About Us

What We Believe

Mission Statement

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Preschool exists to partner with parents and equip students to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as presented in God’s precious Word, the Holy Bible (Mark 16:16), to “make disciples” for Christ (Matthew 28:19) and to prepare for Christian citizenship in this world (1 Peter 2:13-17) through the nurturing of the soul, mind, and body.

We Believe …

• Children count with Christ. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God.
• Each child is a unique creation of God, and we strive to help each child attain a healthy self-concept and individuality.
• Children learn best about God’s word through active experimentation and exploration.
• Play is a vehicle for learning and enables each child to progress through each developmental stage.
• Children are provided a warm and loving environment that maximizes growth potential in the intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of life.
• Early Childhood Education is a ministry to children and their families.

What We Teach

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Preschool believes that parents are the child’s first teachers. We believe that children learn best by working with hands-on experiences using their five senses: touching, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting in a creative learning atmosphere.

We recognize the uniqueness of each child and offer opportunities for growth by providing them with a positive, creative, and stimulating environment in which to develop and learn. It is our hope that in focusing on the whole child, with a strong emphasis on self-esteem, our children will enjoy continued success in the world.

We believe that play is to be respected as a vehicle for learning. Children use this mode to model, create, explore, solve problems, interact socially, pretend, and dream.

Hands-on learning includes:

Voyages is the religion curriculum used for Jesus Time. This curriculum contains many ideas to teach about Jesus through a variety of areas and centers.

Visual Phonics is a program that teaches beginning letter recognition and sounds. It provides the children with a solid base in preparation for kindergarten.

Parents may review the Curriculum (Child Care Program) at any time. A copy of the program can be picked up in the classroom.

Licensing Info

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Preschool is a licensed program with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families of Minnesota. The DCYF, Division of Licensing, telephone number is 651-431-6015.

We are also under the care of Child Care Health Consultants and Public Health Nurses of Health Consultants for Child Care.
Our health consultant can be reached at 952-472-3915.

Staff

Marisa Trowbridge—Director/Lead Teacher

I graduated from Concordia University in Seward, NE with a degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Early Childhood Education.  I began my career teaching 4-year-olds at a private preschool in Kansas City, MO.  Two years later I was called to teach preschool at Trinity Lutheran School in Boone, IA.  After teaching preschool in Iowa for six years, I was called to be director and lead teacher of Mt. Calvary’s Preschool.  This September I will begin my 20th year here at Mt. Calvary.

When I am not teaching I spend my free time traveling and seeing my family (in Oklahoma and New Jersey) as much as possible.

Jessica Jensen—Morning Co-Teacher

After the blessing of being home for a number of years raising our family, it is with joy that I have returned back to the classroom to share part of the preschool day with you.  Miss Marisa and I have been teaching together here at Mt. Calvary since September 2006!

I was born and raised right here in the Twin Cities, loved it so much I have never left! It is here that I met my husband and together we make a home with our son, a cat and our dog. We are blessed to be surrounded by our families and many friends. In my free time I enjoy kayaking, walking, reading, watching hockey and relaxing with family and friends.

I look forward to beginning the walk in the Lord with your child.