Meet Our Staff

My name is Dianna Webb and I am the Owner and Director of AppleTree Learning Center. For over 40 years I have worked in a range of settings serving children, families, and communities. These experiences have increased my awareness and understanding of the needs and concerns in early care and education. As a wife, married for 40 years, a mother of five grown children, and grandmother of eight, I understand the difficulties of families in today's stressful and chaotic world and the critical shortage of quality and affordable early care. The increased popularity of using technology to replace human interactions motivated me to obtain certification as an infant massage instructor and now provides another opportunity for me to make a positive difference in the lives of families. The importance of a quality, nurturing environment for early education motivated me to pursue licensing of our Center as a private school through the Wyoming Department of Education. Since 1996 we have included a full day kindergarten for children. My memberships in the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Wyoming Early Childhood Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, and other early childhood professional organizations have afforded me opportunities to provide leadership and be involved in educating other professionals. Children's voices need to be heard and that guides my efforts and commitment to advocate for all children.

Hi, my name is Wendee Rohrer Webb and I am the Early Kindergarten teacher. I have an AA Degree in Elementary Education, with wide-ranging additional coursework/training in working with “at risk” and special needs children. I am also certified in CPR and First Aid and receive a minimum of 50 clock hours of additional Early Childhood Education training annually.

I have extensive experience in working with children. Being the oldest in a family of five children and having two of my own and also being a Foster Mom, gives me additional insight into development, personalities, special needs, and family dynamics. Having spent seven years as a single parent, I also am comfortable working with children who come from similar situations and may be considered “at risk”. I have worked in the Child Development Center at Chadron State College, HeadStart in Casper, volunteered in Kindergarten classrooms, taught preschool for 3 years, and have been the Assistant Director of AppleTree Learning Center since the Center opened in 1994.

I am continuing my education to receive a 4-year degree in Child and family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and Children with Special Needs. Long term goals include obtaining a Masters Degree in Child Psychology, specializing in ages birth through age 8.

Hello, I'm Kristi Merrell. I find working with children fascinating. My love for children inspired me to attend Casper College, where I majored in Elementary Education. I graduated with an Associate's Degree in 2001. I have been the lead Infant teacher caring for and nurturing children from birth to 3 years of age since 1998. In December, 2002 I received additional education, specialized in infant/toddler care, and received my Infant/Toddler Director credential from the State of Wyoming. As the 0 - 3 Program Coordinator, I ensure the highest quality care possible is provided to those in the 0-3 age group. I am certified in First Aid, CPR and I obtain a minimum of 25 clock hours of training per year which gives me the most current Early Childhood Education information in providing quality care for infants and toddlers.