Tanya Patten
Director and Head Teacher
Tanya, and her husband Alan, have a deep love for Christ and for the church body at Groton Bible Chapel. Tanya’s professional experience for the past 28 years makes her uniquely qualified to continue serving in an educational environment. Her experience in early childhood and secondary education, as well as school administration provide her with the skills needed to oversee and direct Toll Gate Christian Preschool. In addition, Tanya served on staff at GBC as Children’s Ministry Director from 2021 to 2024.
Tanya’s passion is to serve in a faith based ministry that offers educational programming for preschool aged children and their families.
KAREN KRUG
Head Teacher
Karen grew up in Massachusetts in a large family. She received a teaching degree from UMass at Amherst and then moved to Connecticut where she received her teacher's certification. As a young wife and mother, she attended a Catholic church on Saturdays and GBC on Sundays with her husband and children. Hearing and learning God's word on Sunday morning services and at Wednesday morning Bible study at GBC "just made sense". As a result, she accepted the Lord at the Dick Saunders Crusade at GBC on Easter Sunday morning in 1983.
Karen has worked with children in many capacities, including VBS at GBC (Vacation Bible School) for numerous years, private tutoring and within both the Waterford and New London school systems.
Karen's Passion: Recognizing the gifts God has given her and honoring Him by working with children to help them become the best they can be... socially, emotionally, and academically.
Iris Davies
Teacher
Iris grew up in Groton, CT and has been a member of the GBC community her whole life.
Her journey with her faith began as a small child through AWANA clubs, and later on she accepted Christ as her savior, then was baptized at age 7.
Iris has a strong love and patience for the children that are put in her care, her goal being to teach them to know God’s love for them and to be a safe, encouraging figure for them.
Iris has served on the worship teams at Groton Bible Chapel since she was a young teenager and has a love for the arts. She has also been a volunteer for VBS, nursery childcare, and leads children in worship at AWANA. Outside of the church, she teaches voice lessons to kids and teens and has experience as a camp counselor for 4-13 year olds, and also as a child guardian for kids in musical theater.
Iris’ Passion: to help children feel safe and understood, and to encourage creativity within the unique personalities that God has given them.
ANN MEWHA
Teacher
Ann moved to this area from Pennsylvania in 1986 and has been attending GBC since that time. While attending GBC, Ann has been working with various age groups of children and in a variety of ministries including Sunday School, Youth Ministry, and Teen Group. Ann’s children attended TGCP and she was excited to join the teaching staff here in September, 2009. Ann holds a Bachelor Degree in Behavioral Science and has been a believer since being saved as a young child. She and her husband, Dave, live in Mystic and have five children.
Ann’s Passion: Helping children know and understand that school is a fun and safe place to learn about Jesus and to make friends.
STEPHANIE SHELLEY
Teacher
Stephanie originally comes from Indiana but returned to the area for the second time in 2017. Since then, she’s attended GBC. She’s poured her heart into various ministries for over 15 years, from the tiniest ones in the nursery to teaching Sunday and Youth Ministry. Her journey with God began as a teen when she volunteered at a VBS, a moment that ignited a lifelong passion for teaching God’s word.
As a proud Mom of two, both of whom experienced the enriching environment of TGCP, she understands the importance of a loving, faith-centered education. In 2008, shortly after her husband Derek joined the Navy, they began their own journey as a family dedicated to service and faith.
Passions: Loves going on exciting adventures with her family. Spending time with her close friends. Her biggest passion is learning about and teaching God’s word.
Amy Dunsmore
Teacher
Amy grew up in various states along the east coast as a military kid, starting and ending right here in CT, attending Toll Gate as a child. She was saved at a young age, and continues to grow in the faith - calling GBC her home church since June, 2020. She has been married to Stewart, who works at Electric Boat, for 19 years and they have four children.
Amy has been home with her children, who all attended Toll Gate, for the last 18 years, but before that, worked at Pfizer Kids in Groton as a Lead Teacher. She also subbed at a home daycare and nannied. She has volunteered in Awana, Children’s Ministry, VBS, Youth Group, Marriage Ministry, and Women’s Bible Study.
Amy’s passion: Sharing the gospel with children and helping them grow in Christ
ALEXIS PAUL
Teacher
Alexis grew up in Westerly, Rhode Island and started attending Groton Bible chapel in high school and has been here with her family since. Since being at GBC Alexis has served in Sunday school and the nursery.
Alexis has loved to watch children grow and learn from a young age, babysitting since she was 14 and graduating high school with her assistant teacher degree and working at a local preschool during and after highschool.
Alexis is currently studying at Liberty University Online for her degree is Elementary Education with a background in Special Ed.
Her Passion: Helping children to learn about Jesus in a meaningful and positive way everyday!