About us
Meet Our Staff
Emily Pedersen
Emily Pedersen, affectionately known as “Ms. Emily,” currently serves as the Director of the Knox Child Development Center. A valued member of the Knox team since 2005, she brings nearly 20 years of dedication, creativity, and heartfelt care to her work with children and families.
Emily is deeply passionate about creating a nurturing, engaging environment where every child can grow, learn, and thrive. She especially treasures the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with families and loves finding imaginative ways to support early childhood development.
“I love working with families and being creative in teaching children — I love them!”
Emily lives in Mission, Kansas with her daughter, their two dogs, and four cats. On weekends, she enjoys expressing her creativity through 3D printing and painting.
Christy Hunter
Christy Hunter serves as the Assistant Director of the Knox Child Development Center, bringing a remarkable 28 years of experience in early childhood care and education. Known for her dedication, leadership, and heart for children, Christy plays an essential role in supporting the daily operations and nurturing environment of Knox CDC.
Throughout her career, Christy has worn many hats — from school bus driver to Kid Zone Coordinator, Mom’s Day Out and Pre-K teacher at the YMCA, and most recently, a beloved Pre-K teacher at Knox CDC for 7 years. Her passion for working with children and families is evident in every role she’s held.
Christy has been happily married to her husband, Jeff, for 24 years, and they are proud parents of three adult children. The Hunters share their home with two pugs and enjoy traveling.