Little Friends at HAB Team
Caring & Dedicated
Chelsea Weise
Principal
Chelsea holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Andersonville Theological Seminary, an AA degree in Elementary Education from Santa Fe College, and is credentialed by the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families as a preschool director and daycare operations manager. She has 14 years’ experience in teaching preschool-age children. She has a wide variety of interests that include physical sports and homemaking, traveling, cooking, and making memories with her family. The recent COVID quarantine period has made her vividly aware of how precious – and fleeting, despite the confinements of the quarantine! - are the moments with one’s children. Her favorite Bible verse is First John 4:4: “Greater is He than is in me, than he that is in the world.” She is married to Justin, a teacher at Episcopal High School. She and Justin have two children, Maddie and Macaiden.
Lisa Kaufman
VPK Teacher
Lisa has been a part of Little Friends since 2018. She is state certified and has earned her Child Development Associate Certification. Her goal is to instill the love of learning to all of her students. She has been married for 25 years and has two sons. She enjoys traveling, photography, reading, the beach, and taking care of her three fur-babies. She loves the Lord, and her favorite verse is "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" -Jeremiah 29:11
Sarah Cooke
PK-3 Teacher
Sarah has been working with children since she was sixteen years old. She is currently a certified child care worker and is continuing her education in the child care field. She is married to Brian and has a wonderful son. She enjoys reading, movies, coloring her hair, spending time with family, and recently began crocheting. Sarah's favorite Bible verse is Corinthians 16:14, "Let all that you do be done with love."
Taran Nelson
PK-2 Teacher
Taran attended Lee University where she received a Bachelors degree in Health Education. She is married to Kyle and has three children, Beckett, Camden, and Elisha. In her free time she loves to read, go to the beach, and ride bikes to the St. John's River.
Anna Schnabel
One Year Old Teacher
Anna Schnabel is a State Certified Childcare Professional who will continue her education in child development. She is married to Mike Schnabel and has two daughters, Krysten and Jennifer, a wonderful son-in-law, Austin, and three grandchildren, Anna, James, and Ava. She loves to sew, embroider, paint, and making memories with her grandchildren. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalms 37:4, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
Elizabeth Duvall Sims
Transition Class
Liz was born and raised in Jacksonville where she attended and graduated from the Episcopal School of Jacksonville. She is currently working on her bacherlor's degree in Elementary Education. She married her husband, Cody, during the summer of 2020 and they share their house with their menagerie of pets! She enjoys beach days, hiking and art. She attends Hendricks Avenue Baptist church and her favorite bible verse is Proverbs 3:6 “Seek God's will in all you do and He will direct your path”
Meg Meyer
Meg Meyer considers herself a Duval native, although she was born a Hoosier. She is married to David Meyer and has four children, Jacob, Michael, Stephen, and Thomas. Thomas is also an alum of Little Friends! She loves trying new recipes, walking, watching documentaries, and being with her family. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."
Infant Teacher
Arold’Rixilia Rambeloarisoa
Teachers' Assistant
Arold earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and PhD in History from People’s Friendship University of Russia in Moscow. She moved to Jacksonville with her husband Mamy, daughter Miora, and son Tahiana in 2010. Since then she has been devoted to teaching children. She enjoys baking, gardening, and traveling with her family. Her favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23:1-4 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Krysten Schnabel
Teachers' Assistant
Krysten has been working with children since she was a young adult when she first worked with the children's ministry at her home church. She enjoys the teaching process and seeing children grow and learn new things. In her free time, Krysten enjoys reading, writing, making memories with her niece and nephew, and cuddling with her cats and kittens. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."