My name is Debbie Deere and I am the Owner/Director of A Deere Place, Inc.  I started this program in my garage in August of 1993.  I was a working mom, who had an unpleasant childcare experience with my three young children, and my goal at that time was to have a career that allowed me to stay at home and spend more time with them.  In 1997, I was able to expand the program into the Lansing Elementary School and operate a Before and After School Program for K-5 students.  The program continued there for ten years.  In 2007 the program expanded again, to include Pre-School through 5th grades, and we moved to our current location.

Prior to owning A Deere Place, my childcare experiences included:  Kindergarten classroom aide; Residential Houseparent in a private home for at-risk children, ages 4-18; Community Campaign Manager for American Red Cross; Executive Director of a non-profit organization that provided programs throughout the state of Kansas to families and children of offenders.

I earned my Business Management degree in 2001, and have taken many college courses and workshops in Early Childhood Education.

I have been married to my husband Kyle for twenty-six years.  We have three grown children and one granddaughter.  I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, doing home remodeling projects, and traveling.  I am also a big fan of Lansing Lion football, Pittsburg State volleyball, and KU.

I appreciate you taking the time to visit our website and invite you to come see our facility.  I am truly committed to providing safe, fun, and affordable childcare for your family.

Ms. Trish (Trish Delich)

Pre-Kindergarten

Ms. Trish has been teaching at A Deere Place for nine years.  She has been the lead Pre-Kindergarten teacher for the past two years, and previously taught in the Kindergarten classroom and in the After School Program.  Before coming to A Deere Place, Ms. Trish was a stay-at-home mom (14 years) and also worked in Early Childhood as a Paraprofessional for the Leavenworth County Co-Op.

When she's not in the classroom, Ms. Trish enjoys reading, sporting events, spending time with her family (she and her husband of 28 years have three grown children) and friends, and taking care of her three dogs: Roxi, Rascal, and Little Dog.

Ms. Tonia (Tonia Mein)

After School Program/Assistant Director

Ms. Tonia has been working at A Deere Place since August 2002 and is the lead teacher in the After School Program as well as the Assistant Director of A Deere Place.  Ms. Tonia has been working with children since she started babysitting in middle school.  She worked at summer camps through high school and college, where she double majored in Health and Physical Education.  Ms. Tonia then worked at two other childcare centers before becoming a nanny for four years.

When she's not working at A Deere Place, Ms. Tonia loves spending time with her husband and their two sons.  Ms. Tonia is also a huge KU fan.  Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Ms. Patti (Patti Gunnels)

Pre-Kindergarten

Ms. Patti has been working at A Deere Place in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom since August 2009.  She began her career in childcare when her husband was stationed in Wildflicken, Germany, where she worked as a Family Childcare Provider.  When she returned to Kansas, Ms. Patti ran a small childcare program out of her home.  She then went back to school to earn her CDA in the Pre-School field, and later attended Neosho County Community College where she earned her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.  Before joining the staff at A Deere Place, Ms. Patti was a Pre-School teacher and director of a childcare center.

Ms. Patti grew up in a military family, and has lived in Giessen, Aschaffenburg, Wildflicken, and Mannheim, Germany.  She has also spent time in Holland, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.  In her spare time Ms. Patti likes to spend time with her husband of twenty-seven years, their two children, and their three granddaughters.

Mr. Keven (Keven Courtney)

Before/After School Programs

Mr. Keven has been working at A Deere Place since August 2006 and is the lead teacher in the Before and After School Programs.  Before coming to A Deere Place, Mr. Keven coached third, fourth, and fifth grade basketball.

Mr. Keven is currently a senior at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, and is majoring in Sports Management.  Mr. Keven enjoys working at A Deere Place because it gives him an opportunity to help children and give them a chance to have fun with their friends in a safe environment.  (He also likes going on the field trips!)