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Administration Team
Mary Whitehead | Director
Telephone: 913.663.1997 x8
Email: mary@hcckc.org
Meet Mary, our amazing Director who has been an essential part of Hillcrest since 2013—truly her home away from home! She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Pittsburg State University in 2015 and passionately led our Navigator Summer Camp Program for four years along with being the Pre-K classroom Lead. After being promoted to Assistant Director in 2017 and then Director in 2020, Mary is wholeheartedly dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children to thrive. She's available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and holds First Aid and CPR certifications.
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Deidre Houke | Assistant Director
Telephone: 913.663.1997 x7
Email: deidre@hcckc.org
Meet Deidre, our dedicated Assistant Director, who holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and boasts over 15 years of exceptional experience in early childhood education! During her four years as a Lead Teacher at Hillcrest, she infused her expertise in social-emotional learning, making learning a positive journey for her students. Since stepping into her role as Assistant Director in August 2024, Deidre continues to inspire both children and staff alike. With CPR and First-A certifications, you can trust that safety is always a top priority!
Marcella Kingsley | Business Manager
Telephone: 913.663.1997 x9
Email: marcella@hcckc.org
Meet Marcella! Before graduating from FSU with a degree in Psychology, she found herself in management, spending four years overseeing Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores. In 2015, a friend introduced her to preschool teaching, and she instantly fell in love with it. Since then, Marc has dedicated herself to early childhood education, teaching all age groups, a special fondness for toddlers, and has now transitioned into Administration. She is available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to share her passion for nurturing young minds!