Teachers

Susan was born in Chattanooga, TN. She has lived in Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Arizona, Maryland and California. She lived in Felton, California until she moved to Sonora in 2006. Susan began has an instructional aide at Safari and then received her early children units enabling her to teach. She has taught at Safari since it opened in 2007.

Susan graduated from high school in Antioch, California. She attended Woodbury University in Los Angeles for one year, then Academy of Art in San Francisco. She is currently attending Columbia College.

Susan has been married to Steve Nelson for 35 years. She has three children Ben, Tamara, and Shannon, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren. She loves painting, scrapbooking and Children’s Ministry. She has taken two missionary trips to India and and, with her husband, is involved in a ministry to the homeless in Sonora, CA plus volunteers for Samaritan’s Purse.

If you look on the playground, in the toddler room and in the Safari Day Care, Susan did the coloration and shading on our murals.

Stephanie was born and raised in San Jose, CA. In 2002 she and her family moved to Groveland, California to be a live-in caretaker for her grandmother.

While attending Tioga High School she realized her passion for working with kids after volunteering at a local elementary school. When Stephanie graduated from high school in 2005 she aspired to work with children via social work. But, after taking Child Development courses at Columbia College, she realized that she’d rather teach children.

In 2008 she successfully completed her AA degree in Liberal Studies and an AS degree in Child Development. She is currently enrolled in college courses and is pursuing a career in pediatrics nursing because of her love of caring for young children.

When Stephanie is not working with children and attending classes, she is usually spending time with close friends and family. She enjoys taking photographs and scrapbooking, listening to music, watching movies, shopping, visiting new places and trying new things. In the near future, she hopes to have the resources and available time to travel the world. Stephanie has taught at Safari since it opened in 2007.