MEET OUR STAFF

JUPITERFIRST CHURCH PRESCHOOL

JUDY HARRIS

Preschool Director

We are excited to welcome back Judy Harris as our JupiterFIRST Church Preschool Director! Originally from New Jersey, Judy moved to Florida in 1979 when she was a mere young‘in! She worked in the construction business and then started her own home service business transitioning HOA’s from developers to residents. Judy started attending JupiterFIRST Church and became a member in 1993 where she started teaching Sunday School and then, a year later, was asked to be the Director of Children’s Ministries. Additionally, Judy she was also the bookkeeper for the church. As JupiterFIRST grew the church hired an accountant and Judy expanded the Youth Ministry by adding a 4th-5th grade youth group, Christmas pageants, and more!

Judy met her husband, Mike, at one of JupiterFIRST’s Disciple classes and in May of 2005 they were married in our “new” Sanctuary. They were the second couple to be married in the Sanctuary we all worship in now. Together, Mike and Judy have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Fun fact – her mom, Bunty, joined our church 2 years ago. She is now 98 years old and comes to church as often as she can!

In 2007, Judy accepted the position of Co-Director of our JupiterFIRST Church Preschool. Teaching and being involved with the social and emotional growth of young children has become her passion. She loves their sense of wonder while learning and watching their individual personalities develop. Her journey as a preschool director continued while she taught in Tequesta, FL for the past several years. She is more than excited to be back to continue the adventure at her home church. Judy holds Teacher and Advanced Director’s Certifications (FCCPC).

JENNIFER DUNN

Assisstant Director

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Jennifer was born in Cleveland,Ohio and grew up in Palm Springs, California. She and her husband, Charlie, moved to Jupiter in 1987. She met Charlie in middle school and has been married to him for 37 years. They have a son, who is also named Charlie, and 3 dogs and a cat.

Jennifer and her husband both worked at Pratt & Whitney. Her husband as a drafter and she worked in the Human Resources department. She also worked in Security, Labor Relations, Employee Assistance, Educational Assistance, Training, and the Employment departments. After her job was outsourced to Connecticut, she and her family decided to stay in Florida, where she worked briefly at Jerry Thomas Elementary School as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant, a personal assistant to a Phycologist, and did bookkeeping for their family’s laundromat.

Jennifer’s son, Charlie, actually went to JupiterFIRST Church Preschool in 1999 where she started out as a volunteer! This was the beginning of her passion for this school and for her profession. She transitioned to the JupiterFIRST Church Preschool team shortly after and has been loving her job ever since.

She can be heard saying that she ‘gets paid to do her hobby’ and ‘loves her job.’ The saying ‘do what you love and you will never work a day in your life’ is absolutely her truth! She loves to interact with the kids and loves teaching them. One of her favorite things to do is tell them their first joke. In the beginning of the year, before they learn her name, they will often yell out ‘hey!’ to get her attention. To that, she replies ‘hay is for horses’ and then starts laughing. This always produces giggles from the little ones! She loves the reminder that hildren are sponges and learning everything, even when telling and understanding jokes!

MELISSA MESTELLER

Lead Teacher

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Melissa Mesteller enthusiastically joins our preschool staff as Lead teacher and curriculum specialist. She has a passion and love for early childhood education. She loves to learn and is always researching childhood development and learning methodology. She is a big believer in "learning through play" and the importance of social & emotional intelligence.

As a Florida native, Melissa holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Spanish and a secondary degree in Education. Go Gators! She also holds further education credits from Florida Atlantic University in Communications, Sciences and Disorders.

Melissa and her husband Justin, became members of JupiterFIRST church in 2008 and she quickly became involved in the Children's programming and momsFIRST programs. She also joyfully serves on many other committees in the church.

Her greatest joy in life is watching her three children Oliva, Jonas and Ava grow! When she is not running her kids to their many activities you can find her lounging by the pool or beach with a good book.