecile Whitten
K3 Teacher
Mrs. Cecile has lived in Brandon since 1996. She has been married for 32 years. Her son, Wilson and his wife Laura, live in California and they have one son named Murry. Her son, David, lives and works in Brandon. Her daughter, Eli, is studying Elementary Education at MSU.
Mrs. Cecile graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC with a BS in Elementary Education. Cecile has been teaching at BMK for 19 years. She and her husband, Nat, are members at Brandon First Presbyterian Church and enjoys being very active there.
Erin Purvis
K3 Teacher
Mrs. Erin has lived in Brandon all of her life. She and her husband, Ramsey, have three boys- Gareth, Emmitt and Elliott- all of which have attended BMK. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi. This is her second year as a 3k Teacher at BMK. She and her family are members of Crossgates Baptist Church. BMK holds a very special place in her heart. Mrs. Erin is so excited to be a part of BMK and she can't wait to teach the love of Jesus!
Denise Evans
Music Teacher
Coming Soon.....