Redwood Staff
Wendy Pendleton - Owner
Wendy started in childcare by opening an in home daycare nearly 30 years ago. Her philosophy has always been to have a daycare that makes it possible for EVERY SINGLE student to succeed. She is so excited to have 2 operating centers that take care of so many children.
Wendy has an active CDA and endorsements in: Guidance & Emotional Wellness, School Readiness, Theories & Best Practices and Special Needs.
Outside of daycare, Wendy loves spending time with her loving Husband, 5 children (& partners) and 3 grandchildren.
Brittney Futch - Director
Brittney has been with Bear Essentials since they first opened the doors at 5400 S. Over the years has been a head teacher with every age group and now runs the redwood location.
Brittney has her National Administrator Credential (NAC) and is working towards her Associates degree in family and human studies.
Brittney married the love of her life and has two beautiful boys who she loves to travel with.
Cynthia VanDenBos - Asst. Director / Cook
Cynthia has been with Bear Essentials for 11 years. She has worked with all the different age groups and now is the full time cook. Cynthia is CACFP trained and TopStar endorsed. She also holds a infant and toddler endorsement and is working on her CDA.
Cynthia has two adorable daughters in elementary school who have attended Bear Essentials with her since infancy.
Cynthia loves to cook and sing and spending time with her girls
Kathy Papach - Head Teacher
Kathy joined us in 2021 as the head teacher of the infant/toddler room. She has worked in childcare for over 20 years and holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education.
Originally from Connecticut, Kathy loves being with her two cats Roger (5) and Jack (3).
Wendy Jones-Winn - Asst. Director / Pre-School Teacher
Wendy began working for Bear Essentials in 2005 at the owner's at home daycare. She was part of the staff who helped open the 54th location. She has worked in childcare for 22 years.
Over the years she has worked with all age groups and is currently the pre-school and school age teacher.
Wendy loves crafts and doing art projects. She also loves science and sharing that with her class.
Wendy is a widower who recently re-married. She has 10 children and 19 grandchildren.
Zahara (Giti) Mirzaei Vishkaei -Teacher
Giti has been with us for 4 years and works in the infant/toddler room. Giti's work experience includes being a nurse at a children's hospital for 19 years.
In her free time Giti loves to read, listen to music, cook, knit, and watch TV. She also loves traveling with her husband.
Marisa Whittington - Teacher
Marisa has been helping out at Bear Essentials for 18 years. She has currently been working full time since July 2021. She spends her days caring for the infants in the baby room.
Marisa has a wonderful blended family with 6 children, 2 step-children, 8 grand children and 6 step-grand children.
In her free time, Marisa likes to garden and participate in water activities like kayaking.
Kisty Glines - Teacher
Rachelle "Shelly" Carroll - Administrator
Shelly started working for Bear Essentials Academy for 4 years and was the full-time cook for 2 years. She has had the opportunity to work as a floating teacher interacting with all age groups. Shelly now works part-time as an administrator managing the food program, Brightwheel, State Quality rating, and fills in wherever she is needed.
Rachelle loves to paint, play disc golf with her husband, and spend time with her children. All 3 of her children have attended Bear Essentials
