Our Team
We have a truly special team, built around care, connection, and learning. Our teachers are deeply dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging, and loving program designed specifically for young children ages 2–4. Through thoughtful guidance and meaningful experiences, we support each child’s growth, curiosity, and sense of belonging during these important early years.
Jamie Poma
I often say that teaching is the family business. Growing up, both my grandmother and my mom were teachers. I spent most of my summers helping in the preschool where my mom worked, which sparked my lifelong love for working with children. I began teaching at 19 while studying Child Development at Santa Rosa Junior College. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with all age groups, but truly found my calling during my eight years as the Director of La Petite Academy, where building strong, meaningful relationships with children, families, and staff became the heart of my work.
Creating a warm, welcoming school community is what drives me. Preschool is such a magical and foundational time, my goal is to nurture an environment that feels like a second home, where children feel safe, loved, and free to be themselves, and families feel supported as part of a shared village. I am grateful to be building upon the strong foundation already in place at FUMC Preschool and look forward to growing alongside this wonderful community.
Director
Joanne Welch
I’m blessed to spend my days at our little preschool! I began teaching here many years ago and still love working with this age group. It’s rewarding to witness their joy of discovery and emerging social skills. I pride myself in helping to create a loving, safe, enriching, and developmentally appropriate environment for our children. I enjoy getting to know their families. Our entire staff is very dedicated and a great group to work with.
I have my bachelor's degree in Child Development from California State University, Chico. I’m married, have two grown sons, and one precious grandchild. In my spare time, I take all my local walks, hike in Sonoma County and beyond, read, and spend time with my family!
Teacher
I received my Early Childhood Education at Santa Rosa Junior College, but it seems to me that I have learned so much from the highly devoted, caring teachers I work with each day! I enjoy co-teaching where we, as a team, create environments and facilitate activities, then watch the kids explore the different things around them. This year, we have made it possible for the kids to learn inside or outside during our activity time. Outside is where you’ll find me, because you can be a little messier in the way you can learn and explore.
It’s hard for me to convince my family that I “go to work” when they hear me talk about sliding down a slide, making volcanoes and sand castles, teddy bear picnics, rocket ships to space, and so much more! I feel truly blessed to still love and enjoy, after 30 years, being a part of a child’s early education.
Teacher
Debbie Howes
I have had the privilege of working at FUMC Preschool for many years, and I continue to love being part of this special community. With over twenty-six years of experience in early childhood education, I am passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences for young children.
I truly enjoy working here with our amazing staff, children, and families at FUMC Preschool. I also love teaching Spanish and sharing my culture with our students.
Teacher/ Spanish Teacher
Lupe Nolan
Carlee King
I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from California State University, Monterey Bay in May of 2025 and have been lucky enough to find such a fun and fulfilling job here at FUMC. I have always had a love for working with young children and most recently spent two years working in a Kindergarten class. Here at FUMC, I enjoy playing with the kids in the sandbox, watching them create art, and hearing all of their creative stories. This is the first job I’ve had where I truly look forward to coming to work every single day, and cannot wait to continue to watch the kids grow!
In my free time, I love to hike, bake, spend time at the ocean with my dog, and take weekend camping trips with friends and family!
Teacher
Diane Wikse
Music/Movement Teacher
One could say that even in my (new) retirement, I continue to integrate the strong influences of my parents. My Mom was a Music Teacher and my Dad was a United Methodist Minister. I applied some of my Dad’s organizational skills when I served as Director of our FUMC Preschool for 19 years (2006-2025). Before that I served as an early childhood consultant, leading music and movement groups in child care programs, drawing on the music skills I learned from my Mom. I grew up in the church and was often also involved in music programs – I sang in children’s choirs when I was young, and then in adult choirs at several churches, including here at FUMC Santa Rosa.
My Masters degree (M.Ed.) is from Erikson Institute in Chicago, in early childhood development. My approach to leading this music program is to help children to sing, to physically experience the rhythms, to get familiar with traditional children’s music and nursery rhymes, to use music to carry us into our imaginative spaces, and to experience the joy (and sometimes the humor!) of music.