Lutheran Church of Reconciliation

Meet the Preschool Staff

Share This

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on email
Heather Gunter

Heather Gunter

LCOR Preschool Director

Mrs. Gunter is excited to start her third year as Director at LCOR Preschool! She has worked in the early childhood field for over 20 years as a teacher, assistant director, and director in a Christian setting. She has her degree in early childhood as well as her administrative credentials from the state of NC. Mrs. Gunter is a native of Wilmington, NC. She has been married to her husband, Jeremy, for over 15 years. Together, they raise their 10-year-old daughter, MacKenzie. She is the light of their lives. They also have two miniature schnauzers, Rambo and Thrasher, who keep things lively! Mrs. Gunter enjoys interior design, event planning, being a dance mom, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Gunter has a passion for working with children and families. She is honored and overjoyed that God has led her to serve at LCOR Preschool!

Emily Wantuch

Lead Pre-K Teacher

Emily Wantuch is starting her second year at LCOR and she is so excited! Mrs.Wantuch graduated from Appalachian State University in 2020 with her degree in Music Education. She has spent the past few years working at the Lucy Brock Child Development Lab School as a lead Infant/Toddler teacher. While working there, Mrs.Wantuch gained a passion for Early Childhood Education and Development. She is currently working on her ECE credentials online and has a goal of earning another degree in Child Development. Mrs.Wantuch loves the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching. One of the core values Mrs.Wantuch upholds in her classroom is that children are competent and capable learners and should be put at the center of their education. Mrs.Wantuch returned to her hometown of Wilmington after seven years of living in Boone, NC. Her husband Andrew, also a graduate of App State, will be starting his second year of teaching middle school band this fall. They live with their cat, Toulouse, and leopard gecko, Mr. Beans. In her free time, Mrs.Wantuch loves to exercise, spend time with friends and family, and further her own education. Mrs.Wantuch can’t wait to spend the year learning and growing with her class!

Russell
Danielle Knipp

Danielle Knipp

Assistant pre-K teacher

Ms. Danielle Knipp is starting her sixth year at LCOR Preschool. She attended CFCC and UNCW where she earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Ms. Knipp is originally from Daytona Beach, Fl. and has lived in Wilmington for 26 years. She enjoys spending her days with her daughter, Braelee, her fiance, Chris, as well as her sweet furbabies; her dog, Bear, and cats, Princess and October. Ms. Knipp also enjoys reading, coloring books, taking long walks at Poplar Grove, anything to do with Disney, Halloween and Christmas, and most of all, spending time with her loved ones!

Whitney Daughtry

Lead three-year-old teacher

Mrs. Daughtry is starting her eleventh year at LCOR Preschool and her fourth year as lead three-year-old teacher. Whitney is a native of Wilmington and attended CFCC. She has been married for 19 years and has a daughter, Parker, who is starting her freshman year at NC State this fall! Mrs. Daughtry enjoys reading, working out, puzzles, boating, gardening, cooking, and going to the beach. Whitney truly enjoys working with young children.

Whitney Daughtry
wetzel

Jennifer Kinard

Assistant Three-Year-Old Teacher

Mrs. Kinard is starting her second year at LCOR Preschool. She attended MS State University earning her BA in Marketing. She is originally from Mississippi and has been living in Wilmington for 15 years. She has two amazing daughters, Vivian (9) and Joanna (7), and a mini goldendoodle named Murphy. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, volunteering, arts and crafts, and being outdoors.

Traci Brodeur

Lead two-year-old teacher

Mrs. Brodeur (Mrs. B) has been teaching at LCOR for over 11 years.  Traci has always had a soft spot for the “toddlers & two-year old’s” and loves watching them grow!  Mrs. Brodeur enjoys spending time with her family, walking her two dogs and working outside in her garden.    

Traci Brodeur

Kim Jacobs

Lead toddler Teacher/assistant two-year-old teacher

Mrs. Jacobs is beginning her fifth year at LCOR and her second year as lead teacher in the toddler class.  Kim has lived in Wilmington for 22 years, has three daughters, Jennifer (21), Katelyn (19), and Lacey (16). She has been married to her husband, Randy, who is an engineer at GE, for 24 years.  She loves spending time with her family and friends.  Mrs. Jacobs enjoys the beach, pools and going to White Lake with family. She has a nine-year-old miniature poodle she loves named Jackie.        

IMG 4804
20230823 101237

Angela Artiga

Assistant Toddler Teacher

Mrs. Artiga is a proud Texas native and mother to Mateo, 6 and Luci, 4. She has been an active presence at LCOR preschool since her children began attending in 2021 and has become a permanent member on staff as of 2024.  She has a passion for animals and children and loves helping little ones grow and develop.