Meet Our Staff
JONATHON WILLIFORD - CEO
David Williford
david@anothen.org
Jonathan David Williford is a husband and a father. He is also an entrepreneur and a small business owner who has been involved in Summer Camps and Outdoor Education since childhood.
In his youth, David worked at summer camps like Sky Ranch, Camp Compass, Camp Thurman and Sabine Creek Ranch. David is a Marine and OIF combat veteran. He is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a double major in Mass Communications and Speech Communications. His passion is for leadership development and discipleship. Anothen Preschool Academy is his most recent project.
Courtney Evans
courtney@anothen.org
Courtney Evans is a wife and momma to 2 girls, an organized enthusiast who loves to be around people.
Courtney possesses an undergraduate degree in Early Child Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She and her husband help run the Coffee Shop at church, and lead a small group. She loves to cycle, travel with her family, and have dinner on a patio.
mrs. courtney - DIRECTOR OF education & Curriculum
Emily Lyons
emily@anothen.org
Emily has several years’ experience in ministry working at a local church, a different camp and Anothen for the last year. Emily has a Master’s of Human Services from Liberty University and a Bachelors in Social Work from Hardin Simmons. She loves to travel, be with her family and go to the theatre! Outside of school, she is a mom to one little boy who keeps her very busy.
mrs. emily - school
DIRECTOR
Analy Valderrama
analy@anothen.org
Mrs. Analy is a wife and mom to Harmon (5) and Aspen (almost 2). Together they enjoy seeing every day as an adventure. She is an extrovert who loves to plan and throw a good party!
Analy earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in Interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in bilingual education. She also attended the Kanakuk Institute, a graduate discipleship program in Branson, Missouri. She has taught for over 8 years and loves to be a part of a child’s journey. Mrs. Analy is looking forward to a fantastic year at Anothen.
mrs. Analy - Pre-K Teacher (rabbits)
Cheri Williams
cheri@anothen.org
Ms. Cheri was born and raised in Arlington, Texas. She graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She has 6 years of experience teaching preschoolers. With many years of teaching Sunday school and VBS before that. She’s excited to be at Anothen and share the love and joy of Jesus with her students as they learn and grow, exploring the world God made them!
When not teaching, you will likely find her out in the garden with her chickens, looking for bugs, and spending time with her family and 4 nephews! She loves- teaching littles, animals, exploring outside, hiking, camping and crafting. She loves pets and has two cats, two chickens, a jumping spider and a hedgehog named Mr. Carson who loves making visits up to school!
ms. cheri - threes teacher (Birds)
mrs. ana - spanish teacher & classroom assistant
Ana Gurrola
ana@anothen.org
Ana is a dedicated wife, loving mother, and enthusiastic homemaker. With 20 years of experience in both caring for children and children's ministry, she brings a lasting impact to young lives.
Ana finds joy in serving the Lord and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts, sewing, and quality time outdoors. Her 6-year-old daughter, Corinna, is a multi-talented young girl who practices ballet, taekwondo, swimming, rock wall climbing, gardening, and music.
Whether it's organizing fun and educational activities for children or sharing meaningful stories that inspire faith, Ana is passionate about teaching and nurturing young hearts. She eagerly looks forward to serving at Anothen, excited to continue making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families through her unwavering passion and dedication
ms. Sky- classroom assistant
Sky Bean
sky@anothen.org
Sky was born and raised in the Metroplex! She loves spending time with her family and friends! She is working on her degree in Speech Pathology.
Sky also loves Mexican food and the color turqouise!
Her go to Bible verse is Psalms 139:16.
ms. Sara-
After care teacher
Sara Ebert
Sara is a senior at Legacy High School in Mansfield and has been working at Camp Anothen for the last four years. She loves helping the kids learn and have fun. Her camp name is “Rascal”.
She loves cherry limeades and spending time with friends and family when not at Anothen.
Jennifer Euerle
jennifer@anothen.org
Mrs. Jennifer was born and raised in Duncanville, Texas. 4 years ago she decided to move to Midlothian, with her husband, Andrew and their two boys, Liam (9) and Laden (5). She has also been married for 13 years. Mrs. Jennifer graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Education.
