Early Childhood Staff

                                               Mrs. Jessica Machiniak, Daycare Director                                               daycare@trinityberrien.org

Jessica Machiniak is a passionate early childhood educator with over a decade of classroom experience and a strong commitment to guiding young learners and supporting families.  After 12 years of teaching in early childhood classrooms, Jessica stepped into the role of Daycare Director in 2024. Backed by her Administrator’s Certificate in Early Childhood Education, she is dedicated to fostering a safe, warm, and engaging environment where children can build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Jessica and her husband, Chris, are the proud parents of two children, Jake and Livi, alongside their two dogs. Outside of school, she loves traveling, spending time outdoors, and making memories with family and friends.

COMING SOON!!!

Preschool Teacher

                                        Mrs. Mona Felton, Lead Teacher Little Learners 4's                                              msmona@trinityberrien.org

Mrs. Mona is a dedicated early childhood educator with over two decades of experience helping children grow, explore, and thrive. Her journey in education began in 1999 as a special education aide, where she developed a deep appreciation for the unique ways every child learns.  Over the years, Mrs. Mona has cared for and inspired young learners across multiple age groups—serving as a lead infant and toddler teacher, a private nanny, and currently as the lead 4-year-old preschool teacher at Trinity. A proud holder of a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential earned in 2024, she builds safe, loving, and play-based classrooms where learning is fun, hands-on, and engaging. Mrs. Mona is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Outside the classroom, she loves making memories with her family, camping, fishing, browsing flea markets, and relaxing at the beach.

                                     Miss Ana Cardoso, Lead Teacher Little Learners 3's                                              msana@trinityberrien.org

                                                 Mrs. Mrs. Monica Perkins, GSRP Teacher                                                m.perkins@trinityberrien.org

Mrs. Monica Perkins grew up in Coloma, MI.  She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She started working at Trinity Lutheran School in 2022 as the Daycare Director. Monica and her husband Josh have 3 boys, Grayson, Emmett and Archie. They enjoy camping, boating and cooking family meals together.

                                          Ms. Ashleigh Hart, GSRP Associate Teacher                                             a.hart@trinityberrien.org

Ms. Hart graduated from Bridgman high school and has a CDA in preschool education. She is continuing her early childhood education. Ms. Hart and her fiance' Orion have two children and a cat named Pete. Ms. Hart enjoys traveling, being in nature, and spending time with family and friends.