Peoples Church Nature Preschool
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Now Celebrating our 75th Year Anniversary in 2026!
BASED IN NATURE
The Peoples Church Preschool embraces a nature-based philosophy and strives to connect children with the natural world whenever possible. This influences our curriculum and daily schedules, including the materials and activities available in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms. In 2016, Peoples Church Preschool's Outdoor Classroom received national recognition as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.
As an urban Nature Preschool, our preschool classes utilize the three-acre Valley Court Park adjacent to the preschool, MSU’s campus, and multiple nature trails and woodlots. We also partner with multiple nature centers located in our community.
WHAT IS A FAMILY?
Family includes a minor child’s parents, regardless of the gender of either parent. The concept of parenthood is to be liberally construed without limitation as encompassing legal parents, foster parents, same-sex parents, step parents, designated guardians, and other persons operating in caretaker roles. We welcome families to become involved in our program in a number of ways. Our educators partner with families to learn about your family values, culture, traditions and goals for your child. We provide multiple opportunities for families to become involved in the program and in their child’s education.
PLAY-RESPONSIVE vs PLAY-BASED TEACHING
Many schools describe themselves as Play-Based. Peoples Church Preschool has a Play-Responsive approach to teaching. This approach is seen as a joint activity where educators and children are mutually engaged in a specific experience.
Our educators know that quality play takes time, imagination and risk. It is our job to observe and then motivate children toward wonder, curiosity and joy. Dialogue is encouraged through listening and interaction. Children are guided to dig deeper and reflect on their work/play. Educators are trained to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply. This allows them to gather data that leads to future lesson plans. These will then be based on the children’s interests, while incorporating experiences in language and literacy, cognitive, creative, physical, and social-emotional learning.
Meet Our Preschool Staff
Taurie Konkel
Taurie joined Peoples Church Preschool in 2019. After many years as a Lead Teacher in the Infant Classroom, she moved into the Preschool Director role. Taurie continues to work with the children in the program, but in her current role, she spends more of her time coaching and mentoring staff members, as well as handling staffing.
Taurie earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has previously worked as a preschool teacher and as an Assistant Director for other programs before joining Peoples Church Preschool.
Taurie and her husband, David, live in Lansing with their son, Jameson, and two cats. She loves being home with her family, but also loves crafting/painting, reading, and visiting her parents’ lakehouse.
Preschool Director | (517) 332-2885 ex. 4455
AJ Schicht
AJ began working in the Preschool this summer.
Assistant Preschool Director | ext. 4454 
Office Administrator | ext. 4450Hannah Strayhorn-Bryant
Hannah joined Peoples Church Preschool in May 2026. She began attending The Peoples Church in 2024, when she first moved to East Lansing. Hannah sings alto in the Chancel Choir and serves on the Community Engagement Committee as the representative for the United Church of Christ denomination.
Hannah earned her first bachelor degree in Musical Theatre Directing from Ball State University in Indiana. After working with her hometown's high school and middle school musicals, along with substitute teaching, she pursued a second bachelor degree in Music Education at Western Michigan University. Hannah completed her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from Ball State in 2024, just before moving to East Lansing. In addition to her studies, Hannah spent nine summers on Camp Life Staff at Interlochen Arts Camp, starting as a Cabin Counselor and working her way up to Division Director.
Hannah and her husband, composer Tré Bryant, live in East Lansing. She is passionate about singing, community, social justice, storytelling, and linguistics.