Meet our incredible team!

Wendy Visser

Owner & Executive Director

Carisa Dabb

Co-Director

Kristal Poyzer

Co-Director

Christine Anderson

On-Site Supervisor

Wendy Visser holds an M.A. in Elementary Education, with endorsements in Unified Early Childhood Programs, Special Education, and Reading.  She will work with the teachers and staff to develop a curriculum that aligns with the vision and mission of De Kinderen Huis.  As an early childhood teacher and mom, Wendy will work to make sure that the facility and staff are equipped to create a safe and fun environment for each and every child.

Carisa comes to De Kinderen Huis with 5 years of teaching experience in the lower elementary classroom along with extensive managerial & customer relation experiences. Carisa has a strong desire to work with children & is always very excited to see growth through the developmental stages. Carisa oversees the staff and daily operations. Carisa also heads up all marketing & community events, spearheads our Summer Program as well as the Before & After School Program.

After working as Childcare Director for PRC Health & Fitness the past five years, Kristal brings her skill sets and passion for children across the street to De Kinderen Huis. Prior to her work at PRC, Kristal spent 4 years as an Assistant Director at Discovery Daycare in Pocahontas, IA.
Kristal's daily responsibilities include maintaining state licensure requirements, updating staff & child files, completing enrollment forms and sending out billing information.

Christine has been working with children of all ages in the childcare industry and her local church for the past 10 years.  Her experience, love of children, and dedication to the philosophy of De Kinderen Huis are exactly what we look for in our employees.  In her free time, Christine enjoys spending time with family and taking care of her nieces and nephews.  

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Kendall Smith

Lead Teacher, Busy Bees

Kendall was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a graduate of Spain Park High School.  She recently moved from Alabama to Oskaloosa, Iowa and is currently pursuing her degree in Early Education. Art is a big part of who she is. During her free time, you will find her drawing, painting or spending time with family and friends.

Lisa Etcher

Lead Teacher, Bird's Nest

Lisa grew up and worked on her family farm in Lovila, Iowa her entire life. She has seven years of childcare experience working with her thirteen nieces and nephews. She loves to help children have fun while learning and exploring new things. While not working, you will find Lisa playing slow pitch softball, game nights with family and friends and volunteering at her church.

Paighton Veentsra

Lead Teacher, Discoverers

Paighton has lived in Pella since she was young. She is a semester graduate from Pella High School & plans to attend DMACC in the fall to work towards her degree in Early Childhood Education. She has prior experience with children while taking care of her little cousins & working at Pella Early Learning Center for a year & a half prior to joining the team here at DKH. Paighton loves spending time with children, whether it be in the classroom learning or outside playing & running around. In her free time, you can find her at the raceway in Knoxville watching sprint car races on Saturday nights & spending time with her family & friends.

Kaitlyn Letzring

Teacher, Bird's Nest

Kaitlyn is an Oskaloosa native and graduate of William Penn University with a BA in Kinesiology. She is currently back in school to become a Physical Therapist Assistant at Indian Hills. Aside from working at DKH, Kaitlyn is also a fitness instructor at PRC Health and Fitness.  In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys watching movies, hanging out with family, and going on adventures with her husband, Titus.

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Chelsea Smith

Teacher, Bird's Nest

Chelsea grew up in Knoxville, Iowa and now resides right here in Pella. She is the mother of three children. Chelsea has always enjoyed working with children. As a teenager, Chelsea spent her time babysitting on a regular basis and also worked in the church nursery whenever she could. It was always Chelsea's dream to become a mother. After she did, she was given the opportunity to run the church's nursery. Chelsea was also very involved with other ministries including children's ministries and Vacation Bible School. After her youngest was born, she was able to become a stay at home mom and started her own in-home daycare. In Chelsea's spare time, she loves to spend it with family and friends as well as working with photography.

Destiny Arkema

Teacher, Busy Bees

Destiny has lived in Pella, Iowa her whole 21 years of life and doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon! She's worked with children quite a bit whether in daycare, teaching Sunday school, or just babysitting. She's come to realize it's something she loves to do! In her free time, Destiny loves to be outside if the weather is nice and  also enjoys staying in and watching movies like Sixteen Candles, Pretty Woman, The Breakfast club, etc. She also enjoys learning new recipes and cooking for others! 

(Photo coming soon!)

Kendall Van Woerkom

Lead Teacher, Explorers

Kendall is a Pella native and recently graduated from The University of Northern Iowa with a degree in English Teaching, as well as Teaching English as a Second Language. She has been babysitting since she was a middle schooler, and for three and a half years during her time at UNI, worked at the Child Development Center on campus. In her free time, Kendall loves to read, spend time on the lake, and hang out with her family and friends. 

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A: 405 Truman Road, Pella, Iowa 50219 
​P: 641-629-1424     H: 6:30am - 5:30pm