Our Staff

Becky Steuby is the director of Eliot Chapel Nursery School. This is her sixth year as director.  She began teaching multi-age classes at ECNS in 2008 when her youngest child began nursery school at ECNS.  Becky has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Webster University.  Her ability to form strong relationships with children and families in a play based, outdoor environment make Eliot Chapel Nursery School the perfect fit for Becky!

Becky Wooldridge has proudly been with ECNS since 1990. She first came as a parent for her 3 children. She joined the staff as a Lunch Bunch teacher, then moved to a multi-age classroom and now is a “play worker” in the 4 p.m. class. She also enjoys playing at summer camp.  She has degrees in elementary and special education as well as education administration.

Colleen previously worked in public accounting in Chicago and NYC before returning home to St. Louis to be closer to family. She took some time off from working full time to be a stay-at-home mom to her 2 daughters.  She found Eliot Chapel Nursery School for her oldest in 2018 and immediately fell in love with the play-based learning and focus on being outdoors. In 2023 she started working as the Treasurer for ECNS and it is the happiest, most fun place she has ever worked! She has a degree in accounting and an MBA from Indiana University.

Ellen has been with ECNS since 2011 when her oldest of three started in the beginner room. After falling in love with the community and teaching approach while her three kids went through preschool, Ellen joined the staff as a Lunch Bunch teacher in 2018. In 2021 she started working in the 2/3 classroom in addition to helping Mrs. Schweiss in Lunch Bunch. She spends her summer teaching arts and crafts at Camp Taum Sauk in Lesterville, Missouri. She has a degree from Elon University in North Carolina.

Gretchen has been teaching toddlers and preschoolers since 1993. She also spent several years as a Montessori teacher trainer. She holds a degree in early childhood education and is a certified Montessori teacher. After staying home with her three children during their early years, she joined the Eliot Chapel staff in 2015. She loves working at ECNS, where she finds great joy in nurturing both children and parents through their first preschool experience.

Jennifer received her degree in Early Childhood Education and began teaching in 1997. She has been at ECNS since 2004. Jennifer teaches a multi-aged class and can also be found assisting in the school office. Jennifer enjoys exploring new things with the children, especially nature and isn’t afraid of getting messy.

Jordyn began her career as an elementary school teacher in 2013. She then took time to be home with her two children who both went through ECNS. As her youngest heads to kindergarten this fall, she is looking forward to joining the ECNS staff. Jordyn is certified in early childhood and elementary education with a degree from the University of Missouri.

Kelly is a graduate of Saint Louis University. She has been a part of the ECNS family since the 93-94 school year. First as a parent of 3 children, then as an Advisory Board member. She joined the staff in 1998 helping out in Lunch Bunch a few hours a week while her youngest attended the 4 afternoon class. You can still find her in Lunch Bunch today. She loves ECNS so much she just doesn’t want to leave! In addition to her 3 adult children, she is a proud Nana of five.

Kristen has been part of ECNS since 2013, first as a parent when her youngest two attended school here and later as a substitute teacher.  This will be her 8th year as a full time teacher in the multi-age classes.  Kristen has served on the board of a Washington, DC based non-profit aimed at improving the lives of low income children, as well as President of the board of a Virginia-based Day School. Kristen graduated from the University of Kansas.

Tori came to Eliot Chapel Nursery School after doing research on preschools for her own kids. The ECNS focus on play and being outdoors was a perfect fit. Her children started attending school here in 2018, and she began subbing in 2023, once her youngest began kindergarten. You can find her helping out at Lunch Bunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays and also subbing in all classes. She has a BA in art from Fontbonne University.