Our Team of Teachers

Heather Lingemann

Program Director & Teacher

My desire to teach, and learn from, young children blossomed from what seemed at times like an aimless journey. I found myself a recent graduate from Cal. State Univ., Chico looking into career prospects and felt wanting. A brief career in public relations & fundraising that led to a position in retail management, taught me to have drive to achieve goals, the ability to collaborate with my team of employees and have many happy moments helping customers get their needs met. During this time I was blessed with a daughter to raise on my own. I wanted to find a way to be her mother and have a career. After a few years I realized the retail life was not going to allow me to be the one nurturing my daughter into a compassionate, inclusive, and loving little girl. I wanted, no I needed, to be there for her to show her these things; and my small family child care home grew from this need.

After a few years of providing in-home childcare and learning opportunities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, my own daughter began kindergarten, prompting me to look into our future for something more. I had a wonderful opportunity to observe and volunteer in a local preschool that served children with exceptional needs right along side their typical developing peers. It seemed that the teachers there had limitless compassion, patience, and creativity for the children they served. I thought to myself that I must have been brought to this path for a reason. I went back to college to earn my credentials to teach children with developmental disabilities and other exceptional needs.

While teaching in elementary special education, I found myself always looking for ways to teach the youngest students in elementary school. I had always felt they had some of the most authentic love for learning and that attracted me to them. I managed to find a teaching position serving children with severe and/or multiple handicapping conditions in grades Transitional Kindergarten-Second. After a few more years, an opportunity presented itself that I couldn’t pass on. I left my current teaching position and took a year for reflection and to spend precious time with my preschool aged twins before they began kindergarten. During this time my insightful husband shared with me an observation he made when reflecting back to the days when we first began dating. He said, that when he sees me truly happy and enjoying life the most, I am often playing, exploring, creating, and taking adventures with very young children. From this insight, and about a year and a half of extremely dedicated hard work, Creative Minds Early Learning Center, Inc. began.

Sharing in the knowledge growth of young children fuels my heart and is a way I can give of myself to help others. I am so honored to be chosen by our local area families to nurture and guide their most precious children. Email me: info@creativemindschico.com