MKU Effingham Team

Meet Our Team

Montessori Kids Universe Effingham recognizes that our caring, dedicated teachers are what makes our school so valuable. MKU Effingham recruits and maintains a high-quality staff through an intensive selection and vetting process. We provide on-going professional development and growth opportunities within our school, and foster a healthy work environment for our employees. Meet the most important aspect of our school: Our quality teaching staff!

Brad and Jordan Jansen

Owners

Brad and Jordan Jansen are the owners of Montessori Kids Universe in Effingham, IL. They have 4 beautiful children. Charlee attends St. Anthony Grade school, while Cam, Cal, and Curran all are enrolled at MKU. Their children are the most important things in their lives. After being faced with the reality of the lack of quality childcare, Brad decided to give up his career to start something special in the Effingham Community.

Jordan grew up on a farm in Effingham County in rural Dieterich. She attended Dieterich High School, and graduated with a degree in Special Education at Lakeland. After getting married, Jordan moved with Brad to North Dakota then to Wisconsin where she worked as a Lead Teacher at a preschool. Jordan currently works at Branches in Effingham as an Esthetician. Jordan’s loves include puppies, coffee, traveling and of course her wonderful family.

Brad was born and raised in Effingham County in rural Mason. He attended St. Anthony High School and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 2010. He has spent the last 10 years in the Agriculture business as a Grain Elevator Manager and grain trader. With Brad’s career he worked in Arkansas, Nebraska, Texas, North Dakota, and Wisconsin before moving back to Illinois. Brad loves playing sports, watching Illini basketball, hunting, fishing, hiking and spending time with his wonderful family.

Tiffanee Hartke

Executive Director

Tiffanee and her husband Adam live in Teutopolis. They have three beautiful children: Kera, Kennedi, & Kristopher. She has been a licensed in-home daycare provider for over 10 years. Tiffanee holds Associate’s degrees in Applied Science and in Early Childhood Education from Lakeland College.
In her spare time, Tiffanee coaches travel softball in the fall and spring. She also enjoys playing softball on the weekends with her husband. Her favorite holiday is Christmas

Hannah Roberson

Director of Operations

Hannah was born and raised in Altamont. Over the past few years she has been a nanny for several families and worked in a local preschool. She obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education from Lake Land College and is working on her bachelors through EIU.

Hannah has a Dalmatian named Pongo, and in her free time she likes to travel, read and spend time with friends and family

Mackenzey White

Director of Curriculum

Mackenzey grew up in Effingham County. Her passion is working with children. She has a dog named Tilly. She enjoys cooking, baking and DIY projects in her free time. She also loves spending time with family and friends.