She has been teaching in some capacity (substitute teaching, Kid’s Church and Anothen) for about 9 years and enjoys spending time with her family, watching baseball and baking sweet treats! She loves working with little ones and watching them grow and learn and is so looking forward to getting to know each of her students and their families.
mrs. jennifer - bridge Teacher
Angie Williams
angie@anothen.org
Angie is a lover of Jesus, devoted wife and mother, and has spent her entire life caring, teaching, and loving on children of all ages. She has taught Sunday School from 3’s to first grade, led children at church camp, had her own in-home childcare for twelve years, spent seven years as a public-school teaching assistant working part of the time with preschool children with disabilities and the other part in general education Pre-K. She is currently working on a degree in Educational Studies from Grand Canyon University.
Angie and her husband Wes have a blended family with three teenagers (Gracie, Zack, Landon) from her and one (Savannah) from him. As a family we love going to church, amusement parks, the zoo, trying new restaurants, game nights, fishing and hanging out by the water. Angie loves being creative with any kind of craft project like painting, putting decorations together, and creating art projects with children. She is so excited for this new adventure in a faith-based program in the middle of God’s beauty…children, nature and Jesus loving people!
mrs. Angie - threes teacher (cubs)
Emma Balentine
emma@anothen.org
Emma is currently studying to be a physical therapy assistant at Tarrant County College. She loves Dr. Pepper, giraffes and hanging out with her family and fiance.
When she is not at work, you can find her studying or wedding planning for the upcoming big day!
mrs. emma-
twos teacher (foxes)
ms. abby - threes Assistant (cubs)
Abigail Bocanegra
abby@anothen.org
Ms. Abby has been a part of the Mansfield community her whole life. For my first 2 years of college I went to serve at Southland Christian Camp in Louisiana. She loved working there during the off season and their summer camp season. She is currently studying Radiologic Technology at TCC and is looking forward to graduating soon. She has two dogs that she loves, her favorite color is pink, and she enjoys working with children.
She also loves to serve in the nursery and children’s services at her home church and she is so excited to be working at Anothen!
Ysenia Velasco
ysenia@anothen.org
Mrs. Ysenia was born and raised in Texas, she has 3 children and has worked in public schools for the past 4 years. She likes to create simple memories my children will remember such as spending time together at the park or watching a movie. She feels so blessed to be able to join the Anothen team this school year and can't wait to meet her students.
mrs. ysenia - twos teacher (hedgehogs)
Patricia Flores
patricia@anothen.org
Born and raised in Texas, Mrs. Patricia moved to Arlington 27 years ago from South Texas. She has been married for 21 years and she is a mother of 2 boys and 2 girls. She loves her family pets, Maya the little Maltese and Tiger the fish.
Patricia likes reading, learning and shopping. She serves at her church as a 5th grade leader for girls. She has served with preschool children through the ministry of Bible Study Fellowship and 1st - 5th graders at her church and local charter school.
Patricia also loves Mexican food and the color aqua!
Her go to Bible verses for encouragement and strength are Isaiah 41:10 and Isaiah 43:2.
mrs. Patricia - classroom assistant
mrs. Sam - Gardening teacher &
classroom assistant
Sam Morton
sam@anothen.org
Sam Morton was born and raised in the United Kingdom. She taught preschool gymnastics for 9 years before moving to Mansfield, Texas for her husband’s job 16 years ago.
She is a wife of 19 years and mum of 3 kids. Finn (18 years) is a freshman studying physics and engineering at University of North Texas. Nate (14years) is a freshman in high school, and Lily (10years) is in 4th grade.
Mrs. Sam enjoyed staying home with her children until her youngest started in kindergarten, since then she has been subbing, and teaching preschool at church for the last 5 years. She loves to read, spend time with her family, go camping, walk their boxer dog, cook for friends and family while enjoying the outdoors. However, her favorite thing to do is to watch her eldest son sing bass in his choirs.
mrs. Lili-
classroom assistant (foxes)
Lili York
Lili is a mother to a beautiful little girl and a fur baby. After graduating from the University of North Texas, she spent a few years working in high school special education.
Some hobbies include cooking, baking with her daughter, spending time outside, crafting and going to the library!
lili@anothen.org
Evelyn Dozier
evelyn@anothen.org
Mrs. Evelyn has a love for teaching and is celebrating her fifth year of leading Tinkergarten outdoor learning classes in the community. Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of North Texas, and began her career in public education, serving first as a substitute teacher before teaching full-time as a Kindergarten Teacher, then as a Middle School Math Teacher, and finally as a 6-12th grade Physical Education Teacher.
It was during her training for Tinkergarten that Evelyn first came across the ideas of Charlotte Mason, and became inspired to incorporate the approach with her own children. Three years ago, she had the opportunity to put it into practice in the homeschool co-op she led out of her home. Now, she is excited to pilot this rich and robust educational approach with Anothen’s Form 1 Program.