As the Director of Circle of Friends Preschool, I have a passion for helping children and families enjoy a great start to life-long learning!

I have an Associate’s degree in Child Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Business. I have been involved in the early childhood education field as both a teacher and an administrator for over 27 years. Prior to joining Circle of Friends, I was the director of a corporate child development center in downtown St. Louis. I am the proud parent of twin boys. In my spare time I love to read, spend time with my boys, enjoy the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues, and I used to scuba dive (which I hope to get back into soon). I am thrilled to be a part of the Circle of Friends family!

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Staff

Mary Pettit

As Finance Director, I am responsible for all accounting functions, and providing financial information and resources to support ministry leaders.  Our department processes all church receipts and disbursements, maintains donor records, and prepares monthly reports for the Leadership Board.  We assist with budgeting, special analysis projects, and account for the

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Becky Strickland

As the daughter of a United Methodist minister, Becky Strickland grew up in Missouri and lived all around the St. Louis and surrounding areas. Music and books have been foundations of her life. Becky received a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Central Methodist University, as well as a Masters

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Ron Headshot

Rev. Ron Beaton

A lifelong United Methodist, Pastor Ron Beaton was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Kennett – deep in the Missouri Bootheel. He graduated from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky and was active in the Murray State Wesley Foundation, the United Methodist Campus Ministry. It was there that he met his now wife, Kasey.

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