Cynthia Raven-                            Owner, Director, Lead Teacher

I work at Luke's Treehouse full time.  I came to the business 5 years ago highly credentialed: 

Bachelor's Degree in Education- Vocational Family & Consumer Sciences-  2000 from MU,  I studied child development as part of my program, as well as nutrition, family studies, environmental design, finances and did student teaching at the MU Child Development Lab for a semester

Masters Degree in Education- Learning, Teaching, & Instruction-  2006 from MU,  I studied the philsophy of education as well as educational models and assessment methods.

Missouri Teaching Certification in:                    

• Vocational Family & Consumer Sciences Education grades 9-12
• Early Childhood Education ages Birth to 3rd grade
• Elementary Education grades 1-6
• Language Arts Education grades 5-9

National Board Teaching Certification-  2007      This is a difficult national certification to achieve.  At the time of my application about 38% of applicants achieved certification on the first attempt and with retakes the number rose to about 50%. 

Missouri Professional Achievement and Recognition System Missouri Career Lattice level 5C                  This is the highest level of recnognition and is based on education and experience

Missouri Early Childhood Director's Certification- 100+ children      This is the highest rating meaning I am authorized to direct a center with 100 or more children.

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Daniel Raven-

Full Time Assistant

Daniel is originally from The Netherlands.  He joined us 3 years ago part time and now works as a full time assistant.  Our staff is truly international!  He trained 1 year at an early childhood setting in the Netherlands as part of his schooling.  Daniel or Mr. Danny as the children call him attends almost as much training as I do since we normally go together.   He is also my husband. 

 Maria Villarreal-                      Lead Teacher



Maria has been with the program for 4.5 years.  She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from her country of origin- Mexico!  She taught early grades several years before beginning moving to the US and beginning her family.  We are fortunate to have her working with us during our busiest parts of the day and leading daily school skills lessons. 

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Richard Waltman-

Part Time Assistant and Substitute

Richard is currently working part time here at Luke's Treehouse.  He is getting to know the children and routines so he can act as a substitute as well as a 4th teacher.  Richard is a Biology major, with a double minor in business and history at MU.  He is in his 5th year and plans to attend graduate school.  He is also my second son. 

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Luke Waltman-

Substitute

Luke is my youngest son and the namesake of the business.  He is currently enrolled part time at MU in his third year.  He occasionally lends a hand and is registered as an authorized substitute.

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Jeanette Osborn-

Substitute

Jeanette is an authorized substitute and is often affectionately known to the children as Grandma.  She lives in the Rolla area and is retired from her accounting job for the federal government.  She is also my mother. 

I am very proud of our staff!