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 / Owner in Training
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 - 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
Wendy Jones-Winn - Asst. Director / Head 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.
Rachelle "Shelly" Carroll - Administrator
Shelly started working for Bear Essentials Academy in 2019 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 4 of her children have attended Bear Essentials
Giti Mirzaei - Baby Room 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.
Josh Futch - Head School Age Teacher
Rose Addams - Head Toddler Teacher
Charley Pustyak - Head Toddler Co-Teacher
Charley started working with us in 2024 and has already made a great impact. She is the Head Toddler teacher and has worked in childcare for 2 years.
Charley is a para educator and graduated high school early.
Charley lives with her dad, 3 brothers, 3 lizards and 1 hamster.
Jasper Callaway - Head Toddler Co-Teacher
Caity Swanagan - Head Baby Room Teacher
Alex Peirce - Asst. Teacher - All Ages
Alex has worked for us for over 2 years. They is an excellent co-teacher and works with all age groups.
An interesting fact about Alex is that they know sign language.
Addie Morris - Asst. Teacher Baby Room
Savannah Schuas - Asst. Teacher - All Ages
Cassandra Rios - Asst. Teacher Toddler Room
Xen Callaway - Asst. Teacher